A sampling of events which relate to a quick trip to Florida for a lecture about the Buckminster Fly's Eye dome.
Typically,
I do not write blogs about anything. Very seldom do I write much about
anything except description of my own sculpture or a report about
spearfishing, surfing or weather. The reality is that over 30 years ago
I was deeply involved with building some prototype fiberglass geodesic
domes for Buckminster Fuller. Please take note of my biographical page
at this time in my life. 1975-1983 Work Association with Buckminster Fuller.
Although the webpage is relatively small, considerable development was
done on the project. It appears that this was one of Bucky's last
larger personal projects.
I was invited by the Buckminster Fuller Institute, to supply technical information relating to the 26-foot outside diameter, 3-frequency Fly's Eye dome. In 1980, this structure was fitted with acrylic bubble lenses and taken to the Aspen Design Conference by students working under the guidance of then student Roger Stoller. At that time Roger had a close personal relationship with Bucky. Bucky was invited to up to the conference. Roger arrainged for the dome to be assembled and one of the two remaining Dymaxion cars invented and built by Bucky to be brought out to Aspen for the conference. Bucky was photographed standing in front of the Dymaxion with the Fly's Eye dome in the background. This singular photo really became iconic. It has appeared in publication many times. It is one of the great images of Bucky in his later years.
Now, Bucky is gone, but the artifacts of his creation still remain. They are testament to his anticipatory design, always being problem solving objects for future human issues. As an artifact, Bucky's personal Fly's Eye dome was still in existence, although in storage for many years. Art collector, Craig Robins understood that the object was more than a prototype house (of sorts) and considered it a sculptural object-of-art with considerable historical significance which would only appreciate with time. Craig purchased the dome from the Buckminster Fuller Institute and had it restored at Goetz Boats, Maine. The project work was done under the competent direction of Daniel Reiser. Upon completion of the restoration, the structure was shipped to Miami to be part of the Design Miami project associated with Art Basel and many other events taking place concurrently. See my few images during the Art Basel show.
I was invited by the Buckminster Fuller Institute to provide documentary information and lecture about the structure which was assembled as part of the Design Miami program . The 26 Foot, 3-frequency Fly's Eye dome has been purchased by Craig Robins of the Miami Design District, DACRA. Please view the very exciting time lapse video of the assembly of Buckminster Fuller's Fly's Eye dome. As a very special and exciting treat, British architect Norman Foster loaned the Design District his newly minted Dymaxion Car. Norman built the vehicle from the ground up from plans which were in the Fuller archives at Stanford University. Just seeing a Dymaxion is a real thrill, and to actually see a version which is working is a wonderful beyond belief. It is history coming alive again, thanks to the deep appreciation Norman Foster has for Bucky. Daniel Reiser set the dome up exactly as it was positioned at the 1980 Aspen Design Conference. Norman Foster speaks about Bucky and design by his Dymaxion in Miami.
I was at the site from November 29th through December 4th. My lectures were on Saturday, December 3rd, 2011. It was a real honor to be able to talk about my historical experiences with Buckminster Fuller over 30 years ago. We were very pleased when DACRA used an, exciting, colorful image of the Fly's Eye dome for their 'Seasons Greeting' card.
I was invited by the Buckminster Fuller Institute, to supply technical information relating to the 26-foot outside diameter, 3-frequency Fly's Eye dome. In 1980, this structure was fitted with acrylic bubble lenses and taken to the Aspen Design Conference by students working under the guidance of then student Roger Stoller. At that time Roger had a close personal relationship with Bucky. Bucky was invited to up to the conference. Roger arrainged for the dome to be assembled and one of the two remaining Dymaxion cars invented and built by Bucky to be brought out to Aspen for the conference. Bucky was photographed standing in front of the Dymaxion with the Fly's Eye dome in the background. This singular photo really became iconic. It has appeared in publication many times. It is one of the great images of Bucky in his later years.
Now, Bucky is gone, but the artifacts of his creation still remain. They are testament to his anticipatory design, always being problem solving objects for future human issues. As an artifact, Bucky's personal Fly's Eye dome was still in existence, although in storage for many years. Art collector, Craig Robins understood that the object was more than a prototype house (of sorts) and considered it a sculptural object-of-art with considerable historical significance which would only appreciate with time. Craig purchased the dome from the Buckminster Fuller Institute and had it restored at Goetz Boats, Maine. The project work was done under the competent direction of Daniel Reiser. Upon completion of the restoration, the structure was shipped to Miami to be part of the Design Miami project associated with Art Basel and many other events taking place concurrently. See my few images during the Art Basel show.
I was invited by the Buckminster Fuller Institute to provide documentary information and lecture about the structure which was assembled as part of the Design Miami program . The 26 Foot, 3-frequency Fly's Eye dome has been purchased by Craig Robins of the Miami Design District, DACRA. Please view the very exciting time lapse video of the assembly of Buckminster Fuller's Fly's Eye dome. As a very special and exciting treat, British architect Norman Foster loaned the Design District his newly minted Dymaxion Car. Norman built the vehicle from the ground up from plans which were in the Fuller archives at Stanford University. Just seeing a Dymaxion is a real thrill, and to actually see a version which is working is a wonderful beyond belief. It is history coming alive again, thanks to the deep appreciation Norman Foster has for Bucky. Daniel Reiser set the dome up exactly as it was positioned at the 1980 Aspen Design Conference. Norman Foster speaks about Bucky and design by his Dymaxion in Miami.
