Commencing this week is the kickstart of a four-day “mini-Modernism Week” showcasing more than 50 events, comprising tours, discussions, and celebrations in distinct locales not typically accessible to the public. It also encompasses the Palm Springs Modernism Fall Show, which entails a preview party on October 14 featuring a cocktail gathering, live tunes, and an exclusive initial opportunity to browse the show prior to its public unveiling. Here, you will find three notable selections from the agenda, alongside a fresh museum and a notable art affair projected for 2023 in Greater Palm Springs to anticipate.
The Wave Tiki Cocktail Party Experience
Dive into Modernism Week at the Wave Cocktail Party hosted at the historical Miles C. Bates “Wave” House on October 13. Crafted in 1954 by midcentury modern designer Walter S. White and finished in 1955 for American socialite and sculptor, Miles C. Bates, the residence evolved into a social and creative focal point in the Coachella Valley. Recognized on the National Register of Historic Places in 2018, its revitalization was acknowledged by the California Preservation Foundation with a 2020 Rehabilitation Preservation Design Award. Tickets are priced at $150, with the proceeds benefiting Joslyn Center programs and services. Revel in cocktails and appetizers, an architectural analysis by Christian Stayner, in addition to performances by The Joslyn Strummers ukulele ensemble and DJ Modgirl. Recommended dress code is tropical or coastal, and complimentary valet service will be provided at 73697 Santa Rosa Way, Palm Desert.
Exploration of the House of Tomorrow Abode
Seize the chance to peek inside the freshly refurbished Alexander Estate on the House of Tomorrow Home Tour. Nestled in the historic Vista Las Palmas locality, this emblematic dwelling was devised in 1960 by architect William Krisel for Helene and Robert Alexander of the Alexander Construction Company. Referred to as the “House of Tomorrow” by Look magazine in 1962, which highlighted its futuristic architecture, including the spacecraft-like dynamic winged roofline and lavish master suite, along with the young couple residing there at that time. The historic abode is also famously recognized as the “Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway” following Elvis and Priscilla Presley’s honeymoon stint there in 1967. Entry is priced at $125 per individual for a limited-group twilight tour and cocktail affair accessible at 4:30 p.m. on October 13, 14, and 16.
Tracy Turco’s Exhibition of Modernism
Aesthetician, creator, hotelier, and fashion symbol Tracy Turco is currently stationed in NYC and Palm Springs but has opted for the latter site for her tribute to everything related to mid-century modernism. Set to unfurl on October 15, the Modernism Museum will feature the finest of the modernist period from the late 1950s to the early ’70s, alongside numerous Instagrammable photo showcases. Turco envisions the museum as a focal point for the community and a locale for gatherings, interactions, and sharing their joint ardor for the era, with activities focused on modernist existence in an imaginative setting. Within the vast 12,000 square-foot edifice, visitors will wander through an array of “tableaus” – ranging from a 1950s beauty parlor and 1960s living space to a rodeo-themed room – including a pink heart-shaped bathtub reminiscent of Jayne Mansfield. Located at 380 N. Palm Canyon in 2022.
The Lautner Compound Expedition
Attendees of The Lautner Compound Tour will have the opportunity to delve into legendary American architect John Lautner’s residential fourplex on Saturday, October 15. Erected in 1947, this consortium comprises three boutique assets deftly refurbished and crafted – The Lautner, The Park, and The Ranch House – with the proprietors reintroducing this acclaimed property as The Lautner Compound. A beloved architect in Hollywood, Lautner was known for designing residences with potent geometry and a striking sense of theatricality. Many of his creations were showcased in films including Diamonds Are Forever, Pulp Fiction, The Big Lebowski, and A Single Man.
Desert X 2023 Proposition
Desert X, the recurrent site-specific global art display, proclaimed its fourth installment Desert X 2023 Coachella Valley, accessible to the public from March 4 to May 7, 2023. The institution has attracted over 1.25 million viewers to its previous three showcases in the Coachella Valley and garnered widespread acclaim and international recognition, with a branching exhibition at Alula in Saudi Arabia. In the meantime, past displays by Felipe Baeza, Serge Attukwei Clottey, Jeffrey Gibson, Armando Lerma, and Christopher Myers are still viewable.
Mark Your Calendar: Modernism Week 2023
The 11-day festival of Modernism Week will host more than 350 happenings, encompassing the Palm Springs Modernism Show, CAMP, journeys through iconic residences, and the crowd-pleasing Signature Home Tour on both weekends. Architectural strolls, biking excursions, and double-decker bus trips, tours of the historic Annenberg Estate at Sunnylands, evening festivities, and a series of informative discussions at the Annenberg Theater and the CAMP theater will also be part of the program. All functions are accessible to the public, with several being complimentary or low-priced. The 2023 itinerary will be disclosed on October 25, 2022, and tickets will be up for grabs starting November 1, 2022, at noon. Visit modernismweek.com for additional details.
Image Source: JustLuxe
