popturf

city: minneapolis

woman’s club of minneapolis

from the jayhawks, mike doughty posted in music by corporate_sunshine

Founded in 1907 by some of the city's wealthiest women, the Woman's Club of Minneapolis is a membership-driven facility with the stated purpose of growing a "group of community leaders, business owners and professionals who use the facility for meetings and entertaining." It's weekly programs have attracted luminaries such as Helen Keller and Frank Lloyd Wright.

The Jayhawks performed in the theater here on April 26, 2002, and their live albums Live from the Women's (sic) Club 1 & 2 were released as an "official bootleg." Mike Doughty (of Soul Coughing) recorded a performance on February 27, 2002 here as well, releasing it as Smofe + Smang: Live in Minneapolis.

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paul olfelt house

from frank lloyd wright posted in art and design by corporate_sunshine

Designed in 1958 by Frank Lloyd Wright, this home was built for Paul Olfelt and his family. As of 2011, Olfelt continues to own the home. While Wright died in 1959, the construction was carried out and completed in 1960 by Taliesin Architects. As of now, the home is not on the National Register of Historic Places, but there is a file at the Minnesota State Preservation Office.

The house features a dramatic carport that nearly touches the ground, drawing a line towards the entrance. The home is often characterized as a small home built into a hillside. View a picture of the home here.

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the neils house

from frank lloyd wright posted in art and design by corporate_sunshine

In 1949, Frieda and Henry J. Neils approached Frank Lloyd Wright about building a new home adjacent to their property overlooking Cedar Lake in Minneapolis. Henry Neils was a stone and architectural materials supplier, and insisted on marble walls in the interior and aluminum window frames (which was a departure from Wright's usual style).

The house was designed in Wright's later Usonian style, with a stated goal of "affordable, beautiful housing for a democratic America." Accordingly, the house is separated into "quiet" and "active" areas.

The property is currently privately owned by heirs to the Neils family.

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the willey house

from frank lloyd wright posted in art and design by corporate_sunshine

In June 1932, Nancy Willey sent a letter to Frank Lloyd Wright, asking him to provide the Willey family with a "creation of art" for a budget of about $8,000. Wright responded with a design he dubbed "Gardenwall." Built in 1934, the house originally had panoramic views of the Mississippi River (before the construction of I-94).

Constructed primary of red brick and cypress wood, the Willey House (as it is more commonly known) features a departure in the compartmentalized designs of Wright's earlier work. Mrs. Willey needed a clear view from the kitchen to the rest of the home to watch the children.

The house can be viewed as a bridge between Wright's earlier Prairie School work to his later Usonian styles.

The house is currently privately owned, and the views from the street are partially obstructed.

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minneapolis sculpture garden

from alexander calder, frank gehry posted in art and design by corporate_sunshine

Located across the street from the Walker Art Center, the 11-acre Minneapolis Sculpture Garden was opened in 1988 in cooperation with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. The sculptures are laid out in a grid system, with wide walking paths and landscaping intended to encapsulate and display the individuals works.

The most prominent piece is the Spoonbridge and Cherry, created by Claes Oldenburg & Coosje van Bruggen from 1985-1988. This work has become iconically associated with Minneapolis. There are numerous artists represented here, including works by Alexander Calder (Octopus, 1964, The Spinner, 1966) and Frank Gehry (Standing Glass Fish, 1986).

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