Edition No. 9
In this Edition
Arts and Culture
Analyze the history of American architecture through the lens of a metro-Detroit gem, Cranbrook.
Community and Family
A must-listen for movie lovers! The Plot Thickens is a new documentary podcast about the movies and the people who make them.
Our American Values
The second installment of the Our American Values series focuses on great Inaugural and Farewell addresses by American Presidents.
History of American Architecture:
Cranbrook in Context Lecture Series
In winter 2020, Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research Curator Kevin Adkisson hosted a five-part lecture series surveying the history of American architecture through the lens of Cranbrook’s distinct and impressive architectural history. Adkisson, who previously spoke at The War Memorial under the auspices of the Grosse Pointe Artists Association, tells the story of Cranbrook’s creation, the architects who’ve worked on the campus, and the larger trends and movements impacting Cranbrook (as well as Cranbrook’s impact on the world). These five lectures run 75-minutes each and, while designed to build on one another, can also stand alone for focus on specific topics and eras. To view all five lectures, click here.
PHOTO CREDITS (FROM TOP TO BOTTOM)
Banner: Eliel Saarinen. Elevation, Plan, and Sections of Green Lobby, Kingswood School Cranbrook. Ink, colored pencil, and graphite on tracing paper. 28 x 52.5 inches. Collection Cranbrook Art Museum; Cranbrook House, 2018. James Haefner, photographer; Kingswood School Exterior, 2016. James Haefner, photographer; Cranbrook Art Museum Exterior, 2016. James Haefner, photographer; Edison House, Courtesy Cranbrook Archives; Cranbrook Schools Williams Natatorium, 2018. James Haefner, photographer.
Podcasts We Love
The Plot Thickens
This year’s most sought after podcast for movie fans comes from TCM, entitled The Plot Thickens: I’m Still Peter Bogdanovich. The now 81-year old, Peter Bogdanovich has lived every film nerd’s dream: as a young Manhattan movie-goer seeing upwards of 400 movies a year, a distinguished writer about movies, the film curator for major museums, and as the director of major Hollywood features including The Last Picture Show (1971) and Paper Moon (1973). Bogdanovich was a huge success at 32 and a “has been,” for the first time, by 35. Over the course of seven regular episodes, he tells the fascinating story of his film career that has had more ups and downs than any other with the possible exception of his idol, friend, and one-time housemate Orson Welles. Three bonus episodes feature his interviews with golden age of Hollywood directors he wrote about and befriended, including Howard Hawks, John Ford, and Alfred Hitchcock. To listen to all ten episodes of season one, click here.
About Season One: I’m Still Peter Bogdanovich
For the first season, TCM is telling a true tale about loss, perseverance, and the solace of cinema. Peter Bogdanovich was the toast of Hollywood at a very young age, but soon found himself a failure with a string of flops, ruined relationships, and the tragic murder of the love of his life. Now, alongside host Ben Mankiewicz, Peter looks back on his life, trying to make sense of the good and the bad, and reckon with his legacy in an unforgiving industry. Featuring new and archival interviews with many of the greatest directors of all time, this is a story about the elusiveness of dreams, fame, and power. It’s about what happens when luck disappears and misfortune moves in.
What Do Americans Need To Hear On January 20th?
As 2020 draws to a close, Americans face a daunting array of challenges beginning with a global pandemic, economic uncertainty, a lack of social justice, and a profoundly corrosive political climate. Together, these things leave us in uncharted waters. At times like these, Americans have traditionally turned to our presidents for hope and leadership. So, between November 2020 and Inauguration Day on January 20th, Our American Values will feature ten great Inaugural and Farewell addresses by American Presidents—wise words that warned, reassured, uplifted, or challenged our nation.
It only seems appropriate that we begin our consideration of what Americans might need to hear between now and January 20th with Washington’s Farewell Message. Lin-Manuel Miranda re-introduced the broader American public to Washington’s Farewell with the song, “One Last Time” from his musical Hamilton. The Farewell, however, has never been too distant from the minds of Americans in public service because it articulated many of the Presidency’s most important norms and traditions and because every February a different Senator, selected by their peers and alternating between the parties, has read the Farewell to the Senate. In 2018, his peers gave that honor to Michigan Senator Gary Peters. Washington’s speech runs 45-minutes.
The War Memorial is a non-partisan organization.
Another Take On Washington’s Farewell
This video takes the less patient, or more musically inclined, to a remix of “One Last Time.” Listen for a special guest reading the final and most famous portion of the address. This “Hamildrop” runs a little more than 4 minutes.
Inspired Thoughts is a collection of highly curated content that embraces the spirit and purpose of The War Memorial: arts and culture, community enrichment, leadership, and patriotism.
Derived from the notion that learning from others is the key to success, Inspired Thoughts is meant to shine a light on those making a difference in the world around them. This collection features artists, poets, writers, architects, and every thought leader in-between. Inspired Thoughts is the strongest reflection of what The War Memorial stands for, and what we aim to be.
The content featured on Inspired Thoughts is curated by War Memorial leadership — we also look forward to featuring special guest curators in the near future. If you are interested in providing content for Inspired Thoughts, please email our Community Engagement team at bhoste@warmemorial.org.