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The Genius of Buckminister Fuller
‘Bucky Works’ Explores Overlapping Views of Innovative Genius Buckminister Fuller & Alden B. Dow at the Dow Home & Studio By Craig McDonald
When challenged to name “great thinkers” we typically go far back into history to names like Galileo, Newton, da Vinci, Darwin, Einstein and others. The common thread to these extraordinary individuals is that they challenged the world in efforts to understand it and to then create solutions leading to a higher quality of life. One more contemporary thinker that doesn’t instantly pop into the modern day repertoire of our minds is Buckminster Fuller. Best known for his geodesic dome design at Epcot in Florida, Fuller was one of those rare humans who thought that technology could be used to abolish poverty, hunger and war by using the world’s resources for the good of all. With ideas that were, for the most part, about 50 years ahead of their present day technology and materials, his ideas were not taken seriously nor given the proper attention they deserved. Even when looking at some of his inventions today, you think that you are looking at futuristic images that don’t “fit” into our present-day world. Examples would be dome structures created with Spiral Generation or housing constructed using tension technology, even the vocabulary sounds of the future, yet he developed these ideas decades ago. Like many inventors, he looked to nature’s design to see how things were designed with optimal efficiency. “Nature commonly makes use of repetition in cells, crystals, and eggs. Evolution tends to standardize design - you don’t see animal noses in the middle of their backs, noses are logically placed by their function.” A two-part program, a read and review, of Bucky Works: Buckminster Fuller’s Ideas for Today, by J. Baldwin is scheduled for February 23rd and March 23rd at the Alden B. Dow Home and Studio in Midland. Creator of the Geodesic Dome, Dymaxion House and Dymaxion Car, Fuller dared to dream and design sustainable ways of living and growing in harmony with the earth and each other. “Bucky Works is an inspiring celebration of the man, his ideas, his inventions…featuring 200 photographs and drawings…fascinating excerpts from Fuller’s lectures and conversations with the author…offering a breathtaking inside look at one of the truly great minds of our time.” With ideas that were futuristic and ahead of technology, Fuller captured the attention of Alden B. Dow. Fuller and Dow corresponded and spent time together during the 1950’s. They both examined the physical world and created solutions on how to constructively impact the human experience, thus adding value. Fuller’s Stockade Building System and Dow’s Unit Block design were innovative building systems promoting creativity and how to better utilize our natural resources. Constantly striving to improve life through more efficient use of our resources, both Fuller and Dow created solutions for living harmoniously with our earth and each other. Discussion will include Fuller’s Garden of Eden, Tension Structures, and Geodesics as well as Dow’s Sandwich Panels, Ingersol Housing and Fur-siding as both men explored new ways of living for the future. Join the Alden B. Dow Home and Studio staff for this two-part review as they delve into the lives of these fascinating men…February 23 and March 23 @ 6:30-8:30 p.m. Both sessions will be held on-site, 315 Post Street, Midland. Registration deadline is February 19th. The initial evening will include a tour of Dow’s Studio as well as time to examine rarely seen and daring product designs by Dow. The second part of the program will include open discussion on Bucky Works, Fuller’s inventions, ideas of sustainable life and look at commonalities between Fuller and Dow. The cost for this two-part program is $40; you may register or call for more information at 866.315.7678 or locally at 989.839.2744; MasterCard and Visa accepted.
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