Ellis & Reithmayr

eugen i a v i c t o r i a el l i s is associate professor in the Department of Architecture & Interiors of the Westphal College at Drexel University. She is also a principal at Bau Architecture. a n Dr e a g. r e i t h Ma y r is the Rare Book Conservator at the University of Rochester River Campus Libraries and a Curator of collections including the Bragdon Family Papers.

Claude Bragdon & the

BEAUTI FU L N ECESSITY
Edited by Eugenia Victoria Ellis & Andrea G. Reithmayr

Claude Bragdon & the Beautiful Necessity

Claude Bragdon and the Beautiful Necessity is a superb catalogue and a highly engaging collection of essays that explores the multifaceted work of an almost forgotten American architect. Through a mix of philosophy, history, theory, and anecdotes, the essays trace the contributions of Bragdons thinking from the everyday to the esoteric, from the practical to the aesthetic. Marco Frascari Director, Azrieli School of Architecture and Urbanism Carleton University Modernism in American architecture at the turn of the twentieth century was peculiarly involved with geometric elaboration, whether as Sullivans ornamental lacework, Dow and Ross Pure Design, Wrights gridding, or (most fascinatingly) Fullers geodesy. It was consistent. It was very deeply felt. The architect-polymath Bragdon worked at the nerve center of this enterprise; first in the Eastern Great Lakes region, then in New York City, linking Chicago radical design with popular philosophy to create extraordinary crystalline ornament clothing an obstinately traditional architectural body, later finding his mtier as an innovative theatre designer. He stood in the middle of this development, helped by his extraordinary breadth of curiosity. This book of detailed essays explores his complex contribution from the many standpoints it demands. Dav i D va n Z a n t en Mary Jane Crowe Professor in Art and Art History Northwestern University

R I T C A RY G R A P H I C A RT S P R E S S 9 0 l oM B M e M o r i a l D r i v e rochester, new york 14623