Atomic Age Alliance

Celebrating Mid Century Modern Design, Signage, Architecture, Culture & Business - Across ALL Geographic Boundaries


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Home > Archives for Alan Hess

2015

January 1, 2015 by Futura Girl

Chairperson

Regina O’Brien, 2009-2015

Milestones in the Community

  • ModCom Turns 30

Meeting Locations

Advocacy

Church of Christ Scientist – aka Mosaic Church

Primary support for this preservation in 2015 came from http://www.saveresidentialhollywood.com/ however ModCom lent their support to the initiative.
https://www.laconservancy.org/locations/mosaic-church-fifth-church-christ-scientist

Kronish House

1954 Neutra Home in Beverly Hills Saved when it became a HCM in April 2015. Helped to solidy and activate the City of Beverly Hills preservation program.
https://www.laconservancy.org/locations/kronish-house
http://www.beverlyhillshistoricalsociety.org/

Norms Las Cienega

After the sale of the iconic eatery in 2014, a nomination was rushed to the city council. 1957 Googie by Armet and Davis received HCM on January 15, 2015
https://www.laconservancy.org/locations/norms-la-cienega-coffee-shop

Robinson’s Department Store

Beautiful retail complex designed by Pereira in Beverly Hills Lost

Etc.

The predominance of issues described in the LA newsletter are Modern Issues
https://www.laconservancy.org/sites/default/files/files/documents/Mar-Apr15.pdf

Events

ModCom Turns 30

Thirtieth Birthday party for ModCom on March 28, 2015 at the Pasadena Presbyterian Church. Slide shows and presentations are given by Peter Moruzzi, Alan Lieb, Chris Nichols and Regina O’Brien

IMG_20150328_201547 20150328_205111

Annual Holiday Party:

December 7

Modern Master Awards:

  • Disney Imagineer Bob Gurr
  • Architectural photographer Wayne Thom

Tangents

MAK Architecture Valley Tour

Tour in conjunction with Dwell on Design on October 18, 2015 featured classic works of architecture in the San Fernando Valley: Van Dekker House (R.M. Schindler, 1939-1940) Goodwin House (R.M. Schindler, 1940) Phineas Kappe House (Ray Kappe, 1956) Barsha House (Ray Kappe, 1959) Struckus House (Bruce Goff, 1982)

John Elgin Woolf Exhibit and Talk

Steven Price lecture on Hollywood Regency style at the Palos Verdes Art Center

Palm Springs Paradise

by Peter Moruzzi – July 1, 2015
https://www.amazon.com/Palm-Springs-Paradise-Peter-Moruzzi/dp/142363991X/ref=llvn-20

Tiki Style

by Sven Kirsten– February 15, 2015
https://www.amazon.com/Tiki-Style-Sven-Kirsten/dp/3836555085/ref=llvn-20

Crestwood Hills: The Chronicle of a Modern Utopia

by Cory Buckner (Author), Amy Inouye (Illustrator) – March 30, 2015
https://www.amazon.com/Crestwood-Hills-Chronicle-Modern-Utopia/dp/1626400245/ref=llvn-20

Shag Store Opens in L.A.

New store on Melrose September 2015

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Filed Under: ModCom Tribute Timeline Tagged With: Alan Hess, Disney, HCM, Lecture, ModCom, Modernism, Preservation

2010

January 1, 2010 by Futura Girl

Chairperson

Regina O’Brien, 2009-2015

Milestones in the Community

Meeting Locations

Event

The Sixties Turn 50

Nine month program with various events spotlighting iconic buildings of the 1960s including tours, panel discussions, online polls, and a mobile app.

Home Sixties Home

Tour of iconic tracts of MCM Homes across Los Angeles.
http://takesunset.com/2010/03/home-sixties-home-tour/

Advocacy:

Lincoln Place

Ralph A. Vaughn & Heth Warton, 1949-1951 concludes a ten year long effort to save this important Garden city apartment complex. Saved!

Johnnies Broiler

Downey coffee shop receives a LAC Preservation Award
https://www.laconservancy.org/locations/bobs-big-boy-broiler

Balboa Highlands

Successful HPOZ nomination of housing tract developed by Joseph Eichler. 108 Mid Century homes designed by A. Quincy Jones and Emmons as well as Claude Oakland. Nomination primarily written by Adriene Biondo.

