Philip Johnson (1906-2005) had a long and influential career as a modernist American architect. He partnered with Mies Van Der Rohe in the design of the iconic Seagram Building on New York’s Park Avenue. His glass walled residence in Connecticut is now in The National Trust of Historic Places (When Frank Lloyd Wright visited, he inquired: “Am I inside or outside?”). Johnson-designed office buildings are in almost every major American city. Despite his accomplishments, Johnson was guilty of major errors. In the 1930’s he was a Fascist, a faithful follower of the anti-semitic and Nazi favoring “Radio Priest” Father Coughlin. Johnson apologized later, calling his Fascist years a youthful whim. Later in life, he made another glaring, yet harmless, mistake. He called water views “boring.” Boring? Few views could be more varied and stimulating than those of Rhode Island’s’ Narragansett Bay as seen from the windows and deck of gifted daughter Lesley R. and husband, brilliant Massimo R.’s waterfront home in Riverside, RI. The colors of the waters change throughout the day. At times, schools of tiny fish appear, leaping out of the water before being consumed by hungry birds. Regal swans and other large and colorful avians lodge on the shoreline. Then, there are the boats: Tankers. Barges–big, small and super-gigantic. Large cargo boats. Tug boats. Fishing boats. Sailboats. Motorized pleasure boats of every size (and noise level). Providence to Newport ferries. A feast for the eyes and senses. The climax of Bay gazing is sunset. Astonishing and colorful. Everything is accompanied by the appearance and chirping of numerous birds. The Bay viewing experience is better than TV.
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