Richard Neutra in Europa

Transcription

1 Goebenstraße Herford Telefon: +49 (52 21) Telefax: +49 (52 21) Internet: Richard Neutra in Europa Buildings and projects An exhibition by the Marta Herford Museum May August 2010 Geschäftsführung: Helga Franzen, Roland Nachtigäller Vorsitzender der Gesellschafterversammlung: Bruno Wollbrink Registergericht: Amtsgericht Bad Oeynhausen HR B 6094 Sparkasse Herford, BLZ: ; Konto VAT-No. / Ust-Id-Nr. DE IBAN-Code: DE Steuernummer 324/5780/1402 SWIFT-BIC.: WLAHDE44XXX

2 Richard Neutra in Europe ( ) Brief Concept Between 1960 and 1970, so in just ten years, the American architect, Richard Neutra (*1892 in Wien, 1970 in Wuppertal) had eight villas constructed in Europe; four in Switzerland (one of which was the only one to be built without a flat roof), three in Germany and one in France. Neutra worked for clients as prominent as the DER ZEIT publisher, Gerd Bucerius as well as business personalities (Fritz Rentsch) and scientists (Prof. Dr. Martin Rang), but also for his former colleague s husband (Marcel Delcourt). Subsequently two housing developments for the German bewobau came into the picture, one in Walldorf, near Frankfurt and one in Quickborn near Hamburg. Large custom built models, specifically for display purposes and preferably from all of Richard Neutra s ten buildings, will be flanked by large spread photographs and a wealth of plans, drawings, historical photographs and further documents from the estate in Los Angeles in order to unroll a new prominent capital of European architectural history. With the Austrian born Richard Neutra, a pupil of Adolf Loos, the modern age took a turn back to Europe and characterised almost iconic pictures of an architectonic American way of life here. In Switzerland after 1945 as also in West Germany during the post-war period, Richard Neutra assumed a central role in European building work, even if he was still referred to as famous amongst connoisseurs (Manfred Sack) in Borrowings from the high quality design context such as kitchen parts from Poggenpohl and Miele, chairs and sofas from Mies van der Rohe, Ray + Charles Eames, Henry Bertoia or Eero Saarinen; or even Neutra-originals like the fireside companion set and a settee compliment a display in the form of historical documentation, which interprets the living atmosphere in a contemporary manner and therefore offers a topical forum to the debate over the modernistic domestic architecture of the sixties. With regard to the catalogue, an extensive publication which documents the works of Richard Neutra established in Europe between the years is expected. The project initiator, Klaus Leuschel and his team (Hubertus Adam, Joachim Driller and Lilian Pfaff) are going to present in detailed essays the current state of progress with regard to the building projects at an accessible level. They will also deal with current and historic architectural photos, original drawings and plans, delineations, documents and a data synopsis in order to put together a wellwritten and illustrated book. The project will be completed for 2010, the fortieth anniversary of the death of the architect, as a travelling exhibition in Switzerland, Austria and the USA. Talks with various renowned institutions are currently taking place in order to find a buyer.

3 Completed architectural projects BEWO Estate I (Mörfelden-Walldorf/D), 1960 Neutra s first project to be accomplished in Europe after World War II: a dense estate of detached houses near Frankfurt Airport, nowadays partly spoiled by subsequent alterations. Rang House (Königstein, Taunus/D), 1961 Small detached house built in a woodland clearing on the outskirts of Königstein for a professor at the University of Frankfurt. Although largely preserved in its original state, it needs refurbishing. Grelling House Casa Tuja (Ascona/CH), 1963 At the foot of Monte Verità ( mountain of truth ) above Ascona. The house was built as a holiday home for an industrialist who also planned a large commercial property in Zurich with Neutra, although it was never built. Casa Tuja has been preserved unaltered. Rentsch House (Wengen/CH), 1964 Built on the outskirts of Wengen with an impressive view of the Eiger-Mönch-Jungfrau mountain massif. Originally designed with a flat roof, Neutra was forced by planning officials to add a gabled roof, lending the building a unique position in his oeuvre. BEWO Estate II (Quickborn/BRD), 1965 Neutra built his second (of a planned three) estates in Quickborn, north-west of Hamburg. Although the buildings design is similar to that in Walldorf near Frankfurt, this listed estate is in better condition than its predecessor. Bucerius House (Brione/CH), 1966 High above Lake Maggiore, House Bucerius has a breathtaking view exploited by Neutra to the full. This huge villa, which cost a small fortune to build, was the most elaborate one ever erected by Neutra in Europe and can be regarded as a milestone of his later work. It has been painstakingly and exquisitely restored and renovated by its current owner. Kemper House (Wuppertal/BRD), 1967 This discretely located villa would probably have harboured a potential similar to that of House Bucerius built the previous year, were it not for its much less sunny location and the interior changes, which had local heritage officials up in arms. Pescher House (Wuppertal/BRD), 1968 The house to have been best preserved in its original condition apart from Rentsch House. Delcourt House (Croix/F), 1969 Neutra s only house in France was built in a suburb of Lille for an erstwhile colleague and her husband. These days it is surrounded by a high wall. Stettfurt House (Thurgau/CH), 1970 Begun by Richard Neutra as a low-budget project, drawn by his son Dion, and completed (after an interlude when the financing dried up) by a Swiss architect who had previously worked with Neutra. Even so, a few months before he died, Neutra requested in a letter to be referred to as the building s original designer.

