The hotel in Mason City that was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright is hosting a documentary screening tonight that focuses on the legendary architect’s work in California. It’s the third documentary from Michael Miner about Wright’s world-renowned creations.
Miner says the movie shows a cross-section of Wright’s architectural career over seven decades. He says Wright’s first building was completed in 1909 in southern California and he continued to design buildings until his death in 1959, with a couple of “legacy project” buildings being constructed after his death.
Miner says the work in California represents Wright’s larger body of work since it has buildings from all of his major design periods. Miner says he visited the Park Inn Hotel in Mason City several years ago before the restoration and he’s looking forward to seeing the completed project.
“Restored Frank Lloyd Wright buildings are treasures, they are incredible experiences,” Miner says. “There’s about a dozen Frank Lloyd Wright buildings in Iowa and this is the only hotel he did that’s still in existence. It’s a very special place.”
Miner says Wright’s work continues to amaze people worldwide. He says he considers Wright to be a creative genius because he wasn’t a “one-hit wonder” with his building designs but closer to a “one-thousand hit wonder” with his architecture achieving the highest level of the art form over a sustained period of time.
The documentary, “Romanza, the California Structures Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright,” will be shown at the Park Inn Hotel tonight with the doors opening at 6:15, the film being shown at 6:30, followed by a question-and-answer session with Miner at 8:00. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door, with seating limited.
By Bob Fisher, KRIB, Mason City