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More Palm Springs Modernism Events in March

While Modernism Week just ended, don’t despair.  More Modernism-focused events continue this month with the Beg Borrow and Steal exhibit at both Palm Springs Art Museum locations through June 2;  the Black & White photography exhibit at the Villa Fontana, March 23; the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation’s Leisure Life Weekend, March 22-24; and the Meet the Museum membership drive event March 29, through which members are invited to dozens of art exhibits and special events throughout the year.

Palm Springs Art Museum

Beg, Borrow And Steal

Beg Borrow and Steal is the first exhibition to be installed simultaneously in the Palm Springs Art Museum and the Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert in The Galen building.   The exhibits are ongoing through June 2. Continue reading “More Palm Springs Modernism Events in March”

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Palm Springs Modernism Week Has Something For Everyone

Palm Springs Modernism Week, Feb. 15 – 24, offers a plethora of events, lectures, tours, films and adventures for the novice to the connoisseur.

Modernism Week is a celebration of Mid-Century design, architecture and culture in Palm Springs.  You can begin to absorb the vibe merely by walking around the neighborhoods and along North Palm Canyon’s Uptown District. Continue reading “Palm Springs Modernism Week Has Something For Everyone”

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J.W. Robinson Department Store Gains Class 1 Historic Site Status

J.W. Robinson's Palm Springs. Courtesy of the Palm Springs Historical Society.
J.W. Robinson’s Palm Springs. Courtesy of the Palm Springs Historical Society.

Last week, the Palm Springs City Council voted unanimously to designate the J.W. Robinson’s Department Store building a Class 1 Historic Site.

The free-standing building on South Palm Canyon Drive at West Baristo with its dramatic elevated entrance and graceful pavilion style, is an important component of historic trends that have come to define Palm Springs as an epicenter of mid-century architecture.

Designed by the Los Angeles architectural firm of Charles Luckman Associates and William Pereira in 1957-58, the building received a National Honors Award that same year by the American Institute of Architects, one of the most prestigious architectural awards ever given to any Palm Springs project, commercial or residential. Continue reading “J.W. Robinson Department Store Gains Class 1 Historic Site Status”

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William Krisel Papers Now Archived at Getty Research Institute

William Krisel and Dan Palmer, 1958; Julius Shulman Photo. Getty Musuem Archives
William Krisel and Dan Palmer, 1958; Julius Shulman Photo. Getty Musuem Archives

The Getty Research Institute in Los Angeles, one of the foremost libraries of mid-century modern architecture, recently announced its newest archive containing the William Krisel papers.  The collection consists of drawings, photographs and written documents that illuminate one of the region’s most prolific architects.

www.pub.getty.edu/research

Krisel and his partner Dan Palmer — in collaboration with such developers as George Alexander, Leonard Drogin and J.C. Dunas — were responsible for some 40,000 homes in Southern California, particularly known for their iconic butterfly roof tract house designs. Continue reading “William Krisel Papers Now Archived at Getty Research Institute”

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Events for Modernism Week 2013 Announced

 

Get ready for Modernism Week 2013, February 14-24, for 11 days of parties, a retro fundraiser, bus tours, lectures and the Palm Springs Modernism Show & Sale.

Palm Springs Preservation Foundation just unveiled four events including PSFP board member Gary Johns’ acclaimed free lecture Lost, Saved & Endangered: Modernist Architecture in Palm Spring; the always popular tour of Frank Sinatra’s Twin Palms estate; a new tour of three steel homes; and the signature Retro Martini Party fundraiser. Continue reading “Events for Modernism Week 2013 Announced”

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Mid Century Design Continues to Influence Today’s Art and Fashion

Art and fashion of the 1960s continues to deeply influence today’s art trends.

The Galen
The Galen – Palm Springs Art Museum at Palm Desert

Recent events and exhibits at the Palm Springs Art Museum underscore that influence when a 60s-themed opening party topped more than 800 guests for The Galen and Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden in Palm Desert.

