Famed architect and valued member to the architectural community, Philip Johnson, passed away last night at the age of 98. More from the NY Times, Google News, and a profile, biography and interview from the Academy of Achievement. (Updated: see inside)
"He is architecture's greatest presence, without, paradoxically, being the greatest architect of our time,'' Paul Goldenberger, architecture critic for the New Yorker, said in 2001. "He has unquestionably had more impact on the intersection of architecture and the public than any other architect.''
Nicolai Ouroussoff: here & complete coverage section at the NYT with Paul Goldberger audio.
Quotes from some of the many who were his patrons or collaborators.
10 Comments
man what a career , i used to work near the glass house and his estate , it was a great inspiration to see that place. i hope it becomes a museum now with all the pavillions and such
Philip Johnson was an invaluable addition to the field of architecture. His death represents the passing of a bygone era defined by the pioneering modernists of the 20th century.
I think it's ironic that his passing was just two days after the death of Johnny Carson, a pillar in the entertainment industry who also greatly contributed to the development of modern culture.
Although I wonder about his contribution to the field as an architect, the power he wielded through wealth and connections has left a lasting impression on architectural culture, particularly in New York. Makes me wonder if their is anyone comparable matches his ability to make careers by matching architects to patrons, or through publicity the way he used exhibitions at Moma.
'Nother question: does anyone know if his personal papers are to become public? It could recast the historiography of modern architecture if we were to know the backstory.
Goethe said that he called architecture frozen music. That is what Mr. johnson give us.
kurtneis, pj willed the compound to the national trust to be opened as a museum
It wasn't Goethe who said that architecture is frozen music, it was Schiller. Get your Weimar right and don't quote the raven. Nevermore...
Widely attributed to Goethe. Not a big deal.
Tell that to Schiller.
Touche.
He lived almost to be one Hundred. Just like Titian, who died at 99;
How wonderful to have jobs and being able to stay creative through life !
We should all envy him for having been blessed to stay creative and support creativity and new ideas to the end ! that's all ! and by the way, I still keep him in memory, just after a talk at Columbia's Avery Hall , 1966 or 67(?), standing by the "Chock-full-o-nuts"(I forget now the spelling) on Broadway and 116th.st, waiting for a cub to take him downtown. I am sure they'll have a lot to talk with Rudolph up there... remember Margaret ? God Bless them both...
Tony/A.C.A
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