Buckminster Fuller (American, 1895-1983)
Dymaxion Dwelling Machine - Wichita House (59/60), 1981
Screenprint in white ink on clear polyester film overlaid on a Curtis plain blue backing sheet/Screenprint on Lenox paper
30 x 40 in
$3,800
Framed
Dated "c. 1981", signed "Buckminster Fuller", numbered "58/60", lower left.
From the portfolio Inventions: Twelve Around One
Printed by Colophon. Published by Carl Solway Gallery.
In pristine condition.
Framed with cristal glass.
Subject information: DYMAXION DWELLING MACHINE WICHITA HOUSE
The "Wichita House" was inspired in 1944 by the possibility of post-World War II conversion of the aircraft industry to the production of housing units. Work space at their Wichita, Kansas factory along with access to skilled engineering personnel and tools was contributed by Beech Aircraft. The completed prototypes produced there and weighing 6,000 pounds each agreed with the 1927 estimates of the weight of the Dymaxion House after the interim alloying research had been completed. Circular in form, the Wichita House was a structure tensionally suspended from a central mast and braced to the ground. No single part weighed more than ten pounds or needed more than one hand to be held in place, making assembly feasible for one person. Most of the parts nested for shipping, and all the parts fit into a cylindrical shipping container. Cost estimates suggested that once the mass production phase was activated, the completed house, installed, could be sold for $6,500. The screenprint image of the Wichita House is derived from a photograph by Buckminster Fuller.
Portfolio information: A portfolio of thirteen screenprints and text by Buckminster Fuller published by the Carl Solway Gallery. The portfolio was produced under the supervision of Buckminster Fuller by Colophon, Cincinnati, Ohio. The edition is limited to 60 numbered portfolios (1-60) and 20 hors commerce (I-XX). Each of the thirteen prints consists of two 30" x 40" screenprinted sheets, one of which illustrates drawings for a patent invention by Fuller, and the second sheet illustrates the realization of the concept. These two sheets may be presented separately, in two frames; or together, as an overlay, in one frame. This catalogue reproduces both presentation options. The patent invention drawings are screenprinted in white ink on a clear polyester film. A plain blue backing sheet, provided with each print, may be placed under the clear film patent drawings to create the effect of a blueprint. The accompanying photo realization of each invention is a screenprint on Lenox 100 percent rag paper. The text pages and the blue backing sheets are Curtis Tweedweave 100 percent rag paper made especially for this portfolio. Each of the thirteen prints in the portfolio is hand signed and numbered by Buckminster Fuller on the clear film element.
From the portfolio Inventions: Twelve Around One
Printed by Colophon. Published by Carl Solway Gallery.
In pristine condition.
Framed with cristal glass.
Subject information: DYMAXION DWELLING MACHINE WICHITA HOUSE
The "Wichita House" was inspired in 1944 by the possibility of post-World War II conversion of the aircraft industry to the production of housing units. Work space at their Wichita, Kansas factory along with access to skilled engineering personnel and tools was contributed by Beech Aircraft. The completed prototypes produced there and weighing 6,000 pounds each agreed with the 1927 estimates of the weight of the Dymaxion House after the interim alloying research had been completed. Circular in form, the Wichita House was a structure tensionally suspended from a central mast and braced to the ground. No single part weighed more than ten pounds or needed more than one hand to be held in place, making assembly feasible for one person. Most of the parts nested for shipping, and all the parts fit into a cylindrical shipping container. Cost estimates suggested that once the mass production phase was activated, the completed house, installed, could be sold for $6,500. The screenprint image of the Wichita House is derived from a photograph by Buckminster Fuller.
Portfolio information: A portfolio of thirteen screenprints and text by Buckminster Fuller published by the Carl Solway Gallery. The portfolio was produced under the supervision of Buckminster Fuller by Colophon, Cincinnati, Ohio. The edition is limited to 60 numbered portfolios (1-60) and 20 hors commerce (I-XX). Each of the thirteen prints consists of two 30" x 40" screenprinted sheets, one of which illustrates drawings for a patent invention by Fuller, and the second sheet illustrates the realization of the concept. These two sheets may be presented separately, in two frames; or together, as an overlay, in one frame. This catalogue reproduces both presentation options. The patent invention drawings are screenprinted in white ink on a clear polyester film. A plain blue backing sheet, provided with each print, may be placed under the clear film patent drawings to create the effect of a blueprint. The accompanying photo realization of each invention is a screenprint on Lenox 100 percent rag paper. The text pages and the blue backing sheets are Curtis Tweedweave 100 percent rag paper made especially for this portfolio. Each of the thirteen prints in the portfolio is hand signed and numbered by Buckminster Fuller on the clear film element.