Feature Story

It’s a Mad, Mad, Modernism Week in Palm Springs
 By Mike Tauber

Mid-century modern architecture, art and design is the focus of the fifth annual Modernism Week in Palm Springs. Architects, authors, artists and celebrity designers from Europe, Canada and the U.S. are scheduled to present. Offerings include films, lectures, guided home tours, gallery openings, book signings, shopping, networking and oh-so-glamorous martini parties at celebrity chic vintage properties.  Everything is themed around the 1940s – 1960s aesthetic and lifestyle. Events run daily, February 11 through 21, throughout the city. Schedules and tickets are available now at ModernismWeek.com.
More than 40 activities are offered, making this the biggest Modernism Week ever. Nine thousand participants are expected, including savvy interior designers who are enhancing their professional repertoire, “Gen-X” homeowners searching for hip and original furnishings to take home, contemporary architects seeking inspiration, retro-baby boomers, jet-setters, fashionistas, and the curious newcomer who wants to experience the emerging cultural community that is Palm Springs. 
People on various budgets can participate, as many events are free, some sell tickets at the door and others require advanced, paid reservations. One is advised to buy early, as many events will sell out.
New for 2010 is the complimentary Modernism Week Passport, available on the website. Passport holders will receive discounts and specials on shopping, meals and accommodations at participating local businesses.
Modernism Week, the only event of its kind, was formed by several factors unique to Palm Springs. Noteworthy, is the city’s rich concentration of significant modernist properties, many built between the 1940s and 1960s, thus the term ‘mid-century modern’ (see sidebar). A building and renovation resurgence in the 1980s-2000s created two challenges: interest in pedigreed property restoration, and the threat of demolition. A prime example are two avant-garde residences by acclaimed architect Richard Neutra: the Kaufman house in Palm Springs, which was restored to perfection, and the Maslon house in Rancho Mirage, which was tragically destroyed by unsympathetic owners and a permit process offering no protection for the signature home.
Historians and residents responded by forming and joining local non-profit organizations, such as Palm Springs Modernism Committee, Palm Springs Preservation Foundation, and related advocacy groups including the Architecture and Design Council at Palm Springs Art Museum and the Historic Site Preservation Board at Palm Springs City Hall.
The mid-century resurgence had begun, energized by the arrival of the Modernism Show, a furnishings exhibition by Dolphin Promotions that travels to various cities in the U.S. “Jacques Caussin had the idea to bring that here,” said Robert Imber, local historian and former Modernism Week board member. “He is the grand daddy of Modernism Week.”
The annual ‘Show’ premiered successfully in Palm Springs in 2001. Seeing opportunity, the various non-profits added supplemental related events for the arriving crowds. By 2005, Modernism Week was born in response to a burgeoning audience with a voracious appetite for all things modern.
Fast forward to 2010.
The Modernism Show continues to be the centerpiece of Modernism Week. The show is held at the Palm Springs Convention Center, February 12-14. The three-day show features the booths of 80 antiques—or rather ‘vintage’ furnishings—dealers from across the continent. The exhibition reads like a museum of all things mid-twentieth century. Dealers love to discuss their collections, and everything is for sale.
While strolling about, one may encounter an art deco necklace, a streamline moderne tea set, Raymond Loewy’s drawings for the Studebaker Avanti, and a boomerang-shaped cocktail table in plaid Formica laminate. Other discoveries may include an acrylic living room set by the iconic Arthur Elrod, or a desk by Frank Lloyd Wright. 
New this year is a something-for-everyone silent auction. Local businesses offering goods and services include Tropicale Restaurant, Just Fabulous (books and gifts), Palm Springs Modern Tours and Trina Turk. Note that bid sheets close on Saturday at noon.
A weekend pass to the show, $15, is well worth it, but to see everything before it sells, one should attend the Friday night “preview reception.” Admission, $75 in advance/$85 at the door, includes live music, wine and cheese.
Modernism Week kicks off on February 11, with the airing of Julius Shulman: Desert Modern. The documentary will air on KCET public television in Palm Springs and all Southern California markets. It will also have a seated cinema showing during the “Week” as listed in the schedule. It’s a perfect introduction to Modernism Week, both for novice and educated viewers. To celebrate the airing, KCET is hosting a dinner reception, also on February 11. The reservations-required event will be held at Twin Palms, the Frank Sinatra Estate designed by local legend E. Stewart Williams.
The documentary features photos by Shulman,of Palm Springs finest modernist properties. Local curator and author Michael Stern directed the film, and his partner David White executive produced.
“It’s all from still photos by Julius,” said Stern. “We animated it by panning in so you could see details not visible by regular eyesight. The Getty provided extremely high-res photos, allowing us to do that.” The narration is one of the last recorded voiceovers by Shulman, prior to his death in 2009.
The Week continues with a marathon of activities where attendees can engage with artists, including SHAG, Danny Heller and Romi Cortier; meet architects such as William Krisel and Don Wexler; experience the Alexander development at the historic Racquet Club Estates; gasp at the valley view from the Frey House II; reminisce over kitschy slides of Americana with Charles Phoenix; cherish the menus and play lists from the Chi Chi Club with Helen Mawbry; ogle at the “May Wests” and tailfins of vintage autos; and party at the properties of Liz Taylor, Steve McQueen and many, many more.
How does one do it all? “Choose your priority events and build your schedule around that,” advised Robert Imber. “Keep it relaxed, pace it out and most importantly, have fun!”

