Atomic Age Alliance

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2012

by

Chairperson

Regina O’Brien, 2009-2015

Milestones in the Community

Meeting Locations

Events

Millard Sheets – a Legacy of Art & Architecture

Self Driving tour of significant works by Millard Sheets in Claremont and Pomona.

Annual Holiday Party:

DWP Headquarters

Modern Master Awards:

  • Betty Davenport Ford
  • John Svenson
  • A. Sarmiento, AIA
  • Howard Troller

Tangents:

Claremont Modern Symposium and Exhibition

Curated by David Shearer on September 27, 2012 Produced in association with Claremont Heritage
www.claremontheritage.org

Classic Dining: Discovering America’s Finest Mid-Century Restaurants

Book written by Peter Mouruzzi released on November 1, 2012
https://www.amazon.com/Classic-Dining-Discovering-Mid-Century-Restaurants/dp/1423607406/ref=llvn-20

Supersonic Swingers: Around the World with the Art of Shag

by “Shag”  (Author), Martin McIntosh (Author) – November 1, 2012
https://www.amazon.com/Supersonic-Swingers-Around-World-Shag/dp/0975107887/ref=llvn-20

Atomic Ranch Midcentury Interiors

by Michelle Gringeri-Brown  (Author), Jim Brown (Photographer) – March 1, 2012
https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Midcentury-Interiors-Michelle-Gringeri-Brown/dp/1423619315/ref=llvn-20

Southern California Out & About

The new, the wacky, and the absurd by John Eng and Adriene Biondo.
https://www.amazon.com/Southern-California-Out-About-John/dp/0764340719/ref=llvn-20

2010

by

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

2008

by

Chairperson

Adriene Biondo, 2005-2008

Alan Lieb, 2008-2009

Milestones in the Community

  • Dwell on Design Conference is launched. this conference later adds tours of Modern Homes to its offerings

Meeting Locations

Event

The ultimate Nichols wedding at historic Agua Caliente.

Advocacy

Lou Ehlers Cadillac

1955 car showroom designed by Stiles Clements Associates. One of the most significant automobile showrooms in the country. After a brief preservation effort, it was quickly demolished before advocacy could occur.
https://www.laconservancy.org/locations/lou-ehlers-cadillac-demolished

Tangents

MAK Architecture Tour

Tour produced in partnership with the Hammer Museum groundbreaking exhibition Between Earth and Heaven: The Architecture of John Lautner on view July 13-October 12, 2008 in Westwood, focused on the work of John Lautner. Included: Harpel Residence (1956), Tyler Residence (1953) Schwimmer Residence (1982) Jacobsen Residence (1947), Harvey Residence (1950) Reiner-Burchill Residence also known as Silvertop (1963) Sheats-Goldstein Residence (1963).

Shag: A-Z: A BLAB! Storybook

by Shag  (Author), Monte Beauchamp (Editor) – March 5, 2008

Havana Before Castro: When Cuba Was a Tropical Playground Perfect

by Peter Moruzzi– August 1, 2008
https://www.amazon.com/Havana-Before-Castro-Tropical-Playground/dp/1423603672/ref=llvn-20

Frank Lloyd Wright the Buildings

by Alan Hess  (Author), Alan Weintraub (Photographer), – October 21, 2008

2005

by

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

2004

by

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

 

2003

by

Chairperson

Alan Lieb, 2001-2004

Milestones in the Community

Hollywood Star Lanes Bowling Alley – filming site of the Big Lebowsky is torn down.

 

 

Meeting Locations

Event: “Built by Beckett Centennial Celebration”

Tour of buildings by Welton Beckett and Associates. Event also includes a presentation at Beckett designed Cinerama Dome. Members of the Beckett family are in attendance.

beckett-cinerama-GenaroMolinaLAT beckett2 beckett7 beckett10 beckett-slides2 beckett-interior-LAT

Download Tour Map as a PDF

Advocacy

Holiday Bowl

Designed by Armet and David in 1958 – part of a long preservation battle that concluded with the salvation of the coffee shop. The bowling alley is demolished.

Ambassador Hotel Presentation

Panel Discussion on preservation options

limo front-petenix coffeeshop fromaudience

Tangents:

Mondo Tiki and Mondo Vegas Tour

Mondo Tiki event at the Hard Rock Hotel and Mondo Vegas bus tour on Friday Night, April 18thconducted by MM Stratton and Eric Lynxwiler ended just in time for cocktails at 9PM at Taboo Cove (Designed by SHAG and ___at the Venetian. Highlights included: The Infamous Giant Aku Aku Moai from the Stardust Hotel, 1950s and 1960s Boulder Highway Googie motels, Neon Sign Museum at Fremont Street, 1955 National Register Moulin Rouge, Narrated History of Vegas and the Strip.

logo

Apartment Living is Great

Leslie Marlene Siegel produces an exhibit and book celebrating Los Angeles graphic dingbats at the Outre Gallery in Melbourne, Australia

Art Cars at the Petersen Museum

Event is introduced by Michael Palumbo, former ModCom chair

MAK Architectural Lovell Houses Tours

November 1, 2003 tour featured the two houses designed for Philip Lovell: Lovell Health House (Richard Neutra, 1929) and Lovell Beach House (R.M. Schindler, 1926).

