Film Night 10.25.12: Coast Modern

Join us for a special screening of Coast Modern on Thursday, October 25, 2012 from 7pm to 9pm! Presented in collaboration with SacMod, American Institute of Architecture Central Valley and the Crocker Art Museum as part of the AIA Central Valley Sacramento Architecture Festival.

Coast Modern Trailer from Coast Modern on Vimeo.

Coast Modern is an independent documentary by directors Mike Bernard and Gavin Froome. Traveling along the Pacific North West coastline from LA to Vancouver, the film showcases the pioneers of West Coast Modernist Architecture, and the homes that have become their legacies. This relaxed journey takes us across three generations of Modernist architecture, all finding beauty in their own times, and all taking us back to the basics of true living – a sense of place, light, and a deep connection to the earth.

From Henrik Bull's interview with Coast Modern directors

We are delighted to have two special guest speakers at our screening who were featured in the film: renowned architects Henrik Bull, FAIA and Pierluigi Serraino, AIA. Please stay for the engaging panel discussion after the screening. Those seeking AIA Continuing Education Credits should look for the sign up sheet at the event.

SacMod has researched and will be displaying panels highlighting selected mid-20th century work by  Henrik Bull in our region. Pierluigi Serraino wrote about Mr. Bull's work in "NorCalMod: Icons of Northern California Modernism." Serraino also recently wrote about another architect featured in Coast Modern: "Donald Olsen: Architect of Habitable Abstractions."

Space is limited; we recommend you purchase tickets in advance online. You may also purchase them at the Crocker Art Museum's Admission Desk or call 916.808.1182.

Ticket prices are:
$8 Crocker, AIA, and SacMod Members;  $14 Nonmembers.

We look forward to seeing you there!

CCAS + SacMod = Art-a-Go-Go

Hi there -- been so busy with SacMod stuff and life, but I'm still here and hopefully will have more time to write soon!

Wanted to tell you about our friends at the Center for Contemporary Art, Sacramento (CCAS) who are hosting Art-a-Go-Go: Art, Eats and Fun by the Pool on July 21, 2012 from 5:30 to 8:30pm. "Come dressed in your coolest 60's attire and enjoy cocktails, food, and music -- Mid-Century Modern style! You'll have an opportunity to buy art from among 20 invited regional artists, including Gregory Kondos." Tickets available via WePay.

This phenomenal MCM Land Park home was featured in SacMod's 2010 Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour. For those of you who missed seeing our 2010 tour, you're in for a real treat. The home was completed in 1963 for Robert and Jeanette Powell and includes its original pool, dramatic floating staircase, broken slate floors and concrete masonry. An open floor plan plus floor-to-ceiling windows provide a perfect setting to showcase modern furniture and art!

SacMod was invited by CCAS to be an honorary host at the event; we will have a silent auction of a "Blast from the Past" bag that includes:

- SacMod Annual Associate Membership good until 12/31/13

- Atomic Ranch Summer 2012 issue

- Etch-a-Sketch keychain

- X-ray Specs

- Silly Putty

- Vintage Finger Monsters

- Wind-up Robot

- Vintage Scary Scooters

- retro candy.

Look for SacMod's many events coming up soon:

- The highly anticipated next big tour -- the  2013 Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour -- will be in Spring of 2013.

- On October 25, 2012 we will be joining AIA Central Valley and the Crocker Art Museum for a first run screening of the new documentary Coast Modern.

- On October 14, 2012, we will be participating in the last of a series of Design Rides -- a free bicycle-led tour to various MCM-related destinations.

- We are also part of a larger group of individuals who are helping The California Museum on an exhibit featuring famous modernist Ray Eames, who was born and raised in Sacramento.

Hope you're having a great summer and hope to see you at Art-a-Go-Go!

Last call for tickets! Don't miss the Roush Residence!

Last call for tickets to join us from 1pm to 6pm on June 2, 2012 for a not-to-be-missed chance to see one of Sacramento’s hidden mid-century modern architectural gems in Arden Oaks! TICKET SALES END AT 6PM TODAY!

Vintage photo of the Roush Residence

The Roush Residence (1954) was designed by Terry Waters, a brilliant and talented architect who studied and worked with three legendary 20th century modernists: Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin, John Lautner in Los Angeles, and Walter S. White in Palm Desert. This unusual steel frame home with open web beams must be experienced in person to be fully appreciated. There is no other house like it! Terry Waters' work was recognized internationally by acclaimed magazines such as Arts + Architecture and Domus.

