What
it's like to be 75!
DN Remarks at the Recreation Center, Eagle
Rock Park, Evening of October 6, 2001
Some people say 'Please
don't sing Happy Birthday'; I'm not one of them; thanks so much! My wish, in
blowing out these candles, is for this planet. I wish that we find a way to
survive using our talents for design, including non-violent ways to reconcile
perceived differences that threaten to destroy us. We are ONE WORLD; we must
finally realize that our planet needs our total attention for its own survival!
I want to start by paying my
respects to the memory of my wife, Jackie Reinach Neutra. If she hadn't passed
from us just a year ago last Sunday, she'd have produced this event, as she did
my 70th.when she flew my entire family in from out of town! I miss
her a lot, especially on occasions like this.
Since she couldn't be here for this occasion, it fell to me. How're we
doing?
How to celebrate reaching
the three-quarter century mark? How many people reach this point? How many
people here are 75 or better? [Raises hand; maybe 5% of attendees raise hands].
We alone know how it feels to be one of the oldest persons in a room!
I decided it was too
important a milestone to just to let it go, and besides this year '01 also
marks the 75th birthday of the founding of the firm as well, so I figured,
'let's go for it, and see what we can create'. Tonight is the culmination of a
year's planning. I hope you're enjoying yourselves; isn't this a fabulous
place?
The turn-out tonight is the
result of p/r efforts gone awry. How many of you are here because of the LA
Times story? How many of you realized what a wonderful dinner we'd planned to
serve as part of what was announced there? We'd hoped to have at least 250
people eat, but by yesterday when we had to cut the food service off to allow
the chef to place is food orders, we were at about 80, and most of them
surprised to find out that the 'reception' was actually much more than that.
The rest of you just were just a little too late to catch the dinner.
Anyway, I'm grateful that at
least this select group of early birds managed to make it here. Could
the dinner people join me now in a big round of applause for the efforts of
Chef Fred Eric and his support crew!
Let me tell you a bit about
how we got here, why I chose this venue and what the firm is up to these days
as we gear up for 'Neutra 100' meaning the firm and me 25 years from tonight!
I realized several years
ago, that I had been remiss in not re-contacting owners of Neutra structures
since we celebrated our 50th year in practice back in '76. At that
time I reached most of the group and up-dated our data-base. In my interest of trying to create a 'Neutra
Community' as a means of preserving what's left of our work, I thought the occasion
of the firm's 75th would be the next logical time to try again to
see what could be accomplished.
I really started focussing on
the opportunities of '01 around this time last year, when I realized that these
events were up-coming and I wouldn't have the support and creativity of Jackie
to help. Ironically, a number of new projects had presented themselves around
then, and it seemed to me that these important anniversaries could help focus
attention on what is left of our practice. At this time last year, Taschen was
getting ready to publish the 'Complete Works' compilation as well with
attendant publicity, book signings and the like. That's the 'plywood book', as
some have called it!
Public attention to the work
has continued to build. Recent house sales have for the first time documented
that the 'Neutra Cache' translates into actual increased cash value for the
houses, and our website was starting to really fulfil a need; a point of
contact. I'm getting Emails daily from all over the globe; it's a metaphor for
our 'one world' situation.
This anniversary year
started with an exciting event. I was flown to San Francisco, and on Friday,
January 19, appeared on the interview show 'Breakfast with Beverly' which was
later converted to streaming video and can be seen from our website to this
day. I spent the weekend doing a quick survey of about a dozen Neutra projects
in the bay area.
Building on the excitement
of the book publication; the first major Neutra book in nearly 20 years, I
continued to look for focal points during this year and decided that my dad's
109th birthday, April 8 would be a good date for the early part of
the year, with my own birthday this weekend being the logical ending anchor for
a year of celebration. After some discussion with my daughter, Wendy, who is
here with her whole family from the bay area, we decided to shift the actual
celebration to tonight rather than my actual birthday, which is Monday, so that
people like her traveling from afar might better be able to get back to work
the first of the week.
As it turned out, my younger
brother Ray, did not notice this change of days in time. He had scheduled his
return from the east for tomorrow, so we'll have a small evening family
celebration on Monday my actual birthday, with him and my local son, Nick.
After all. I know that Ray is here in spirit as are so many others who had
conflicts for whatever reason, including Jackie; she would have loved this!
Jackie; I know you're with us!
Last April 8 turned out to
be a Sunday. The City declared it 'Richard and Dion Neutra Day in LA', and we
decided to reach out not only to Neutra owners but also to others who might
have had a professional connection with the practice, such as contractors,
suppliers, draftspeople, and anyone who could trace a connection with the firm
over the years. A gathering was planned with refreshments at the end of the
day, preceded by a walking tour of Neutra venues in Silverlake in and around
Neutra Place.
