Modernism Week, the highly anticipated annual event highlighting the Mid-Century treasures of Palm Springs, returns February 17-27. This month’s festival includes a rich slate of events featuring the stunning modern architecture, landscapes, art and interiors that make our desert city a worldwide destination.
To many design enthusiasts across the country and around the world, Palm Springs Modernism Week is the calendar highlight of the year. Symposiums, home and walking tours, shows and parties fill the 11-day festival. All events are open to the public, and tickets and information are available at modernismweek.com.
“Attending Modernism Week is like going to a great reunion where you get to connect annually with fellow design and architecture enthusiasts from all over the world. It’s really exciting to see how much MW has grown over the years, signaling a huge interest in Palm Springs Modernism as well as California Modernism in general,” said Jason Stein, Director of Modern Decorative Art & Design for Bonhams Auction.
Modernism Week Executive Director Lisa Vossler Smith reflects, “One of the most exciting things Modernism Week offers our participants is the ability to tour stunning Mid-Century Modern spaces that are normally not accessible to the general public.” Modernism Week 2022
tours will feature modernist homes in 25 iconic desert neighborhoods and include the architectural works of famed Mid-Century architects William F. Cody, John Lautner, and A. Quincy Jones.
Architectural tours will also extend into Los Angeles, to incorporate iconic Richard Neutra buildings, including Neutra’s own self-designed 1932 home (2/20, 2/27), as well as six additional Neutra homes, many located in his beloved Silverlake neighborhood.
Celebrity-owned home tours are always popular, and visitors this year will be able to experience Frank Sinatra’s “Twin Palms” estate (2/23) and the homes of golden-age screen actors William Holden (2/20) and Kirk Douglas (2/23). The iconic Albert Frey house will be open for 30-minute self-guided tours throughout the week (2/17-27), hosted by the Palm Springs Museum.
VERA NEUMANN: THE ART AND LIFE OF AN ICON, WITH SUSAN SEID AND TRINA TURK
“Her use of color and the offhand exuberance of her paintings create an unmistakable signature look that places her patterns in league with iconic print houses like Marimekko or Pucci.”
Trina Turk — Fashion Designer and Businesswoman
Vera Neumann, the prolific designer, successful businesswoman and groundbreaking marketer known as “Vera,” will be featured in the symposium “Vera: The Art and Life of an Icon.” (2/24)
Neumann believed that all women, regardless of income, should have access to objects of beauty.
Born in 1907, the designer and noted businesswoman was influenced by the Modernist movement, specifically the designers of the Bauhaus. Vera produced more than 8,000 designs over her lifetime, and is well known for her colorful and patterned fabrics which have been made into sheets, table linens and dishware. She is most famous for her iconic silk scarves, decorated with Vera’s distinctive hand-painted designs, which generations of American women collected with passion and treasured for a lifetime. “Vera’s optimistic designs have always inspired us here at Trina Turk. Her use of color and the offhand exuberance of her paintings create an unmistakable, signature look that places her patterns in league with iconic print houses such as Marimekko or Pucci,” said Trina Turk, fashion designer and businesswoman Palm Springs doyenne Trina Turk turns her discerning eye and intellect to the exploration of this female trailblazer. Turk partners with Susan Seid, owner of the Vera company since 2003, to tell the story of an iconic 20th Century American designer. An elegant sunset cocktail reception for a limited number of guests at Trina Turk’s historic Palm Springs home will be held that same evening. The reception requires a separately purchased ticket.
PALM SPRINGS MODERNISM SHOW AND SALE:
The 21st annual Palm Springs Modernism Show and Sale (and 4th annual Modern Design Expo) will return February 18-21. Exhibitor Robert Sommers of Blue Heron Gallery reflects that “the quality and importance of the show has raised considerably since its inception and it continues to be one of the most important 20th Century design shows in the United States.” Featuring over 90 national and international exhibitors, the venerable show is known for its rich offering of rare examples of art and design, representing all design movements of the 20th Century.
The show’s glittery opening night cocktail party is a do-not-miss social event and exclusive buying experience. Proceeds from opening night benefit Modernism Week, a non-profit organization. Regular show admission includes dual access to the Modern Design Expo show and a complimentary show catalog. Hours for both shows are Saturday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sunday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Valet parking is offered on Saturday and Sunday in addition to standard parking.