California Design opens this weekend

5 July 2013

Media release:
California Design opens this weekend

Auckland Art Gallery’s much anticipated exhibition, California Design, 1930–1965: Living in a Modern Way opens this Saturday (6 July) with a bumper programme of free events for visitors to embrace the Californian way of life.

Auckland Art Gallery Senior Curator Ron Brownson says, ‘For the first time in New Zealand California Design lets us discover and explore an incredible collection of California’s iconic design.

‘This show not only celebrates great furniture and architecture, but also playful items like Eames’ elephant, stunning vintage swimwear, and album covers showcasing the best design of the era. It includes everyday objects people used daily over the period and continue to influence our lives today.’

‘Supporting the exhibition we have New Zealand’s creatives, such as photographer Patrick Reynolds, artist and designer Dick Frizzell, and Fashion Museum founder Doris De Pont, talking on California Design and its influences in New Zealand.

‘Weekend talks, film screenings and Design Encounters are free – there is no excuse for missing out on seeing California Design this winter.‘

Sunday Design Encounters give visitors the chance to talk one-to-one with enthusiasts and get close to their private collections, while the AUT University Art & Design Talk Series gives insight into design, fashion, architecture and music from the period. For those looking for a typically relaxed California experience, the monthly Open Lates offer live music, guest talks and a pop-up bar offering drinks and a California-themed menu.

Highlights for July:

• Get insight into California’s most influential era at the California Design Curator’s Talk with Staci Steinberger of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art - 6 and 7 July at 1pm
• The film screenings kick off in fashion with designer Tom Ford’s directorial debut A Single Man, introduced by film-maven Misha Kavka - 6 July at 3pm
• What’s the connection between the world of Walt Disney and California Modern? Find out more at Gregory Bennett’s talk, part of the AUT University Art & Design Talk series - 14 July at 3pm
• Join legendary surfer and surfboard shaper Roger Hall and discover the progression of longboard style from vintage to modern day - 14 July from 12 – 2pm
• See rare Crown Lynn pieces and learn more about New Zealand’s most collectible ceramics thanks to writer and collector Valerie Monk - 12 July from 12 - 2pm
• Relax to the Circling Sun jazz band, grab an LA Dog from our California-themed menu and hear World designer Benny Castles talk on Eames at our Open Late event - 23 July from 6 - 9pm (tickets $20 and under)
• Learn more about the California ‘Look’ and its influence on New Zealand fashion with Fashion Museum director Doris De Pont - 28 July, 1pm
• Meet Driss Lasmbaraa of Tango vintage clothing, peruse his treasures and discover vintage California style – 28 July, 12 – 2pm.

The full programme of events is available online at www.aucklandartgallery.com.

California Design features over 250 objects, including furniture, textiles, fashion, graphics, domestic design, ceramics, jewellery, metalwork, architectural drawings and film. The exhibition was organised by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Supporting the exhibition in its tour to Auckland are local event partners Mercedes-Benz NZ, AUT University and Bauer Media Group’s HOME magazine along with Matisse, JB Were, New Zealand Institute of Architects and Resene.

California Design, 1930–1965: Living in a Modern Way runs from 6 July to 29 September 2013. Adult single tickets are $15 (concessions available). Open Late tickets are $20 and under.

California Design Ticket information

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