Modernism Week, the annual festival that highlights midcentury modern architecture, art, vintage culture, and interior and landscape design in the Palm Springs area of Southern California, will offer more than 70 informative and entertaining talks, panel discussions, other presentations at various locations during the 11-day event that runs February 15-25, 2024. A distinguished array of speakers – all leaders in their fields – will share their knowledge and insights with Modernism Week audiences each day of the event. A series of engaging films will also be offered. Many events are free or have a low ticket price. Tickets may be purchased at modernismweek.com, and a portion of ticket proceeds benefit Modernism Week (a non-profit organization) and other local preservation, neighborhood, and community groups.
Presentations will take place at the Annenberg Theater at the Palm Springs Art Museum, the Palm Springs Cultural Center, and in the theater at CAMP, the central hub for Modernism Week, which is located in the downtown Hyatt Palm Springs. Here are some highlights from the schedule of talks and presentations. Many more are featured at modernismweek.com.
Keynote Presentation: Dr. Barry Bergdoll: Modernist Architecture on Exhibition (2/17, $20, $35)
Modernism Week is honored to welcome Dr. Barry Bergdoll, former Chief Curator of Architecture and Design at Columbia University, as keynote presenter for 2024. Bergdoll will discuss how exhibitions, especially of full-scale demonstration houses, allowed the public to experience spaces which they might otherwise never be able to tour. With the reconstruction of Albert Frey’s 1931 Aluminaire House in Palm Springs as his inspiration, Bergdoll will trace the evolution of Modernist architecture on exhibition including Prince Albert’s Model Houses, the renowned 1914 Futurist Exhibition in Milan, and the Museum of Modern Art’s inaugural architecture exhibition of “International Style” buildings in 1932 at Bullocks Wilshire department store in Los Angeles.
Charles Phoenix Presents “New York Cityland and the 1964 New York World’s Fair” (2/17, $50, $65)
This not-to-be-missed dream vacation slide show will celebrate the marvels of midcentury Manhattan and the futuristic 1964 New York World’s Fair. Lavishing commentary on spectacular vintage images from his massive collection of Kodachrome slides taken by tourists, Charles will sweep attendees away on a whirlwind time-travel adventure extravaganza that includes New York’s legendary landmarks, iconic modernist architecture, and the attractions of the 1964 World’s Fair.
Celebrating Albert Frey
Architect Albert Frey profoundly impacted the modernist design of Palm Springs. This year, Modernism Week honors Frey’s achievements through a wide range of compelling programming including:
- Albert Frey: A SYMPOSIUM (2/24, $125 symposium only, $150 symposium and boxed lunch) Palm Springs Art Museum in partnership with Palm Springs Architectural Alliance will present a symposium in celebration of Albert Frey’s work and legacy. Paul Goldberger, author and Pulitzer Prize-winning architectural critic, will provide the keynote address, with presentations by Brad Dunning, Frey exhibition curator; Barbara Lamprecht, architectural historian; and Joseph Rosa, architect and Frey biographer. The reconstruction of Frey’s 1931 Aluminaire House at the museum makes this symposium timely in gaining a deeper understanding of his distinctive contributions to modern architecture.
- Meet the Architects Who Saved the 1931 Aluminaire House (2/21, $15) Michael Schwarting and Frances Campani saved the 1931 Aluminaire House from the scrap heap, guarded its existence for decades, and gifted the architectural icon of modernist design to Palm Springs.
- The Rebirth of Albert Frey’s Historic 1946 Bel Vista Tract in Palm Springs (2/17, $15) Built in 1946, Bel Vista is one of the earliest modern tracts of homes built in California and the first in Palm Springs. Todd Hays and William LaVoie tell the story of the restoration of Frey’s project including a not-to-be-missed computer recreation drive-through of Bel Vista as it would have appeared 78 years ago.
- Albert Frey’s 1931 Aluminaire House and Its Influence on American Modernism (2/18, $18) In celebration of the Palm Springs Art Museum’s permanent installation of the 1931 Aluminaire House, architect Leo Marmol will explore the impact this structure had on American Modernism design.