Book of Tiki signing

Book signing at La Luz de Jesus Gallery and Wacko book store solidifies the important place of Tiki in preservation of Mid Century architecture and design

Southern California in the ’50s: Sun, Fun and Fantasy

Book by Charles Phoenix is published June 1, 2003
https://www.amazon.com/Southern-California-50s-Sun-Fantasy/dp/1883318491/ref=llvn-20

2001

by

Chairperson

Michael Palumbo, 1999-2001

Alan Lieb, 2001-2004

Milestones in the Community

  • Tiki Oasis – Otto Von Stroheim, a friend of the Modern Committee, begins to produce what will become an annual event that celebrates the Polynesian Pop culture in Southern California and abroad. It was first celebrated at the Caliente Tropics Motel in Palm Springs in 2001. Modern committee members and extended family who contributed included: Pete Moruzzi, Sven Kirsten, Kevin & Jody, Steve Luchsinger, Crazy Al, Bamboo Ben, Derek Yaniger, Mateo, Jim Giddings, Lee Joseph.
    http://www.tikioasis.com

Meeting Locations

Events

Silverlake Tour

A LAC ModCom tour of SilverLake is produced in collaboration with the Museum of Contemporary Art on May 5, 2001

3D L.A.: Modernism in Three Dimensions. The Stereo Photography of Jack Laxar 1953-1965

A 3-D slide show of mid-century buildings displayed in Downtown Los Angeles.

Tangents

Knotts Berry Farm Tour

Ad hoc tour of Knott’s Berry Farm took place on Saturday, June 23, 2001 produced by Mary-Margaret Stratton. Speakers included: Chris Merritt, Daniel Paul and Charles Phoenix.
http://new.lottalivin.com/events/past-lotta-events/knotts/

knotts_cover

MAK Architecture Tour

Tour on August 19, 2001 featured residences designed by architect R.M. Schindler: Gold House (Studio City, 1945), and Elliot House (Los Feliz, 1930)and Rodriguez House (Glendale, 1941).

All-American Ads of the 50s

by Jim Heimann  (Editor) – December 1, 2001
https://www.amazon.com/All-American-Ads-50s-Jim-Heimann/dp/3822811580/ref=llvn-20

ART OF SHAG: BOTTOMLESS COCKTAIL

by Shag
https://www.amazon.com/ART-SHAG-BOTTOMLESS-COCKTAIL-Shag/dp/0867195282/ref=llvn-20

Palm Springs Modernism Scene Explodes

Palm Springs Modern Committee

PS Modcom produces a comprehensive map to Modern Architecture

Alexander Weekend

Palm Springs Preservation Foundation (PS PF) produces an “Alexander Weekend” March 25-27

When Mod Went Mass: A Celebration of Alexander Homes

Palm Springs Historic Site Foundation produces a weekend of exclusive home tours November 2-4

Palm Springs Weekend: The Architecture and Design of a Midcentury Oasis

by Andrew Danish (Author), Alan Hess – April, 2001
https://www.amazon.com/Palm-Springs-Weekend-Architecture-Midcentury/dp/0811828042/ref=llvn-20

 

1997

by

Chairperson

Peter Moruzzi, 1992-1997

Milestones in the Community

Meeting Locations

Events

Cruising Industrial Los Angeles

Tour produced by Peter Mouruzzi which roughly follows the Los Angeles River and Major rails lines to discover the industrial backbone of Los Angeles. Stops include:

  • Sparkletts Water
  • Vernon Light and Power Plant

http://articles.latimes.com/1997/oct/03/local/me-38740

Advocacy

Grandma Prisbey’s Bottle Village Tour and Cleanup – check this date

Ad hoc tour of the folk art environment built between 1955 and 1983 in Simi Valley produced by Daniel Paul

Tangents

Modern Architecture in Palm Springs California, USA

A weekend Tour November 8 & 9 and Slide Show October 20. Produced entirely by Tony Merchell in conjunction with his presentation to the DOCOMOMO Conference in Germany. The tour becomes the foundation for future Palm Springs Modernism Advocacy.

1997 ps tramway gas station

SHAG Show

SHAG’s has his first solo gallery exhibition is in 1997. His seminal show “J is for Jetsetter” later in January 2001 at La Luz de Jesus Gallery at their original upstairs location on Melrose firmly cements the image of hip MidMod style in the arts community.

1994

by

Chairperson

Peter Moruzzi, 1992-1997

Milestones in the Community

  • Downey McDonald’s issue gets ModCom national exposure.
  • First Los Angeles Modern Show. Years later it was bought by Dolphin Promotions who produce the annual Palm Springs Modernism Show.

Meeting Locations

Event

Cruising PostWar Los Angeles

Self Driven tour produced by ______ and _____ of Mid Century Modern landmarks. Tour attracts more than 1000 attendees.

Advocacy

Downey McDonalds

Rallies and protests are created to garner public support to save the oldest standing Golden Arches. Chris Nichols dresses up as the original company mascot, Sir Speedy. John English dresses up at the new corporate mascot, Ronald McDonald. Ronald acts out stabbing Speedy to death. The building designed by Stanley Clark Meston and his assistant Charles Fish in 1953 gets front page coverage in the New York Times and the McDonald’s Corporation makes the decision to re-open the location.

CBS Television City

Fairfax District, Los Angeles (Saved)

Azusa McDonald’s

Original Asuza landmark was demolished

Wich Stand Coffee Shop

Ladera Heights coffee shop was  saved

Tangents

First Annual Tiki Mug Party

Party at Otto Von Stroheim’s home in Venice. Sven Kirsten meets SHAG for the first time.

Scram Magazine

In the era of “zines” one is produced by ModCom friend Kim Cooper with Nathan Marsak as one of the authors
https://www.amazon.com/Scram-Magazine-Family-Reynolds-Division/dp/B00BFLTXTC/ref=llvn-20

Pre-1984

by

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:

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