Palm Springs, California is one of those rare places defined by an exceptional aesthetic, and the entire Coachella Valley celebrates the region’s mid-century modern heritage. Its look and style are so closely related to the Rat Pack that driving down Route 111 to a Sinatra-dominated playlist may be retro, but more fashionable today than it was when it launched some 75 years ago. Pushing modernism into the 21st century while complementing the iconic Palm Springs ambience, adjacent to the Imago Gallery in Palm Desert.
Imago Galleries, located just south of El Paseo, Palm Desert’s trendy shopping district, initially appeared as a sophisticated oversized residence, a sleek, minimalist expression of modern architecture suited to the sparse desert landscape. Highlighted in the second-floor corner display window is a sculptural chandelier by glass master Dale Chihuly, whose vibrant tentacles make the piece particularly striking when illuminated at night. “Glass corner windows were designed for Chihuly’s stunning ‘Desert Grass Chandelier with Golden Tendrils’, and Dale customized the space with sunlight and chartreuse, his favorite colors,” says Imago owner Leisa Austin to the artist’s spectacular work.
Austin is a longtime friend and advocate of Chihuly’s work, and one of the Imago Galleries’ most memorable exhibits is the 2017 display of Chihuly’s sculptures, which showcase a fragile explosion of color throughout the hotel, from the interior gallery to the expansive garden and reflecting pool. “Our relationship with Chihuly dates back to 1987, and we’ve had nearly 20 exhibitions with him over the past 30 years,” Austin reports.
Imago Galleries was established in Palm Springs in 1991 and moved into its current 18,000-square-foot building in Palm Desert in 1999. Austin reports that imago is a Latin derivative with many meanings, but “imagination” or “dream” is her preferred translation. “I’m as passionate about architecture as it is art, and Richard Meier is at the top of my list,” Austin said, pointing to the famous architect as an inspiration for the building’s interior.
“I call the exterior style ‘Desert Industrial,’ with a bold scale but enough to complement the environment,” Austin said, reporting that this is Palm Desert’s first contemporary project. “It was sited to take advantage of the magnificent 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains, majestic palm trees and valley floor lights,” explained the gallery owner, adding that “the sunset from the second-floor terrace is amazing.”
Austin, who lives on the second floor, can regularly enjoy those sunsets as someone who brings her work home, and in its 9,500 square feet of indoor-outdoor living space, artists Ed Ruscha, James Rosenquist, Dennis Hopper and Ed Moses . In addition to paintings and sculptures, the room features important pieces such as the classic Mies van der Rohe leather and chrome chairs from her library, and Jonathan Borofsky’s chandeliers that hang over the Armani/Casa dining table.
During its 30-year history, Imago Galleries has hosted exhibitions for famous modern artists such as Ruscha, Tom Wesselmann, Mel Ramos, Peter Halley, Jennifer Bartlett, William Wegman and Robert Graham, to name a few. Automakers such as Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Porsche appreciate the beauty of the venue, and the stylish setting is also in demand by fashion shows, weddings and non-profit events.
Every February, neighboring Palm Springs celebrates its unique architectural heritage through Modernism Week, attracting designers, architecture enthusiasts and collectors from around the world. Architectural tours, workshops, film screenings and receptions in typical mid-century modern buildings inspire professionals and homeowners alike. Aside from the celebrity-filled Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, nothing brings so many hipster visitors to the desert like Modernism Week.
Lisa Vossler Smith volunteered for the inaugural event in 2006 and has been Executive Director of Modernism Week since 2013. Modernism Week has grown steadily as local residents and organizations increasingly dedicated themselves to celebrating the architectural heritage of their cities. 2020 has been a lost year for most cultural institutions, but thanks to the luck of the calendar, Modernism Week has not been affected. Because it happened just weeks before the pandemic-induced lockdown, Smith was able to report, “In 2020, we drew a record 162,000 attendees, setting the stage for a 15th anniversary celebration.” Virtual in February 2021 Following the event and a limited in-person event in April the following year, Smith expects healthy populations to reconvene in the desert city on February 17-27, 2022.
In addition to our society’s heightened awareness of architecture – Smith points out that the emergence of architectural tourism as a powerful driver in the hospitality industry – Modernism Week has simply become fashionable. “A big part of our growth is the popularity of Palm Springs and the ‘cool factor’ that the city enjoys,” Smith noted, adding, “There’s nothing like coming to the desert and living in Frank Sinatra’s It’s cooler in the house.”
As it has grown, the annual event has become more inclusive, no longer constrained by the strict parameters of mid-century modernism. “We realized that our conversations had gone beyond mid-century as the work of many designers during this period continued to evolve,” Smith said. For example, she points out that the 1970s and 1980s, an era sometimes overlooked by architectural historians, led to major movements in postmodernism, brutalism and mega-architecture.
The geographic reach of Modernism Week also extends beyond the city limits of Palm Springs, and Smith reports that for the 2022 event, hiking tours will be offered near Shadow Mountain in Palm Desert, very close to the Imago Gallery. In addition, events are scheduled throughout the year, including recently launched tours that offer more intimate guided tours for architecture enthusiasts who prefer to avoid the crowds.
Smith advises, “Photography is the way most people experience significant architecture, and while they may never see it in person, they are familiar with it from photographs and films.” Thus, Modernist Zhou favored those who brilliantly capture the Middle Ages A tribute to photographers of the essence of modern architecture, especially Julius Shulman. “But in Palm Springs, people can walk down the street and see the details for themselves,” said Smith, who calls the city an “accessible archive.”
While earlier versions of Modernism Week tended to appeal to baby boomers, current attendees include new or aspiring homeowners looking for inspiration, Smith reports, noting that pop culture like Mad Men has created a new craze By. “There’s clearly a sense of nostalgia among baby boomers, but we’re finding younger homebuyers are also drawn to the simpler, minimalist lifestyle these homes offer,” the conservationist said.
Leisa Austin of Imago Galleries has a lifelong passion for mid-century modern architecture, inspired by her contractor father and some surprisingly noteworthy buildings in her home state of Oklahoma. “I started buying mid-century furniture in the late ’80s, and the collection now includes pieces by Florence Knoll, Milo Baughman, Paul Frankl, Noguchi, Mies van der Rohe and Le Corbusier,” she explains, along with contemporary furniture Philippe Starck, Brands like Armani and Pucci.
Currently on view at the Image Gallery for what could be Modernism Week, Frank Sinatra’s oft-overlooked but striking abstract art is iconic of mid-century modern figures like Schindler or Noble itra. “Most people don’t realize that he was a man of many talents and a very gifted painter,” Austin reports.
