Modernism Week announced that it will offer an exciting online auction of unique and compelling experiences and intriguing and distinctive items just in time for the holiday season. The online bidding event, called the ‘Best of Modernism – Holiday Edition” Auction, will run 8 days from December 1 – 8, 2024, and will feature more than 100 unique architectural experiences, exclusive VIP Modernism Week event tickets and experiences packages, access to exclusive sold-out parties, and uncommon items not typically available to the public. Hopeful bidders may set up an account on the auction page and submit bids during the event. The winners will be announced after bidding concludes. The ‘Best of Modernism – Holiday Edition’ Auction will take place at modernismweek.com starting December 1, 2024, at 12 Noon PST. All funds raised will go to support Modernism Week, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
“Modernists have begun to appreciate that Modernism Week’s annual online auction offers one-of-a-kind exclusive architectural experiences and unique products that they would not be able to find anywhere else. As this online auction leads up to the twentieth anniversary of Modernism Week in 2025, it will be the biggest and most exciting auction that we have ever offered. We have secured a record number of very exciting items, including some truly exceptional architectural surprises. Something in every price range for everyone, including those hard-to-please Modernists on your holiday shopping list, who can receive these items in time for holiday giving.”
Mark Davis, Modernism Week’s Theater and Travel Producer, and organizer of the ‘Best of Modernism – Holiday Edition’ Auction
Highlighted auction items include:
- A very rare opportunity for 4 lucky winners to experience a private twilight tour of Fallingwater, Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece designed in 1935, including a cocktail reception in the living room and a catered dinner on the terrace, with an overnight in one of the historic cottages on-property.
- A two-night stay for two (2) couples in a privately owned 1958 Frank Lloyd Wright House which includes all the original furnishings. The stay includes a catered dinner for four.
- An unforgettable experience for two (2) for the sold-out, all-inclusive deluxe ‘Modernism In Havana, Cuba’ Week tour scheduled for March 10 -16, 2025, including round-trip airfare from any major continental U.S. airport to Miami and Havana. Incredible!
- A Shagtastic four-night stay in the ‘Shag Room’ at the midcentury modern Del Marcos Hotel, including two tickets for the Modernism Week Opening Night Party and the Modernism Show Preview Opening Reception, a $100 Uber gift credit to use, a $200 gift certificate to the Shag Store, a set of 5 years of Modernism Week posters designed by Shag, a Shag book and a signed Shag print.
- Modernism Week Opening Weekend VIP four-night stay in a Suite at the historic Hotel Del Marcos or a Deluxe Room at the luxurious Rowan Kimpton Hotel, including 2 tickets for the following events: Modernism Week Opening Night Party, Modernism Show Preview Opening Reception, the sold-out popular Charles Phoenix Super Duper Double Decker Bus Tour, VIP Seats for Charles Phoenix Presents ‘Googieland’ Celebration, the sold-out and highly desirable Garden Tour at the 1946 Kaufmann Residence by Richard Neutra, the retro glamorous Saturday Night Cocktail Soiree at the Modernism Week Featured Home Sackley Chase Sensation and a $100 Uber gift credit to use.
- Holiday Ornaments galore, including no longer available Alessi designs from Italy, retro Higgins Glass, unique artist designed pieces, Victoria & Albert Museum special editions, and a tree’s worth of vintage Barbie designs, including a Barbie tree topper and special edition pieces that were only available from the recent Barbie exhibition at the London Design Museum.
- Multiple original, signed, and certified Julius Shulman photographs including classic silver gelatin prints of the 1957 Chuey House and the 1936 Kun House by Richard Neutra.
- A Grand ten foot Modern and a Jubilee tabletop Christmas tree from Modern Christmas Tree.
- Luxury SUV Tour for four (4) guests, with private driver, of seven (7) midcentury modern architectural masterpieces featured in photographer James Schnepf’s acclaimed book, Palm Springs Modern Living, including a signed copy of his now out-of-print photography coffee table book, and a 200 gift card for lunch at one of Palm Springs most desirable restaurants, Jake’s on North Palm Canyon Drive.
- A ‘Champagne & Charcuterie’ private poolside Sunset Reception for six (6) guests at the historic Frey House II, overlooking all of Palm Springs.
- A five (5) night stay in a spacious two-bedroom suite at the new, chic Drift Palm Springs Hotel during Modernism Week Opening Weekend.
- Fine art graphic pieces from famed midcentury Mexican architect Pedro Ramíris Vásquez, Fondation Le Corbusier, Havana, Shag, Fondation Maeght, renowned contemporary artist Phillip K. Smith III, Danny Heller, and graphic artist Gary Wexler.
- Not just one but TWO Annual Ultimate Lego Sets, both no longer in production and in original factory sealed boxes: Edith Farnsworth House by Mies van der Rohe released 2011 and Fallingwater by Frank Lloyd Wright released 2009. Both highly collectable.
- Signed copies and bundles of out-of-print architecture and design books on subjects including Richard Neutra, Herbert Bayer, Albert Frey, Edgar Kaufmann, jr., Carlo Scarpo, Sir Norman Foster, Keith Haring, Annie Liebowitz, Frank Lloyd Wright, Frida Kahlo, Mies van der Rohe, Diego Rivera, and many, many others.
- Tour the modernist highlights of the exclusive London borough of Hampstead in a chauffeured vintage 1934 Bentley, then be guests of the Trustees of the 1934 Isokon Flats for a private tour of the Isokon Gallery and Penthouse, followed by champagne and a classic English cream tea.
The auction will conclude on Sunday, December 8 at 5:00 PM PST. Winning bidders will be notified soon after the auction closes. For more information visit modernismweek.com.
Modernism Week top sponsors include Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery, Brizo, Dunn-Edwards Paints, Monogram, Cotino, Flor, Natural Retreats, and Willis. The City of Palm Springs is the Civic Presenting Sponsor.
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Modernism Week will celebrate twenty years with its signature 11-day festival that will take place February 13-23, 2025. Tickets are available at modernismweek.com.
