April 8, 2010
Philip Johnson: A Biography
This seems like an opportune moment to make public the news that I am at work on a new biography of the late architect Philip Johnson, to be published by Little, Brown. It will be the first fully independent biography of Johnson and the first published since the 1990s, well before his death.
This is, of course, a wildly ambitious project. As I begin my research, the photo above, of Johnson’s Glass House in New Canaan, seems a useful metaphor for what lies ahead: a difficult, obstacle-filled journey, but with a reward that makes the effort worthwhile. With that, I fall back on Johnson’s own words — in the third-person, no less — on the publication of his first monograph: “Whatever Johnson’s place in history may be, it is a plus for the historian to have a book on his work.” If you or someone you know has any information that might be germane to this project, please do contact me.
I’m especially interested to speak with Johnson’s relations, colleagues, employees, clients, business associates, personal friends, students — or anyone else who has something interesting to say about the man, a telling personal experience related to him or one of his buildings, or documents concerning his life. To whet the appetite, a few more images of the Glass House compound follow.
Observed
View all
Observed
By Mark Lamster
Related Posts
Equity Observer
Ellen McGirt|Essays
Gratitude? HARD PASS
Equity Observer
L’Oreal Thompson Payton|Essays
‘Misogynoir is a distraction’: Moya Bailey on why Kamala Harris (or any U.S. president) is not going to save us
Equity Observer
Ellen McGirt|Essays
I’m looking for a dad in finance
She the People
Aimee Allison|Audio
She the People with Aimee Allison, a new podcast from Design Observer
Recent Posts
‘The creativity just blooms’: “Sing Sing” production designer Ruta Kiskyte on making art with formerly incarcerated cast in a decommissioned prison ‘The American public needs us now more than ever’: Government designers steel for regime change Gratitude? HARD PASSL’Oreal Thompson Payton|Interviews
Cheryl Durst on design, diversity, and defining her own pathRelated Posts
Equity Observer
Ellen McGirt|Essays
Gratitude? HARD PASS
Equity Observer
L’Oreal Thompson Payton|Essays
‘Misogynoir is a distraction’: Moya Bailey on why Kamala Harris (or any U.S. president) is not going to save us
Equity Observer
Ellen McGirt|Essays
I’m looking for a dad in finance
She the People
Aimee Allison|Audio