Monthly Update
News And Updates
February saw some important organizational momentum for OA+D with the establishment of a new expanded archival storage space near our downtown Chandler, AZ Study Center. It will not only house current overflow materials, but also act as a growth space for the several new collections coming in. This expanded space will also allow us to bring materials from our Los Angeles, Chicago, and Kentucky storage sites to Chandler for easier processing and digitization. It's an important step towards our ultimate goal of establishing a singular multi-purpose location for the entire OA+D Archives.
In other news, work is well underway to restore Eugene Masselink's impressive hand-painted wood mural, originally created for the Flying Dutchman Bar. The mural was salvaged from the fire-destroyed building, which was formerly of Spring Green, WI. Amazingly, the mural survived mostly intact with only moderate smoke and a water damage. Cleaning has revealed that original paint is still present (to help with matching areas of loss) and the luster of the gold leaf is as shiny as ever.
We are asking supporters interested in bringing this important Masselink design back to its stunning former glory to help us raise $20,000 to meet this goal! We've already received $4000 from generous supporters, but it's just the beginning.
OA+D has a remarkable track record of completing successful projects like this, but it's only done with the generous support of passionate and dedicated supporters like YOU. Please consider donating to help restore Gene's mural by clicking on THIS LINK and giving what you can. Let us know you are contributing to this specific effort and we'll be sure to include you on the list for an upcoming "thank you" gift we'll be developing specifically for generous donors.
From The Archives
2023 marks the 100th anniversary of Frank Lloyd Wright's lost masterpiece, the Imperial Hotel. Throughout the year we'll be featuring some of the hundreds of items OA+D is fortunate enough to have in its collections that are connected to the building.
This month we feature one of 15 negatives held in the OA+D Archives that were taken in late 1922/early 1923. They are important because they document the building as it neared completion and just prior to the Great Kanto Earthquake, which hit Japan on September 1, 1923. The Hotel famously survived (mostly intact) from the natural disaster, which helped cement Wright's fame across the globe as architectural genius.
Unique items like this have been gathered over the years in order to aid in long-term study, appreciation, and understanding of this lost architectural masterpiece. We are planning other special ways to mark the centennial of the Hotel — more to be announced soon!
If you happen to have other materials related to the Imperial Hotel (or any other organic architectural or design items) that you're interested in donating to join other materials like these, please let us know by contacting us at info@oadarchives.org.
Don't Miss John Lautner’s Pearlman Cabin & Walstrom Residence Exhibition
Just a reminder! Don't miss seeing the second edition of John Lautner’s Pearlman Cabin & Walstrom Residence exhibition at Architekton, in Tempe, AZ in collaboration with the Organic Architecture + Design Archives, TSOA, and the John Lautner Foundation. This exhibition, featuring two unique residential works by Lautner, a renowned American architect and early apprentice of the Taliesin Fellowship, first opened to the public at TSOA's Arcosanti campus in the Fall of 2022, and has been re-located and re-organized by TSOA students at the offices of Architekton in Tempe, Arizona.
A closing event on March 31, 2023, will reflect on the two projects, the two exhibitions, the creative process, and future potentials of future exhibitions as the collection of materials continue to travel and grow. More details on the closing event will be announced soon! In the meantime, learn about more about the exhibit here.
This is an exciting and meaningful way in which the materials in the OA+D collections help serve as the basis for educational outreach and engagement with younger and diverse audiences. We need your support to help us produce exhibits like this and foster additional educational opportunities. Please consider a tax-deductible donation to help support these efforts HERE.