Esoteric Survey

Material Curiosity by Design: Evelyn & Jerome Ackerman   at the Craft Contemporary in Los Angeles Material Curiosity by Design explores the prolific careers of midcentury designers Evelyn and Jerome Ackerman in dialogue with select works by three contemporary artists. Celebrated for their vibrant contributions to California modernism, the Ackermans partnered for decades on bold designs that brought warmth to midcentury interiors. Showcasing their ceramic, textile, mosaic, wood, and metal creations alongside new works by Porfirio Gutiérrez, Jolie Ngo, and Vince Skelly, this exhibition sparks a dynamic conversation about materials, innovation, and craft. This exhibition is curated by Danielle Charlap and designed by Gary Wexler Design. The exhibition spotlights the process and materials used by the Ackermans. Here is Evelyn's drafting stool and desk. The desk was custom made for her in 1949 by their friend, architect Eugene Alexander. The pencils and chalk she used to design the...

  Last week I visited the California Design auction preview at Los Angeles Modern's new space in Hollywood.  Sam Maloof is a staple and so is Stan Bitters, but who is that on the left? Yes, that is indeed a Lawrence Hunter clock. THE clock from California Design 76! Michael Cooper's Soapbox Derby Car , which is seen on the opposing page of California Design 76, is also in the sale. In 1975, the San Francisco Museum of Art held a fundraiser where they invited artists to build soapbox derby racing cars and trophies. This downhill racer was his entry.  It was later shown at the Pasadena Museum of Art's California Design 76, which was held at the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles.  Here is a small portion of the other artists who participated in the derby. I wonder what the Ruth Asawa piece looked like?  The  LAMA essay  includes a must watch video on the derby.  In October of the same year, Cooper had an exhibition of 14 works, mostly with wheel...