MID-CENTURIA : Art, Design and Decor from the Mid-Century and beyond

Alcoa Care-Free Homes

2012-08-03T11:37:00.000-07:00

In January of 1957 the Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa) announced the formation of a "Residential Building Products Sales Division" to manage its expansion into the home-building market. To jump-start sales in this newly formed division as well as explore and encourage new uses for aluminum in home-building, Alcoa also announced they would be sponsoring the construction of 50 "Care-Free" aluminum model homes priced under $25,000. The company stated its aim was to create a lower maintenance home and achieve the "greatest change in residential building materials in centuries." (Scroll down to see full announcement article)

Alcoa hired prominent architect Charles M. Goodman to design the "Care-Free" home; the standard model had post and beam style construction with 1,900 square feet of living space and included 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. The design integrated the use of 7,500 lbs of colorful aluminum details throughout the house, including a sky-blue roof, gold front door and its signature purple siding and blue window grilles.

By the end of 1957 approximately 24 of the Alcoa "Care-Free" homes were completed across the US. Unfortunately for Alcoa, they never made it to the planned 50 model homes; I have read conflicting information on how many were actually built, the lowest being 24 and the highest 46 (if anyone out there knows the for sure please let me know!). From what I could gather from my research, the final cost of the homes were much higher than expected, ranging from $35K to $60K, which I speculate led to the projects eventual demise.

To quote the Alcoa Care-Free Home national sales brochure-

"You're about to take a pictorial tour through your dream house, now made real"

An Alcoa Care-Free model home was featured in the October 1957 issue of Better Homes and Gardens. Below are some images from that article.

Article announcing the Alcoa Care-Free homes program in The News Dispatch, Jan 16, 1957

Below are images of the Alcoa aluminum home located in Brighton, NY, taken by the current home-owners who purchased the house in 2007 and began an extensive restoration project on the 50 year-old home.

Image courtesy: Los Angeles Times

Thanks to the current home-owners restoration efforts, the home has been brought back to its former glory and earned its place on the cover of the Atomic Ranch Midcentury Interiors book published in 2012.

Built in 1958, the Alcoa Care-Free Home in St. Louis Park, MN, is also going through renovations, which can be followed on the new home owners' blog "Our Care-Free Home". Below are some images of that home.

Below are images from the St. Louis Park home real estate listing, more can be seen at Retro-Renovation

Alcoa also built a model home in Miami, FL. Read the original 1957 newspaper article about it here. Below are some photos of the property posted on Modern Capital; see the rest here.

Alcoa Care-Free Home architect Charles M. Goodman in his office; note the trademark woven window grille from the Alcoa homes leaning against the wall on the right. Image courtesy Dwell Magazine.

On a related subject- Alcoa was also looking to get into the prefab house market and and chose five architects to submit design proposals. The sketch above was by Charles W. Moore and William Turnbill. You can read more about this here.

Additional Information and Sources:

The complete Alcoa Care-Free Home sales brochure can be seen here

For The Better Homes and Gardens article on the Alcoa homes click here

More photos by the current owners of the Brighton, NY home can be seen here

Follow the St. Louis Park home renovations on Our Care-Free Home

For a St Louis Park Historical Society article on the Alcoa aluminum house click here

For images and information on another Alcoa home located in Perrysburg, OH click here

For various old newspaper articles about the Alcoa Care-Free project click here

For more on architect Charles M Goodman click here and here

For the Charles M Goodman Flickr group click here

Artist Charles Green Shaw

2012-07-24T09:45:00.000-07:00

Soft Guitar, 1937. via Spanierman Modern

Musical Composition, 1935. via D. Wigmore Fine Art

Open Secret, 1939. via D. Wigmore Fine Art

Untitled, 1939. via Christie's

Homage to Klee, c. 1940. via Forum Gallery

Orbit, 1940. via Spanierman Modern

Untitled, 1940. via Christie's

Day and Night Polygon, 1936. via D. Wigmore Fine Art

Flying Figure, 1941. via Christie's

Rooftops and Pennants, 1942. via Heather James Fine Art

Black into Yellow, 1970. via Spanierman Modern

Black and White Against Yellow, 1969. via Spanierman Modern

Flight in Space, 1968. via Spanierman Modern

Interior Number 2, c. 1966. via Spanierman Modern

Charles in military dress, 1918. Photo: Smithsonian Archives

Author, journalist, poet and artist, Charles Green Shaw (1892-1974) was an important figure in early American abstract art. He was born into a wealthy New York family and lived a life of privilege "earning" him a place in the group known as the "Park Avenue Cubists."

