Mid-Century Modern Delights

It was time for a thoroughly modern morning in Palm Springs as Modernism Week continued under picture perfect blue desert skies. No stuffy lectures here, as participants gathered outside to join a bike tour through a couple of the swankiest neighborhoods in town.

Hot Purple Energy, a solar energy company headed up by a couple of rock and roll hipster-type guys, set up the free bike tour. Nate and David are seen a lot around town with their mobile solar "trash can" bringing free power to events. 

There's no question these guys are in business to make a buck, but they tend to give a lot away too. When I asked how much the t-shirts were stacked in a pile at the registration table, I got a smirk in response. As if! "They're free," said Nate, one of the co-owners. "It's not all about money." Alrighty then, point taken!

So off we went, some of us in our free t-shirts, led by Nate and David, peddling through the quiet back streets in the areas of Smoketree Village, Murray Canyon Drive, Canyon Estates, Twin Palms, and Sagebrush. 

The neighborhoods are filled with delightful examples of mid century modern designs showcasing elegantly simple architecture with low pitched and arched roofs, floor to ceiling glass windows, many brightly colored doors adding a splash of color to the exterior clean lines and earth tones, and perfectly sculptured lawns and trees with every potted plant a statement in itself. 

I also saw one particular home with drought friendly landscaping of colored rocks forming mosaic like designs. Clever and beautiful! 

              

I was bringing up the rear, so I missed out on any of Nate or David's knowledge of the area, but I'm pretty sure we saw a Richard Neutra house, and probably a couple Donald Wexler's.                                                                                               About halfway through the ride, we got off our bikes for an exterior tour of a fabulous example of a renovated home evoking true mid century modern design.                                                                                                                                             Aside from the de rigeur clean architectural lines, the home is exquisitely decorated with every single item a piece that adds to the modern motif.                      

The only thing missing were martinis and Frank Sinatra.                                                                     

Adding to the chic charm of the modest compound, was one of the cutest casitas I've ever seen.  

The bike tour was a great way to tour the neighborhoods, and really feel the essence of the design. Of course, now I'm going to have to go back in my car - to get all the photos I didn't stop to take for fear of losing the group. There's something to be said for being at the head of the pack. 

Celebrating Joyful Sculptures

Artist Gesso Cocteau is a vision herself, before even getting to her art. I first met her a few years ago when I was producing a story for a CBS affiliate. 

We had a lovely afternoon strolling her garden filled with her sculptures, and then later watching her work in her studio. Her work is curiously compelling, and evokes the emotional intensity of the human spirit in a minimalist, pure form. 

For the past 20 years she’s been working primarily with bronze. Joy, jubilation, love, desire, grief and despair are all present in her work.

An Indian Wells resident, she’s has been showing in galleries since the late seventies, with her work evolving from drawings in pen and ink, to painting, to fabricated steel sculptures. In 1990 she began focusing on casting in bronze, evolving toward a celebration of the human form. 

“I want my sculptures to be a language that becomes the tangible expression of thought, to reflect my own life’s journey,” says Cocteau. “The truth that lives in the posture of the body is what becomes evident, a truth that reflects the condition of the human spirit.”

Her monumental works include a 51-ft. cast bronze, Endless Celebration, the tallest standing cast bronze sculpture in America, installed in Bellevue, Washington, and a 20 ft. cast bronze Dragon commissioned by Don Brownstein and installed in Los Angeles, California. 

Some of her many commissions, aside from major private collectors, include Hard Rock Cafes in Rome, Berlin, Niagara Falls, Boston, Cleveland,  and Orlando. When I was in Rome this past year, it was cool to see her work in the Café windows.  

Her show, “20 Years of Bronze,” is currently at Classic Art Gallery, 73-399 El Paseo in Palm Desert. 

Check out her website at www.gessococteau.com.