When I realized what a
stupendous effort was involved to get as many as ten Neutra interiors to open
up for such an occasion, we decided to make the tour available to the general
public as well, and try to record the event on video as a part of an ambitious
documentary that was long overdue on the firm. This created its own set of
issues, so it became necessary to convene a large corps of volunteers to assist
in this venture.
Glossing over all the
details, we ended up with upwards of 600 members of the community
participating. Later, at the evening reception held at the Neutra Office
Building on Glendale Blvd,, we convened the original group of Neutra
Affiliates. We mixed and matched experiences over the years. While I had waited
a bit too long, it was still gratifying to see a group of folks I hadn't been
in touch with for many years. The contractor who did so many of our projects in
the 50s-60s, Red Marsh was there; still vibrant at 92. He won the prize for the
most senior of contractor/suppliers to attend.
Also present were winners
for oldest and furthest traveled clients, along with the newest Neutra owner at
the time. We had an auction for Neutra travel sketches in order to fund
lobbying activities on behalf of the Gettysburg Cyclorama Center, which is in
danger of being destroyed as we speak still. We're looking for an inside track
to the president, if anyone can supply that. I have some ideas that I think I
could sell, given such a contact. The auction had to raise at least $2000 to be
successful; we managed over $3000 thanks to an old draftsman, who absolutely
HAD to have a Neutra sketch of some cows in a field!
I received many compliments
on the day, that it all seemed worth the herculean effort it took with over 50
volunteers to coordinate. I did declare though, that the next such day would
have to wait for another 25 years!! I would love to give credit to all who
worked so hard on this, and especially Cindy Olnick who had also worked on the
website for nearly a year, and undertook the task of finding and coordinating
the docents; many from the LA Conservancy Modernism committee. Cindy I salute
you! There were too many others to attempt to mention them by name; some of you
are here, but thank you all.
Other highlights of the year
since April included a showing of our 'Traveling Exhibition' at Cal State
Fullerton's gallery in Santa Ana in July and my trip to Painted Desert just
this last week to consult on the preservation of that Visitor Center which we
designed in 1960.
Another exciting development
is the signing of an agreement to copyright and market a new font based on what
we used on many of our buildings in the 50s and 60s. This was an inspiration by
one of my other volunteer associates, Jaeson Kay, who is here today without his
wife Liz; they've been incredible again in helping to put today's show
together. Jaeson used the font for the outstanding graphics he created for the
Reunion in April. We're calling it 'NeutraFace'.
Royalty payments from this may help support the Institute Website. The Neutra Reunion Poster on sale here
tonight was done using this font.
I've had interest expressed
in the publishing of a new book I'm thinking of as a sequel to the 'Plywood'
book. Our working title is 'The Neutras-Then and Later'. We'll be starting from
the pristine images taken soon after construction and tracing what can happen
to good architecture in today's environment, which is bereft of a comprehensive
policy to preserve recent architecture.
Just in time for this event
I received a shipment of the author's 10 copies of the second edition of the
Taschen book. This is being especially re-issued for Christmas since the
original first edition of 10,000 copies is about to run out. I've heard a rumor
that Taschen may raise the price as they often do for subsequent printings but
for this evening you can snag one of these at a bargain discounted price of
$135 including my personal dedication. Get them while you can.
I heard recently that
there's a movement afoot to nominate me for Fellowship in the AIA. It's
something I hadn't really thought about, but it could be nice; let's see what's
involved. This is certainly the appropriate year to start this arduous process.
I was told I had to summarize my contribution to the profession in under 35
words. Here's my first draft at this:
"My contribution to the
profession comes in part through my passion for continuing education for
students and professionals, communication and preservation of worthy examples
of modernist architecture, our own and that of others."
What's it like to be 75?
People in our ageist society
often tell me I don't look a day over 55 or 65; I still feel like 55. I think
it's all about attitude and joi de vivre. It also has to do with purpose in
life; why you get up in the morning. Do you feel you still have
something to contribute?
I can't believe that my dad
was only 3 years older than me, when he passed from us in 1970. Of course he
was going a mile a minute up to the end, and had had two heart attacks. The
pathologist who autopsied him said 'There's no way this man could have been
ambulatory with all that was wrong with him!'. Richard Neutra was truly an
embodiment of the mind-body connection; he simply had so much to live for, that
his body had no choice but to go along, until it was finally just too much.
It's actually the way to go, when you think of it.
I'm not aware of any
life-threatening stuff for me, and certainly I have a lot yet to accomplish. I
plan to be around for a lot longer than just another three years! In fact to
make it to 100, I'm just getting started!
