MODERNISM WEEK 2014
11-Day Festival Celebrates Cool, Iconic, Modern, Palm Springs
THIS SIGNATURE FEBRUARY EVENT IS AN ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF MID-CENTURY MODERN DESIGN, ARCHITECTURE, ART, FASHION & CULTURE
photo: David A. Lee, courtesy of Modernism Week
The exciting 11-day festival will take place February 13-23, 2014 in the greater Palm Springs area.
It features more than 100 events including the Signature Home Tours, films, lectures, Premier Double
Decker Architectural Bus Tours, Modernism Show, nightly parties and live music, walking and bike
tours, a Prefab Showcase and Modern Living Expo, tours of Sunnylands, vintage fashion, classic cars,
garden tours, a vintage travel trailer exhibition, and more.
“Modernism Week is one of the
country’s most popular annual
events for architects, designers,
collectors, and modernism aficionados,” says Board Chairman,
Chris Mobley. “It’s a great opportunity to share the cool, iconic,
modern design aesthetic of
Palm Springs with visitors from
around the world.”
Programming highlights include
the Premier Double Decker Bus
photo: David A. Lee, courtesy of Modernism Week
Architectural Tours running four
times daily; the return of speaker
Charles Phoenix at the Annenberg Theater (2/15); tours of the Annenberg Estate at Sunnylands;
the popular Modernism Show at the Palm Springs Convention Center (2/14-17); a Vintage Fashion
Show at Hilton Palm Springs (2/16); and an expanded exhibition at the Prefab Showcase and additional designers in the Modern Living Expo (both weekends).
The popular lecture and film series, which continues to draw sell-out crowds, will debut a film on
legendary architect and Palm Springs resident, Hugh Kaptur. Kaptur, who designed more than 200
residences and 40 commercial projects locally, will also be added to the famed Palm Springs Walk
of Stars with a ceremony and reception on Thursday, February 20.
On Saturday, February 22 the Palm Springs Art Museum’s Architecture and Design Council will
offer their annual Symposium and Tour, this year titled: Sand and Sea – Modernism in Palm Springs
and Sarasota. The full-day program will explore architectural similarities between Palm Springs and
Sarasota, Florida; both recognized for their large concentration of mid-century buildings. Sarasota
appealed to northern dwellers as a resort for its mild winters, much like Palm Springs. The concentration of Sarasota’s modern architecture, designed by such architects as Paul Rudolph, Ralph
Twitchell, and Victor Lundy, was named the Sarasota School, yet Palm Springs’ architecture does
not have the distinction of a named school. Following lunch in the sculpture garden, symposium
participants who have purchased tickets for the entire day will board motor coaches for an interior
view of some outstanding examples of Palm Springs architecture. A cocktail reception will conclude
the day at the final home on the tour.
A new event for the 9th Annual Modernism Week is a Sunset Tour of Illuminated Modern, a nightly
exhibition along Palm Canyon Drive that showcases a selection of specially illuminated contemporary and mid-century buildings designed by prominent desert architects. Danish Modern and
influences from modern eras in Chicago and Hawaii will also be found as organizers pay homage
to modernism across the globe.
Event organizers have responded to positive public feedback from 2013 survey results by adding
more options for evening entertainment. A new and exciting series of events dubbed “Modernism
Week After Dark” will be introduced to the line-up in 2014. Special nightly events will be planned
and released for sale on the website over the coming months. Tickets to the first special event
were released on October 1 for the popular Opening Night party, which serves as the official start
of Modernism Week on Thursday, February 13. Guests will be entertained at a festive “Modern
Mambo” extravaganza at Caliente Tropics, built in 1964. A fabulous variety of music, food and
flavors of the tropics will be enjoyed by more than 300 guests expected to attend the “hottest” party
west of Havana. Additional Modernism Week After Dark events will occur throughout the week
including cocktail parties at stylish hotels; multiple music clubs and venues featuring live bands,
deejays and dancing; and a special “Party at the Prefabs” to allow visitors to experience the beautifully appointed prefab model homes showcased like glowing lanterns when lit up in a lively party
atmosphere after dark.
Modernism Week will draw to a close on Sunday, February 23 with a very special appearance and talk
given by world-renowned designer Trina Turk. Known for her unique Palm Springs-inspired designs,
Trina Turk will present “Sunnylands Chic” at the Rancho Mirage Library discussing her insight on the
iconic style of Leonore Annenberg and the Annenberg Estate at Sunnylands. An exclusive meet-andgreet cocktail reception will be held at Sunnylands Center and Gardens in Rancho Mirage immediately
following the lecture. Guests will enjoy visiting with Trina Turk in the beautifully refined setting, impeccably designed by Los Angeles-based architect Frederick Fisher. Participants will have the unique
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