Rising waters

Those living in the Pittsburgh area have certainly heard of the famed Frank Lloyd Wright’s… Those living in the Pittsburgh area have certainly heard of the famed Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, an elaborate house built in the 1930s. Even if you have never actually seen the house up close and personal, you have surely seen representations of the architectural achievement.

Pitt Professor of Art and Architecture Franklin Toker has dedicated 18 years of research to the book of all books on Fallingwater. Released last week, The New York Times gave rave reviews to “Fallingwater Rising.” Not only does it chronicle Fallingwater itself, it looks at the man who commissioned Wright to do the work: E. J. Kaufmann, of Pittsburgh’s Kaufmann’s department stores. The book also discusses the impact that the Great Depression had on the renowned project.

Toker’s presentation of his extensive research is sure to put Pitt on the map – not that it isn’t already. It will put us on a different sort of map, not one of sports or biomedicine, but on the map as an architectural artistry community – perhaps it will make up for Posvar Hall.You may not be able to travel the 45 miles to Bear Run to visit the place, and while it would be difficult to read all 479 pages of the book in two days, you can – and should – get your fill of Fallingwater knowledge this weekend, because Toker will be talking about his book in person.

The event takes place on Sat., Oct. 4 at 2 p.m. at the Carnegie Music Hall. Admission is free. Look for a review of “Fallingwater Rising” in the upcoming weeks in The Pitt News.