For fans of modern design and Mid Century architecture the name Julius Shulman is probably familiar. Think of him as the Ansel Adams of mod. Shulman, now a youthful 98 years old, began his career in the Thirties and has photographed nearly every significant architect in the modern movement. Through the Fifties and Sixties his shots came to symbolize California style and the modern aesthetic. Oklahomans will have a rare chance to meet this iconic photographer on September 11, 2008. Shulman will be giving a lecture at Untitled Artspace in Oklahoma City as part of the Bruce Goff Lecture Series. The event begins at 5:00 and is free. For more info and details on Untitled Artspace visit www.1ne3.org , or skip the puzzling home page navigation and go directly to the press release .
On the Trail of Julius Shulman: Stop 2 "This is a bank," the sign outside the futuristic building read. According to legend a prankster added a strategic question mark and echoed the sentiment of many passers-by: "This is a bank?" That was back in 1964 when it opened. Today the Arvest on Lincoln Boulevard looks a bit less Jetsonian, mostly due to replacement of structural glass below the "saucers," but it's still an unusual bank. Designed by Robert Roloff of the architectural firm Bailey, Bozalis, Dickinson & Roloff, the State Capitol Bank caused quite a stir in Oklahoma City when it opened. Heck, it's still pretty shocking today! Originally the flying saucers appeared to hover above the building (as seen in this vintage postcard). All the glass that made that effect possible also made heating and cooling an expensive proposition. Security concerns also mandated replacement of those windows with solid materials and small square portholes