Esoteric Survey

  Downtown Modernism! April 26th, 2026 Market Hours are from 8AM-2PM Free Parking • Children under 12 are free • Dogs Welcome! 2901 Saco St. Los Angeles, CA 90058 More information:  https://ladowntownmodernism.com/ There's good stuff Good pups Really good pups And good people. Here's Keith York from Modern San Diego fan boying on Marilyn Kay Austin . 

San Diego Arts & Architecture: A Unique Culture of Post-WWII Modernism Hear from Mid-century modern experts, Dave Hampton and Keith York as they discuss San Diego’s unique culture of mid-20th century Modernism. You’ll learn about San Diego’s historic ecosystem of visual arts, architecture, design, and craft, during a period when the city’s small town character and out-of-the-way location, together with booming scientific and aerospace industries, formed an intertwining community of participants and practitioners. This community included artists, designers, architects, and their clients and supporters, along with retailers and decorators who specialized in mid-century modern furnishings, fittings, hardware, and accessories. WHEN:   Saturday, September 24 10:30am - Coffee  11am-12:15pm - Presentation  WHERE:   La Atalaya Foundation Theater,  Mingei International Museum , Balboa Park   1439 El Prado San Diego CA 92101 Registration and more information...

Nelson Residence (1958) by Lloyd Ruocco One of Ruocco's "Garden Villas" Mailbox John Dirks did some stereos for Ruocco projects. This might be one.  Now that's a lock On top of being in near original condition, it comes with the plans. The house was for sale, but it looks like it might have been purchased.  I hope it lands in good hands.

Keith York at Modern San Diego curated two exhibitions of Julius Shulman's work in San Diego.  First up is Julius Shulman: Modern La Jolla at The La Jolla Historical Society . The exhibition will be on view until January 19, 2020 The La Jolla Federal Savings and Loans Association (1962) The lighting fixtures used on the building were designed by Malcolm Leland. This Henry Hester house is still standing. Richard Neutra rendering of the Oxley Residence There is a section of the exhibition dedicated to Edward Killingsworth's Triad houses in La Jolla. It is San Diego's only built contribution to the Arts & Architecture Case Study House program.  The second exhibition is Julius Shulman: Modern San Diego at the Central Library Art Gallery   in Downtown San Diego.  This exhibition will also be on view until January 19, 2020 Hillcrest North Medical Center (1964) by Deems, Lewis & Partners. The archi...

Photograph of Edward Killingsworth's Triad House by Julius Shulman © J. Paul Getty Trust. Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles (2004.R.10) Keith York at  Modern San Diego  has two exhibitions coming up...  Julius Shulman: Modern La Jolla Opening reception will be on Friday, September 27, 2019 5-7 p.m. at  Wisteria Cottage  780 Prospect Street, La Jolla 92037. Thereafter the exhibition will be on view between September 28, 2019 - January 19, 2020.   Recognized for his work in Los Angeles and Palm Springs, it is not widely known that between 1934 and 2007, architectural photographer Julius Shulman (1910 - 2009) shot over 200 projects in San Diego.  His clients were architects, publishers, construction companies, and developers, and included notable San Diego architects Lloyd Ruocco, Sim Bruce Richards, Henry Hester, and Frederick Liebhardt. Shulman's work, spanning several decades, documented the region's evolving 20th century architectural...

Photograph General Atomics by Julius Shulman © J. Paul Getty Trust. Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles (2004.R.10) Keith York at Modern San Diego has two exhibitions coming up...  Julius Shulman: Modern La Jolla Opening reception will be on Friday, September 27, 2019 5-7 p.m. at Wisteria Cottage 780 Prospect Street, La Jolla 92037. Thereafter the exhibition will be on view between September 28, 2019 - January 19, 2020.   Recognized for his work in Los Angeles and Palm Springs, it is not widely known that between 1934 and 2007, architectural photographer Julius Shulman (1910 - 2009) shot over 200 projects in San Diego.  His clients were architects, publishers, construction companies, and developers, and included notable San Diego architects Lloyd Ruocco, Sim Bruce Richards, Henry Hester, and Frederick Liebhardt. Shulman's work, spanning several decades, documented the region's evolving 20th century architectural landscape, and he played an instrumental ro...

Mid-Century Collectors Circle A Conversation with Modern San Diego and Objects USA Jul 13, 2019 12:00 – 1:00pm At  San Diego Central Library Art Gallery Mingei welcomes local mid-century experts, collectors and enthusiasts Keith York from  Modern San Diego  and Dave Hampton and Ron Kerner from  "Objects USA"  to share their favorite acquisitions from the era, in conjunction with the show  CRAFTING OPPORTUNITY . Why is it so enjoyable to collect period art and artifacts today? What’s the impetus for becoming a collector? How does one start collecting? Join us in the Sculpture Garden on the rooftop of Central Library to exchange stories of mid-century favorites.  Moderated by Barbara Forsyth, Mingei's Senior Manager of Collections and Exhibitions. It's also a chance to see the exhibition before it closes on July 28th. More information, here .

This weekend I went to an open house in Ramona for an A. Quincy Jones home that's for sale. It was hosted by Keith York of  Modern San Diego . You might be asking yourself, how did an A. Quincy Jones house land in a small rural community like Ramona ? The house was commissioned by Everett and Elrena Warnes through Cal-Sun Building Co.  In 1948, A.C. Hvistendahl asked A. Quincy Jones to design an exhibition house to meet the need Hvistendahl saw for low-cost contemporary housing in San Diego.  The prototype was a wood post and beam 1,000 square feet home with 2 bedrooms. It's known as the "San Diego" house.  The concept won an AIA award for Builder's House of the Year.  After seeing this article, Joseph Eichler contacted Jones and they made thousands of homes together.  Source: Architectural Forum, 1950 As of 1950, 28 "San Diego" houses had been built. It's unclear exactly how many were built in total. Ke...