Esoteric Survey

  San Diego Design Week is an annual five-day series of events that celebrates interdisciplinary design in our region through talks, studio tours, workshops, and self-guided tours. In 2020 we’re exploring the theme of Design+.  There are a ton of free events that look super interesting. Here is my short list: EPHEMERA AS EVIDENCE: MODERN SAN DIEGO GRAPHIC STORIES Ephemera as Evidence is an ongoing investigation into San Diego midcentury print culture. This video conversation with Dave Hampton and Bill Perrine examines two printed objects from the early 1960s: Guy Williams’ artists’ book “Poems for Painters,” and a complete deck of illustrated “Space Cards” made by the Art Department at Convair Astronautics Division of General Dynamics. These artworks come out of vibrant and distinct creative subcultures, one being a community of bookstores, independent publishing, poets and painters, and the other a world of scientific research, military-industrial contracts and space explora...

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...

After 30 years of waiting, the new San Diego Central Library is finally open. Even though I can see the R 2-D2 dome from my window, I haven't been inside since it opened a few weeks ago.  Luckily , architectural photographer Darren Bradley and local art authority Dave Hampton have made it ins ide .  Darren took a great set of photos that can be seen on his blog, Modernist Architecture . Photo: Darren Bradley Dave has written a piece for KPBS's Culture Lust about the art on display: Which Artist Has The Most Work On View In New San Diego Library?   Richard Allen Morris pointing at a Russel Baldwin painting in the new library. Photo : Dave Hampton

C. CARL JENNINGS, CALIFORNIA ARTIST-BLACKSMITH Guest-curated by Dave Hampton. Opens today. The Mingei and Hampton really outdid themselves on this one.  I'm just throwing out a couple teaser shots.  The exhibition has a ton of insane work by Jennings.  Darren Bradley  took the photos of the Jennings house that are on display in the exhibition.  I bet you never knew blacksmithing could be so cool. The exhibition catalog, Struck by Modernism C.Carl Jennings California Artist-Blacksmith,  was written   by Dave Hampton More information can be found on the  Mingei's website . 

My friend Darren Bradley, who is an amazing photographer, just started a blog,  Modernist Architecture . You should definitely check it out often.  The newest post on  ecclesiastical modern architecture is really good.  This is his photo of the  Hotel Lautner  in Desert Hot Springs, by John Lautner, 1947. Photo:  Darren Bradley As Darren points out in his post, Lautner belonged to Frank Lloyd Wright's Fellowship. He apprenticed under Wright from 1933-1939.   The influence is hard to miss. Photo:  Darren Bradley Wright's office at  Taliesin West This is the shelter Lautner built and lived in at Taliesin West, 1937. Photo:  John Lautner John Lautner, Mauer House, 1946- A year before the Desert Hot Springs project. Photo: Save Wright