Terry Waters and his Portable Office

Your ticket includes delicious appetizers by Aharona Catering, treats from award-winning Freeport Bakery, and a generous pour from urban winery Rail Bridge Cellars and indie coffeehouse Chocolate Fish Coffee. Enjoy Two Accordions’ unique modern quilts, DJ Christophe’s spins of vintage-era tunes, and a rare 1956 Nash Ambassador freshly renovated by Peter Steinert.

We're donating a generous 50 percent of the proceeds toward the upcoming exhibit "Ray Eames: A Century of Modern Design," at The California Museum tentatively scheduled to open later this year. Ray Eames was born and raised in Sacramento; she and her husband, Charles, were among the most important 20th century modernists.

Hope to see you there! Tickets via Brown Paper Tickets: $30 SacMod members and $45 general admission.

SacMod is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting, preserving and protecting modern art, architecture and design in the Sacramento region.

Come see the Roush Residence - a hidden MCM gem in Sacramento!

SacMod -- the folks who brought you the Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour -- invites you to join us from 1pm to 6pm on June 2, 2012 for a not-to-be-missed chance to see one of Sacramento’s hidden mid-century modern architectural gems in Arden Oaks.

Your ticket includes delicious appetizers by Aharona Catering, treats from award-winning Freeport Bakery, and a generous pour from urban winery Rail Bridge Cellars and indie coffeehouse Chocolate Fish Coffee. Enjoy Two Accordions’ unique modern quilts, DJ Christophe’s spins of vintage-era tunes, and a rare 1956 Nash Ambassador freshly renovated by Peter Steinert.

The Roush Residence (1954) was designed by Terry Waters, a brilliant and talented architect who studied and worked with three legendary 20th century modernists: Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin, John Lautner in Los Angeles, and Walter S. White in Palm Desert. This unusual steel frame home with open web beams must be experienced in person to be fully appreciated. There is no other house like it!

The Roush family founded a nationally distributed bread mix company and was famous for their Hillbilly Bread (“It’s Colossal!”) which is still made to this day.

We’ve arranged for separate arrival times to help avoid crowding and ease parking, but stay as long as you’d like to take in the displays and sights. Your ticket also includes a special commemorative 12-page booklet that highlights the history of the home and an opportunity to talk with local knowledgeable architects and the MCM mavens of Mimomito. Our special thanks to Rik Keller Photography who will be capturing the moment!

We're donating a generous 50 percent of the proceeds toward the upcoming exhibit "Ray Eames: A Century of Modern Design," at The California Museum tentatively scheduled to open later this year. Ray Eames was born and raised in Sacramento; she and her husband, Charles, were among the most important 20th century modernists.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Tickets via Brown Paper Tickets: $30 SacMod members and $45 general admission. Ticket sales for all shifts end at 5:30 - 6:00 pm May 31, 2012.

SacMod is a 501(c)(3) dedicated to promoting, preserving and protecting modern art, architecture and design in the Sacramento region.

Vintage Photo: Sacramento Eichler Homes Sales Office

From the not fully processed Chamber of Commerce Collection, Center for Sacramento History

(Reproduced here with permission from and all rights retained by the Center for Sacramento History)

Here's a nice undated vintage photo from the Sacramento Chamber of Commerce Collection at the Center for Sacramento History. My best guess is that the photo was taken in 1955 or 1956. It features two homes on South Land Park Drive that still exist today -- one of which was an original Eichler Homes Sales Office in Sacramento.

The homes pictured above as they currently appear on the left and right can be seen in my Flickr set of Sacramento Eichler Homes, also featured in a previous blog post.

The demonstration home shown in the above black and white photo was for sale in 2009.

If you have any Eichler Homes ephemera from Sacramento or beyond, I'd love to hear from you. I'll be featuring more rare ephemera soon. Special thanks to the Center for Sacramento History for this gem!

SacMod celebrates the Roush Residence on June 2, 2012

Please join Sacramento Modern (SacMod) for a celebration of the Roush Residence in the Arden Oaks neighborhood of Sacramento on June 2, 2012. Reserved arrival times will be between 1pm and 5pm. Tickets will be available via Brown Paper Tickets.

- Tickets will be sold beginning April 23, 2012 for SacMod Associate Members at $30 each (members must use the correct password). To become a SacMod member, please use the "2012 SacMod Annual Associate Membership" link in the upper left hand margin of this blog.

- General sales will begin May 7, 2012 at $45 each.

- There will be no tickets sold at the door. Last day for tickets sales is May 31, 2012.

Appetizers and beverages will be served and a commemorative booklet will be given to attendees. Vintage photographs and information about the home will be displayed. Local architects and design professionals will be present to discuss questions about the home. For vintage car enthusiasts, a recently restored 1956 Nash Ambassador Custom with tritone paint will be parked in the carport.

