European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - September 17, 1980, Darmstadt, Hesse For Frank Lloyd editor s note Jack Harrison Pollack is a Veter an journalist and author. His most recent Book is i Arron the judge wha changed America by Jack Harrison Pollack o music us building in american history has been As passionately vilified As the spectacular spiral designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for new York City s upper fifth controversial Guggenheim museum has been scoffed at assailed and ridiculed mostly by traditionalists who have likened it to a giant mushroom Cork screw Cement Hopper Concrete trash can a marshmallow chambered Nautilus washing machine egg catch Pencil Sharpener hair dryer indigestible hot Cross Bun Ana Evena toilet bowl. A new York times Art critic opined that the hulking window less Structure with its Rise to a Hundred foot dome would be More suitable As a bus station or hotel lobby than a Bouse of Art. Expatriate millionairess Peggy Guggenheim infant terrible to the end she died last december 23called the architectural landmark my uncles s an though she permitted the Solomon r. Guggenheim foundation in new York to administer her collection of 260 modern paintings and sculptures she insisted the remain in her 18th Century venetian Palace instead of at what she contemptuously dubbed that Frank Lloyd right the crusty cantankerous Wright who died 21 year Sago this past april at a defiant 91, would not have been surprised at the lingering controversy clinging to his final major work. Contention was indigenous to the arrogant nonconformist during his flamboyant 72-year career. Conceded even by his enemies to have been the mos innovative architect of the past Century Wright would have enjoyed a continuing Battle with the critics of his radically designed museum. I happen to interview him on the very Day that designed the final contract for the revolutionary museum on tuesday May 3, 1956 at 5 p.m., 1 appeared at Newyork elegantly traditional Plaza hotel in the suite maintained by modernist Wright. He lived at the Plaza while supervising construction of the Guggenheim the suite had been occupied by Diamond Jim Brady then redesigned by Christian dior in the grand Continental fashion but vehemently redecorated by Wright himself with functional furniture in Maroon Gold purple an Plum. The flamboyant design prompted an assistant manager to quip it looks like a circus " architect Frank Lloyd Wright left goes Over museum pans with builder david7jten Poge m the stars and stripes my appointment had been Arrutti publisher o interview him for theme Only be Beautiful b r Teris Lichtly contrary to popular the master builder was not there whet an entourage of family apprentices Tat awaiting him in the spacious living room. Is a cast in the perpetual performance of Wright s personal life which was Ai oaf us dramatic As his Public life. Commanding the crowd in regal of coloured beads and a Lam i Wright s aristocratic third wife Olg. Is her in 1923 the daughter of a supreme a mountainous Montenegro now a Olgivanna As he affectionately called few Wright s theatrical lifestyle. She still
