Modernism Week 2020

 

In Palm Springs

 

We’ve attended Modernism Week in Palm Springs (PS) pretty regularly since we first started going in 2012. In the past, we were all about architectural tours. But this year we went for the lectures, Charles Phoenix, ceramic dinnerware, and Nancy Sinatra. Highlights follow below.

10AM, Saturday, and our first event was Charles Phoenix’s latest slide show extravaganza, “The Midcentury is My Muse.” Oddly enough, the show was more about Catalina Island than Palm Springs, but fun nonetheless. Plus we got to zip through the Palm Springs Museum of Art, where the event was held. New orange cushions enliven the museum steps, so we took a load off before taking an obligatory walk around town, including an homage visit to our favorite artist SHAG’s gallery. The weather was glorious.  We then attended a lecture on “The Kitchen of Tomorrow,” featuring Sarah Archer, author of The Midcentury Kitchen. It may be time to renovate our kitchen . . .

 

 On the museum steps

Palm Springs Museum of Art

 

SHAG store

 

We spent Sunday morning at a sold-out lecture and slide show about the fabulous TWA Hotel at JFK airport. We, of course, stayed there a year ago when it first opened and so felt like we were seeing an old friend. Wished we could go back soon, but instead visited the “Atomic Age Tablescapes” exhibit at the Welwood Murray Memorial Library in downtown PS. Amazing private collection.

 

 "Crazy Rhythm" by Red Wing Pottery

 

"Hopscotch" by Salem Pottery

 

 

"CA Aztec" by Metlox Potteries

 

"Aqua Marine" by Roselane Pottery

 

 

 

"CA Contempora" by Metlox Potteries

  

And finally . . . One of the things that originally brought Tim and me together was a mutual love of all things Sinatra: the music, the Rat Pack movies and, most of all, the oh-so-cool style. So naturally, we just had to attend a fundraiser event featuring Frank’s daughter Nancy. She brought along her daughters, their godfather James Darren (Vic Fontaine from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine!), and various musicians, who showed slides of the former Sinatra compound and reminisced about the good ol’ days in Palm Springs. Loved it all, especially when Nancy brought the house down by singing “These Boots Are Made For Walkin’.” Perfect ending to a perfect weekend.

 

 Tim and Frank in the Hyatt lobby

 Fundraiser to restore the Plaza Theatre

 Nancy Sinatra singing "Boots"

Pasadena History Museum: Tile and Ceramic Exhibit

 

Clay peacock by Ernest A. Batchelder

 

The Pasadena Museum of History is a hidden gem, located on the eastern side of L.A. County. Although it can seem like it's a million miles away, especially during rush hour, the handful of exhibits I've seen there have been wonderful—small and intimate, without all the extraneous trappings of larger museums. Currently showing are two fabulous exhibits: Batchelder: Tilemaker and Cast & Fired: Pasadena's Mid-Century Ceramics Industry. Both exhibits have been extended till March 12 by popular demand.

Batchelder

Born in New Hampshire in 1875, Ernest A Batchelder was appointed head of the art department at Throop Polytechnic Institute (later CalTech) in the early 20th century. In 1910, he started producing clay tiles in the backyard of his craft-style home at 626 S. Arroyo Blvd. in Pasadena. The rest is design history, as Batchelder became one of the premier tilemakers in the country. His work was very much informed by the local Arts & Crafts Movement and is seen prominently in Southern California bungalows. Unlike his contemporaries, who used glossy finishes, Batchelder preferred a matte surface, called engobe. As you can see, he specialized in fireplaces, fountains, and other architectural adornments.

 

 Batchelder's emblem: a rabbit (like the rabbit

on the moon) and his initials, EAB 

 

Various tiles

 

Corbels

Large tile

 

Later, more colorful tiles

 

Fountain

 

Tiles (my favorites)

 

Latin American influence

 

Little Jack Horner and other children's tales

 

Tile flooring--too beautiful to walk on!

Pasadena Ceramics

Karen, in particular, loves Batchelder, but we both just about swooned over the mid-century ceramics exhibit in the next room. Who knew that Pasadena was home to over 100 potteries, ceramics producers and china manufacturers before and directly after WWII? All the pieces exhibited were handmade by various artists.

 Stylized bowl

 Delicate swan figurine

 

And matching vase

 

Lovely lady with parasol

 

Mermaids

 

Ashtray and matching finger bowl

 

Stylized cat by Roselane (my favorite)

 

Roselane dinnerware (love the colors!)

 

Other dinnerware pieces

 

Whimsy

 

Cat by Twin Winton

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P.S. While we were in the neighborhood, Karen and I also stopped by the Pasadena Museum of California Art to see its current exhibit, In the Land of Sunshine: Imaging the California Coast Culture.  Highly recommended if you're interested in surf culture or have ever lived near a California beach. Ends February 19.