SIDEBAR
Crash Course on Modernism

Modernism has roots in the Bauhaus building movement of 1920s Germany. Lead by architect Walter Gropius, the design theory was based on the rejection of ornament and decoration in favor of flat roofs, smooth facades, clean-lined geometric planes and open floor plans.
This aesthetic grew in popularity during the post-war building boom of the late 1940s-1960s, and therefore took the name “mid-century modernism.” At that time, Palm Springs was the destination for Hollywood celebrities who wanted second homes that were more suited for the desert playground lifestyle. Icons such as Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, Dinah Shore and Frank Sinatra commissioned works that had cantilevered roofs, walls of glass that captured views of the desert landscape and clerestory windows that look up to the San Jacinto Mountains. Open floor plans allowed a seamless transition from interior to exterior spaces, and the swimming pool beyond.
Modernist architects such as Frey, Cody, Williams, Wexler and Lautner embraced post-war technologies and expanded uses of steel and aluminum to create their minimalist structures that complemented the long, low flatness of the desert.
Many of theses properties, both commercial and residential, are maintained and function well in today’s Palm Springs, giving the town its unique character. Challenges continue to preserve these properties and restore them using present-day building codes, green technologies and sustainable materials.
Events such as Modernism Week have been successful in educating the public about the history of these properties, and creating a new generation of admirers.

Modernism Week
Schedule of events
(For detailed description and locations visit ModernismWeek.com)

Thursday, February 11
            Join KCET for a Pre-Modernism Week event featuring a very
            special screening of Julius Shulman: Desert Modern, at the legendary
            Frank Sinatra Twin Palms Estate, 5:30 - 7:30 pm

