This was the Future, Vol.18
typed for your pleasure on 10 November 2005, at 4.46 amSdtrk: ‘Sorry for laughing’ by Josef K
Wee bit of a story behind the choice for this evening’s installment: A couple of years ago, I commissioned Mike, a mate of mine, to do an illustration of Sidore-chan for ‘Kitten with a Whip!’, and I wanted her drawn standing in a fab and distinctive setting. So Mike pointed me towards his vast library of reference material, and after poring through a couple of rather heavy books, I settled on a place in New York City, NY. I was really pleased with Mike’s ace rendition of both Sweetie and the background, and it was profiled as an omake (bonus) on ‘KWAW!’ for a couple of months. I’m sure some of you remember it.
Click here for full-sized version; opens in new window
For years afterward, the name of the actual location managed to elude me, until recently, when doing research for Vol.18 of the ‘This was the Future’ series. Now that I know what the place is called, I can finally sleep at night, thank god thank god.
And so! We bring you the Rockefeller Guest House, by Philip Johnson.
The home is one room wide, and upon entering, the living room stretches far back until it is book-ended by floor to ceiling windows that closely mimic the façade’s layout. The living room space has white brick walls and features lighting fixtures designed by Mr. Johnson. Beyond the windows, there is a small courtyard that features a prime example of Philip Johnson’s concept of “safe danger”. In the courtyard, visitors must carefully walk on square travertine stepping-stones and avoid falling into the shallow reflecting pool on either side.
Oddly enough, there’s really not a lot of info on the Rockefeller Guest House; well, none that I could find. Sure, you’ll run across articles left and right on his Glass House, and I probably would’ve done an installment on the Glass House myself, but I’ve already done the Farnsworth House. (Zing!) But the Guest House is pretty ace as well. Granted, it might look like an uninspiring sort of miniature Fifties-built warehouse from the front, but the interior — especially that courtyard — is amazing. Subtle? Yes
Random similar posts, for more timewasting:
Tip o' the iceberg! That's a traditional Irish greeting on May 23rd, 2017
Love Deafening silence Plus-style on February 14th, 2014
November 13th, 2005 at 12.59 am
If the windows were paper, this would seem very Japanese, no?
November 13th, 2005 at 3.17 am
Yes! But then they wouldn’t be windows.
November 13th, 2005 at 10.14 pm
No, I suppose not.
November 20th, 2005 at 9.28 am
You could douse the paper windows in grease until they become clear… get a big ol’ bag of Better Made chips, crush them finely, and start rubbing… the best part is you can lick your fingers afterward and it’s tasty! Mmmmm!
You could also install no windows at all and have “virtual windows”. Hire a guy in a black turtleneck to sit there and, if anyone tries to walk through, inform them that there’s a window. When the passerby insists there is not, the guy in the turtleneck could say “there is, and there isn’t. Crazy, man.” and start keeping time on the bongos. It would lead to instant, on-the-spot spiritual enlightenment. Groovy!
November 20th, 2005 at 6.17 pm
*snaps fingers in applause*