Esoteric Survey

Alpha + 2 (1984) by JB Blunk (1926–2002) Last weekend I made a delivery up to Thousand Oaks after a disappointing shopping trip to the Rose Bowl flea market. It was my first time in the city so I decided to visit Alpha + 2. The Thousand Oaks Grant R Brimhall Library (formerly Canejo) is home to the monumental three piece redwood sculpture by Blunk. The work was commissioned in the late 1970s as part of the original construction of the library. It was commissioned and funded by the the Thousand Oaks Art Commission.  The sculpture was selected based on a scale model that Blunk executed in clay. It was controversial at the time. There was a contingency who didn't think it was worth the $35,000 price tag when there was still a need to purchase more books. The City Council approved the funding 4 to 1. The sculpture was originally going to be placed in the children's section and was meant to be an "object of play."  Ultimately it would be placed in the foyer next to the mai...

J.B. Blunk: Nature, Art & Everyday Life at the Oakland Museum of California I began making wood sculpture in 1962. I knew how to use a chainsaw and it was one of those things. One day you just start. - J.B. Blunk Mage and Flying Stone  were both included in an exhibition at  The Landing  in 2015.  Hawk Arch below was as well. Bronze Clay A great number of the pieces in the exhibition came directly from the Blunk house .  J.B.'s buckskin shirt The stone sculpture on the right reminds me of Isamu Noguchi's  Radio Nurse . Noguchi was a big influence on Blunk. Maquettes This incredible stone sculpture is from the house as well. The Oakland Museum has been a longtime fan of Blunk. The Planet  was commissioned by the museum in 1969 and is still enjoyed daily by visitors, especially the kids. Correspondence regarding the commission was...

The 2018 Palm Springs Modernism show Archive 20th Century It's always great to see an Eames ESU 4 stacker.   Red Modern Allen Ditson and some Scandi stuff. I guess Finn Juhl is cool. Funkis had a great booth, as usual. Ken almost sold out. Sputnik Modern This was one of my favorite things at the show.  Ruth Duckworth, in bronze Reform Gallery The J.B. Blunk corner at Reform Bernard Rosenthal plaque  Converso It was Converso's 15th year of doing the show. He showed some great classics. 20C Design  from Texas Their fiber game was strong. They also had this Bonniers iron bowl by Isamu Noguchi (probably) MoModerne from St. Louis brought this Ray Eames catch all. A super rare form. BILLINGS with Damama Hunt Modern from Santa Fe had some serious top shelf merchandise. Objects USA Lots of straps