Triumph of Love In Los Angeles
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"We're on our way to see a romantic comedy," I said into my hopelessly static filled cellular phone wondering if my dad could even hear me. "A romantic comedy," he quickly replied without even thinking. "That's just what the world needs more of. There's already more than enough sad events in life. It's time for more hopeful, positive and uplifting things to raise the human spirit." Wow! I thought, after absorbing my dad's pearls of wisdom. Maybe he's on to something here.
As I said goodbye, Kim and I continued cruising down Vermont Avenue in Los Angeles, past the neon clutter and advertising for everything from traditional Russian to authentic Mexican food. At Hollywood Boulevard we hung a quick left and were practically at the Barnsdall Art Park where this classic Marivaux play, written 271 years ago, in 1732, was being presented by A Small Company, in association with the Chautauqua Theatre Alliance. (As a side note and further verification of the great historical context, the Chautauqua Theater Alliance began in 1874 on the shores of New York's Lake Chautauqua as a response to a "hunger of mind abroad in the land." Their mission statement, clearly says it all: (to "entertain, enlighten and challenge audiences"). The setting for this Marivaux play was the 40+ seat theater overlooking one of the outdoor courtyards at the Hollyhock House, the first Los Angeles home designed and built by Frank Lloyd Wright between 1919 and 1921. The original intent, finally coming to fruition after 82 years, was for this house to be part of an innovative theatrical community blending cultural and architectural history for all residents of Los Angeles to enjoy.
Since the Hollyhock House suffered extensive earthquake damage during the January 1994 Northridge Earthquake, only the exterior restoration of this massive building was near completion. Sadly, the public has been deprived of being allowed to go on interior tours of this masterpiece since it was nearly condemned. Luckily, Kim and I had toured the house on two separate occasions prior to it's earthquake damage, and had marveled in the blending of differing architectural influences ranging from Mayan, Japanese, Egyptian and Spanish Colonial. After nine years of LA bureaurocratic red tape and squabbling, only a few of many needed millions of dollars have trickled into restoring this first example of F.L.W.'s "California Romanza" style of architecture.
California Romanza, which is a term Frank Lloyd Wright coined, meaning, "To make ones own form," although intended to apply as an architectural term to explain his many influences, can be applied in a philosophical manner to the theme of this play: the struggle of the mind over the heart. In the eternal battle of logic versus love, there are no hard and fast rules. Each heartfelt pang of emotion has to be dealt with for all its love, jealousy, and fear of rejection certainly requires one "to make one's own form." No simple formulas or answers exist. It's a long, dragged out war, whether on a quest to restore the Hollyhock House, or to logically comprehend the many intricacies of love.
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Kim and Don Tatera, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com
About the Author
Kim and Don Tatera, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent. Join the Travel Writers Network in the logo at www.jetsettersmagazine.com Leave your email next to the logo for FREE e travel newsletter.