Valuing our Heritage

The Andrew Geller Architectural Archive Preservation and Film project gives us a unique opportunity to document and preserve the catalog of a significant contributor to America's architectural heritage. The value of this undertaking as a future resource for research into architecture, social history and design should not be underestimated. Although it reached its kickstarter goal a few days ago the cost of cataloging the archive and making a documentary about Andrew Geller's work will be much higher than the $3000 raised so far. There is still time to pledge a donation and receive a corresponding award, so click on over to Kickstarter to see how you can be part of this exciting initiative.

The Andrew Geller Architectural Archive Preservation and Film

A new video from Jake Gorst for The Andrew Geller Architectural Archive Preservation and Film that will document the legacy of the mid-century architect. This Kickstarter project has just two weeks left to run. That means it's time for an extra push to get those pledges rolling in and meet the target by June 2nd.

Andrew Geller, The Cool House, 2007

Geller is becoming increasingly well known and new finds come to light all the time. Cataloging them all is a huge undertaking - Andrew Geller has kept every blueprint, sketch and photo he worked on. To fund what will become an invaluable resource for students of architecture and design your help is needed.

What YOU can do:

WATCH the video (keep an eye out for this house)!

VISIT Andrew Geller.net for more information on the life and works of the architect and artist.

SPREAD THE WORD, tell everyone you know about this Kickstart project.

PLEDGE, remember all pledges are TAX DEDUCTIBLE!

Hanging the Art: Olivia's Birds edition

Just in time for her Huntington, Long Island book signing at The Book Revue on Sunday April 10th, young artist Olivia Bouler's the Great Tern has found his permanent home in the foyer at The Cool House. This drawing was part of Olivia's first venture to help Save the Gulf wildlife from the BP oil spill a year ago.


Olivia's Birds Saving the Gulf is a beautifully drawn, passionate and informative book-part guide book, part environmental resource-detailing her story and illustrated with her paintings of the birds that inspired her to start a campaign to save them. If you can't get to the Book Revue on Sunday at 3 PM you can and should seek out the book at your local store or online, I'm certain you'll be delighted too.

Kickstart the Andrew Geller Architectural Archive Preservation and Film

An important message to all fans of mid-century modern architecture, lovers of iconic design and readers of this blog: there's an exciting new fundraising venture to support the project - Andrew Geller Architectural Archive Preservation and Film. Andrew Geller designed our house in 1968 but his work spanned the entire mid-20th century and he has amassed a library's worth of blueprints, models, sketches and notes that represent an invaluable resource for designers and enthusiasts alike.
Kickstarter creatively boosts projects by asking for pledges and rewarding donors with gifts for their support, in this case all proceeds raised go to fund The Andrew Geller Architectural Archive Preservation and Film. Please consider pledging and remember it's win-win as all donations are tax free.

Preserving the Andrew Geller Legacy

Jonathan Pearlroth, owner of the Pearlroth House

A warm October evening in the city brought out a good-sized crowd to the Andrew Geller Architectural Archive Preservation Projectat DWR East 62nd St NYC. Many Geller homeowners were there to lend their support as well as architects, authors, academics and assorted enthusiasts.


Fun facts and memories were shared by the original beach house owners at the slideshow presentation of Andrew Geller's life and work. Afterwards I met Philip Monaghan and learnt that he used the reputed first gay porno film, which was shot in the Frank House, as a resource to restore it to its former glory.


Fundraising took the form of a Silent Auction (rear of photo) and an entrance fee for which there were door prizes. Ironically The Guy won Can't You Hear Me Callin' Blue Grass: 80 Years of American Music produced by Gregg Geller (left) that I mentioned here.


It was great to see so many fans of the iconic modernist architect and I was thrilled to finally meet Andrew Geller's granddaughter jewelry maker and rabbit rescuer Nancy Schindler (left). I've been a fan of her blog The Rabbit Muse for years. Though I'm sorry about taking the prize you had your eye on, Nancy!

For more information on the Andrew Geller Architectural Archive Preservation Project or to make a tax-deductible donation visit here.

Andrew Geller Fundraiser

Andrew Geller, renowned architect of mid-century houses (including this one) and the Hunt House (pictured above) has had a long and prolific career. Besides his private commissions he also worked as Vice President to industrial designer Raymond Loewy and over the years accumulated a wealth of sketches, blueprints, models and photographs. The first fundraiser to help catalogue and preserve this body of work was held back in the summer and out in the Hamptons. Now Fall is here so we'll be heading into the city next week to
DWR NYC East 62nd St for the second Andrew Geller Architectural Archive Preservation fundraiser. It sounds like a fun evening - quite a few Geller homeowners will be attending, there will be door prizes, a silent auction, refreshments and a lecture and slide show of Geller's life and work by his grandson documentary filmmaker and historian Jake Gorst.

photo coutesy of Jake Gorst
Andrew Geller is not only an iconic architect but also a painter. This watercolor will be one of a number of items in the silent auction.

photo coutesy of Jake Gorst
as will this unique Mondrina handbag


Door prizes include this Box Set: "Can't You Hear Me Callin' Blue Grass: 80 Years of American Music".

For more information about the project, please visit AndrewGeller.net

What: Andrew Geller Architecture Archive Preservation Project Event
When: Wednesday, October 27, 2010, 7-9:30pm
Where: @ DWR NYC-East 62nd St
27 East 62nd St.
(between Madison & Park)
New York, NY 10065
Phone: 212.888.4539
Fax: 212.888.4609
Entry: $10
Refreshments will be served.

Feeling Creative? Support Seatuck!

When Long Island schoolgirl Olivia Bouler heard about the Gulf oil disaster she set out to help and she did it big time raising over $175,000 to help affected wildlife. Now she is fundraising again - this time locally. She and her family are holding a fundraiser on September 4th for the Seatuck National Wildlife Refuge in Islip, New York. She is asking all artists - and would-be artists - to submit a 5x7 postcard-sized bird image (painting, drawing, photograph, collage, mixed media) which will be displayed at the center and sold for $5.
The event will also include a concert by The Sea Tuckers a group of jazz musicians that includes Olivia, her brother Jackson and their friends. Not only is Olivia a "decent drawer" she's also an extremely talented saxophone player and Jackson will wow you with his cool! More information here

Olivia's Fundraiser
Saturday, September 4th
12:30 to 4:00 p.m.
Suffolk County Environmental Center
550 South Bay Avenue, Islip
Admission - $5

Remember artists of all abilities are welcomed so send your postcards in advance to Seatuck, PO Box 31, Islip, NY 11751.

Preserving the Uniquely Modern

A few years ago The Guy and I headed out to DWR in East Hampton for a fundraiser to save The Pearlroth House. After a lot of hard work by the Geller family, especially Jake Gorst the architect's grandson, and many others that iconic house has been preserved and will be fully restored by next summer.


One successful preservation has led to a much bigger endeavour: cataloging all of Andrew Geller's portfolio - his sketches, blueprints, designs and art - in an archive that will become a resource for students and fans of mid-century architecture and design. Last night dwr East Hampton hosted the Andrew Geller Archive Preservation Fundraiser to raise money for this project.


Friends, family and followers of mid-century modern architecture turned out to enjoy a slideshow on Geller's life and work and bid in a Silent Auction for works including paintings by Andrew Geller and his wife Shirley (who sadly passed away last month), silks by Jamie Geller Dutra and jewelry by Nancy Schindler. More on that auction in a future post... All proceeds from the evening will go to support the Archive. You can support the fund by becoming a sponsor or making a tax-deductible donation and look out for a future fundraiser to be held in New York City - they're lots of fun.