The Roush Residence was designed by Terry Waters, a Taliesin Fellow and friend/colleague of renowned modernist John Lautner. Waters was also an apprentice of desert modernist Walter S. White. Waters' work was published in acclaimed design magazines such as Arts + Architecture and Domus. True modernists will be delighted in seeing this ultra-modern and unusual circa 1954 home.

Fifty percent of the proceeds from this event will benefit the development of the upcoming exhibit "Ray Eames: A Century of Modern Design," at The California Museum tentatively scheduled to open later this year. Ray Eames was born and raised in Sacramento; she and her husband, Charles, were among the most important 20th century modernists.

SacMod would like to thank these wonderful people and businesses for their volunteerism and in-kind donations at our event:

Mimomito

Rail Bridge Cellars

Rik Keller Photography

Aharona Catering
Freeport Bakery
Chocolate Fish Coffee

Two Accordions
Peter Steinert

DJ Christophe

To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all, please arrive for your reserved shift on time, park in the designated areas (a specific map with detailed information will be emailed before the event) and wear flat-heeled shoes. For the homeowner's privacy, the event address will be provided after ticket purchase.

We look forward to seeing you there!

SacMod is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting, preserving and protecting modern art, architecture and design in the Sacramento region.

Film Night 4.12.12: Contemporary Days

 Via the British Council's Design Museum

Robin and Lucienne Day transformed British design after World War II with striking furniture and textiles that signaled a new era of modernist sensibilities for everyday living. The Days, a husband and wife team from the UK, were often compared with Charles and Ray Eames.

Join SacMod and local Sacramento design professionals on 4.12.12 at 6PM at the Sacramento Temporary Contemporary Gallery for the documentary Contemporary Days: The Designs of Lucienne & Robin Day. SacMod is partnering with AIA Central Valley, Emerging Professional’s Group of the American Society of Landscape Architects Sierra Chapter (ASLA EPG), and Patcraft.

*** KINDLY RSVP *** via this link: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/239257

No charge; donations gladly accepted. There will be snacks, fun, and a one-year subscription to Atomic Ranch magazine to one lucky attendee via SacMod. (Three homes that were on the last Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour are featured in Atomic Ranch magazine this year!)

Hope to see you there!

More about the film via Design Onscreen

".... Robin's revolutionary furniture designs introduced materials such as plastic, steel and plywood to homes, offices and schools. His stacking polypropylene chair endures as an icon and now graces a Royal Mail postage stamp. Lucienne's abstract textile designs brought accessible elegance into the homes of postwar British consumers.

The Days' fresh design approaches, including their contributions to the Royal Festival Hall in 1951, helped fuel the artistic and commercial awakening that led Britain out of the devastation of World War II. The film traces the Days' personal and professional progression over the course of their careers, spanning more than seventy years - from their days at the Royal College of the Arts in the 1930s, through their long heyday at the forefront of British design, to their recent rediscovery by new generations of design aficionados.

The 60-minute film was created by Design Onscreen, with award-winning Scottish Director Murray Grigor and Cinematographer Hamid Shams."

More about the Days' designs and history can be found at the Design Museum.

 Via Pattern + Source

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?

PLEASE VOTE for the Sacramento Zoo Entrance in Dwell Magazine's "Rethinking Preservation" contest

SacMod needs your help voting for the preservation of the Entrance to the Sacramento Zoo in a contest! The contest, "Rethinking Preservation," is sponsored by Dwell magazine and Sub-Zero.

Over 100 worthy entries are posted for popular vote from February 6 through February 20, 2012. A panel of judges will select the winner from the top ten entries that receive the most popular votes.

You may recall I've talked about the hyperbolic paraboloid structures at the Sacramento Zoo entrance before. Last December I also posted about SacMod's support of a survey and report by architectural consultants that the Zoo entrance structures "meet the National Register, California Register, and Sacramento Register evaluation criteria...."

1961 newspaper clipping of children admiring the new Sacramento Zoo entrance

 Vintage film of Sacramento Zoo and San Diego Zoo 1970 - Sacramento Zoo portion begins first and ends at 1:15

The Entrance to the Sacramento Zoo is the only contest entry from Sacramento - please spread the word. Let's work together to ensure more generations can enjoy this historic mid-20th century landmark. Let's help the Zoo embrace the future without losing its past.

Please vote as often and as much as you would like through the voting period. If you're on Facebook, please "Like" the page as well. Thank you for your support!

Found slide of a flamingo at the Sacramento Zoo circa 1955 from my collection