Annual Holiday Party:

Clifton’s Cafeteria

Modern Master Awards:

  • Eldon Davis, AIA
  • William Krisel, FAIA
  • Dion Neutra, FAIA
  • Victor Newlove, AIA

Tangents

MAK Architecture Shulman Tour

Tour on the 100th birthday of renowned architecture photographer Julius Shulman, October 10, 2010. Featured modern residences shot over the course of his career: Lovell Health House (Richard Neutra, 1929), Gold House (R.M. Schindler, 1945), Kun House (Richard Neutra, 1936), Hillside House (Carl Louis Maston, 1948),  Shulman House (Raphael Soriano, 1950), and Gantert House (Pierre Koenig, 1981).

Stardust Las Vegas Closing

ModCom members meet to witness the last show in the showroom – Steve and Edye Gourmet.

stardust gang

Mondo Lounge III

Final Mondo Lounge event at the Palms Hotel October 10, 2010

Shag Store Opens

SHAG Store opens in Palm Springs. Cherry Capri finally introduces Alan Hess to SHAG on May 8, 2010

Knott’s Preserved: From Boysenberry to Theme Park, the History of Knott’s Berry Farm

by Christopher Merritt  (Author), J. Eric Lynxwiler (Author), Tony Baxter(Foreword) – June 1, 2010. ModCom friends gather at the Birdcage Theater to enjoy a slide show.
https://www.amazon.com/Knotts-Preserved-Boysenberry-Theme-History/dp/1883318777/ref=llvn-20

Southern California Eats 2

More of Southern California’s roadside eateries by John Eng and Adriene Biondo.

https://www.amazon.com/Southern-California-Eats-John-Eng/dp/0764336398/ref=llvn-20

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Filed Under: ModCom Tribute Timeline Tagged With: A.Quincy Jones, Alan Hess, Cherry Capri, Conference, Eichler, Exhibition, Las Vegas, Palm Springs, Palmer and Krisel, Richard Neutra, SHAG, Tour

2007

January 1, 2007 by Futura Girl

Chairperson

Adriene Biondo, 2005-2008

Milestones in the Community

  • Johnnie Broiler is illegally demolished and galvanizes the community towards preservation.

Meeting Locations

Advocacy

Johnnies Broiler

Downey coffee shop which was determined eligible for the California Register in 2002 is unceremoniously AND illegally demolished in the middle of the night. Efforts to rebuild go on through 2009.

Driftwood Dairy

Successful nomination of the drive-thru retail spot built in 1960-1961 in El Monte. Registered to the California Register of historic place in 2007-2008
https://www.laconservancy.org/locations/driftwood-dairy

Glen Luken’s House

Historic-Cultural Monument #866 in 2007
https://www.laconservancy.org/locations/glen-lukens-house

Tangents

Atomic Age Alliance

Preservation group founded in Las Vegas by ModCom member, Mary-Margaret and Cary Stratton and Palm Springs preservationists, Jay Nailor and MiShell Modern

(This is what this site has become!!!)

MAK Architecture Tour

The tour focused on the work of Archibald Quincy Jones (1913-1979) on October 6 – October 7, 2007. Featured Jones’s work on the groundbreaking cooperative community built for the Mutual Housing Association (MHA) in the Crestwood Hills area of Brentwood from 1946-1950. Seven homes opened for the tour, and Jones’ first work, his own home and studio in Laurel Canyon (1938, in partnership with Ruth Schneider), and St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church (1962) in Studio City. In addition, the tour featured The Lohrie House (Rodney Walker, 1947) and Bernheim House (Ray Kappe, 1961).

