Llano Del Rio-Is happiness a state of mind or dependent upon affluent material conditions? Llano Del Rio was designed by a feminist for a communist (Named Job), and included many modern “feminist features” such as kitchen-less homes, communal childcare, and built in furniture, all designed to reduce the amount of domestic work done by women. Within the circular city plan, were designs for underground tunnels to deliver food to the families, but these and other plans were never actuated due to lack of funding. Workers initially were payed a good wage, but as the colony grew, the wage system was abandoned and workers needs were taken care of instead of paying them outright. It grew from five families to a thousand people from 1913 to 1917. In 1917, the colony relocated with their once Vice President of the United States and Los Angeles Mayor hopeful Job Harriman, to Stables Louisiana, called it New Llano, and stayed there, and became Americas last and oldest socialist colony ever. Many of their values once considered subversive, are now considered standards of American life, like the 8 hour workday, minimum wage and social security. Is happiness a state of mind or dependent upon affluent material conditions? Read more here : http://media.lpb.org/images/pdf/AmericanUtopia_LlanodelRioCooperativeColony.pdf (read it! Fascinating letters and period photos!) These images were shot on a cloudy night, with a combination of available light and flashlight, with exposure times ranging from 1 to 4 minutes. I primarily shot what was left of the assembly hall.
riki feldmann