Obama the Neoclassicist

In today's LAT Christopher Hawthorne offers up an interesting meditation on Barack Obama and his preoccupation with neo-classicism, both in terms of political history, and architecture. This relates to themes discussed on previous DnA shows; specifically, what might be the new president's attitude towards architecture, particularly after spending most of his adult years in the architecturally rich city of Chicago? All the evidence (his own Greek Revival home in Hyde Park, the stage set for his convention speech; the choice of Michael Smith to decorate the family rooms at the White House) suggests that he favors neoclassical, despite his Miles Davis-like "cool" that has lead hopeful architecture afficionados to speculate that he might like Mies or some such cool Modernist. This is fascinating, in part because of the association of Greek Revival architecture with the age of slavery and colonial oppression. For an exploration of these themes, listen to my edited interview with Chicago's "Hello Beautiful" host Edward Lifson on January's DnA, and at greater length, on this podcast (TO BE UPLOADED SOON).

Just one note about the above-mentioned Michael Smith, the LA interior decorator to the Hollywood set, now embellishing the White House (hear about him from Diane Dorrans Saeks on DnA); I found out recently that he is the one and same Michael Smith responsible for the lavish office for now ex-Merrill Lynch executive John Thain (forced out of Bank of America), that included an $87,000 area rug and $35,000 commode. Oops. Did Michele Obama know this when she hired him? Note: Thain said this week he would reimburse Bank of America for the flashy decor.