RICHARD NEUTRA: INFORMATIONSDIENST HOLZ 2/3 63
Hans Busso von Busse, Richard Neutra
Hans Busso von Busse, Richard Neutra: RICHARD NEUTRA: INFORMATIONSDIENST HOLZ 2/3: 63. Düsseldorf: Rheinisch-Bergische Druckerei- und Verlagsgesellschaft m. b.H. [1963]. Original Edition. Text in German. Oblong quarto. Photo illustrated stapled self wrappers. [20] pp. 18 black and white photos by Julius Shulman illustrating two essays. Ink ‘received’ stamp to front panel of the lightly worn wrappers. A very good or better copy. Uncommon.
10.5 x 8 booklet with 20 pages and 18 black and white photographs by Julius Shulman. Essays include Gedanken zu einer architektur [Thoughts on architecture] by Hans Busso von Busse and Immer Zeitgemäss – das Bauen mit Holz [Always contemporary - building with wood] by Richard Neutra.
The colophon: “Herausgegeben von der Arbeitsgemeinschaft Holz e. V. Düseldorf, Kronprinzensrasse 12 / Bearbeitung und Zussammenstellung: Dipl. ing.-M.A. Hans Busso von Busse,, Architekt BDA / Verantwortlich f¨r den Inhalt: Dr. Walther Wegelt, Arbeitsgemeinschaft Holz e. V. Düsseldorf / Druck: Rheinisch-Bergische Druckerei- und Verlagsgesellschaft m. b.H., Düsseldorf, Postfach 1135.”
Born and raised in Vienna, Richard Neutra (1872-1970) came to America early in his career, settling in California. His influence on post-war architecture is undisputed, the sunny climate and rich landscape being particularly suited to his cool, sleek modern style. Neutra had a keen appreciation for the relationship between people and nature; his trademark plate glass walls and ceilings which turn into deep overhangs have the effect of connecting the indoors with the outdoors. Neutra's ability to incorporate technology, aesthetics, science, and nature into his designs him recognition as one of Modernist architecture's greatest talents.
American photographer Julius Shulman's (1910 – 2009) images of Californian architecture have burned themselves into the retina of the 20th century. Some of his architectural photographs, like the iconic shots of Frank Lloyd Wright's or Pierre Koenig's remarkable structures, have been published countless times. The brilliance of buildings like those by Charles Eames, as well as those of his close friend, Richard Neutra, was first brought to light by Shulman's photography.
The clarity of his work demanded that architectural photography had to be considered as an independent art form. Each Shulman image unites perception and understanding for the buildings and their place in the landscape. The precise compositions reveal not just the architectural ideas behind a building's surface, but also the visions and hopes of an entire age. A sense of humanity is always present in his work, even when the human figure is absent from the actual photographs.