DSC00114 DSC00138

Mondo Lounge Atomic Frolic

Mondo Lounge event moves to the Thunderbird Hotel in Las Vegas and features many ModCom members.
http://www.mondolounge.com

mlaf (5) bop_swat1 bop_fezguys

A Prolific Year for ModCom ‘family’ Books

The Leisure Architecture of Wayne McAllister

Book written by Chris Nichols is published March 9, 2007
https://www.amazon.com/Leisure-Architecture-Wayne-McAllister-Nichols/dp/1586856995/ref=llvn-20

Shop America: Mid-Century Storefront Design, 1938-1950

by Steven Heller  (Author), Jim Heimann  (Editor) – March 12, 2007
https://www.amazon.com/Shop-America-Mid-Century-Storefront-1938-1950/dp/3822842699/ref=llvn-20

Los Angeles Neon

by Nathan Marsak (Author), Nigel Cox (Author) – July 1, 2007
https://www.amazon.com/Los-Angeles-Neon-Nathan-Marsak/dp/0764315420/ref=llvn-20

Riot on Sunset Strip: Rock’n’Roll’s Last Stand in Hollywood

by Domenic Priore  (Author), Arthur Lee (Foreword) – July 12, 2007
https://www.amazon.com/Riot-Sunset-Strip-RocknRolls-Hollywood/dp/1906002045/ref=llvn-20

Forgotten Modern: California Houses 1940-1970

by Alan Hess  (Author), Alan Weintraub (Photographer) – September 11, 2007
https://www.amazon.com/Forgotten-Modern-California-Houses-1940-1970/dp/1586858580/ref=llvn-20

Frank Lloyd Wright Mid-Century Modern

by Alan Hess  (Author), Alan Weintraub (Photographer) – October 23, 2007
https://www.amazon.com/Frank-Lloyd-Wright-Mid-Century-Modern/dp/0847829766/ref=llvn-20

Tiki Modern Hardcover

Sven A Kirsten 2007
https://www.amazon.com/Tiki-Modern-Sven-Kirsten/dp/3822847178/ref=llvn-20

SHAG With a Twist

Stage Ballet Show moves to Las Vegas
http://www.shagwithatwist.com

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Filed Under: ModCom Tribute Timeline Tagged With: Alan Hess, Atomic Age Alliance, Chris Nichols, Domenic Priore, FLW, Jim Heimann, Mary-Margaret Stratton, ModCom, Modernism, Mondo Lounge, Nathan Marsak, Tiki, Wayne McAllister

2006

January 1, 2006 by Futura Girl

Chairperson

Adriene Biondo, 2005-2008

Milestones in the Community

  • Palm Springs Modernism Show & Sale by Dolphin Promotions and an annual symposium is organized by the Palm Springs Art Museum’s Architecture and Design Council, showcase the world-renowned midcentury modern architecture of Palm Springs. This was an outgrowth of an earlier “20th Century” show that began in 2000.

Meeting Locations

Event

Spectacular Vernacular Tour

details

Advocacy

Capitol Records Building

HCM Nomination written by ____

The Foster Residence in Balboa Highlands

Successful HCM #848 nomination of Mid Century Modern home designed by A. Quincy Jones and Frederick Emmons. Nomination written by Mary-Margaret Stratton.

HCM 848 1

 

Mullen and Bluett building

1949 department store designed in great detail by Stiles O. Clements was demolished in 2006 alongside the 1936 Phelps-Terkel store by Morgan, walls and Clements.
https://www.laconservancy.org/locations/mullen-and-bluett-demolished

Tangents

MAK Architecture Tour

The 2006 fundraiser tour on October 1, 2006 featured houses by Modernist masters including Irving Gill, Frank Lloyd Wright, Rudolph Schindler, John Lautner and Pierre Koenig. It concentrated on residencies around the Hollywood Hills.

Americana the Beautiful: Mid Century Culture in Kodachrome

Coffee table book written by Charles Phoenix published in June 2006
https://www.amazon.com/Americana-Beautiful-Mid-Century-Culture-Kodachrome/dp/1883318548/ref=llvn-20

Oscar Niemeyer: Houses

by Alan Hess  (Author), Alan Weintraub  (Photographer) – May 16, 2006
https://www.amazon.com/Oscar-Niemeyer-Houses-Alan-Hess/dp/0847827984/ref=llvn-20

Organic Architecture: The Other Modernism

by Alan Hess  (Author), Alan Weintraub  (Photographer) – August 2, 2006
https://www.amazon.com/Organic-Architecture-Modernism-Alan-Hess-ebook/dp/1586858572/ref=llvn-20