 Friday, February 12
            Walk of Fame Star Dedication/Reception
            for Architect Albert Frey, 2 pm
            10th Annual PS Modernism Show - Preview Reception, 6 - 9 pm
            Silent Auction during the Modernism Show Preview
            also on Saturday
            Opening reception for Shag at M Modern Gallery, 8 – 11 pm
 Saturday, February 13
            10th Annual PS Modernism Show, 10 am - 6 pm
            Silent Auction, ends at noon
            Open House Art Studio,
            hosted by Romi Cortier, 2/13-2/14, 11 am - 4 pm
            Shag Lunch at Trio Restaurant, limited seating, noon - 2 pm
            Opening Reception for Danny Heller
            at the Terrence Rogers Gallery, 2 - 5 pm
            Meet the Architect: Don Wexler at The Corridor, 3 -5 pm
            Design Within Reach hosts Charles Hollis Jones, 4 - 6 pm
            After Glow Party at the Ace Hotel and Spa:
            Late night snacks and drinks until 2 am
            Gallery Openings and Artist Receptions
            at the Backstreet Art District, 5 - 9 pm
            PS Modern Committee Annual Gala Benefit, 7 - 11 pm
 Sunday, February 14
            10th Annual PS Modernism Show, 11 am - 5 pm
            Double Decker Bus Tours, 9 am and 1 pm
            The Racquet Club Estates Neighborhood Homes Tour, 10 am - 2 pm
            VDL Research House, Richard Neutra’s Studio and Residence,
            Lecture Hall, Palm Springs Art Museum, 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm
            Shag Book Signing, Starlite Lounge at the Riviera Resort & Spa, 11 am - 1:30 pm
            World Premiere - The Architecture and Design Film Series in Partnership with Design Onscreen: William Krisel, Architect, 7:30 pm
            After movie party at Trio restaurant, 707 N. Palm Canyon Dr. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and cash bar, 9:30 pm
 Monday, February 15
            Frey ll House Tours , 8:30 am - 5 pm
            Double Decker Bus Tours, 9 am and 1 pm
            PS Historical Society presents:
            Helen Mawby and the Chi Chi, Era and Beyond, 2 pm
            Orbit In Reception: Photographer Dan Chavkin, 5 - 7 pm
            The Architecture and Design Film Series in Partnership with Design Onscreen: Desert Utopia: Mid-century Architecture in Palm Springs, 7:30 pm
 Tuesday. February 16
            Frey ll House Tours, 8:30 am- 5 pm
            Double Decker Bus Tours, 9 am and 1 pm
            The Architecture and Design Film Series in Partnership with Design Onscreen: Ray Kappe: California Modern Master Forty Years of Modular Evolution & Philip Johnson, Diary of an Eccentric Architect, 10 am
            Lecture by Bill Butler on Albert Frey, 2 pm
 Wednesday, February 17
            Slide Lecture:” Lost, Saved and Endangered:
            Modernist Architecture in Palm Springs,” 8:30 am - 10 am
            Frey ll House Tours , 8:30 am - 5 pm
            Vintage Car Show, Camelot Theatre Parking Lot, 1 - 4 pm
            MW Art Walk at the Backstreet Art District, 6 - 9 pm
            The Architecture and Design Film Series in Partnership with Design Onscreen: Visual Acoustics, the Modernism of Julius Shulman, 7:30 pm
Thursday, February 18
            House tour of Frank Sinatra's Twin Palms Estate, 10:30 am - 2 pm
            An Evening with Chef Johny Vee and Victoria Price, 6 pm
            Michael H. Lord Gallery artist reception:
            Architectural Photographer Leland Y. Lee, 7- 9 pm
Friday, February 19
              The Architecture and Design Film Series in Partnership with Design
             Onscreen: Rem Koolhaas: A Kind of Architect, 10 am
            Vintage Airstream and Trailer Show, exterior viewing begins 4 pm. Retro t-shirts by Vintage Roadside available.
            Lecture by Frank Escher at the Palm Springs Art Museum, 5:30 pm (Museum members only).
            Opening of the Lautner Exhibition at the PS Art Museum,
            5:30 pm (Museum members only).
            PS Preservation Foundation Retro Martini Party, 5 - 8 pm
            Charles Phoenix Retro Slide Show, 6:30 - 9 pm
Saturday,February 20
            Lautner Symposium, sponsored by the Architecture & Design
            Council of the Palm Springs Art Museum, 9 am- 6 pm
            Vintage Airstream and Trailer Show, interior tours, 10 am, noon and 2 pm. Retro t-shirts by Vintage Roadside available.
            Book signing, Orlando Diaz-Azcuy for the book
            by Diane Dorrans Saeks, 3 - 5 pm.
            Modern Mosaics New Showroom Opening, 320 North Palm Canyon, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, gift certificates giveaway, 4 - 7 pm.
            Vintage Fashion Show, Grand Zoso Ballroom, Hotel Zoso, 6 -8 pm
            Movie Night, The Ace Hotel & Swim Club, 8:30 pm
 Sunday, February 21
            Lecture by Bill Stern on Architectural Pottery, 11 am
            Booksigning at Just Fabulous, noon - 2 pm
            Vintage Airstream and Trailer Show, exterior viewing closes,
            4 pm. Retro t-shirts by Vintage Roadside available
            Celebrity Home Tour with wine & cheese reception
            at Liz Taylor & Mike Todd estate, 1 - 6 pm

Please allow a minute for flash to activate: