Born On This day- July 8th.. Phillip Johnson

Architecture is one of my passions & 20th century American architecture is my focus. I say that as I realize that my favorite structure is the Duomo in Sienna. Not all that long ago, a young man who was gay & loved design was expected to become a decorator. Brick & concrete were for straight guys; homos were supposed to stick to furniture & fabrics. But for most of the 20th century, there was a glorious exception. Philip Cortely Johnson built skyscrapers in nearly every major USA city, mentored 3 generations of mostly straight male architects, & lived with a man he met when Dwight D. Eisenhower occupied the White House.

Photograph by Irving Penn

Today marks the birthday of Phillip Johnson, my favorite American Architect. Distinctive in his thick round glasses, Johnson caught my interest when I lived in NYC & fell in love with the Seagram's building (which has a mention in the musical Company, making me curious about the reference). After graduating from Harvard, Johnson founded the Department of Architecture & Design at the MOMA. He didn't actually practice architecture for another 10 years. His most iconic work is his Glass House, which I want to see in my lifetime. His other important works include the New York State Theatre at Lincoln Center, JFK Memorial Plaza in Dallas, 101 California Street in San Francisco, 191 Peachtree Tower in Atalanta, the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove California, the Tata Theatre in Mombai,  & the unfinished GLBT Cathedral Of Hope in Dallas. Throughout his career he was as well-known for his quips as he was for his buildings. He once famously called Frank Lloyd Wright whose career lasted from the 1880s to the 1950s, "the greatest architect of the 19th century." 

The Seagram Building, built in 1958

Johnson lived with his partner- curator David Whitney from 1960 until his death in January 2005. He died at his Glass House in New Canaan, Connecticut. Johnson was 98. Whitney died less than 6 months later.

The Golden Gate Bridge Turns 75 On This Day- May 28th

Another of my favorite structures on the planet is, of course, The openly gay Golden Gate Bridge is a technical masterpiece & a bridge of exceptional design artistry. When the bridge opened to the public, 75 years ago today- May 28^th, The Golden Gate was the world's longest & tallest suspension bridge. But above all this masterly example of engineering is a magnificent monument set against a beautiful backdrop.

Construction of the Golden Gate Bridge started in 1933. The bridge, which was designed by engineer Joseph Strauss (who designed Portland's Broadway Bridge) was built to connect San Francisco with Marin County across the 5000+ foot wide strait known as the Golden Gate which connects the San Francisco Bay with the Pacific Ocean.

The construction was a colossal task. At the time many people did not believe it was technically possible to span the Golden Gate. But despite the disbelief, opposition & the Great Depression, Joseph Strauss was able to find sufficient support & financial backing to go ahead with the project. It would take thousands of workers, 4 years & 35 million dollars to complete the structure. 21 men died in accidents during the construction.

The dimensions of the bridge defied all imagination. The total length of the bridge is 8,981feet. The main span between the 2 enormous towers is 4,200 feet long, making the Golden Gate Bridge the world's largest suspension bridge, a record that would stand until 1964 when the Verrazano-Narrows bridge in NYC was completed.

The pair of magnifecnt Art Deco towers are almost 740 feet tall. The 6 lanes of road is an amazing 220 above the water level. The bridge is supported by enormous cables, anchored in hundreds of bars locked into concrete blocks. The 2 cables are woven from 27,572 threads of steel with a total length that equals 3 times the earth's circumference.

From last night's 75th Birthday celebration of concerts, speeches, parties & fireworks

The Golden Gate Bridge has always been painted orange vermilion, named- "International Orange."  The distinctive orange color blends well with the span's natural setting as it is a warm color consistent with the warm colors of the surrounding land & distinct from the cool colors of the sky & sea. It also provides enhanced visibility for passing ships.

A revered & rugged group of of 16 ironworkers and 3 pusher ironworkers, 33 painters, 5 painter laborers, & a chief bridge painter battle wind, sea air & fog, often suspended high above the Gate, to repair corroding steel & keep the bridge looking pretty.

In September 1971, I walked across the Golden Gate Bridge. It was quite a challenge. Not only is it a long trip, but it is a breathtaking. In extreme circumstances the bridge can sway almost 28 feet. This makes the bridge less pleasant during strong winds or an earthquake. The views, however, were amazing. The Golden Gate Bridge has a major role, playing itself, in my favorite Hitchcock film- Vertigo.

The Chrysler Building Turns 81 On This Day- May 28th

I am zany about architecture & design, & certain buildings & structures really grab my attention & move me, among them (these are structures that I have actually visted): the Woolworth's Building (NYC), the Duomo in Sienna, the Space Needle, the Hollywood Sign, the Boston Public Library, the Brooklyn Bridge, Chateau de Versailles, Church of San Spirito (Florence) The Cliff Dwellings of Mesa Verde, the Eiffel Tower, the Empire State Building, The Flatiron Building, Freeway Park (Seattle), The Golden Gate Bridge, the Customs House (Portland), Leaning Tower of Pisa, Lovejoy Fountain Plaza (Portland), Lovell House (L.A.), Mount Vernon (Virginia), MOMA (NYC), Paris Metro Entrances, Piazza del Campo(Sienna), Piazza of San Marco (Venice), Rockefeller Center, Santa Maria Novella (Florence), San Simeon (California), San Stefano (Venice), Sears Tower (Chicago), Seattle Public Library, Seagram Building (NYC), Saint Mark’s (Venice), Statue of Liberty, Stonehenge, the Louvre, the White House, Transamerica Pyramid (SF), the Custom House (Venice,), Washington Monument, Watts Towers (L.A.), Capitol Records Building (Hollywood), Shaker Barns, Covered Brudges, Tuscan Farmhouses, Yurts, Fairie Structures at Collin’s Beach- Sauvie Isalnd, & St. Johns Bridge (Portland).

My favorite man-made structure in the world is The Chrysler Buliding in NYC. At the beginning of the 20th century, the race for the tallest building in the world was on & the Chrysler Building was the first building to top the then tallest structure, the Eiffel Tower.

The Chrysler Building was in a race with the Bank of Manhattan (40 Wall Street) for the distinction of being tallest building in the world. It seemed certain that the Bank of Manhattan would win the race, with an expected height of 927ft against 755ft for the Chrysler building, but the spire of the Chrysler building was constructed in secret inside the tower.

Just a week after the Bank of Manhattan had reached its top, the spire of the Chrysler Building was put in place, making it 318 meter (1045ft) high, thus beating the Bank of Manhattan as the tallest building in the world. It would not keep this title for long, a year later the Empire State Building was erected.

The Art Deco Chrysler Building features gargoyles that depict Chrysler car ornaments & the spire is modeled on a radiator grille. The building's Art Deco interior is even more magnificent than its exterior. The marble floors & the Art Deco patterns on the stylish elevator doors make the Chrysler Building one of New York's most beautiful towers.

Annie Leibovitz attempting to get that perfect shot

When I lived in Manhattan in the mid-1970s, I never grew tired of looking up & I never was less then thrilled when I caught a glimse of this stunning tower. Like most of the structures on my list, viewing them was made more special by watching the Husband’s reaction to expereincing these wonders of design.

My Second Favorite Structure In The World.

Remember that crazy period in the aughts when Americans were required to be anti-French. Freedom Fries? Well, I never bought it. I am an unabashed Francofile. I took the stairs to level 3, & I stood on the observation deck, & everywhere I went I tried to sneak a view of it every chance that I could find. I have only been to Paris once, but I can't ever get tired of looking at The Eiffel Tower in photos & in films. The landmark turns 123 today.