Contemporary Art Happenings in Historic House Museums. F. Vagnone Presentation given at the Thomas Cole Historic Site, Catskill, NY
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How Rudolph Schindler’s bathroom changed my life
Schindler House & Studio, West Hollywood, CA, 1921-1922, Bathroom. “I shut the door, locked it, and in silence and intensity just stood there – looking around…when (if ever) have I actually been able to use the authentic bathroom and toilet of an historic house museums? “ Johnston-Felton- Hay House, Macon GA, 1855-1859. During anContinue reading “How Rudolph Schindler’s bathroom changed my life”
philosophy of old windows
Hello my name is Frank and I love old windows. Franklin Vagnone with Laura Orthwein, Claire, Emma and Sophia – surrounded by a few of the extensive window sash collection. Photos by Daniel Eller. 2001. I realize most people would see my view of the world as unbearably right brained. But for me, right now,Continue reading “philosophy of old windows”
Upside down & and backward.
Taken from an interview of Franklin Vagnone by ArtFWD Interview Franklin Vagnone on Historic House Museums Breaking the Rules BY KENDRA DANOWSKI, ARTSFWD EDITOR & ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR JUNE 25, 2014 0 COMMENTS SHARE How can historic house museums flip the script when connecting with local communities — by working backwards and rejecting traditional practices? This mobile kiosk willContinue reading “Upside down & and backward.”
adjusting foundations – a broad definition of preservation
Thaden Jordan mid-century modern sideboard. Molded birch plywood sideboard designed and produced by Thaden Jordan Furniture Corporation, USA, late 1940s – early 1950s. After selling this piece of furniture on Craigslist, I began to think about my relationship with the objects in my life & how that relationship has helped form a broad philosophy ofContinue reading “adjusting foundations – a broad definition of preservation”
Why do I need to “fix” things? Save me from myself.
Here I am with Grace Szuwala, the owner of TIME PIECES. She understands my nutty behavior and is is going to help me by “fixing” my clock. My clock doesn’t work on its own. I think there is hope – just listen! The tiny store is layered in stories (and clocks) Grace welcoming me backContinue reading “Why do I need to “fix” things? Save me from myself.”
Ashes in Alabama and the power of flaws 3.8.14
I traveled down to Montgomery, AL to visit the Dexter Ave. Parsonage. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his family resided in this home during a 1956 bombing attack. It is now an historic house museum. (Image: Franklin D. Vagnone) The damaged porch of MLK’s Montgomery home. (Image: blogspot.com) One of the most amazing thingsContinue reading “Ashes in Alabama and the power of flaws 3.8.14”
Fix it or leave it? – 11.11.13
1. An amazing outbuilding. Private residence. Privy, Upstate New York. 2. Multiple layers of history expressed through paint, hardware, wallpaper & many repairs. Lott House, Brooklyn, New York 3. Which is dominant – historic artifact or time? Upper East Side, New York NY 4. It is quite common for situations like this for the originalContinue reading “Fix it or leave it? – 11.11.13”
Just go with it! Questioning the authenticity mythology
Digital Fire It is such a simple idea. Buy a large flat screen TV and DVD. Plug it in. Place it in all of your historic house museum fireplaces, press “PLAY” on your fire dvd AND I promise you the space will come alive. I have found such opposition to this idea – “it’s cheesy,Continue reading “Just go with it! Questioning the authenticity mythology”
Twisted Preservation 