I was at the site from November 29th through December 4th. My lectures were on Saturday, December 3rd, 2011. It was a real honor to be able to talk about my historical experiences with Buckminster Fuller over 30 years ago. We were very pleased when DACRA used an, exciting, colorful image of the Fly's Eye dome for their 'Seasons Greeting' card.
Each
day I was at the site, there were thousands of visitors coming in to
view the Dymaxion Car and Fly's Eye dome. I would guess that at least
100,000 photos were taken of this iconic scene. By now these images
have travelled around the world many times.
On November 30th we were visited by Norman Foster and his wife Elena. They toured the site and Norman prepared for his evening lecture at Design Miami. Next day, they were gone back to Europe. It was a quick trip.
On November 30th we were visited by Norman Foster and his wife Elena. They toured the site and Norman prepared for his evening lecture at Design Miami. Next day, they were gone back to Europe. It was a quick trip.
While
art director Dan Reiser was busy with the site, I was able to go to
several locations nearby to view quality art collections. One location
I visited was the Martin Z. Margulies Collection at the Warehouse
I love contemporary art and saw some of my favorite large pieces of work. Please see a few of the images that I took during our tour. I was compelled to not photograph when warned by a security guard that flash photography could somehow damage a very large basalt set of stones in a composition by Michael Heizer. Perhaps the security guard did not understand that these stones had sat for a millenium baking under the harsh radiation of the desert sun? I was able to control my amusement at his profound understanding of untraviolet radiation effects upon natural stone. After all, he was a security guard and I was merely a visitor. I guess he just wanted to chat. See my images prior to being told to quit taking pictures at the Margulies Warehouse.
One afternoon, while returning from the Art Basel show, we had heard there was a Graffiti show in the Winwood district. Although I was adverse to the concept of graffiti as I have seen undesirable defacement of private realestate, my companions wanted to visit the Winwood Walls district. In my own home town, want-to-be gangbangers 'tag' (mark with spray cans) their territory, causing retribution of tagging by rival gangsters. Black spray paint gang lettering renders blank walls a challenge to other gangs to mark with their own monikers. I see absolutely no socially redeeming quality in these quick scrawls. My city has the policy to paint over the defaced walls as quick as possible to not encourage more marking. Well, in Miami, at Winwood district, ALL the walls of buildings are covered with brightly colored paint jobs. It is an accepted sub-culture of the art world in parts of Miami. What can I say? The work is actually pretty spectacular, although not quite my style of preference. If it was called murals, it would have much more appeal to me. I did take some snapshots out of the moving car window. The Graffiti page will be rather brief.
This about wraps up the cultural excursions I had in the 5+ days in Miami. If need be, I will be again working with the Buckminster Fuller Institute in supporting their efforts to actualize Fuller's dream of an "autonomous dwelling machine" example with the 26 foot Fly's Eye dome.
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I love contemporary art and saw some of my favorite large pieces of work. Please see a few of the images that I took during our tour. I was compelled to not photograph when warned by a security guard that flash photography could somehow damage a very large basalt set of stones in a composition by Michael Heizer. Perhaps the security guard did not understand that these stones had sat for a millenium baking under the harsh radiation of the desert sun? I was able to control my amusement at his profound understanding of untraviolet radiation effects upon natural stone. After all, he was a security guard and I was merely a visitor. I guess he just wanted to chat. See my images prior to being told to quit taking pictures at the Margulies Warehouse.
One afternoon, while returning from the Art Basel show, we had heard there was a Graffiti show in the Winwood district. Although I was adverse to the concept of graffiti as I have seen undesirable defacement of private realestate, my companions wanted to visit the Winwood Walls district. In my own home town, want-to-be gangbangers 'tag' (mark with spray cans) their territory, causing retribution of tagging by rival gangsters. Black spray paint gang lettering renders blank walls a challenge to other gangs to mark with their own monikers. I see absolutely no socially redeeming quality in these quick scrawls. My city has the policy to paint over the defaced walls as quick as possible to not encourage more marking. Well, in Miami, at Winwood district, ALL the walls of buildings are covered with brightly colored paint jobs. It is an accepted sub-culture of the art world in parts of Miami. What can I say? The work is actually pretty spectacular, although not quite my style of preference. If it was called murals, it would have much more appeal to me. I did take some snapshots out of the moving car window. The Graffiti page will be rather brief.
This about wraps up the cultural excursions I had in the 5+ days in Miami. If need be, I will be again working with the Buckminster Fuller Institute in supporting their efforts to actualize Fuller's dream of an "autonomous dwelling machine" example with the 26 foot Fly's Eye dome.
Back to Rocknfish.com Index page