Dig this painting, Daddy-O!

A short post today because I've been recuperating from pneumonia and generally run down. Too many plates spinning on sticks!

Wanted to share a glimpse of our "new"(vintage) painting that we picked up at Past Perfect recently. Ironic that we bought this from our friend from Scout Living during his one day per month gig at Past Perfect. We'd been traveling but alas, fate/synchronicity/dumb luck united us with an awesome find.

We've waited twelve long years to find just the Right Thing for our front room, which is also our music room.

Still Life by Ben Aiken (1958)

The name of this piece is "Still Life" by Ben Aiken (1958). According to a book, "Artists in California, 1786-1940" by Edan Hughes and quoted via AskArt, "Aiken began painting in 1929 after studying at the AIC, the Millikin School of Art (Illinois), and Art Center School in Los Angeles. During the 1930s and 1940s he worked in Sacramento as a commercial artist at Weinstock-Lubin Company. A surrealist, in his leisure he painted non-representational figures, faces, and forms."

Do I like that Mr. Aiken lived in Sacramento for a time -- and the reference guide regarding artists in California was published by Sacramento's Crocker Art Museum? You know I do!

More of Mr. Aiken's wonderful work can be seen on his son's blog.

Stay cool, hepcats! More in-depth coverage of all things modern in Sacto soon!

Film screening to benefit upcoming local exhibit featuring Ray Eames' life!

SacMod is proud of the efforts made by several modern enthusiasts in town who have put together a special screening of "Eames: The Architect and the Painter" at the Crest Theatre in Sacramento on March 6, 2012. Of note, proceeds from this screening will support an upcoming all-new exhibit at The California Museum featuring Sacramento's most important native modernist Ray Eames!

Director Jason Cohn and Llisa Demetrios of Eames Office will be present at the screening for a special Q&A afterward moderated by Chris Watson, Director of the California Arts Council. For more details, see The California Museum's website page devoted to this event.

Generous sponsors for this event include Sactown Magazine, Lumens Light + Living, HOT ITALIAN, and The Bridge District. Lumens and the Bridge District will also be teaming up to present an Eames Molded Plastic Rocker door prize.

The Crest Theatre was chosen for this special screening because Ray Eames' father, Alexander Kaiser, managed a vaudeville theater called the Empress Theatre where The Crest now stands. Per a press release: "Ray would have turned 100 this year, so I'm really excited to see a spotlight on her -- especially in her hometown," said Director Jason Cohn. "We were really eager to have a screening somewhere in Sacramento, but to show the film in at the theater her father managed - The Crest - and to use the proceeds from the event to bring a new Eames exhibit to The California Museum makes it a really special evening."

The screening is the first step in launching a campaign to bring an all-new exhibit celebrating Ray Eames' 100 birthday on December 15th, 2012. In partnership with the Eames Office, The California Museum will be seeking new information about Ray Eames' Sacramento roots, her life before Charles, and to highlight her achievements "as an innovative female artist and her role as an equal part of Eames history."

SacMod is appreciative of the efforts of the sponsors, The California Museum, and the Eames Office for facilitating an exhibit that highlights the talents of Ray Eames. We look forward to rolling up our sleeves and volunteering our time with the exhibit. It's Ray's turn to shine -- don't you think?