Atomic Ranch: Design Ideas for Stylish Ranch Homes

by Michelle Gringeri-Brown  (Author), Jim Brown (Photographer) – August 29, 2006
https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Ranch-Design-Ideas-Stylish/dp/1423600029/ref=llvn-20

Eichler Network

The Eichler Network Newsletter changes its name to CA-Modern Magazine since 2006

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Filed Under: ModCom Tribute Timeline Tagged With: Alan Hess, Atomic Ranch, Charles Phoenix, Eichler, ModCom, Palm Springs, Preservation, Tour

2005

January 1, 2005 by Futura Girl

Chairperson

Adriene Biondo, 2005-2008

Milestones in the Community

Meeting Locations

Events

Curating the City: Wilshire Blvd

A self guided driving tour that includes six docent stops on October 2, 2005. The tour is instigated by Eric Lynxwiler and Kevin Roderick with help from Jane McNamara, Willian Deverell, Thomas S. Hines, Richard Longstreth, Merry Ovnick, Doug Suisman and Robert W. Winter. A companion book is produced called Wilshire Boulevard: Grand Concourse of Los Angeles by Kevin Roderick with research by J. Eric Lynxwiler. A Special Exhibit on MCM architecture on Wilshire Blvd. is mounted at Johnies with a book signing of Googie Redux by author Alan Hess.
https://www.amazon.com/Wilshire-Boulevard-Grand-Concourse-Angeles/dp/1883318556/ref=llvn-20

palumbo

Retro Fashion Show at El Rey Theater

Fashion Show featuring vintage evening, cocktail & daywear from the 1930’s – 60’s from the lines Peggy Hunt and Jeannette Alexander and three course tea. Produced in association with the Art Deco Society.

DSC02503 lineup3

Tangent:

Event: A Tiki Tour of Southern California”

Ad hoc tour produced by Mike Skinner (aka ZuluMagoo)

MAK Architecture Tour

Tour on October 2, 2005 included: Walker House (R.M. Schindler 1936), Wilson House (R.M. Schindler, 1935-38), Yates Studio (R.M. Schindler, 1938-47), Silvertop (John Lautner, 1957), Tierman House (Gregory Ain, 1939), Bubeshko Apartments (R.M. Schindler, 1938 and 1941), Schlessinger House (R.M. Schindler, 1952) Elliot House (R.M. Schindler, 1930) and Wolff House in Sherman Oaks (R.M. Schindler, 1938).

James Bond Theme Party

Party event produced by Cary and Mary-Margaret Stratton in an Eichler in Balboa Highlands that ends with a ninja shootout and fireworks in the pool.

DSC02220IMG_0904

Frank Lloyd Wright – The Houses

by Alan Hess  (Author), Alan Weintraub  (Photographer), – November 1, 2005
https://www.amazon.com/Frank-Lloyd-Wright-Houses-Alan/dp/0847827364/ref=llvn-20

The Ranch House

by Alan Hess  (Author), Noah Sheldon (Author, Photographer) – January 1, 2005
https://www.amazon.com/Ranch-House-Alan-Hess/dp/0810943468/ref=llvn-20

All Summer Long, Vol. 4: Dumb Angel

by Brian Chidester  (Author), Domenic Priore  (Author) – August 1, 2005
https://www.amazon.com/All-Summer-Long-Vol-Angel/dp/0977353206/ref=llvn-20

Shag: The Art of Josh Agle

by Josh Agle (Author), Colin Berry (Author), Billy Shire (Foreword) – August 11, 2005
https://www.amazon.com/Shag-Art-Josh-Agle/dp/081185096X/ref=llvn-20

Shag, Ltd: Fine Art Limited Editions, A Catalogue Raisonne

by Shag  (Author) – December 11, 2005
https://www.amazon.com/Shag-Ltd-Editions-Catalogue-Raisonne/dp/0867196467/ref=llvn-20

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Filed Under: ModCom Tribute Timeline Tagged With: Alan Hess, Cherry Capri, Exhibition, FLW, ModCom, Modernism, SHAG, Tiki, Tour

2004

January 1, 2004 by Futura Girl

Chairperson

Alan Lieb, 2001-2004

Milestones in the Community

  • ModCom is Twenty Years Old!
  • Atomic Ranch: Midcentury Marvels – A new magazine devoted entirely to ranch houses. Jim Brown, the publisher, and Michelle Gringeri-Brown, the editor
  • Panorama on Hollywood Blvd closes and is torn down.