Slim Aarons and the Kaufmann House
Photographer Slim Aarons captured the iconic timelessness of the famed Kaufmann House in his now-classic image “Poolside Gossip.” Aarons and the Kaufmanns will be featured in several programs including:
- Palm Springs Fashion, Then & Now: Trina Turk and Nelda Linsk in Conversation (2/22, $35) This is a very special event featuring style icon Nelda Linsk and fashion designer Trina Turk discussing ‘Palm Springs Fashion’ and the influence the Slim Aarons photo “Poolside Gossip” has had on fashion today.
- Wait Until You See: Slim Aarons x Palm Springs (2/21, $18) Slim Aarons famously sought to photograph “Attractive people doing attractive things in attractive places.” In January 1970, Palm Springs was not only one of those places, but also the setting for what has become his most celebrated work, Poolside Gossip. The series of photographs made during a poolside party at the Kaufmann House is now considered an icon of midcentury style. Shawn Waldron, author of Slim Aarons: The Essential Collection, will talk about Slim’s work in Palm Springs and beyond.
- Poolside Gossip: Cocktails & Conversation with Nelda Linsk & Shawn Waldron (2/23, $125) Join Nelda Linsk (Palm Springs icon and the beautiful subject of Aarons’ “Poolside Gossip” photograph) and Shawn Waldron (Curator, Print Sales and Exhibitions for Getty Images) as they discuss Slim Aarons, Palm Springs history, and reflect on an era of glamour and Southern California style.
- A Tale of Two Kaufmann Wives and Two Tragic Endings (2/22, $18) Author Adele Cygelman delves into the lives of the two women who were eclipsed by their better-known husband and even better-known house, Neutra’s Kaufmann House, and who both met a tragic end.
- The Kaufmanns of Fallingwater: Modern Movement Tastemakers (2/22, $18) As retailers, patrons, and philanthropists, the Kaufmanns played a major role in promoting modern design. Fallingwater’s Director Justin Gunther explores the contributions of this influential family.
Architecture and Design Basics
- Desert Modernism 101 – From Bauhaus to Our House (2/17, $15) The Palm Springs Modern Committee presents an informative and entertaining look at the principles of design that rocked the world of architecture in post-war America.
- Midcentury Modern Style: An Approachable Guide to Inspired Rooms (2/22, $15) Interior designer Karen Nepacena shows how to bring the spirit of midcentury modern style to any home while photographer Christopher Dibble shares inspirational yet relatable images capturing the essence of this style.
- The Birth of Modernism: Irving Gill in California (2/20, $18) Meet the Modern Master – Irving Gill of San Diego. Architect and historian Alan Hess reveals how Gill perfected the architecture of simplicity before the Bauhaus and set the template for Modernism.
- If You’re Designing Modern, Use the Past: William Haines’ Interior Design at Sunnylands (2/20, $18)Sunnylands, the renowned desert estate, preserves a vast custom-made furniture collection designed by William Haines. This compelling talk will provide behind-the-scenes details about Haines’ influential Sunnylands interior design.
- Architect Mark W. Daniels, AIA: “Talking to strangers only leads to good things” (2/19, $15) Architect Mark Daniels, AIA presents an entertaining and informative talk delving into the intricate world of design and the creative process to generate truly unique architectural buildings.
Coachella Valley Focus
- ESSENTIAL CITY – A Futuristic Exploration of Desert Cities (2/16, $15) Desert cities are the frontline of climate change. This is a first-time examination by experts from around the world who will discuss how desert cities are on the frontline of climate change. They will present “Essential City,” a hypothetical desert city conceived by Sound Space Design Architects and Desert Developments. The talk will coincide with a materials exhibition inside the Hyatt with AI-enhanced images of this futuristic desert metropolis.
- California Cool: Explore Palm Springs and Beyond Through the Modern Paintings of Danny Heller (2/18, $15) In this enthusiastic, funny, and informative presentation, artist Danny Heller will whisk the audience away to the sunny Southern California suburbs, leisure activities, and car culture that has come to fill his bright paintings of an optimistic era.
