Esoteric Survey

Objects USA booth at the 2016  Palm Springs Modernism  show and sale. Delivered Dharam Damama The Damamas are the coolest. They have cool stuff too.  Red Modern from Phoenix Reform Gallery Sputnik Modern from Dallas brought some power inventory. Lisa Cliff Collection San Diego's finest Billiings Auction Billiings also had a display of work by Rafe Affleck in the lobby. Keep an eye on these guys. They're digging up some cool stuff. The Landing was showing J.B. Blunk at the Fine Art Fair , which is in the same building.  John Mason and Craig Kaufman at  Frank Lloyd Gallery   John Mason They were also showing Larry Bell...in the flesh. He was given a lifetime achievement award . Lacoste Gallery  had some great clay. The monster in the front is by Karen Karnes.  There were a number of contemporary paintings of modern architecture, including this one of Neutra's Kaufm

Roy McMakin / Domestic Furniture Company, for Heath Bench from Japan Lantern Fiber

It's February, so that means it's time to go to Palm Springs.  Find out more about the show, here . Palm Springs Modernism Week is not just about buying junk. There are tons of great events, including a talk by my buddy Darren Bradley, who is part of an event called  The New Photographers of Mid-Century Modern Architecture. It takes place on February 19. Find out more, here . Photo:  Edris Residence Architect: E. Stewart Williams, by  Darren Bradley  Photographer Dan Chavkin will be part of The New Photographers talk as well.  He also has new book, Unseen Midcentury Desert Modern, which includes architecture that has been largely unseen or overlooked. He'll be doing a book signing on February 14th. Go here for more information. Photo Lilliana Gardens Glass House. Architects: Donald Wexler and Richard Harrison. 1954, by Dan Chavkin On Monday, February 15th, Amy Auscherman, Herman Miller’s Corporate Archivist will be presenting  From The Vault –

     Western Savings, now Souper Salad (1974)  by Wenceslao Alfonso aka W.A. Sarmiento  The Peruvian-born architect studied under Oscar Niemeyer. I'm sure that's no surprise after seeing his work. W.A. spent much of his career building banks for an outfit with the not so original name of Bank Building & Equipment Corp. of America. He landed the job after getting in a car accident with an architect who worked at the company. Phoenix Financial Center (1964-70) by W.A. Sarmiento  This is at the top of the dome above.  Source:  Recent Past That pot bums me out. The original plan called for two towers. Source: Recent Past Oh well. Source:  Recent Past Sadly, these aren't in use anymore.  Sarmiento designed some great banks. This was in New Jersey.   Banks are so boring now.  Read more about him, here .