Foothill Moderns
DATE: February 16, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EXHIBIT CELEBRATES MID-CENTURY MODERN
ARCHITECTURE OF SUNLAND/TUJUNGA, CA FEATURING HOMES
BY INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED ARCHITECTS
Foothill Moderns: Innovative Architecture in Mid-Century Sunland/Tujunga
March 10—August 28, 2007
At Bolton Hall Museum, 10110 Commerce Ave., Tujunga, CATUJUNGA—Bolton Hall
Museum presents a new exhibit exploring the Mid-Century Modern architecture of
the Los Angeles foothill community Sunland/Tujunga. Foothill Moderns: Innovative
Architecture in Mid-Century Sunland/Tujunga, at Bolton Hall Museum in Tujunga,
from March 10—August 28, 2007, pays tribute to the innovative architecture
of internationally renowned architects and explores their daring clients who enthusiastically
embraced their vision and the iconoclastic spirit of the time.
What is Mid-Century Modern? Who built these avant-garde homes? Who were the people
daring enough to live in them? Foothill Moderns: Innovative Architecture in Mid-Century
Sunland/Tujunga will explore world-class Atomic Age architects who built unique
structures in Sunland/Tujunga. Richard Neutra, Pierre Koenig, John Lautner and
Eugene Weston are some of the well-known names who introduced radical new ideas
in floor plan, materials and energy-efficiency through their work for local clients.
Their experimental designs influenced countless imitators, among them, Victor
Sease, infamous local developer of Tujunga’s Manzanita Slope Development
and Descanso Tract.
Foothill Moderns: Innovative Architecture in Mid-Century Sunland/Tujunga will
provide an historical glimpse into Sunland/Tujunga’s mid-century built environment
through vintage and contemporary photographs, architectural plans and drawings
of private residences, commercial structures and public buildings. Advertising
from home design magazines and home furnishings from the period will showcase
the modernist lifestyle and aesthetic. A photo-narrative of a former childhood
resident will provide a personal account of what life was like in modern Sunland/Tujunga.
Highlights from the exhibit include photographs by celebrated photographer Julius
Shulman whose iconic images helped to define modern architecture.
—More —
The exhibit kicks off on Saturday, March 10, at 1:00 p.m. with the presentation
Preserving the Spirit: Mid-Century Modern Homes in a New Century by Los Angeles-based
writer Joseph Mailander who writes on architecture and urbanism. Mr. Mailander
will present an overview of the Mid-Century Modern style and show images of floor
plans and restoration work. How best to recapture the spirit of the original architect’s
vision when undertaking a home renovation will be examined. Admission is free;
seating is limited.
In conjunction with the exhibit, the 12th Annual Sunland/Tujunga Historic Home
and Garden Tour will feature a newly-restored Descanso Tract home. Constructed
in the “post-and-beam” style, this home features signature Modernist
elements such as strong horizontal planes, a flat roof, exposed structural members
and floor–to–ceiling windows. Cork flooring and native landscaping
(currently in the process of installation) demonstrate the environmentally-sensitive
concerns of this architectural movement. This year's tour is Sunday, May 6, from
10:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.; tickets are available through Bolton Hall in advance
and on the morning of the tour. Unfortunately, the residence is not accessible
to wheelchairs or strollers.
Items on display in the exhibit include: Photographs from the Julius Shulman Photography
Archive of the Research Library at the Getty Research Institute (© J. Paul
Getty Trust. Used with Permission); Photographs of historic Tujunga from the archives
of the Little Landers Society and Oviatt Library of California State University,
Northridge and digitally reproduced by the San Fernando Valley Issues Digital
Library; Photographs by James Reed of homes by Eugene Weston from the personal
collection of Eugene Weston.
This exhibit was organized by Foothill Moderns, a group of local residents committed
to providing education and resources to those interested in the rich Mid-Century
Modern architectural heritage of this eclectic community.
Foothill Moderns: Innovative Architecture in Mid-Century Sunland/Tujunga, March
10—August 28, 2007 at Bolton Hall Museum, 10110 Commerce Ave., Tujunga,
CA. Admission is free. Hours: Sun & Tues: 1 – 4 p.m., 2nd Sat of the
month: 1 – 4 p.m. Open by appointment for Group Tours. Bolton Hall Museum:
(818) 352-3420. http://foothillmoderns.blogspot.com# # #Note to Editors: Images
available on request.
MEDIA CONTACT: Ani Benglian
(818) 523-0128
abenglian@earthlink.net