Though Shaw took an interest in art as a child it wasn't until 1927 that he began to focus on developing his talent; studying under artist George Luks and enrolling in the Art Students League in New York. Intent on further honing his skills, Shaw traveled to Europe from 1929-1932 where he immersed himself in the arts.

It wasn't until after returning to New York in 1932 that Shaw considered himself a painter. Though inspired by the European styles of art that he was exposed to in his travels, notably Neo-plasticism and Cubism, Shaw sought to create a style of abstract art that was uniquely American and his own; what he soon developed was the style he called "Concretionist".

In 1933 he began what many consider his most important work, a series of paintings in the "Concretionist" style called "Plastic Polygons", which were inspired by the New York skyline.

In 1936 Shaw helped form the Abstract American Artists group, which contributed to the development and acceptance of abstract art in the United States and still exists today. His works are in the collections of many prominent galleries and museums including MOMA, Guggenheim and The Met.

Charles c. 1945. Photo: Smithsonian Archives

For more biographical information on Charles Green Shaw, click here, here, here, here and here.

For more of Shaw's art see D. Wigmore Fine Art, Spanierman Modern, Michael Rosenfeld Gallery and Mondo-Blogo.

Just One More! Cover Art

2012-06-05T09:09:00.000-07:00

These fantastic cover illustrations for the Los Angeles Press Photographers Association annual publication titled Just One More!, were created by the award-winning sports and editorial cartoonist Karl Hubenthal (1917-1998). Hubenthal illustrated the covers for Just One More from its inaugural issue in 1954 until 1968.

Images are via Bradley J. Gake's flickr and XGB Design. For more about Just One More! and Hubenthal click here. Check out Karl Hubenthal's tribute site here. Syracuse University also has a collection of Hubenthal items, here.

Contemporary Home featuring Jean Prouvé

2012-06-04T10:03:00.001-07:00

I normally do not post about contemporary homes, but there are exceptions to every rule. In this case I am making an exception because of the Neutra-esc architecture and great collection of mid-century furniture by Jean Prouvé, Poul Kjaerholm and Serge Mouille that adorn this home. This San Mateo County, California house designed by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson was completed in 2007.

The seating area below the painting features Jean Prouvé pieces, including a couple of Visiteur armchairs, which according to both Wright and Phillips de Pury Auctions were originally designed in 1941-42 for the Salvoy Hospital (a few variations of this chair were created, these appear to be Model 350 chairs produced c. 1948-1952). Also pictured in the seating area is a Serge Mouille lamp, a Prouvé Cité lounge chair and a Free-form table designed by Prouvé and Charlotte Perriand c. 1953-56.

Prouvé Visiteur lounge chair Model 350. via Wright Auctions

This appears to be a sketch of the Visiteur chair or version of it known as the Visiteur Kangourou chair. Via

Free-Form coffee table by Prouvé and Perriand, c. 1953-56.

The Cité lounge chair, originally designed for a competition to furnish the student residence halls at the University of Nancy, France, c. 1930, was even used in the Prouvé's own home. Picture is a Vitra reproduction.

Here is another Prouvé sketch of what looks to be the Cité lounge chair. via Centre Pompidou

Prouvé seated in a Cité lounge chair. Photo: Bibliothèque Kandinsky

Serge Mouille single arm standing floor lamp as pictured in the homes seating area. via Rewire

The dining area features Prouvé chairs as well; there were a few versions of these chairs produced, but I believe those pictured are early Demountable No. 300 side chairs (a version of this chair is sometimes referred to as the "Caféteria Chair" for its use in the Cafeteria des Arts et Metiers at the Cité Internationale Universitaire in Paris). The dining table pictured in the home is a very rare Prouvé Compas work table.

Prouvé Demountable chair, Model 300, c.1947. via Galarie Half

This appears to be an early sketch of the Demountable, Model 300 chair. via Centre Pompidou

Rare Jean Prouvé Compas work table. via Dorotheum Auctions

Serge Mouille lamps everywhere

Mouille 3-arm standing floor lamp. via Guéridon

Mouille 2-arm rotating sconce. via Guéridon

For more photos and information about the home see the original post on Home DSGN. Photos: Nic LeHoux.

Viktor Schreckengost: America's DaVinci

2012-06-02T06:50:00.000-07:00

Reeds and Horn, watercolor. via Aspire Auctions

Award-winning American industrial designer, sculptor and artist, Viktor Schreckengost (1906-2008) has been called America's DaVinci due to his far-reaching and prolific career. Viktor's creativity was encouraged at a young age by his father who would bring home material from the ceramics factory where he worked, asking Viktor and his siblings to compete in weekly sculpture contests. He graduated from the Cleveland School of the Arts (Cleveland Institute of Art) in 1929 and went on to teach industrial design at the school for over 50 years. Some of his most notable students became top designers at Ford Motors and Fisher-Price.

Housing Development, c. 1954, watercolor. via Heritage Auctions

Still Life of Bottles, watercolor. via Heritage Auctions

Cityscape. via Cityzenart

Moroccan Lute, 1934. via Cleveland Arts Foundation

Pottery and Light, 1947. via Aspire Auctions

In 1955-56 Shreckengost sculpted two massive ceramic relief murals, Mastadon and Mammoth for the exterior walls of the Cleveland Zoo's Pachyderm Building. The pieces were removed in 2008 to be reinstalled near the zoo's entrance. The sculptures were created from 32 tons of terra cotta and measure 25' long, with one measuring 12' tall and the other 13.5' tall.

Viktor working on the Mastadon in 1956. Image via Cleveland Memory

The Mastadon before its removal in 2008. Image via

Schreckengost carving the Mammoth mural in 1956. Image: Cleveland Press

Mammoth on exterior of the Pachyderm Building before removal. via

Schreckengost created this award winning terra cotta relief mural inspired by Johnny Appleseed, titled Early Settler for Lakewood High School's Civic Auditorium in 1954.

Early Settler relief mural. Via Cityzenart

Image via

Viktor designed so many objects in his career that virtually everyone has come into contact with one of his items during their lifetime; my most favorable being the pedal-cars and bicycles he designed for Murray-Ohio.

Viktor carving clay model of a pedal car for Murray-Ohio, 1948. via Cleveland Memory

Pursuit pedal car for Murray, c. 1940's. via Heritage Auctions

JC Higgins bicycle. via American Craft Council

Viktor on JC Higgins Colorflow model, 1950. via

I loved the Eliminators series that Schreckengost designed for Murray. For more images click here

Viktor Schreckengost (1906-2008). Photo: Martin Linsey

For more on Viktor Schreckengost click here, here, here and here.

Tony Paul Designs

2012-05-15T10:21:00.000-07:00

American industrial designer Tony Paul was born in the Bronx, NY on February 28, 1918. Paul attended the Pratt Institute and remained in the NY area during his nearly 60 year career, with stints in Italy and Spain. His designs were distributed by several companies including, Raymor, Westwood, Verplex, Woodlin-Hall, The Elton Company and eventually his own design firm Tony Paul and Associates (Tony was also part owner of The Elton Company and as with many Mid-Century studios, I believe the Elton name was created by combining the partner's last names, in this case Elliott and Tony).

Though he designed a wide variety of products during his career, including an arm chair which was selected for MOMA's "Good Design" award, Paul favored lighting design.

During his career he associated with many of the Mid-Century's top industrial designers including Arthur Umanoff, Russel Wright, Ben Seibel and Paul McCobb. I am not sure who influenced who, but the works of Umanoff (in particular those that he designed for The Elton Company) bore a strong resemblance to Paul's pieces; so much so that I often get the two designers mixed-up!

Woodlin-Hall Interlace nesting tables

Woodlin-Hall Interlace planters

Tony Paul's Interlace Model 571 glass top magazine table. Image via

Woodlin-Hall planter

Tony Paul Wires Collection for The Elton Co.

Tony Paul lamp for The Elton Company, c. 1952. Reform Gallery

Wires Collection table lamp (I don't believe the shade is original). Reform Gallery

This fishing basket wicker floor lamp is attributed to Paul. Dual Modern

Magazine rack, Tempo Group Model 812 for Woodlin-Hall. Just In Modern

Mosaic top side table for Westwood, c. 1950's. Dual Modern

Various Tony Paul designs for Robert Barber Inc.

Three-tier tray console, Tempo Group, Woodlin-Hall

Stacking tables with ashtray, Tempo Group Model 800, Woodlin-Hall. via Just In Modern

Tony Paul Sling Chair. via Howl Interiors

Various Tony Paul lamp designs for Westwood

Pair of Westwood lamps. via Lewis-Trimble

Tony pictured in front of his sculpture at the Peter Du Jardin store in New Jersey

Interior of the Peter Du Jardin store which sold Paul's pieces

Tony Paul (1918-2010)

For more on Tony Paul see his official website here. The site was created by his family as a tribute to Tony's legacy as a designer. All images above are courtesy Tony Paul Designs unless otherwise noted.

San Diego Mid-Century Homes

2012-04-12T07:36:00.000-07:00

The following program on Mid-Century homes and design in San Diego aired on PBS on April 9, 2012, but just in case you missed it or would like to see it again- here it is.

If you do not see the video above click here

Mid-Centuria now on Tumblr

2012-04-05T10:27:00.002-07:00

As some of you may have noticed, my posting has gotten quite sporadic over the last few months partially due to my attempt to focus more time on my own art and design, but more so because writing a post has somehow mutated into a stressful task. Why? I am not exactly sure, but I think it is a combination of things. (Warning, if you aren't interested in reading my psychological babble, then I suggest you jump to the next paragraph now). First and foremost I have struggled with writing since high school, which can make posting a bit of a chore, especially when my perfectionism kicks in and I find myself rewriting a single sentence 10-times over. I also feel that since Mid-Centuria's readership has grown (Thank you everyone for your interest and support!), I have begun to suffer from what can be best described as performance anxiety, fearing that my next post might not be interesting enough, poorly written or that I may have my facts all wrong. Lastly, and I am sure other bloggers can relate to this, after blogging for some time, a sense of obligation to your readers begins to creep in and one feels pressure to post; not doing so leads to guilt. Instead of spurring me to action, this "bloggers guilt" has done the opposite and led me to avoid the blog altogether. OK, now I feel better, to those who took the time to read this thanks for hearing me out, I just felt like clearing the air a bit and giving you an explanation.

Since posting to my blog has been a bit of a struggle, I thought I would start a Mid-Centuria tumblr where I will post more regularly- check it out HERE. I will continue to post on Mid-Centuria.com too, so be sure to check back! Thanks everyone for your readership and support!

http://midcenturia.tumblr.com/

Kevin

Harold Balazs Enamel Art

2012-03-31T10:03:00.000-07:00

Harold Balazs (Ohio, 1928) is an American artist know for his copper enamel art and large scale abstract metal sculptures. Balazs began working with steel at his father's sheet metal business where he developed his metal fabrication skills. He initially studied aeronautical engineering, but as fate would have it, a dispute with a professor landed him in an art course and as they say- the rest is history.

Copper enamel plaque, 1952

The Blue and Grey, 1971, copper enamel

The Eye, 1953, copper enamel. via Fat Chance Modern

Maquette for Seattle sculpture. Smithsonian American Art Museum

Balazs often incorporated the phrase "Transcend the Bullshit" into his works.

Harold Balazs. Photo: Young Kwak

For more works and information on Harold Balazs:

Sculptures

Enamel Arts Foundation

Article on Balazs in the Inlander

NW Museum of Arts

Latin American Modern Paintings

2012-03-03T13:08:00.003-08:00

Omar Rayo, untitled, c. 1971

Omar Rayo, Panche I, 1970

Omar Rayo, Páncio Prematuro, 1964

Omar Rayo, Efirmero, 1964

Alberto Dávila, Mujer de Mar

Angel Botello, untitled (series Bailes), c. 1970

Emiliano Di Cavalcanti, untitled, 1938

Hércules Barsotti, Proposição Multilegível I, 1966

Joaquín Torres Garcia, Dirigible, 1929

Julio Le Parc, Serie 23 No. 3-14, 1970

Luis Martínez Pedro, untitled

Lula Cardoso Ayres, Folclore 2,

Roberto Burle Marx, untitled, 1987

Vicente Forte, Viejo Instrumento, 1968

Images via Christie's November 2011 "Latin American Paintings" auction.

