Esoteric Survey

  Kipp Stewart, Arthur Umanoff, Kurt Versen, David Stewart, George Nelson and La Gardo Tackett These came from a designer who was doing prototype packaging for Frank Bros. The two smaller boxes have design games that were sold at Frank Bros.  The large box is still sealed! Scandi Stuff. Henning Koppel cookware, Stig Lindberg, Hans-Agne Jakobsson Jack Rogers Hopkins  Signed Isamu Noguchi poster from the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center Plaza I was in Mexico City the weekend before last and visited Casa Pedregal  again. The friend I was with had a discussion with person giving the tour about these Don Shoemaker chairs.   My first shopping stop back in the US, I found one.

C. Carl Jennings, Luther Conover, Kipp Stewart, Steve Salisian, and Gross Wood! The California pickings were good this weekend! A sweet little Japanese lantern, Sori Yanagi soy sauce pitcher and bowl by Tatsuzō Shimaoka. Nelson bubbles

Kipp Stewart and Stewart MacDougall for Glenn of California,  Apple by Ingeborg Lundin for Orrefors, Arthur Umanoff stool and an Earthgender planter La Gardo Tackett Smalls

I was in Laurel Canyon this weekend and happened upon this house. I was told it was designed by Gene Loose. He was also involved in the design of at least three to four other houses on the cul-de-sac.  There is not much information out there on Loose. In 1950, the 24 year old redhead was living in Laurel Canyon and teaching architectural design at Chouinard. He was there until 1960.  One of the other houses by Loose. This one too and it is currently for lease through  Crosby Doe . This development was part of a class project that included the purchase of 1,742 acres of land in Laurel Canyon.  Many of the students were ex-Gls who needed homes during the post-war housing shortage.  Gene's idea was to provide practical knowledge to the students as they worked together on the construction to eliminate labor costs. Lots from the initial land purchase were sold off to help fund the construction.  Twelve students participated in the project, although as of 1950 on...

Ettore Stottsass, Bruno Gambone, Paolo Soleri and Mario Bellini Kipp Stewart and Stewart MacDougall for Glenn of California Richard Galef for Ravenware and Tom Tramel

California Cool: Mid-century Modernism on the Central Coast  opened last Friday at the Museum of Ventura County. Here are just a few pics. I'll do a more in-depth post later.  Ceramic sculpture by Santa Barbara-based artist Michael Arntz, on loan from The Landing .  Mosaic by Evelyn Ackerman , collection of Laura Ackerman.  Not only did the Ackermans have a long history collaborating with Central Coast-based companies Panelcarve and Forms + Surfaces, Evelyn designed a mural in Santa Barbara (below). Sea, Land, and Sky (1957) by Evelyn,  for a Louis Mazzeti office building on Victoria Street in Santa Barbara. Screen salvaged from a Rodney Walker house in Ojai that was the victim of an insensitive remodel. The screen is from the collection of Eric Huff. Architecture is a major component of the exhibition. The opening was a sell out.  California Cool: Mid-century Modernism on the Central Coast California Cool looks at ...

California Cool: Mid-century Modernism on the Central Coast Opening Reception : September 20th California Cool looks at contributions to the era focusing on the landmark architecture, design and art from Ventura and neighboring Central Coast areas. This includes buildings by Rodney Walker, Carl Maston and Richard Neutra. Artists and designers who worked in the area include Paul Tuttle, Kipp Stewart, Stewart MacDougall, Vivika and Otto Heino, Tom McMillin, Evelyn and Jerome Ackerman, Stan Bitters and Beatrice Wood. Companies such as Architectural Fiberglass, Forms + Surfaces and Panelcarve were also based in the area.    The Museum of Ventura County collaborated with guest curators Eric Huff, Jordan Downs and Steve Aldana for the exhibition. On view September 21, 2019—February 23, 2020 More information is here .

Henry P. Glass cabinet for Fleetwood and a stool by Kipp Stewart and Stewart McDougall for Glenn of California.  Though few were built, the Fleetwood Corporation and Glass became a regular pair with Glass designing patented case goods for them in 1955 that displayed the frame on the outside as an aesthetic feature while freeing space inside. Built throughout the late 1950s for schools and offices, this “Tube” chassis was an alternative to the more expensive Charles and Ray Eames Storage Units from Herman Miller to become one of Fleetwood’s most ubiquitous cabinets. And they remained a constant client with Glass designing children’s school desks for the company through the 1960s. (ArchiTech Gallery) Source: Art Institute of Chicago I wonder if the bed ever went into production?  Source: Art Institute of Chicago

A rug by Mexican Modernist, Cynthia Sargent, Kipp Stewart table and an Eastern European textile.   Italian smalls, including a box by Gabriella Crespi and a Bitossi bulldog by Aldo Londi

ROWAC stool designed by Robert Wagner Chemnitz. They were used in the classrooms and workshops at the Bauhaus . Oh yeah, and I finally stopped off at the dunes to take a photo. I guess the off roaders don't go out when it's 107 degrees...wimps! I've bought so many wire baskets over the years hoping it was the one shown in this photo of Good Design 1953 at the Merchandise Mart, Chicago.  I finally found the right one. Here is the designer, Helen Pope, holding it. I also picked up another Edward Durell Stone table/bench. Plus, a  Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall bench for Wichendon. Wood Maurice Grossman cup for the collection Baby weed pot