Brad Pitt and the Tree of Life

Sometimes, "free association" yields interesting results when it comes to Frank Lloyd Wright's Martin House and it's iconic art glass.

The "Tree of Life" window

Take, for example, the upcoming film The Tree of Life [Terrence Malick, 2011] which shares an evocative name with the best-known art glass window from the Martin House.  Coincidentally, the film stars one Brad Pitt, known to be an architecture buff and fan of Wright's work. 

Pitt's wife, equally world-famous actress Angelina Jolie, appealed to his love of architecture in finding the perfect birthday gift for her husband in 2006, when she booked a private tour and champagne toast for the two at Fallingwater, Wright's masterpiece on Bear Run in southwestern Pennsylvania.  Fallingwater has had some famous visitors before, including Albert Einstein and Ted Kennedy, but the visit by Hollywood power duo Pitt and Jolie brought some dazzling star power to the Kaufmann estate, despite the intimate nature of their visit.  

Jolie and Pitt at Fallingwater, 2006.  Photo by Cara Armstrong

Although details of the Tree of Life film are still sketchy, it has nothing to do apparently with Frank Lloyd Wright or the popular, tree-like art glass motif he designed for the Martins.  But could the release of the film be an opportunity for a sort of Wright-meets-Hollywood marketing integration?  Could the Buffalo or Toronto debut of the film be an opportunity for Mr. Pitt and Ms. Jolie to visit the Martin House (whether it's his birthday or not)?  Is it too late for product placement in the film (set in the Midwest in the 1950s - a Usonian in the background, perhaps?)?  Pitt wearing a t-shirt with the Martin "Tree of Life" motif during press conferences? The possibilities are endless.

Brad, if you're reading this, we could use some star power here in Buffalo.  And we have many "Tree of Life" windows yet to reproduce, at a mere $29,000 each.