Remembering Architect Andrew Geller (1924–2011)
The man who designed the kitchen where Nikita Kruschev and President Richard Nixon held their famous “kitchen debate,” architect Andrew Geller, has died. Geller, who studied architecture at Cooper Union, designed the kitchen as part of the Leisurama house project while working for iconic designer Raymond Loewy.
Geller was also known for the modernist beach homes he designed for clients on Long Island. Read more on Geller in Mark Lamster’s post on Design Observer.
Geller’s grandson, filmmaker Jake Gorst who lives in Geller’s former Northport home is preserving his grandfather’s architectural legacy. Read more on Gorst’s work.
Andrew Geller, Frank House (1958), Fire Island Pines, NY. Photographer unknown.
Source: http://observersroom.designobserver.com/media/images/geller3.jpg
Audrey Hepburn’s Classic “Modern” Style
Actress Audrey Hepburn was one of the great movie trend-setters of the Twentieth Century. Today we’re sharing a post on Miss Hepburn’s unique style from Modernist Today:
“The classic timeless beauty of Audrey Hepburn, coupled with the elegant and modernist styling of her many fabulous costumes, are now being appreciated by a new generation. Many iconic images of Ms. Hepburn have been seen in some new places, introducing her iconic images to legions of new fans.”
Funny Face Audrey Hepburn (1957). Photographer uncredited.
“Visual Acoustics” Backstory
This is our last in a series of posts related to “Visual Acoustics: The Modernism of Julius Shulman.” Architect Leo Marmol, FAIA and film maker Eric Bricker discuss the genius of Julius Shulman and the photographer’s impact on modernism. The interview was recorded in Austin, Texas in 2010 and produced by Design Within Reach.
Shulman Speaks
You’ve read the post, now hear Julius Shulman in his own words as he tells the story behind his iconic “Case Study House #22 - Two Girls.” The interview, one of Shulman’s last at age 98, was part of a series created for the Annenberg Space for Photography inaugural exhibit in 2009.
Five Important Contributions Photographer Julius Shulman Made to Modern Architecture
“Kaufmann House” photographed by Julius Shulman (1947) from VISUAL ACOUSTICS, an Arthouse Films release 2009. Copyright J. Paul Getty Trust.
Source: http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/uponsun/assets_c/2010/03/4KaufmannHouse-thumb-500x396.jpg
Eric Bricker’s documentary, “Visual Acoustics: the Modernism of Julius Shulman,” covers the importance of Shulman and his photography during the development of Modern Architecture in the United States during the Twentieth Century. Five points discussed in the film:
- Julius Shulman was not only instrumental in recording the development of Modern Architecture in the United States, but his vision also influenced how people the world over perceived those buildings. He created iconic images of the most important buildings of Richard Neutra, Rudolf Schindler and Frank Lloyd Wright, among many others.
Photographer Julius Shulman (left) with Richard Neutra circa 1950.
Source: http://www.trianglemodernisthouses.com/neutra306.jpg
- Through the publication of his photographs Shulman became a “tastemaker,” introducing the public to rising architectural stars. John Lautner, Albert Frey, Pierre Koenig, Harwell Harris, Oscar Niemeyer, Abraham Zabludovsky and E. Stewart Williams were several of the architects whose reputations Shulman helped to establish. In bonus material on the “Visual Acoustics” DVD Frank Gehry admits that while Shulman was unsuccessful in getting photographs of the architect’s early work published, the photographer did find Gehry his first client.
- Shulman’s work “introduced an innovative lifestyle to the post-war public”(1). For each person who had the opportunity to visit one of these elegant private homes there may have been another 10,000 or more who saw Shulman’s photo of it in a magazine.
“Case Study House #22 - Two Girls” photographed by Julius Shulman (1960). Copyright J. Paul Getty Trust.
Source: http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/uponsun/assets_c/2010/03/1CSHTwoGirls-thumb-300x371.jpg
Coming Soon!
Design and Desire will be posting observations from the film “Visual Acoustics: The Modernism of Julius Shulman.” In the meantime enjoy the trailer for the film.
