Events

break :: the :: box

challenge assumptions
defy convention
reject the norm

a series of events exploring creative nonconformity
february through november 2011
at frank lloyd wright’s masterpiece of non-convention, unity temple

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May 8, 2012

Jack Quinan :: Structural Complex: Wright's Darwin D. Martin House

June 1, 2012

Romanza :: The California Structures Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright

June 27, 2012

Garden Envy :: Tour of Rick Bayless's Organic Garden

July 14, 2012

The Plant: Chicago's First Vertical Farm

August 30, 2012

Conservation of Sculpture and Objects Studio

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Jack Quinan :: Structural Complex: Wright's Darwin D. Martin House
Tuesday, May 8, 2012 :: 7:30 pm
Cost :: $12 / $15


In 1903, Frank Lloyd Wright designed one of his earliest and most important projects, the Darwin Martin House in Buffalo, NY -- an innovative structure for a very conservative client. UTRF and the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy present Jack Quinan, historian of architecture, professor as SUNY, and senior curator of the Martin House, who will discuss how Wright's revolutionary take on structure and space resulted in an expansive and elegantly detailed home.

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Romanza :: The California Structures Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright
Friday, June 1, 2012 :: Screenings at 5 pm and 7:30 pm, with Filmmaker Michael Miner
Cost :: $15 for Wright Plus ticket holder and volunteers / $18 all others


Unity Temple Restoration Foundation and the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust team up to present two screenings of Romanza, the third Wright-themed documentary from filmmaker Michael Miner. Romanza explores the 50-year relationship between Wright and the Golden State, for which he designed more than 80 projects and saw more than 25 built. The buildings were both grand and modest, public and private, and came from each major era of Wright's seven decade long career.

With unprecedented access to every California Wright building, Romanza journeys all over the state, from the Los Angeles textile block houses famous for their appearances in Hollywood films, to Wright's only San Francisco commission, a building which he described as a "glass of champagne," to the Berger House in San Anselmo, for which Wright designed a doghouse ("Eddie's House," which will be on display at Unity Temple during the day). Q&A with the filmmaker will follow.

Click here to view a trailer of the film.

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Garden Envy :: Tour of Rick Bayless?s Organic Garden
Wednesday, June 27, 2012 :: 6:30 pm
Cost :: $30 / $35


If you're like us and can't get enough of chef Rick Bayless's mouthwatering cuisine, join us for a special tour of his urban organic garden. Bayless, owner of some of the most popular restaurants in Chicago including Frontera, Topolobampo, and XOCO, has created a special refuge that also serves as outdoor kitchen and supplies fresh vegetables for his restaurants.

Located on three adjacent city lots in Chicago?s Bucktown neighborhood, this completely organic oasis is a model for urban food production and demonstrates that gardens can be simultaneously functional and beautiful. Its creative use of paths, decks, arbors, trellises, beds, and containers inspires a multitude of ideas and techniques to incorporate into your own space. Garden Manager Bill Shores will lead an hour long tour (come rain or come shine).

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The Plant :: Chicago's First Vertical Farm
Saturday, July 14, 2012 :: 12 noon

More info to come...


Conservation of Sculpture & Objects Studio :: Off-Site Tour
Thursday, August 30, 2012 :: 7 pm

More info to come...


break :: the :: box is made possible by generous grants from the MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, and the Illinois Arts Council, an Agency of the State of Illinois.