- More Than Desert Modern: William F. Cody’s Visions of Postwar Architecture and Leisure Living (2/17, $15)In the Coachella Valley, William F. Cody created new visions of modernism, desert architecture, and postwar living. The authors of “Master of the Midcentury,” including Catherine Cody, third daughter of William F. Cody, illustrate Cody’s indelible imprint.
- Wasteland to Wonderland: Palm Desert Corporation and the Making of a Modern Desert City (2/24, $15)Palm Desert is a desert city with deep roots in modern architecture. Historian Luke Leuschner presents an overview of the creation of the city with new and unseen material.
Gardens and Landscaping
- The Secrets of Designing Great Desert Gardens (2/20, $15) What are the secrets of designing great desert gardens? Landscape Architect Lisa Gimmy will explore the character of six great gardens and share her experiences designing and building in the desert.
- The Unique and Beautiful Sonoran Desert Gardens of Steve Martino, FASLA (2/20, $15) For the past 40 years, the landscape architectural firm of Steve Martino & Associates has been committed to the development and advancement of Landscape Architecture in the Southwest.
- Material Landscapes: Authenticity, Innovation and Collaboration (2/20, $18) Surfacedesign, an award-winning landscape architecture and urban design firm based in San Francisco, presents a selection of their landscape architecture work that celebrate horticultural exuberance, material authenticity, and cultural and ecological narratives that emerge from each site.
Modernism Around the Country
- Neutra, Wright and Modernism in Bakersfield (2/23, $15) Bakersfield, best known for its music legends, was also a hotbed of modern architecture. Experience one of the most unexpected concentrations of modern architecture just 100 miles from Los Angeles.
- Paradise Lost: Googie & Modernism in The Catskills (2/24, $15) The resorts of the Catskill Mountains (or Borscht Belt) offered a glamorous summer haven during the 20th century. Explore this hidden midcentury modern wonderland.
- Sarasota School of Architecture Redux (2/22, $18) Since the mid-20th century, Sarasota has been globally recognized as an epicenter of modern architecture. Responding to the geography, climate, and socio-cultural context of Florida’s Southern Gulf Coast, the work of Paul Rudolph, Victor Lundy, and others helped evolve a place-specific approach to modern design. This talk re-examines the postwar origins of the Sarasota School of Architecture and its resurgence as a new generation of designers transform Sarasota and architectural practice.
- Paul Rudolph, Charles Moore, and Back Again: A Sarasota Architect’s Journey (2/23, $18) Explore the enduring architectural legacies of Paul Rudolph, FAIA, and Charles Moore, FAIA, from architect Jonathan Parks, AIA, as they share intimate knowledge of their work and discuss its influence on his own.
- An Introduction to Herbert Bayer and the Bauhaus-Aspen Connection (2/18, $18) The Resnick Center for Herbert Bayer Studies, in Aspen, Colorado, promotes a full understanding of Herbert Bayer and his contributions to art, design, and architecture from the Bauhaus to Aspen.
- Preserving the Bauhaus Legacy on Cape Cod: Saving Marcel Breuer’s Summer Home (2/16, $18/$150) Threatened! Marcel Breuer’s Own Summerhouse in Wellfleet, MA. Cape Cod Modern Trust on plans to preserve it.
Additional highlighted presentations include:
- “Memories of Sinatra” presented by Legendary Five Time Emmy Award Winning Journalist and Television Host Bill Boggs (2/21, $35) Bill Boggs has traveled the world with his multi-media show on Frank Sinatra which celebrates Sinatra’s impact on all of us and now for the first time he is bringing it to Palm Springs through rarely seen video clips, great stories and songs.
- John Wayne, Hollywood and the American West (2/17, $18) Join Ethan Wayne, Laurie Kratochvil, and Amy Shepard on a photographic journey through the Hollywood of yesteryear, the American West, and the enduring spirit of John Wayne and his contemporaries.
- Modernism Rules the Waves – The Edgy Elegance of Midcentury Liners and Cruise Ships (2/23, $15) Join midcentury design aficionado and maritime historian Peter Knego as he travels across the seven seas via a rarified world of floating midcentury modern masterpieces.