Arne Vodder Furniture

2012-02-29T08:22:00.005-08:00

Danish architect and designer Arne Vodder (1926-2009) was versed in the art of furniture design by Finn Juhl, who became his friend and business partner. Vodder created works for many companies throughout his career including, France and Son, Cado, Fritz Hansen and Bovirke, but he is probably best known for the color-accented rosewood pieces he designed for Sibast Møbler; which by the way happen to be my favorite!

Images via: Surfing Cowboys, Artful Dodger, Baxter and Liebchen, Frederik Kolmorgen, Velvet Point, The Room and Lauritz.

Jean Miotte Paintings

2012-02-23T17:17:00.006-08:00

The works of French abstract painter Jean Miotte (b. 1926, Paris) are associated with the art style known as L'Art Informel, which is often considered France's equivalent to America's Abstract Expressionism. Since attending the Russian ballets in London during the 1940's, Miotte's work has been greatly influenced by the energy and movement of music and dance, which he expresses below.

For me dance, choreographic expression, appears as the most acute gesture, instant and intangible, once given and then forever captured by the eye; movement, shifting lines, fixing them in our imagination and in time – abstract art par excellence. What a fantastic thing is the communion between the arts – between painting, music and choreography.

Crossing Road, 1984-86. via Zürichsee Auktionen

Instant Ebloui, 1979. via Chelsea Art Museum

Format 30 F, 1987. via Ketterer Kunst

Title and source unknown

Untitled, 1970. via Ketterer Kunst

Untitled, 1985. via Christie's

Insurrection, 1996, on exhibit at the Chelsea. via

The above studio images are via

Abstraction is the figuration of the soul. Jean Miotte

For more information and works by Miotte see his website here and insightful interview here.

Raul Coronel Ceramics II

2012-02-20T08:53:00.000-08:00

I am always on the look-out for pieces by ceramicist Raul Coronel; here are a few images that I have collected over the last few months. If you have not seen my previous posts on Coronel click here and here.

I think these are "Beatnik" girls. "Dig them shades man". Available at the time of this post on eBay

Flute Player; this one is available at the time of this post at Chez Camille

Above is a set of incised bird plaques I spotted on eBay- the auctions ends today so get on it.

I like the incising on this bird; discovered him on Etsy (sold)

I came across the above set of plaques on eBay; the seller didn't know who created them, so I sent her an email to let her know that I was no expert, but I believed they were from Raul Coronel's studio. They have since been relisted and credited to Coronel. They are still available at the time of this post.

Floral piece spotted on eBay

This orange blossom tree piece is "signed" with a "Raul" tile. I can't seem to remember where I heard this, but I believe that the pieces marked with the "Raul" tile were actually created by Coronel and not the other artists working in his studio. Another eBay find

This one is titled Jeweled Fox and sold for $160 when new in the 1960's. via Modernaire (sold)

These flower/plant wall relief pieces were often combined to construct larger wall panels/murals. eBay

This sunflower piece reminds me of the work of Stan Bitters. Image via Esoteric Survey

S. Neil Fujita Paintings

2012-02-19T13:20:00.000-08:00

Above are two original S. Neil Fujita paintings from the private collection of Joe Callison, who contacted me for assistance in locating more original paintings by Fujita. Unfortunately I was unable to help with his search, but he was kind enough to send the above images for me to share. If anyone out there happens to know where to find original paintings by Fujita, please shoot me an email so I can pass on the info. Thanks!

The following are a couple other pieces by Neil Fujita that I thought I would share, now that I am on the subject. If you would like to see more works by Fujita, see my previous post here.

Art from the cover of Modern Packing, 1961 (cropped). via Newhouse Books

Art from the album cover of Lew Davies' Strange Interlude, 1961 (cropped)

Evelyn Ackerman Tapestries III

2012-02-18T07:35:00.000-08:00

The 3rd and final round of Evelyn Ackerman tapestries.

Autumn Leaves, c. 1959, handwoven wool. via reader Michele Holt (thanks Michele!)

Here is another version (rotated) of Autumn Leaves. via Reform Gallery

Two examples from the 1971 Campesina Series. via Sam Kaufman Gallery and Treadway. I have seen these dated as being from the early 60's, but Ackerman Modern has them listed as 1971, so I will go with that.