DSC00022 DSC00051

Meeting Locations

Event

20-20-20: 20 years – 20 sites – 20 Bucks”

Tout that celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Modern Committee that included 20 sites for attendees to choose from over a weekend. vernacular buildings, formal residential architecture, industrial buildings, innovative commercial design, recreational architecture. Attendees also could purchase a limited edition of 200 prints – 13 color serigraph by SHAG called “L.A. Modern” with all proceeds benefitting ModCom.

Sites included:

  • Eames House – Mary-Margaret Stratton, Tour Captain
  • Casa de Cadillac –Jeff Stork, Tour Captain
  • Downey McDonalds – Tour Captain
  • First Modern Historic District – Tour Captain
  • Cinerama Dome – Tour Captain
  • Crestwood Hills development in Brentwood – Tour Captain
  • VDL Research House – Tour Captain
  • Mar Vista Tract Homes – Tour Captain
  • Pann’s Coffee Shop – Tour Captain
  • Raphel Soriano – Shulman House – Tour Captain

nathan - marymargaret- jack laxar - charlene - daniel debbie-mike-mm-eames-matt-adam-cindy DSC00416

Hobo Party

In Glendale

Holiday Party

Beverly Blvd.

Advocacy

Case Study House

Efforts to landmark begin. Peter Moruzzi begins to prepare a National Register multiple property nomination for the entire Case Study House Program. Eleven original dwellings remained in Los Angeles, San Diego and Ventura counties. Work by Charles Eames, Craig Ellwood, Pierre Koeing, Eero Saarinen, and Rodney Walker. Ten of them ended up being successfully nominated by 2013. The eleventh was owner opposed.

Friend Paper Company

Portions of the fabulous Modern commercial structure designed in 1964 by Smith & Williams and located on West Green Street, were saved from demolition due to Pasadena Heritage’s advocacy along with ModCom support

Tangents

Mondo Lounge Event “Where Cocktail Cultures Collide.”

A full day event on October 16, 2004 produced by Mary-Margaret Stratton included a vintage car rally and a conference and entertainment event that included many members of the Los Angeles Conservancy Modern Committee. Presentations by Charles Phoenix, Nathan Marsac, Eric Lynxwiler, Tony Merchell and Michael Palumbo.
www.mondolounge.com

10/16/04- Los Feliz-Shot at the first Mondo Lounge DAVID SPRAGUE-fezmen phoenix2

Googie Redux: Ultramodern Roadside

Book released October 7, 2004 by Alan Hess is a significantly expanded follow-up to the seminal book, Googie.
https://www.amazon.com/Googie-Redux-Ultramodern-Roadside-Architecture/dp/081184272X/ref=llvn-20

Getty Talks

Eric Lynxwiler and Charles Pheonix give talks at the Getty Museum

DSC00923 DSC00926

 

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Filed Under: ModCom Tour, ModCom Tribute Timeline Tagged With: A.Quincy Jones, Alan Hess, Atomic Ranch, case study, Eames, Googie, Julius Shulman, Mondo Lounge, Richard Neutra, SHAG

2000

January 9, 2000 by Futura Girl

Chairperson

Michael Palumbo, 1999-2001

Milestones in the Community

  • National Trust For Historic Preservation Conference – Conference held in Los Angeles. Several tracts on Modernism with participation by Modcom members. In addition a special 1 day bus tour version of the How Modern Was My Valley conducted by Mary-Margaret Stratton.
  • Dwell Magazine is launched.

Meeting Locations

  • El Paradiso ModCom Meeting
    modcom photo

Events

How Modern Was My Valley Two Day Tour

Tour – more info on website:
www.HowModernWasMyValley.com

valleytour_spread1

Mid Century Riverside Tour

Ad hoc, yet comprehensive self-driving tour of the greater downtown Riverside area on 9-30-2000. Produced by Daniel Paul. Coincides with the “Everyday Modernism Conference at UCR

Your Government in Glendale

Ad hoc walking tour produced by Laura Friedman. Laura later went on to become a Glendale city council member and mayor.

