Esoteric Survey

San Diego Modernism: Furniture and Arts for Daily Living at Palm Springs Modernism - Tues Feb, 21st @ 1PM San Diego's unique culture of post-WWII art, design and architecture remains one of American modernism's best kept secrets. Dave Hampton reveals how it shaped the ‘California Design’ program. Photo: Doors by Svetozar Radakovich and Carl-Ekstrom, photo by Lynn Fayman Designed to complement and contextualize the film and panel discussion following this presentation, Jack Rogers Hopkins: California Design Maverick (below), Dave Hampton will talk about the design and making of Furniture and Architectural Elements –murals, doors, grilles, lanterns, windows, fountains, gates, handles, fireplace surrounds, etc.– in San Diego, connecting this work to San Diego's unique culture of modernism and architecture, from Irving Gill to Lloyd Ruocco, Sim Bruce Richards and Kendrick Bangs Kellogg, and illustrate furniture by John Dirks; Larry Hunter; Jack Rogers Hopkins; Wendy Maruyama; D...

In the Abstract at  Oceanside Museum of Art Curated by Dave Hampton Jack Rogers Hopkins  Marj Hyde, Russell Baldwin, Malcolm Leland and  Barney Reid. John Dirks Russell Forester Jack Boyd Toza Radakovich  Ellamarie & Jackson Woolley and Bob Matheny As you can see, the exhibition is incredible.  In the Abstract Oceanside Museum of Art August 15 – November 1, 2015

Ok, I blew it and missed the opening. The exhibition is up at the Encinitas Library Gallery until May 31st. Don't you blow it. Learn more about Ruth and Toza Radakovich here .

A feature length documentary film project chronicling the lives and work of  Toza and Ruth Radakovich is in the works.  The film , Forging Love and Wearing Sculpture  -  "A Cold War love story thriller and a view into the the American mid-century arts and crafts revolution."  has just launched a fundraising campaign to support a cross country filming expedition.  Jean Radakovich (right), daughter of Toza and Ruth, seen here with  Verma Nequatewa , the niece of famed Hopi jeweler Charles Loloma is the force behind this project.  Traveling with her is, Klaus Flouride, bassist of the 1980s punk band, The Dead Kennedys. Also, Joan Zeno, a ceramic artist and photographer and girlfriend of Toza's after Ruth died. And, Edmundo Marroquin, a Spanish metal smith who worked on many of Toza's sculptures from 1961 until he retired in the 1980s. In 2011, Boomerang for Modern hosted a showing of artwork by Ruth and Toza. The event als...

Climate Change: Midcentury Modern La Jolla was curated by Dave Hampton. It explores 1950s and 1960s La Jolla modern architecture, objects, furnishings and art that were exhibited in the community’s museums and galleries, offered locally in retail outlets, or created by local residents. Ethel Greene,  Evening in Madrid  and Charles Luedtke,  Centurian Malcolm Leland, Ellmarie and Jackson Woolley, Lemeuian Crafts, John Dirks, Barney Reid and James Parker  Sculpture by Toza Radakovich, Untitled and a 1960 painting by John Baldessari, Torrey Pines Maurice Martine chair, Gilbert Watrous lamp, and a Malcolm Leland light fixture on the back wall  La Jolla School of Arts / Art Center Harry Bertoia chair for Knoll and Guy Williams painting in the back.  Bob Matheny, Typograph (from Thoreau) and a construction by Russell Baldwin The Matheny print above was made and exhibited in 1965 at the Nexus...

Paul Soldner Source: Craftsmen Builder   Wood door by Eric Hoglund Kitty door Svetozar Radakovich door, 1966  (Greg Strangman collection) Source: San Diego's Craft Revolution: From Post War to California Design  Svetozar Radakovich, in collaboration with Carl Ekstrom Fiberglass Doors California Design 10 John Kapel door Source:  Handcrafted Modern ,  Leslie Williamson  C. Fletcher Coddington Studio Door by Malcolm Leland Source: Studio 111 Kay Whitcomb Enamel Doors Source:  Reform Gallery James Hubbell hardware Mabel Hutchinson doors Source:  Reform Gallery Dieter Muller-Stach Claire Falkenstein Gates, Venice, Italy Source: Garden Design Chronicile  Eames and Walsh Door, Dean House Source: Architectural Ruminations

San Diego's Craft Revolution: Mingei Jack Rogers Hopkins chair and a door by Toza Radakovich Jack Boyd, Barbara Chapman and David Stewart Jean Balmer Garden Forms Barney Reid Mobile Ephemera Display