Canal, c. 1963, handwoven wool. via Reform Gallery

Composition, 1969, handwoven wool. via Reform Gallery

Duck (title unknown), handwoven. via Lions Gallery

Girl with partridge (title unknown), 1962, screenprint. via Reform Gallery

Kings (title unknown), hand-hooked. via eBay

Two versions of Launch Pad, 1970-71, handwoven wool. via Reform Gallery

Lion (title unknown), 1960's, hand-hooked. via PCH Modern

Left: Windows, c. 1970, via LA Modern. Right: Peacock feather (title unknown), via Objects USA

Left: Striped Candy Tree, 1968, via Ackerman Modern. Right: Labyrinth, 1971, via Esoteric Survey

Train- style no. 783, hand-hooked wool. via eBay (see detail below)

Queen on a horse (title unknown), c. 1960, hand-hooked. source unknown

Seaside, c. 1965, handwoven wool, by Donald Leake for ERA. via Mid-Centuria reader Michele Holt

This handwoven piece I spotted on eBay a couple of weeks ago depicting Adam and Eve looks very similar to Evelyn's work. Below is a hand-hooked version of the piece that is signed with an artist's cypher...hmm?

Reform Gallery's 2005 "California Design" exhibit showing many Ackerman tapestries, via Esoteric Survey

Eames: The Architect and the Painter Film

2011-10-30T10:18:00.000-07:00

“The Eames Era,” began in the optimistic flush of American victory during World War II, and the global impact of the Eames aesthetic continues to grow unabated today. Now, First Run Features is pleased to present the U.S. Theatrical premiere of Jason Cohn and Bill Jersey’s definitive and unprecedented cinematic foray into the private world of the Renaissance-style studio that Charles and Ray Eames conceived in a cavernous warehouse on a gritty street in Venice Beach, California where design history was born. Eames: The Architect and the Painter will open at the IFC Center in New York and the Laemmle Music Hall in Los Angeles on November 18. Click here for more about the film.

If you do not see the video trailer above click here

Ray with a prototype of "The Toy", 1951.

Ray and Charles working on a prototype of the Aluminum Group Lounge Chair, 1957

The Eames House.

Charles and Ray at home, c. 1970.

All images from Eames: The Architect and the Painter, courtesy First Run Films, Eames Office

Evelyn Ackerman Tapestries II

2011-10-29T17:36:00.000-07:00

Round 2 of Evelyn Ackerman's tapestries. Again, I apologize for the poor image quality on some of the pieces.

Stained Glass, 1969, hand-hooked. via Ackerman Modern

Stained Glass in red colorway, hand-hooked nylon. via Rose Hill Auctions

Garden, 1963, hand-hooked. via LA Modern

Title unknown- cityscape, hand-hooked wool. via Reform Gallery

Left: Clovers, c. 1963, handwoven wool. Right: Moonscape, c. 1965. via LA Modern

Title unknown- Monkeys in trees, hand-hooked wool. via Treadway Gallery

Title unknown- Peacock, handwoven wool. via Lawson-Fenning

Title unknown, Geometric, 1965, handwoven wool. via Reform Gallery

Titles unknown- King and lady handwoven wool. via flickr

Mermaid, style 33W, hand-hooked nylon. via 20th Obsession

Flower Pot, c. 1959, handwoven wool. via Reform Gallery

Evelyn Ackerman tapestry pictured above in LA Times "Home", 1958

Jerome and Evelyn looking at one of ERA's original tapestry design color keys. via American Craft

UPDATE: I can't believe what just happened. Right after I finished this post, I checked out eBay to see what was new and came across the actual tapestry created from the design pictured in Evelyn's color key illustration in the above photo!!! The eBay seller had no idea who created the piece, though they did say is was "special"; I immediately contacted them to advise them of their good fortune!!! See the piece below.

Evelyn Ackerman Tapestries I

2011-10-28T17:58:00.000-07:00

I am a big fan of Jerome and Evelyn Ackerman's work and have previously posted on their mosaics and carved wood panels, so I thought I would round out my coverage of their work with a series of posts featuring Evelyn's tapestries. Due to the number of pieces I want to share, I will spread them out over the next 3-4 posts. I apologize for the poor image quality on some of the pieces, I usually don't like to post low resolution images, but in this case I choose to share them for the sake of posting a larger range of Evelyn's tapestries.

