It seems as if the tumult and intrigue that ran through Frank Lloyd Wright's life has lived on at Taliesin. After being embroiled in accreditation issues, suspending Fall 2013 enrollment, and working through rocky fundraising plans, Taliesin recently appointed Aaron Betsky to lead the school and help it regain solid footing. Betsky was previously the Director of the Cincinnati Art Museum and has quite the art/architecture pedigree: he's served as the Director of the 2008 International Architecture Biennale in Venice, SFMOMA's Curator of Architecture and Design, and the Director of the Netherlands Architecture Institute in Rotterdam.
Betsky joined Paul, Amelia, Donna and Ken on the podcast to talk about his plans to make Taliesin the best experimental architecture school in the world, and its role in the changing tides of architecture education. It also turns out that Betsky is quite the DJ.
News this week was also rather Wright-ous, with the nomination of 10 FLW structures to the UNESCO World Heritage List, and the Hollyhock House's reopening in Los Angeles.
We also take some time this episode to gaze inward on the podcast, and frankly consider our "intro" segments, where each hosts shares what's going on in their lives. What do you think of our introductions? We hunger for feedback.
Send us your architectural legal issues, comments or questions via twitter #archinectsessions, email or call us at (213) 784-7421.
Listen to episode fifteen of Archinect Sessions, "Let's be Frank" with Aaron Betsky, Taliesin's new Dean:
Shownotes:
Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention
mightyaa thread on "How do you find a partner or other firm to merge with?"
Christopher Hawthorne on angles to architecture journalism on Episode #10
California's bonkers Salton Sea
Karl Ove Knausgaard, author of the "My Struggle" series
6 Comments
Oh man huge mea culpa: I said "Navajo Red"...Duh. FLW's color is Cherokee Red, and I'm a dork.
Is it ok to say that the halting way of talking can be a bit distracting? It seems to communicate thoughtfulness and all, but sometimes it's really hard to follow.
As for wanting to create the most experimental school in the country, this from the guy who shot a gun in the museum as a thought provoking piece or something. Or when he said he wanted to make the world a better place by listening to people. There seems to be a slight contradiction there, at least the way he went after those folks on the NYT piece. As he said, architecture is for those who can afford it.
Either way, I hear a free for all art school atmosphere with a large serving of archispeak. Suppose there's a market for that skill set, but it does seem limited. I will look forward to seeing the world improve from the perspective of the rich.
I binged this weekend after falling behind again.The podcasts have gotten much smoother and easier to follow. I think the intros are good and enjoy hearing about off topic stuff - but try to move things along if no one has anything to discuss.
One request - and this may be a big PITA - would be written transcripts. There've been plenty times I wanted to refer to what I think someone said but later lose track of it. I suspect others listening from abroad would also find it easier to follow if there were text to read.
With all the talk about student debt going on, maybe it would be worth looking into bringing on a financial planner or someone who would be able to give advice to those in bad debt situations, something in the vein of the legal discussions that have been happening on the recent podcasts. I would be interested in hearing someone who is versed in the financial field talking about consolidating debt, which debt repayment plans are appropriate for which situations, etc.
Long time listener, first time commenter. I was fortunate enough to get in on Session 1 and have listened to every episode since. I have so enjoyed the progression. In my opinion the dynamic that you have pulled together with the 4 hosts is very successful. I am somewhat of an avid podcast listener and I must say the quality of guests coupled with the well thought out and articulated questions, has been outstanding. I have tapped in to Archinect many times in the past, mostly when I was in school, but because I spend so much time in front of screens as it is- and I attempt to keep a life work balance- I don't find myself spending much time reading content online for enjoyment- I know I am missing a lot! But-enter the podcast- and I now have a way that I can be exposed to the content, and with your endorsements, etc I can dig further if there is something mentioned that interests me. I just wanted to let you know that what you are doing is a true service to Architects and the profession as a whole. One comment on intro- I do like the current format and for me personally I like hearing about what is going on in your lives-like the example of Paul and his love for diving-and even Ken bitching about being tired from work-it's real-well anyway, it's great. One suggestion would be to consider an intro bump. Definitely does not need to be long and twangy! I personally like what 5 by 5- Back to Work does...its like 3 notes but in my opinion, it works. I wanted to take time out of my life to give credit where credit is due. Keep up the great work and keep raising the bar- as I know you will. Good luck to Donna on the design of her new house. And last but definitely not least, thanks to Amelia for her intelligent and insightful perspectives and inquiry...the show benefits greatly from her input.
Thank you Aware Architect! I'm so happy to hear you've been enjoying the show.
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