Advocacy

Holiday Bowl

Bowling alley designed by Armet and David 1958 becomes a long preservation battle – concludes in 2003.

Lincoln Place

Garden city apartment complex by Ralph A. Vaughn & Heth Warton, 1949-1951 become a ten year long effort to save. Efforts conclude in 2010.

August 14, 2014 marked the reopening of Lincoln Place, a historic 38-acre, 1951 garden apartment complex off Lincoln Boulevard in Venice.  thanks to Amanda Seward for her leadership as the ModCom residential committee chair and for her work on the California Register nomination.

www.laconservancy.org/gardenapartments

https://www.laconservancy.org/locations/lincoln-place

Tangents:

The Architecture of John Lautner

by Alan Hess  (Author), Alan Weintraub  (Photographer) – January 1, 2000
https://www.amazon.com/Architecture-John-Lautner-Alan-Hess/dp/0847822222/ref=llvn-20

Rancho Deluxe: Rustic Dreams and Real Western Living

by Alan Hess  (Author), Alan Weintraub  (Author)  – March 1, 2000
https://www.amazon.com/Rancho-Deluxe-Rustic-Dreams-Western/dp/0811824209/ref=llvn-20

MAK Architecture Tour

Sites included: Buck House (R.M. Schindler, 1934), DeKeyser House (R.M. Schindler, 1935), Dunsmuir Flats (Gregory Ain, 1937), Bonnet House (Richard Neutra, 1942), Fitzpatrick House (R.M. Schindler, 1936), Mackey Apartments (R.M. Schindler, 1939), Hailey House (Richard Neutra, 1958), Kallis House (R.M. Schindler, 1946), Kings Road House-Studio (R.M. Schindler, 1922), Shulman House and Studio (Raphael Soriano, 1950), Bergren Residence (John Lautner, 1951). And cocktails at Case Study House #22, designed by architect Pierre Koenig.

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Filed Under: ModCom Tribute Timeline Tagged With: Alan Hess, Armet and Davis, Conference, Dwell, Lautner, Mary-Margaret Stratton, Tour

1996

January 1, 1996 by Futura Girl

Chairperson

Peter Moruzzi, 1992-1997

Milestones in the Community

  • McDonald’s Corporation rededicates the Golden Arches Downey McDonalds and adds an historic museum to the site.
    mcdonalds 1996

Meeting Locations

Events

Society for Commercial Archeology Conference

Tour coincides with the Society for Commercial Archeology Conference at the Biltmore Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles. Four-day “Life in the Past Lane” conference is co-sponsored by the Automobile Club of Southern California. Over 200 people attend. Panels of historians, architects, preservationists and critics will tackle such topics as “The Four Level Stack as Los Angeles Icon,” “The Stucco Box,” and “Booze, Bread, MGM, Ham and Giant Dogs: The Emerging Urban Landscape of Washington Boulevard, 1920-1940.” Auto Club historian Matthew Roth speaks. Chris Nichols dances along to stock film footage of Los Angeles roads and streets during the decades that commercial archeologists most love–from the 1920s to the ’60s. John English, leads two bus tours Sat: San Gabriel Valley and Anaheim tour and Sun: Central Los Angeles

Advocacy

Bullock’s Pasadena

Ongoing preservation issue to save the Welton Beckett designed sprawling Pasadena Bullocks – now a Macy’s. A project that would completely surround the former Bullock’s Pasadena on South Lake Avenue. Modcommers worked in association with Pasadena Heritage. In an unforgettable moment of preservation activism, Michael Kiralla opens an umbrella up at the Pasadena City council meeting and claims: “It’s raining lies in Pasadena.” The issue dragged on for 2 years until success in 1998.

Van De Kamps headquarters

Modcom stages a rally at the Dutch revival headquarters in Glassel Park. The bakery closed in 1990 and the building became threatened. It becomes a HCM landmark in 1992, but is threatened with demolition.