Evelyn first became interested in textiles in 1941 after taking a weaving course at the University of Michigan, however it wasn't until 1958 that ERA produced its first tapestry piece titled Hot Bird (see below). As with most items sold by the Ackermans, production was out-sourced so Evelyn could focus on design; in this case the handwoven tapestries were produced by a family of cottage industry weavers near Mexico City who followed a full-scale color-keyed illustration created by Evelyn. In 1960 they began producing hand-hooked tapestries in Japan, which went on to become their most successful style of wall hanging. One of their first hooked designs was Sun and Lion in 1960 (see below).

Autumn Abstract, hand-hooked tapestry. via flickr

Buildings, 1964, handwoven wool

The first tapestry design offered by ERA- Hot Bird, 1958, handwoven wool. via Ackerman Modern

Titles unknown, c. 1960's, hand-hooked wool. via Bond and Bowery

One of ERA's first hand-hooked tapestries- Sun and Lion, 1960. via Ackerman Modern

Left: Cat and Bird in Tree, c. 1950's, handwoven wool. via LA Modern Auctions
Right: Hot Summer Landscape, c. 1958, handwoven wool. via Reform Gallery

Titles unknown, piece on left is design No. 765, c. 1955, hand-hooked. via Bonhams

Birds of a Feather, 1962, handwoven wool. via LA Modern Auctions

Title unknown, design No. 769, hand-hooked wool

Left: Birds in a Tree, c. 1960's, hand-hooked wool. via Mix Gallery
Right: Birds in a Tree, handwoven wool hanging variation

Byzantia, c. 1950's, handwoven wool. via LA Modern Auctions

Kites, 1958, silkscreened hanging. via flickr

Two colorways of jester lutist, hand-hooked wool. Left via Objects USA, Right via Sandi Vincent

The Art of Otto Treumann

2011-10-26T12:20:00.000-07:00

German-born Dutch commercial artist Otto Treumann (1919-2001) fled his home in Fürth, Germany with his Jewish family in 1935 to escape Nazi persecution, settling in Amsterdam. In 1936 he enrolled at the New Art School (Nieuwe Kunstschool) where he studied commercial art until 1940. His work was primarily influenced by Swiss typography and the Bauhaus and he was considered a pioneer in the modernization of graphic design in the Netherlands after WWII. Below is an assortment of his work; you may notice I have removed the type in some of the pieces, as I sometimes do in order to remove the "commercialism" from the piece- sorry purists!

Bijbel en Kunst van Nu poster (cropped), 1965

1950

Visuele Vacantie Verleiders poster art, 1967

Israel poster,1963

Art from fully automated telephone network stamps, 1962

Bijenkorf Kunstkoop Kollektie poster (cropped), 1967

Dutch Open Air Museum poster (cropped), 1962

Dutch Open Air Museum poster (cropped), 1965

Stamp, 1962

Europa stamp art, 1964

Europa stamp art, 1972

"Give a Book" poster, 1951

Haarlem Architecture Exhibit poster, 1948.

Holland Film Week poster,1955

Kiel Week poster art, 1975.

Steendrukkerij de Jong & Co. poster, 1955

Taptoe Delft poster,1962

Tele Communicatie poster art, 1962

50th Jaarbeurs Utrecht poster, 1948

50th Jaarbeurs Utrecht poster detail, 1948

One of Treumann's most famous logos created for Israeli Airlines, 1963

Otto Treumann and Hans Versteeg working on the Utrecht Spring Fair poster, 1969 (see below)

International Spring Fair poster, 1969

Otto Treumann, c. 1950. Photo: Eva Besnyö

Otto at work in Weesp, Netherlands, c.1990. Photo: Patrick van der Sande

Click here to see the above book Otto Treumann: Graphic Design in the Netherlands for FREE!

Images via Otto Treumann book and Geheugen van Nederland.

WE'RE MOVING!

2011-10-19T10:58:00.000-07:00

I have been meaning to explain the slow down in posts/activity over the last few weeks, but couldn't seem to find the time until now; so here's the deal- I am in the process of making a big move from Southern California to Austin, Texas, so things are quite hectic around here, as a result posts have been and will continue to be quite sporadic over the next several weeks until I am settled in my new place and get my studio-workshop set up. I appreciate your readership and don't want you to lose interest in Mid-Centuria during this transition time, so please hang in there with me. Thanks! Kevin

The Art of Milton Dacosta

2011-10-12T11:40:00.000-07:00

Alexandre, 1960, serigraph

Brazilian painter, illustrator and printmaker Milton Dacosta (1915-1988) began taking art classes when he was only 14 and went on to study at the National School of Fine Arts in Enba, The Art Students League of New York and the Académie de la Grande Chaumiere in Paris. Click here for more about Dacosta's life and work.