I first met Jackie when I
was still 68. She consulted a psychic who predicted a whole new career for me
starting at 75. I think this may have
been a factor in her deciding I was worth the risk! Turns out in a manner of speaking, this may have been true. In
any event, with this year, I certainly seem to be launching into a whole new flurry
of activities both personally, in the firm and for the Institute. From
somewhere up there Jackie is saying "I told you so!".
I'm constantly looking for support
in the Institute. Visit our website at Neutra.org and check us out. If you are
intrigued with any of our activities, write me and we'll find something you can
work on. I'm looking for joint venture architectural support both here locally
as well as in the bay area for starters; maybe later in SW Texas for a
restoration I'm interested in there. Again, any suggestions would be welcomed.
As mentioned, education and
preservation are some of my passions. The state of this building might serve as
a metaphor for much of our practice.
Designed and completed in
1954, this was one of two projects we did in those days for the city Department
of Recreation and Parks. I was project architect on it, and I remember with
what excitement we expanded on what the city asked us to provide. They
originally only asked for an indoor basketball court and a covered porch on
which to play ping-pong, etc. We came up with all the flexibility features you
see here today. I'd like to pay my respects on this occasion to John Blanton,
architect, who was in our office for nearly 20 years during critical times. He
was in on the early design of this building and followed it through as well.
I'm sorry a family emergency prevented him from being with us this evening.
Columnless porch,
amphitheater, flexibility, moving walls, are features of this remarkable rec
center.
One of the reasons I chose
this venue, is that in some ways it illustrates the dilemma of a practice with
a history. What was once a pristine example has over time been ravaged by a
combination of weathering, abuse by users, changes in program or the society
which called for adjustments, a festooning of added conduits, signage,
downspouts, and closure of openings, lack of commitment by management to stay
the course with features that might require a tad extra effort to maintain. And
yet, here we are nearly 50 years later. The building is still serving the
function for which it was designed, and looking pretty sharp if I say so
myself!
Things were not always so
rosy.
In the late 80s there was
talk of demolishing this building in lieu of restoring it. I heard asbestos was
a problem. Fortunately, the neighborhood and some preservationists got together
and nominated it as a City Cultural Monument. When it was so declared, the city
took another look and elected to restore it; at least to a point. The
reflection pool had long been discontinued, so we mocked up a taste of it for
this occasion. Doesn't it add a note of excitement? If you haven't seen it,
check it out; it's on the north side just beyond the stage at the amphitheater,
about half of its original area.
When I visited here in the
summer, not having been here since the building was dedicated, I noticed that
the Cultural Monument plaque which had been in place for 10 years had our name
misspelled! I called attention to this, and tonight, I'm happy to say, we can
unveil the replacement, which I've not yet seen; can we remove that veil? Is
the name spelled right this time?
The ''G" from the
building sign 'Eagle Rock Park' had been lost for years. It's view was blocked
by a tree anyway, so no one seemed to care, until I visited some months ago and
made a minimal punch list of a few items to fix. The city has been most
gracious in responding, making sure the lift-up panels are working, the new
plaque was ordered which spells Neutra correctly, the building designation is temporarily
repaired with the offending tree removed so you can see it.
What I would wish for this
facility would be the removal of the support columns for the porch after
verifying that the original system is still viable, and the restoration of the
open glazed look for the directors office, and the community room. Using some
of the flexibility features would be lovely; perhaps an annual occasion for the
community to come together. How about restoring the pool even if used only on
ceremonial occasions? I could make a more extensive punch list!
Another example of a
possible preservation project I hope to preside over, is the national Park
Service's Painted Desert Visitor Center, which we completed a few years later
at the start of the 60s. In my visit there last week, I noted myriad
modifications, many to the detriment of the original design. But there, there
seems to be a will to try to revert back toward the original conception in some
cases, and a sympathetic adaptive reuse of the buildings at least. They
recognize that they preside over a historic monument well worth preserving as
an example of our work.
Their counterpart in the
east, the park service's Cyclorama Center at Gettysburg is another story. This
was probably one of the most important projects for my dad. You can imagine, an
emigrant from Vienna being entrusted to design what he came to call 'The shrine
of the nation'. He saw this much more as a commemoration of Lincoln's speech of
reconciliation than the celebration of the loss by the confederacy of the key
encounter of the war.
We designed many features
into that project which tried to address ways to focus on the speech. One was
the design of an 'Historic Rostrum' from which invited speakers were to orate
once annually on the date of the famous address; which was sometime in
November, I believe. I remember dad saying [with tongue in cheek] 'The only
condition for these speakers who were to address an throng gathered on the lawn
outside the sliding and folding walls, was they must conclude their remarks in
under two minutes just like Lincoln did!'