Tangents

20th Century Tiki

Group show at La Luz de Jesus. Co-curated by Otto von Stroheim and Sven Kirsten that included the work of SHAG and the birth of pop surrealism when Mark Ryden showcases his definitive piece “Exotica.”

Car Hops and Curb Service: A History of American Drive-In Restaurants 1920-1960

by Jim Heimann March 1, 1996
https://www.amazon.com/Car-Hops-Curb-Service-Drive-/dp/0811811158/ref=llvn-20

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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Alan Hess, Auto Club, Googie, Lecture, Preservation, SCA, Tiki, Tour

1986

January 1, 1986 by Futura Girl

Chairperson

Tom Gardener, 1984-1987

Milestones in the Community

  • Alan Hess writes the book that will become the bible of the movement: Googie: Fifties Coffee Shop Architecture , released on February 1, 1986
    https://www.amazon.com/Googie-Fifties-Coffee-Shop-Architecture/dp/0877013349/ref=llvn-20
  • This same year Thomas Hines also writes Populuxe – the Look and Life of America in the ’50s and ’60S, from Tailfins and TV, release on January 1, 1986
    https://www.amazon.com/Populuxe-Thomas-Hine/dp/1567313167/ref=llvn-20

Meeting Locations

Events

Fifties Architecture: Exploring the Issues”

Lecture and panel discussion. Alan Hess moderated a discussion with John Lautner and Whitney R. Smith. A slide show is presented to acquaint the audience with examples of historic and threatened buildings.

Huell Howser Interviews

Huell performs oral history interviews with

  • Julius Shulman, Architectural photographer
  • Garrett Eckbo, Landscape architect
  • Edward Frank, furniture designer
  • Ray Kappe, architect
  • John Lautner, architect
  • Whitney Smith, architect

Advocacy

Tangents

Bowl-O-Rama: The Visual Arts of Bowling

The first influential “Recollectibles” book of many more to come is produced by H. Thomas Steele May, 1986
https://www.amazon.com/Bowl-O-Rama-Visual-Arts-Bowling-Recollectibles/dp/0896596079/ref=llvn-20

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Filed Under: ModCom Tribute Timeline Tagged With: Alan Hess, Garrett Eckbo, Googie, Huell Howser, Julius Shulman, Lautner, ModCom

Pre-1984

January 1, 1983 by Futura Girl

Milestones in the Community

  • In 1977, the recent past begins to become a preservation issue, eventually the Society for Commercial Archeology (SCA) primarily based in Boston shows the way to document recent past landmarks.
    http://sca-roadside.org/content/timeline
  • In January 1977, David Gebhard and Robert Winter write A Guide to Architecture in Los Angeles & Southern California. The book is later amended with editions in 1985, 1994 and 2003 that includes the ever increasing list of Modern architecture landmarks.
    1977 Edition
    1985 Edition
    1994 Edition
    2003 Edition
  • In 1981, SCA hosts a session at the National Trust for Historic Preservation annual meeting in New York, The Future of the Recent Past, along with a tour in Miami’s Art Deco District.
  • In 1981 The Museum of Neon Art (MONA) is founded to save historic kinetic neon signs in Los Angeles.

Tangents

Some of the other groups and/or individuals inspired by or whose work either piggybacked on the efforts of ModCom or worked in tandem in order to educate the general public about MCM Preservation include:

  • Alan Hess www.alanhess.net
  • American Institute of Architects Los Angeles www.aialosangeles.org/
  • Art Deco Society www.adsla.org
  • DaCamera Society has included concerts in MidMod landmarks by Ray Kappe, John Lautner and others. http://dacamera.org/
  • Frank Lloyd Wright Conservancy savewright.org or www.hollyhockhouse.net
  • Great Autos www.greatautos.org
  • MAK Center for Art and Architecture www.makcenter.org
  • PS ModCom www.psmodcom.org
  • Recent Past Preservation Network www.recentpast.org
  • SHAG www.shag.com

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Filed Under: ModCom Tribute Timeline Tagged With: Alan Hess, FLW, Great Autos of Yesteryear, MAK Center, ModCom, Modernism, MONA, SCA, SHAG

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