4 Uncompleted architectural projects Düsseldorf Theatre/D (competition entry) Bewobau Estate III, Hohenbuchau near Wiesbaden/D Villa for industrialist Konrad Henkel, Düsseldorf/D Villa for industrialist Schlandt, Tegernsee/D Villa for conductor Ferenc Fricsay, Ermatingen/CH Villa for Rudolf Sontheim, the technical director of power company BBC, Ennetbaden/CH Commercial property for Grelling at Seefeldquai, Zurich/CH

5 Exhibition structure 1. Early development a. From Europe to America Collage of texts and pictures on Neutra s life until he became a self-employed professional in Los Angeles. Themes: Vienna post 1900: Adolf Loos and fascination with the USA : Neutra in Zurich, employment as a landscape gardener, meeting Dione R. Neutra and Erich Mendelsohn 1923: Emigration to the USA, employed by Frank Lloyd Wright : R. Neutra and Rudolph Schindler, partners and competitors 1927: Neutra s publication Wie baut Amerika? ( How does America build? ) 1929: An early icon the Lovell Heath House 1927/1932: Interludes in Europe, competition for the Palace of Nations, Werkbund (Work Federation) estate in Vienna Materials: correspondence, autobiography, drawings, photos, models b. Evolution into a celebrity architect Themes: 1951/59: First, two-volume monograph about R. Neutra by Willy Boesiger Overview of the renowned villa projects Publications by R. Neutra, magazine articles 1954: First trip to Europe, assessment and criticism of German reconstruction Materials: Historical photos of Neutra s buildings by Julius Shulman, map showing his architectural projects in the 1950s 2. Hidden treasures buildings and projects in Europe Themes: Ten houses built in Germany, France and Switzerland, Client and architect: the special relationship between R. Neutra and his clients His architectural partners: Bruno Honegger, Erich Schneider-Wessling and his son Dion Neutra; the landscape gardeners involved Neutra as an artist: the pastels of the European architectural projects Basics of spatial direction: transparencies of interior/exterior, reflecting pool, spider leg Materials: New, large-scale models, plans, design drawings, photographic documents, current photos by architectural photographer Iwan Baan, explanatory texts

6 3. Interiors and lifestyle Themes: From architectural designs to the lifestyle of the 1960s Interiors R. Neutra as a designer The new significance of the kitchen Materials: Reconstructions of the historical furnishings, if possible still usable and still for sale, interior photos, furnishing plans, original materials, kitchen furniture 4. Biorealism and Neutropa Themes: R. Neutra and his biorealistic cultural mission The Richard Neutra Institute an organisation of revenge and an instrument of propaganda The importance of R. Neutra s buildings and ideas against the background of changing living, environmental and energy conditions Materials: Original texts, photos and pictures, audio and film recordings (UCLA, Pomona) of Neutra s lectures and radio interviews, other texts and photos

7 Richard Neutra in Europe ( ) Overview Art director: Visiting curator: Scientific curator: Scientific team: Roland Nachtigäller Klaus Leuschel (Zürich) Michael Kröger, Marta Herford Dr. Hubertus Adam (Zürich) Dr. Joachim Driller (Wuppertal) Lilian Pfaff (Los Angeles) In cooperation with: Dion Neutra, Los Angeles University of California, UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections, Management of Neutra-Constructions in Europe, Prof. Dr. Roland Günter, Oberhausen Model construction: Exhibits: Estimated dimensions: Photography: Catalogue: Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Rolf D. Ahnesorg, FH Dortmund Plans, Drawings, Original documents, Historical photographs, Timeline, models, selected pieces of historical furnishings, up-to-date photographs ca. 200 borrowed items, ca. 2000m 2 surface area. Ivan Baan, Stuttgart Independent publishers, who cover both the exhibition and the current position of research (Further information at the front) Support project: A Lifetime for Architecture. Der Fotograf Julius Shulman Photo exhibition of the famous photographer who created an extensive documentation of Neutra s buildings. Herford Exhibition dates: May 8 through August 1 st, 2010

8 Images Richard Neutra: Haus Kemper, Wuppertal 1967 Foto/photo: Karl-Hugo Schmölz Horst Glaeser,

9 Richard Neutra: Haus Pescher, Wuppertal 1968 Foto/photo: Karl-Hugo Schmölz Horst Glaeser,

10 Richard Neutra: BEWO-Bau-Siedlung Mörfelden Walldorf, Haustyp C, Richard-Neutra-Straße, 1963 Foto/photo: Lilian Pfaff

11 Studio Richard Neutra: Interieur BEWO-Bau, o. J. Bewobau Walldorf Interieur, 1960 Department of Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, UCLA