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Art, Vision, and Symmetry: The Hidden Geometry of Frank Lloyd Wright Hardcover – August 19, 2020

by John Shoaff (Author)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 10 ratings
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Frank Lloyd Wright confronted us with two challenges when he wrote of his buildings that certain "basic principles behind the effects" "give to them all such vitality, integrity, and magic as they have." The first challenge: to uncover these principles; and, the second, to explain how they yield works of such aesthetic range and power.

He gave us the first clue-each building emerges from "the differentiation of a single, certain, simple form"; but he left it for us to find the often complex process of "differentiation" that follows.

This book reveals that process. In fifteen case studies it shows how simple geometries repeat, grow, crystallize, and overlap, disciplined by their internal structure, to yield "the integration that is organic" that constitutes the final masterpiece.

These geometries are highlighted separately in a sequence of images. By following them the engaged amateur will enrich his understanding of Wright's works; the critic can evaluate them for himself; and the student will find in them the source of a discipline he can apply to his own efforts.

In an effort to explain the aesthetic "magic," that follows from this discipline, the book then turns to the sciences of vision. It explores basic mechanisms by which the eye and mind make coherent vision possible, and concludes that the freshness, clarity, and vitality of Wright's oeuvre follow from his discovery and employment of some of the most basic mechanics of perception, by which he created for the eye maximum pleasure from least effort.

From this follows a theory of aesthetics.


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  1. Print length
    108 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    John Shoaff
  4. Publication date
    August 19, 2020
  5. Dimensions
    8.5 x 0.44 x 11 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1950659747
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1950659746
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The discoveries laid out in this book were made during the 27 years John Shoaff lived in a Frank Lloyd Wright "Usonian" home. His explorations were aided by an eclectic education in the visual arts and the basic sciences, culminating in a Master of Architecture degree from Yale University, that continued as a lifetime study of the life and physical sciences-through which he approached the problem of the aesthetic power of Wright's genius.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ John Shoaff (August 19, 2020)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 108 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1950659747
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1950659746
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.4 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.5 x 0.44 x 11 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 10 ratings

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
10 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Brent D.
5.0 out of 5 stars An enlightened and intellectually stimulating interpretation of Frank Lloyd Wright's works
Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2023
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This is an original and fresh interpretation of Frank Lloyd Wright's creative genius. The author's passion for his subject shines through even as he lays out his analytical approach for understanding the aesthetic appeal of Wright's designs. The author explains how Wright applied basic principles to simple geometric shapes that repeat and align in such a way that a final well-integrated building plan emerges. He shows how the actual physical construction of the home is fundamental to its aesthetic appeal. The author draws from the neural sciences to offer his theory explaining why people are able to intuitively experience the aesthetic qualities of Wright's works. The author supports his arguments in a thorough and persuasive manner. This is a book that should be read by anyone interested in the man, his works or more generally, architecture.
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Kitty Mulligan
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book.
Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2021
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Very insightful and interesting. A must for Frank Lloyd Wright enthusiasts!
One person found this helpful
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William Cramer
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant take on FLW’s Architecture
Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2022
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I find this book utterly fascinating on how it breaks down FLW’s architectural planning. As the author sums up so beautifully, “ In representative case studies it presents the process by which a final well integrated building plan emerges from a single form, in which simple geometries are seen to repeat, grow, crystallize, and overlap to yield unique and harmonious designs.” I highly recommend this book!
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Top reviews from other countries

Sturla Thor Jonsson
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting academic read
Reviewed in Germany on November 17, 2022
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I've always wanted to get a better understanding on Frank Lloyd Wright, to be Frank. So I decided to get this book as it was an interesting look at his design methods or theory. At first impression I found the text a little too academic i.e unnecessary complex use of words. It was almost like reading a play by Shakespeare, I had to read some of the lines several times. But overall I find this book well worth the buy as it takes me back to those days at university, at the library sweating over a complex textbooks on architectural theories. It gets the brain going again.
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