The World Monuments Fund (WMF) has released its 2014 list of cultural heritage sites at risk, including a number of well-known architectural gems in the U.S.
Among the 67 projects spread across 41 nations and territories are Taliesin, Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece in Wisconsin, and Eero Saarinen’s Gateway Arch in St. Louis.
“We want to call attention to the fact that these are places that are important and need help, and to raise funds for all of them,” says Lisa Ackerman, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of WMF.
Though the main Taliesin building is in good shape, structures in the landscape are less so. “The leadership is struggling to come up with master plan for the whole ensemble of outbuildings to be protected, and not just the main house,” she says.
In St. Louis, stainless steel on Saarinen’s arch is showing signs of corrosion, and is in need of funding for a research phase to evaluate the problems and suggest solutions. The National Park Service, already strapped for funding for all of the projects under its purview, is struggling further with the government shutdown.
“It will take a collaboration between the Park Service and private sources,” she says.
Other American sites at risk include the George Nakashima house in Philadelphia, home to the 20th-century designer whose furniture was produced by Knoll, the Chinati Foundation in Texas where Donald Judd turned former military barracks turned into art studios, and the Cloisters and Palisades along the Hudson River.
In Rome, the 16th-century Farnese Aviaries on Palatine Hill overlooking the Forum are also on the list. One of the most exalted Roman families during the Renaissance (one member served as Pope), the Farnese had two palaces in Rome: one in the center of the city that serves as an embassy today, and a second on Palatine Hill, demolished during the 20th century. Their aviaries and the wall paintings inside survive – though in need of attention.
“Two and a half million tourists go to Rome every year, in awe of the buildings that survived the Roman Empire,” she says. “But after the Romans, life went on and now we can allow the public to see a Renaissance building next to Roman architecture, and be a little less one dimensional.”
That’s would be a worthy outcome for vistors to every site on the 2014 World Monuments Watch list.
For more information, go to www.wmf.org.
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