- Rational Simplicity and Rudolph de Harak: The Life and Work of a Midcentury Modernist Designer (2/21, $18) Join Richard Poulin, author of the first major publication on Rudolph de Harak, as he gives an in-depth and definitive account of this influential midcentury modern designer’s life and work.
- From Bauhaus to Your House: The Life and Designs of Anni Albers (2/20, $18)Join Annalisa Capurro and Michal Silver for a fascinating insight into the extraordinary life, designs, and legacy of Anni Albers, considered one of the most influential textile artists of the 20th century.
- The Direction of Sculptural Ceramics in Architecture by Stan Bitters (2/17, $25) Stan Bitters, the legendary master of ceramic murals, shares his 65-year long experience working on ceramic sculpture and his motivation to interject art into architecture. A short film follows.
- Bakelite, Bone & Bamboo: The Mystical Chinese Game of Mahjong (2/19, $15) The parlor game mahjong, a Chinese export, arrived in the United States in the 1920s and captivated America. The panel of presenters, all avid mahjong players and vintage mahjong set collectors, will introduce the basics of how to play the game, describe what fueled the game’s popularity initially and at midcentury, as well as how its aesthetics impacted our living spaces.
- The Wood Expressionism of John Marsh Davis: 1961-1979 (2/24, $15)Author-architect Hans Baldauf, FAIA, LEED AP, presents John Marsh Davis’ design legacy of wood expressionism, spanning dramatic coastal residences and magisterial timber-framed Napa winery complexes.
- Francisco Artigas at Midcentury: Modern Houses of the Mexican Miracle (2/21, $18) This talk is about Francisco Artigas, renowned architect of the 1950/60s, who designed elegant modern homes for the elite of Mexico City and beyond and left behind a lasting legacy of sophistication and timeless style.
Engaging Films
In addition to the wide array of talks, Modernism Week will also present a series of engaging films. These include:
- Brown vs. Brown – The Tension of Midcentury Modernism in New Zealand (2/16, $15) This film focuses on the late modernist architect Peter Mark-Brown, his legacy, Neutra’s influence, and New Zealand’s iconic midcentury homes, viewed through the lens of his filmmaker son and Alan Hess in a Q+A.
- Modernism, Inc. – A New Documentary on Eliot Noyes (2/18, $18) This new documentary explores the rise and fall of American Modernism through the lens of one of its most influential practitioners, Eliot Noyes.
- World Premiere of “New England Modernism–Revolutionary Architecture in the 20th Century” (2/19, $20) Emmy® award winning documentary filmmaker Jake Gorst premieres his feature-length documentary on Modern Architecture in New England 1930-1975, and its influence on contemporary architectural design.
- Jimmy Van Heusen: Swingin’ in the Desert with Frank & Bing – Film and Panel Discussion (2/20, $18) Meet Jimmy Van Heusen, the composer more swingin’ than Sinatra. This panel and film look at the glamorous life and remarkable music of the four-time Oscar-winning songwriter who spent decades in Palm Springs.
- Palm Springs Plays Itself: A Vintage Home Movie Cocktail Hour with Deserted Films (2/21, $25) Local home movie film archive, Deserted Films, will screen and provide entertaining context for a selection of amateur vintage 16mm, 8mm, and Super 8 films shot in and around Palm Springs.
- “Back to the House of Tomorrow” (2/21, $15) Back by popular demand, this film showcases the story of a house important for its role in Palm Springs and Hollywood history and for its personal themes of family and community, tragedy, and renewal.
- Two Albert Frey Documentaries–Part I and Part II (2/25, $15 for one, $20 for both)
- Albert Frey: The Architectural Envoy – Part I – Swiss-born architect Albert Frey introduced Corbusian-influenced modernism to the United States and developed an extraordinary design style, blending industrial techniques and a love of nature.
- Albert Frey: The Architectural Interpreter – Part II – In 1939, Swiss-born architect Albert Frey embarked on a decades-long journey of discovery. His world travels and love of nature would lead him to a new style of modernism in Palm Springs, California.
