Palm Springs Modernism Week- Event highlights-
The offerings this year of mid-century themed events, forums, and general fun activities in Palm Springs for 
Modernism Week is rich and abundant, as usual. To further spice up this year many new retail design-focused mod style storefronts have opened their doors with enticing objects! They further excite and entreat strolling on Palm Canyon in the famed Uptown District, to make this perhaps an even more exciting year for modernism enthusiasts who also like to do a bit of mod-shopping between films and forums. The Palm Springs Uptown District now looks the perfect stage for Mod and is!
The Paul Kaplan Group just received the schedule of films and forums being presented by our friends at Design Onscreen 4th Annual Archituree and Design Film Series. A variety of subjects will be covered, relating to general architecture, cultural interest and abundant offerings for mid-century aficionados, as part of the celebration of Modernism Week, February 19th to the 22nd.
Donald Wexler
Where to begin, in some cases, it’s a who’s who of the protean influencers with something extra on top, as in, let’s have lunch with Donald Wexler the ultra-innovative designer (pioneer in the use of steel) and the director, Jake Gorst of the film being presented, “Journeyman Architect: The Life and Work of Donald Wexler.” Take a stroll on Palm Canyon Boulevard in the Uptown District, and then take in the film “with gorgeous cinematography”, “Modern Tide: Midcentury Architecture on Long Island” heralding and highlighting the influence of the post-war greats (Albert Frey, Frank Lloyd Wright, Philip Johnson, to name a few) focused on Long Island, New York’s architectural gems. THEN, top this off with a reception at TRIO with the director.
William Krisel
For Alexander construction fans, make space in your calendar to view the film and the rare opportunity to have lunch with William Krisel “who brought modernism to the masses”. The documentary will be of particular interest to any who are not in-depth familiar with his 1930’s roots in China or critical review commentaries by his peer group.
If you’re interested in socio/cultural complexities of designing and building massive public projects, take in the film “Bird’s Nest” a Palm Springs premiere on the design and construction of Beijing’s 100,000 seat National Stadium. Also insightful culturally, is the film “Unfinished Spaces” which portrays three ambitious young architects against the backdrop of Castro’s early regime, an artistic peak, then languishing; but promises a full circle closure to a new peak attained in our current time. We are inspired by happy endings.
Another Palm Springs premiere, “John Portman: A Life of Building”, “an intimate portrait”, who can resist! There are another dozen, all of equal merit or interest to us; we will make more room on our calendar!
We look forward to seeing you at these events. Tickets sell out quickly so best to plan in advance if you would like to attend any of these offerings.
DESIGN ONSCREEN & Palm Springs Modernism Week
2012 Architecture and Design Film Series February 19-22
Curtis Anderson Firecliff. El Paseo
George Zander Rincon Nortendo; Indio
Donna Chaban-Delmas The Cliff House.
Christine Crawford Felix El Gallito – Cathedral City
Roger Freedman La Tablita, Cathedral City.
Gerry Wendel Ditto Roger’s pic… La Tablita rocks!
Liz Malinka just ate at Guillermos the other night, it was outstanding! Most of the other places just season for seniors IMHO
Chris Miller The Venue for sushi on El Paseo, Rincon Norteno for Mexican and Cirros for Pizza in Indio