Our three year effort to
save this building from destruction has so far met with indifference from all
sides except the preservation community. We've received over 1000 Emails from
30 states and 10 foreign countries including Africa. Sir Norman Foster has
written from England! The building has been nominated for historic register and
landmark status. We seem to be the victim of hidden agendas which mitigate
against preservation despite the fact that the building is eminently suitable
for an adaptive reuse, and is not in the way of any intended development! It is
unthinkable that we should lose this one, but so far, no one in power has
stepped up to the plate. The loss of this would rank with Pennsylvania Station
and the von Sternberg house. Help is needed on this one! Contact me afterwards?
The Los Angeles County Hall
of Records building is in our civic center. It's the only example of civic
architecture by our firm in the downtown area. Its future is in question due to
the County records function being moved out of town. I've tried to convene an
LA Conservancy task force to look into what plans the county may have here
before it becomes a crisis. I think the building is largely empty at the
moment. There was a rumor that someone wanted to demolish and build something
newer and bigger. Chris Nichols of the Conservancy who is here will help focus
attention on the plight of this building.
There are so many more
projects I could speak about, not to mention the new work that seems to be
coming in. Again, much of this you can track on our website, so I invite your
surfing there when you can. We'll publish these remarks under our 'articles'
section in the next few weeks. Neuta.org.
I'd like to take a moment to
further recognize certain persons present who have contributed to this
occasion, and please excuse me if I fail to include everyone I should. I'd like
to start with members of my immediate family; my daughter Wendy, her husband
Mike, and grandkids Bret and Shannon all the way from Menlo Park near Stanford;
would you all stand?
And from the near north, my
son Haig and his daughter Dallas down from Santa Barbara; Dallas has a soccer
match tomorrow on the way home; could you also stand? We miss grandson, Chase,
who couldn't make it down.
Next my 'local' son Nick,
who you just met. He has supervised and organized this sound system and the
background music we've been enjoying. Nick presides over a state of the art
foley and sound restoration facility in Van Nuys called Post Creations; Nick
would you stand? Contact Nick for your movie and sound restoration projects.
Nick's mom Vicki and her
friend Jim. They have always lent support for these occasions, and are locals
here to Eagle Rock; would you please stand? Vicki is a dynamic real estate
person, so see her later with your listings.
I'd like to recognize my
oldest son Greg, and his family, who could not make it out this evening from
New Mexico. When we realized this some weeks ago, Nick and I arranged to fly
east to be with him while we celebrated Nick's birthday which was on September
23.
Again, Jaeson and Liz Kay,
producers, who, as neighbors of this facility are responsible for many of the
nuts and bolts happening tonight. Liz is rushing around Orange County for a
shoot with Cher tomorrow. She set dressed this room! Jae is opening a news
facility in this area on Colorado; see him later for details. Jae?
Cindy Olnick and her husband
Tom, They are both here, please stand?
Donnie Reece from the bay
area, photographer and enthusiast who was so helpful during my trip to SF in
January. He is helping with the book table this evening. Also Charlotte Croson,
my most loyal tenant and CFO of the Institute who has done yeoman duty with the
record keeping and support at the greeting table this evening. And Ted
Leutzinger, president of the Institute with his wife Caroline, please stand
folks?
Christoff Koon, sculptor,
whose work I happened to see in a show a few weeks ago. He kindly agreed to
make the installations you see around here today. See him after the show to
discuss future commissions! Christoff?
Members of the city
department of Recreation and Parks, who kindly took off time to show up for our
celebration; Mark Mariscal and his party; would you please stand? Is Larry
Mottler here? Site director Sharon Nishihara? They and the whole department
under the aegis of Ellen Oppenheim, have been magnificent in their enthusiasm
and making things happen here without cost to us, and at untypical speed for a
bureaucracy! I really feel HONORED by
your embracing of this event by your support!
Well, we've reviewed some of
what happened in this memorial year, discussed why I chose this venue for this
party, and given you a picture of some of the things I'm up to these days. We've
also taken the occasion to wish me a Happy Birthday, what could be better!
I hope I haven't totally
exhausted you [I know I have me!]. There are undoubtedly things that I've
missed. I'm sure there are questions or
discussion that someone would like to contribute. If so, we have a mike we can
pass around to you if you'll raise your hand.. While we get ready for this, let
me express my appreciation for your attendance. Some of you I know well, others
are here just because it sounded intriguing. Others care deeply about this
building. Come forward afterwards and introduce yourself. In any case, I hope
you've enjoyed yourself. Please feel free to wander around some more after
we're through here. Have a cup of coffee or tea. Remember this is a public
building and you can return any time. Questions or comments anyone?
Again, thanks for helping me
make this the best 75th anniversary I've ever celebrated!
