About this artwork
Although he never studied under Frank Lloyd Wright, Bruce Goff (1904–1982) shared many of the architectural principles of Wright and other organic architects—the use of natural materials, idiosyncratic designs, free-flowing interior spaces, and individualized projects for individual clients—all contributing to a “timeless” architecture. An influential and iconoclastic architect, Goff was also an inspirational teacher, heading the School of Architecture at the University of Oklahoma (1947-1955) and training apprentices throughout his career. His design for the Bavinger residence in Norman, Oklahoma, won the prestigious 25-year award from the American Institute of Architects in 1987. During a career that spanned six decades, Goff designed hundreds of projects, nearly one hundred and fifty of which were built. In 1995, the Art Institute of Chicago mounted a large retrospective exhibition with an accompanying catalog, The Architecture of Bruce Goff, 1904–1982: Design for the Continuous Present. This collection consists of Goff’s entire professional papers, business and personal correspondence, project files, photographs and slides, published and unpublished lectures and articles, business and personal financial papers, personal collections of shells and rocks, clothing, player-piano rolls composed and cut by Goff, and taped interviews and lectures.
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Collection access:
Collections may be accessed in the Franke Reading Room of the Research Center at The Art Institute of Chicago, by appointment only. For further information, consult the FAQ.
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Oral histories
Contact the Ryerson and Burnham Art and Architecture Archives:
archives@artic.edu
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Status
- Currently Off View
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Department
- AIC Archives
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Artist
- Bruce Goff (Architect)
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Title
- Bruce A. Goff Archive
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Date
- Made 1893–1990
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Medium
- Typescript papers, holograph papers, manuscripts, printed papers, architectural drawings, analog audiocasettes, reel to reel audio tapes, beta and VHS videocassettes, black and white and color photographic prints black and white and color negatives, black and white and color transparencies, photomechanical prints, lithographs, relief prints, ink and graphite drawings, Oolor ink jet prints, ephemera and realia.
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Dimensions
- 263 boxes, 12 portfolios, 7 oversize portfolios, 12 rolled rubes and flatfile materials: W.: 6096 cm (200 ft., in.)
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Credit Line
- Gift of the Shin'enKan Foundation and Joe Price; Robert Bowlby, Nelson Brackin, Jan Coleman, Harvey Ferrero, Jim Gresham, the Larry Wayne Grantham Archive, Thomas A. Heinz, Jane Heron, Donald Hoffman, Kinji Imada, Pauline Innis, Joyce Muns, Jan Novie, the estate of Claude Oakland, Remo Patri, Tito Patri, Eugene Tsui, the estate of Phillip Welch, Thomas Rogers, Joseph Henry Wythe, Al Drap, and the estate of William H. Wilson
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Reference Number
- 1990.1
Extended information about this artwork
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.
