Neutra at 85
Introductory Remarks
April 8, 2011
Remarks made by Dion Neutra on the occasion of the reunion celebrating 85 years of practice by the Neutra architectural family; first started by his father and continued on by him since 1970, an additional 41 years to date. The remarks were made on Friday eve, April 8, 2011 at the Eagle Rock Recreation Center at 1100 Eagle Vista Dr. on the occasion of Richard Neutra's 119th birthday.
Welcome to the first event of Neutra at 85. This weekend is "Neutra Practice at 85 weekend" in Los Angeles as proclaimed today in a council meeting at which we were presented with a proclamation of this honor! We've mounted this on the wall over there. Some honor!
This evening's purpose is primarily to celebrate what would have been Richard Neutra's 119th birthday. It's the lead off event for a weekend that also celebrates the 85th year of the firm's founding by dad in 1926.
Before we get started, let's have a round of applause for yet a spate of others birthdays. Tomorrow is my eldest son Greg's 59th. Can you believe I have a son nearly 60 years old? Greg, at this moment is traversing from his home in Old Mexico towards the one he and wife Joni have in New Mexico. My stepson, Haig, is celebrating his 55th on Monday, and on the 14th, next Thursday would have been my mom's 110th!
It was just not possible for them to join us on this occasion. Nevertheless, we want to raise a virtual glass and drink a toast to them, wishing them Happy Birthday, and in the case of my sons, MANY HAPPY RETURNS. Hold up those virtual glasses; contents to come later.
Settle back in your seats, as you start to enjoy the food, and let me tell you a bit about the background that led up to this day; what it took to create it, and what we hope to accomplish by convening you all here today.
How often does one celebrate 85? It seemed important to pause and recognize that the firm had been in existence that long this year. And, at the same time, celebrate these birthdays. I found a disk of a film that dad made in Vienna, in '68 shortly before his passing. Many of you may never have seen him in action, so I want to run that as we have dinner.
Tomorrow we have a full slate of events and activities to further mark this anniversary; we hope you can join in. Tickets may still be obtained at the table at the entrance. We still have products for sale there as well, as souvenirs of the weekend.
Above all, enjoy the evening, and when we're all finished eating, I want us to pause and raise a glass to the birthday boy, my father Richard Neutra, who I know, would have enjoyed joining in with us! More on that later.
Now help yourself to food, enjoy yourselves while the movie runs. More later.
(later)
Hope you enjoyed seeing what my dad was like? We'd now like to present a birthday cake in his honor along with some sparkly that is permitted on these premises. Get a slice of cake and when you're ready let's raise a glass.
Here's to you, dad, wherever you are, we salute and honor you, on your 119th, for a life full of creativity and genius at whatever you tackled. May you someday be fully honored for your contribution of ideas in addition to your built structures; something I still feel is underestimated. Let's hope that the Institute, which is named after you, can continue and further develop these concepts far into the future long after the practice is over. Hear hear!
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