Modernism Week, which took place this year February 14 through 24, was founded in 2006 to celebrate the city of Palm Springs‘ rich concentration of midcentury buildings and neighborhoods, and to help raise awareness of ongoing historic preservation efforts.
Over the past 13 years, it draws crowds from all 50 U.S. states and around the globe — visitors come from at least 20 countries — and attendance was last estimated at 128,000 (that number includes tickets sold and guests registering for free events). Its audience keeps growing every year.
In addition to design and architecture, lovers of vintage fashion and cars can indulge their interests with like-minded enthusiasts. The Palm Springs Modernism Show and Sale, which was established a few years before Modernism Week began, was open during the first weekend of Modernism Week, attracting collectors and vintage furniture and art experts. But Modernism Week isn’t exclusively about honoring the past; contemporary, changing ideas of what Modern means to professionals and the public is part of the conversation, too.
Israeli-Canadian architect Moshe Safdie delivered the keynote presentation on February 16. He spoke about his evolving interpretations and experiences with Modernism as both a philosophy and design ethic, and how his international practice over the decades has engaged with crucial social and architectural questions of housing and density. Safdie’s lecture included his personal reflections of his landmark Habitat 67 development in Montreal, along with other notable projects, including his extensive work in Jerusalem; the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa; Khalsa Heritage Centre in Punjab, India; the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore and the soon-to-be completed Singapore Jewel Changi Airport.
Along with 32 neighborhood tours, garden tours, various featured and signature home tours, exhibitions, panels and lectures throughout the desert, Modernism Week’s ambitious programming features films and live performances, along with what’s become a defining experience: viewing Palm Springs’ cityscape from the top level of a double-decker bus during a guided tour.
Along with Desert X‘s site-specific contemporary art installations located across the Coachella Valley that have generated major buzz during its second round (the first Desert X took place two years ago), the Southern California desert is really heating up this time of year.
Photo Credits: © Jake Holt
