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Derval Carroll Art's avatar

Thanks Helen, I really enjoyed reading about your perspective on the quest for progress.

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Helen Conway's avatar

Thanks for taking the time to comment! Much appreciated.

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Kay Foley's avatar

Helen, what a lovely piece! I have so many things to say and respond to. a) I have been to Falling Water and even managed to have a tour inside it. It is stunningly beautiful and also simple, and the horizontal lines very soothing. b) I just also saw a big part of a Wayzata MN home he built that had been moved to The Met, in NYC. I love your reflections on horizontal vs. vertical, reminding me of my own preference for the broad view--ocean, plains, rolling hills--over mountains. I have jokingly said to friends, "Mountains block the view." I am joking but also not. Finally, all of what you say about the horizontal (creative) reach and spread, water rippling out and across, word of mouth, one person to another . . . so beautifully written and so thoughtful. I will be saving this rich piece of writing. And I will look for that book! Thank you.

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Helen Conway's avatar

Kay, thank you! That's my definition of success for this Substack that in the midst of so much ephemera online I create something solid and thoughtful enough that people want to retain it. I am definitely encouraged to keep going now.

I am also encouraged to do a return NYC trip now you mentioned the house in The Met. My favourite architect is actually Daniel Libeskind so I would like to see his Ground Zero work too.

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Pam Orren's avatar

Thank you for a beautiful piece. I find that growth comes in many forms, and a change of scenery makes one open up to new possibilities. I grew up In Denver, near the mountains, and moved to flat Minnesota 50 years ago. Now I am contemplating a move to California, to a mountain community, but it is not that I am reaching for the sky. It actually feels grounding to me.

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Ana V. Ramirez's avatar

I love the analogy of the lines and equating architecture with a creative life. I heard someone compare that constant search for more to feeding the hungry ghost--you can't ever satisfy it.

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Hazel Burgess Art's avatar

Yes your words are creating a ripple effect of rising confidence over here where I am.

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Helen Conway's avatar

Job done then😃😃😃

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Barb Williams's avatar

A fabulously provocative piece. In recent months, I have felt a positive and powerful shift that I think resembles the horizontal directional pull you elaborate on so well. I appreciate that you've put words to this for me as I've had a hard time even describing it to myself.

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