Podcast Summary: Lee Mindel: Speaking From Experience

The Grand Tourist with Dan Rubinstein
Host: Dan Rubinstein
Guest: Lee Mindel
Release Date: June 11, 2025

Introduction

In the episode titled "Lee Mindel: Speaking From Experience," host Dan Rubinstein delves deep into the multifaceted career and personal journey of Lee Mindel, a luminary in the fields of architecture, interior design, and the collectible art market. This detailed conversation explores Lee's early influences, educational path, professional milestones, and his recent venture into the art gallery scene with Gallery 56.

Early Life and Background

Lee Mindel opens up about his upbringing in Highland Park, New Jersey, highlighting a family environment that was socially active and subtly political.

"My family was not really political per se, but they were interested in contributing towards the establishment of this part of the world."
[03:06]

From a young age, Lee was exposed to significant historical figures, including Eleanor Roosevelt, who once visited his home.

"I remember going to the event in a motorcade with the police in front of us... I just remember it was historic."
[04:30]

Education and Early Challenges

Lee recounts his challenging experiences during boarding school, where he faced anti-Semitism and personal trauma, shaping his resilience and drive.

"I also had some sexual abuse at 12... propelled me to want to do better and overcompensate for those things that make me feel so vulnerable."
[09:54]

Initially pursuing a pre-med path at the University of Pennsylvania, Lee's passion shifted to design upon encountering influential figures and courses that ignited his creative spirit.

"I was pre med, initially... I started in that. And I was not good at it, and I was struggling with it, and I just didn't feel comfortable."
[12:38]

Transition to Design and Higher Education

Discovering a love for form and architecture, Lee transitioned from pre-med to design, leading him to Harvard Graduate School of Design. He highlights the profound impact of his professors and the Bauhaus influence on his architectural philosophy.

"Profs like Charles Correa, Richard Meyer, Joseph Zaleski... have forever helped me think the way I think and paved the way I like to see and learn."
[16:00]

Lee describes himself as a "perpetual student," continuously seeking knowledge and inspiration from diverse architectural masters.

Professional Beginnings and Collaborations

After brief stints at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and Edward Durrell Stone, Lee's encounter with Peter Shelton marked a pivotal turn in his career. Their collaboration led to the founding of Shelton Mindel, renowned for its masterful use of light and classic modernism.

"Peter is one of the most brilliant people I've ever met... every time I approach a project, I often think, what would Peter do?"
[38:04]

Their first major commission evolved from renovating a bathroom for Vera Sholsky at 1 Fifth Avenue into a landmark project, setting standards for renovations in historic New York buildings.

"It went from a bathroom to becoming the first master plan for what was considered a landmark building in New York."
[26:18]

Notable Projects and Experiences

Lee shares anecdotes from his early projects, including designing greenhouses for video director Brian De Palma's residence and navigating the tumultuous New York nightlife scene of the late '70s.

"We were very young... Bonds was the largest nightclub in the world. It was 45,000 square feet."
[28:16]

Despite the challenges, these experiences solidified Lee's reputation and expanded his portfolio to include prestigious residential and corporate projects.

Transition to Gallery 56

Expanding his creative horizon, Lee established Gallery 56 in the iconic 56 Leonard building by Herzog & de Meuron. The gallery became a hub for narrative-rich exhibitions, featuring world-class collaborators and iconic artworks.

"We acquired the space during the mortgage crisis... created a lighting system parallel to the Empire State Building and World Trade Center."
[43:55]

Gallery 56 not only showcases influential artists like Vittorio Sotzas and Gaetano Pesce but also serves as a bridge between the gallery and the surrounding neighborhood, fostering community engagement.

"If we could create these things that happen and expose the neighborhood to it... it would help the neighborhood by having confidence in the neighborhood and letting people in."
[44:11]

Personal Collection and Design Philosophy

Lee emphasizes the integration of his personal space with his art collection, believing that the environment enhances the appreciation of collectible pieces.

"I feel that it's an integrated environment that makes a collection work... it's not about filling space either."
[54:41]

His latest acquisition, a Thomas Saracino mobile, reflects his enduring fascination with light and movement, themes prevalent throughout his architectural and design work.

"He and Olafur Olson, they're all about light and movement... a piece of my own education in front of me."
[55:25]

Future Aspirations and Interests

Looking ahead, Lee expresses a keen interest in set design for theater, inspired by renowned set designers like David Rockwell and Scott Pesic.

"I want to do set design... something like set design in a way, you get to do it quickly and keep your brain exercising with new challenges."
[59:59]

This ambition aligns with his dynamic approach to creativity and problem-solving, traits that have defined his illustrious career.

Conclusion

Lee Mindel's journey from a politically active household in New Jersey to the pinnacle of design and art curation underscores a life dedicated to creativity, resilience, and continuous learning. His contributions to architecture, interior design, and the art world through Gallery 56 reflect a harmonious blend of aesthetic brilliance and community-focused initiatives. As Lee contemplates future endeavors in set design, his legacy as a perpetual student and innovator remains ever-inspiring.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• “I felt I wanted to be a part of the building and live in the building.”
  - Lee Mindel
  [43:55]

• “Light is architecture... it's about consciousness of light and not taking it for granted.”
  - Lee Mindel
  [42:14]

• “I think maybe the part of your brain that gets trained which you don't give much credit to, is form.”
  - Lee Mindel
  [41:43]

• “We do want to respect all cultures here. It’s a design democracy and conversation amongst all those people that are important.”
  - Lee Mindel
  [55:22]

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of Lee Mindel's episode on The Grand Tourist, providing listeners with an insightful overview of his life's work and philosophies. Whether you're familiar with Lee's contributions or discovering them anew, this episode offers valuable perspectives on design, resilience, and the power of creative collaboration.