“If you will look, by and large, at the present-day practice of any profession you will see a sordid picture. Absolutely a sordid picture.” -Frank Lloyd Wright, speaking in Biloxi, MS in 1949
Few creative professionals in any field fought as long and as hard to maintain their particular vision as did Frank Lloyd Wright. It’s amazing what the man achieved in his 92 years on earth, and also amazing what he endured. His career and his life had some vicious downturns of the sort that would put an average mortal out to pasture.
How did he stay focussed on his mission? Some say he was an egomaniac. But the answer is deeper than that. Wright believed that beautiful buildings made people happy and gave them a better life. He believed that the pursuit of beauty was an ethical act.
When I think about my own battles in my chosen profession and how I’ve been willing to compromise, I realize that advertising, unlike architecture, is far from a sacred practice (or one worth falling on the sword for). Although, it could be more sacred than it is. Writing, on the other hand, is like architecture. It is worth fighting for against any and all odds. I guess that’s why I’m more excited about the words I place here than I am about any ads I’ve made.
