We climbed the stately staircase of the Palm Springs Museum, with its Sputnik chandelier, to view an exhibit of Julius Shulman's Palm Springs architectural photography.
It's been a real treat to encounter Julius (shown in his home studio) at several L.A. ModCom events. Julius successfully combined art and commerce over a long and somewhat improbable career. He was early-on the house photog for architect Richard Neutra, which turned out to be a good gig. To say that they don't make 'em like Julius anymore is a vast understatement.
Blurry photo of panel includes Alan Hess, an accomplished architectural writer who specializes in West Coast modernism. The curator of the show who made the documentary sits next to Julius.
Julius's photo of Pierre Koenig's Case Study House #22, Stahl House, is acknowledged as his most iconic shot and a powerful, defining image of Los Angeles.
Julius' heartstopping photo of Neutra's 1946 Palm Springs winter home for Pittsburgh department store magnate Edgar Kaufman (summer home: Fallingwater). Shulman took the exposure over a time frame of 45 minutes, manipulating the light sources for bewitching effect. He posed Mrs. Kaufman "relaxing" on a platform to block a glaring swimming pool light that jeopardized his shot. Everything was intuitive; he worked without a light meter.
Neutra's Kaufman house viewed from the street.
Light, elegant, airy and poetic home.
Amazing landscaping surrounds the building.
On the left , the homeowner who lovingly restored Kaufman house over the past 15 years, undoing at great expense damage wrought by Barry Manilow and other prior owners. The man-in-black is ModCom buddy Tony Merchell.
Orphan looking for a home. Please take me in.
Tony toured me on "desert modern," i.e., mid-century modern architecture in Palm Springs. He is a foremost expert.
Lovely and organic, fits pleasingly into its natural environment.
Cool house despite ugly lantern in front.
Cute modern home in a low-rent neighborhood.
"The Elvis House." Elvis Presley gyrated at his own parties here.
Nice line-up of modern homes.
A bit of Japonais influence on this one.
Someone puh-lease buy me this house.
It sits on a hill with a view of Palm Springs stretching below.
Julius' 1957 photo of Palmer Kriesel Twin Palms home! During the Q&A, Julius said: "No one cares about architecture. Everyone cares about Mrs. Kriesel's great legs!" And there she was, sitting in the audience, now an old lady.