Images from the 60’s themed party are on the museum’s web site at www.psmuseum.org Continue reading “Mid Century Design Continues to Influence Today’s Art and Fashion”

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Modernism Celebrated In Desert this Fall

William Cody’s 1947 Del Marcos Hotel recently achieved a Class 1 Historic designation.

There is much Modernism to celebrate in the California desert, and things get underway in October  when seasonal temperatures drop to warm days with cool, balmy evenings.

The Palm Springs Preservation Foundation recently celebrated Del Marcos Hotel’s Class 1 Historic designation with a tour and ceremony.  The hotel was designed by William Cody in 1947 for then-owners Samuel and Adele Marcus.  Current owner are Lars and Kelly Viklund.

Built of native stone and redwood surrounding a swimming pool, special architectural features include an “organic” asymmetrical  entrance doorway and floor to ceiling glass.  The two-story hotel features luxury suites in a U-shaped plan centered around a courtyard that encourages guests to socialize. Continue reading “Modernism Celebrated In Desert this Fall”

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Oops, There Goes The Neighborhood… Safeguarding Unique Mid Century Modern Tracts

Almost every development of modern homes faces the eventual challenge of keeping its architectural integrity.  But as Mid-Century Modernism wins more fans, residents are banning together to save their neighborhoods’ unique look and character.

Since Modernism is a subtle style, it is easily compromised:   Adding a carriage style outdoor light fixture in lieu of an original hour-glass one, or tearing down artistic block to erect an adobe wall can easily change a home or neighborhood’s look.

In an Eichler network story by Dave Weinstein, Streetscape Smarts, he notes that, “The other major challenge to preserving modern neighborhoods is their age.  Many landmarking laws only kick in if a building is at least 50.”

www.eichlernetwork.com

www.pspreservationfoundation.org

The City of Palm Springs is already way ahead of that game with its Office of Neighborhood Involvement that provides residents with “responsive, coordinated services that promote and support collaboration and communications through recognized neighborhoods.” Continue reading “Oops, There Goes The Neighborhood… Safeguarding Unique Mid Century Modern Tracts”

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PS ModCom Launches New Tour App, New Modernism Week Events

Palm Springs Modernism is alive and well this fall as a new architectural tourism App is launched in September, Palm Springs Modernism Week kicks off with its new MODSHOP store space at the Raymond-Lawrence Gallery, and aficionados can get early taste of Modernism Week in October during DOCOMOMO, a national tour day.

Whatever’s APPropriate

In a timely collaboration with Palm Springs Life Magazine, the Palm Springs Modern Committee (PSModCom) launched a multi-platform electronic application, Palm Springs Modern: Mid-Century Architecture Tours, now available from the App Store for iPhone and iPad and from Android Market.

The $5.99 tour app is in HD-720p format and features three tours of over 80 architecturally significant modern homes and commercial buildings throughout the greater Palm Springs area.  The APP also presents in-depth profiles of 12 leading Modern architects whose contributions have shaped the architectural landscape of Palm Springs. Continue reading “PS ModCom Launches New Tour App, New Modernism Week Events”

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Magazines, Websites Sources for Mid Century Modern Design

Mid Century Modern architecture and design aesthetics have been re-embraced by baby boomers whose childhoods were shaped by those times, as well as embraced by the next generation.

Growing global  appreciation of Modernism’s uncluttered clean lines, bold, forward thinking architecture fits well with today’s concern for environment and sustainable practices.

A host of national and international magazines and websites offer in-depth resources for Mid Century Modern homes, furnishings, accessories, and design resources.  We scoped out a few that really speak to the subject:

Modernism Magazine, a quarterly magazine about 20th century modernist design, ranges from the Wiener Werkstatte and the Bauhaus thinkers to Memphis and beyond covering Art Deco, mid-century pop and postmodern design. Continue reading “Magazines, Websites Sources for Mid Century Modern Design”