In two weeks, residents will have a chance to hear from the former New York City gallery owner and San Francisco museum curator who for two years has served as director of the Philip Johnson Glass House in New Canaan.
Henry Urbach, director of the Philip Johnson Glass House. Contributed photo
Henry Urbach during “The Glass House, Reconsidered”—to be held at 6:30 p.m. on April 6 in the Adrian Lamb Room of New Canaan Library—will discuss the history (an interactive history can be found here) of the 49-acre campus and its buildings.
The Glass House season runs May to November. After we heard about the April 6 event, NewCanaanite.com reached out to the Glass House to try and find out more. It sounds like what Urbach and the Glass House plan is a re-imagining of the cherished New Canaan landmark as a setting and space that serves not only as a destination for architecture appreciators from curious to professional—but also as living quarters, backdrop and canvas for inspiring creation and celebrating the fine and performing arts. Here’s our exchange.
New Canaanite: Can you give us an overview: What can attendees expect to hear during Henry’s April 6 talk at the library?
Philip Johnson Glass House in winter. Credit: Terry DInan
Philip Johnson Glass House: Henry Urbach will discuss what he likes to call ‘Glass House 2.0.’ His total revamping of the Glass House programming through the introduction of art exhibitions in the Glass House and da monsta buildings with plans to launch the first ever fog installation with artist Fujiko Nakaya installing fog around the outside of the Glass House; by introducing readings programs, performances, music, artists in residence, and more. At the same time, he is active on the preservation of the Glass House with a recent painting gallery roof replacement and other preservation projects. Henry will discuss exciting plans for 2014 and the future.
NC: I know we’ve seen the Philip Johnson Glass House increasingly become a part of New Canaan, such as through Community Day. How would you describe the PJGH’s role in the community today?
Philip Johnson Glass House in winter. Credit: Terry DInan
PJGH: The Glass House’s role is as a thriving cultural center for not only the arts to include arts music performances and a place of discussion (the Glass House was known as the longest standing cultural salon during Philip Johnson’s time) but also as a beautiful 49-acre campus with pastoral landscape and a place to hosts great talks on all subjects in the built world, from design to art and culture and more. We would like to engage the community through our after-school program for children ages 9 to 12. As well to work with the New York City high school students as we have done in the past. We also would like the local community to know that the Glass House is accessible to them as we do these programs including Community Day which is May 7 this year. We hope the local community will feel proud to have a site of the national trust for historic preservation right here in our back yard.
NC: What do we know about Philip Johnson and New Canaan, during the time that the house was built and when he was here? Were there places he frequented in the town, favorite places or other details that have been passed along through people who knew him or correspondence?
Philip Johnson Glass House in winter. Credit: Terry DInan
PJGH: We know Philip Johnson had his favorite local place to eat lunch but we heard it no longer exists.
Here’s some more information about the Glass House, from a press release:
Built by architect Philip Johnson between the years 1949 and 1995, the Glass House is a 49-acre campus with many Johnson-designed buildings, a world-class collection of modern art, and a pastoral landscape. It is New Canaan’s premier architectural landmark as well as a National Trust Historic Site.