Figura, 1948. via Oscar Niemeyer Museum

Untitled, c. 1950's, serigraph. via Galeria Espaço Arte

Figura, serigraph, c. 1958. via Renot Galeria de Arte

Figure with hat, c. 1960, serigraph. via Galeria Espaço Arte

Head of Alexander, serigraph

via Renot Galeria de Arte

Figura, serigraph. via Galeria Palácio dos Leilões

Retrato de Alexandre, serigraph. via Galeria Palácio dos Leilões

Cabeçuda, oil on paper. via TNT Arte Galeria

Venus, serigraph. via Renot Galeria de Arte

Mulher, serigraph. via Renot Galeria de Arte

oil on canvas. 1951

Menina na Janela, c. 1950, oil on canvas. via Soraia Cals

Figura, 1963, oil on canvas. via Soraia Cals

Figura Cabeçuda, 1963, oil on canvas. via Master Arte

Figura com Chapéu, c. 1980, oil on canvas. via Renot Galeria de Arte

Venus, 1978, oil on canvas. via Galeria Palácio dos Leilões

Venus e Pássaro, 1980, oil on canvas. via Renot Galeria de Arte

Milton Dacosta (1915-1988)

Visions: Seymour Fogel Exhibit

2011-10-07T10:06:00.000-07:00

Pagan Forms, c. 1950

Visions: The Art of Seymour Fogel exhibit featuring 21 selected works from the noted Texas modernist artist will be showing through October 31 at 1231 Dragon Street in Dallas Texas. See my previous post on Fogel.

Abstract Circles, c. 1950

Abstract Composition, c. 1948

Transcendental Form, 1974

Black and White Color Flow, c. 1950

Ice Cube Celebrates Eames!

2011-10-06T14:30:00.000-07:00

YES, ICE CUBE DOES CELEBRATE EAMES

A few weeks ago I posted the below "Ice Cube Celebrates Ray & Charles Eames" poster, which ended up being an unapproved ad concept that was leaked for the Pacific Standard Time exhibit. But as it turns out, Ice Cube is really participating in the exhibit! Above is an image of Cube recreating an old photo of Charles that will be used to promote the forthcoming video "Ice Cube Celebrates Eames". Read more about it on Curbed LA here and here.

Wright: Modern Design Auction

2011-10-06T11:40:00.000-07:00

Wright is holding a Modern Design auction today October 6th, 2011. Below is my wish list- go make yours!

George Nakashima, Long Chair, 1951. Lot 104

Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller, ESU 400-N, 1952. Lot 157

Florence Knoll, Model 122, 1947. Lot 141

George Nelson & Associates for Herman Miller, Steelframe desk, c. 1956. Lot 138

George Nelson & Associates for Herman Miller, Kangaroo Chair, 1955. Lot 144

George Nelson & Associates for Howard Miller, Sunflower Clock, 1958. Lot 162

Greta Magnusson-Grossman for Ralph O. Smith, Model G-33 Grasshopper floor lamp, 1947-48. Lot 145

Harvey Probber, Suspension Chair, 1949. Lot 158

Paul Laszlo for Glenn of California, 1950. Lot 285

J. Rispal, "Praying Mantis" floor lamp, 1950's, France. Lot 170

Robin Day for Hille, dining table and 6 chairs, 1949, United Kingdom. Lot 287

Valdimir Kagan for Grosfeld House, c. 1952. Lot 293

The Frederic Weinberg Co.

2011-10-05T18:11:00.000-07:00

Philadelphia based artist and industrial designer Frederic Weinberg produced and sold a wide variety of functional and decorative items under a company bearing his name. Though he is probably best known for his figural wire and fiberglass wall sculptures, he also produced retail fixtures, clocks, lamps and furniture for homes, institutions and businesses.

Swing Time, 1950's, fiberglass wall light. via eBay

Reclining nude, c. 1950's. via Treadway Gallery

Sagittarius sculptural wall light, part of a zodiac series. via Haunted Lamp

Fighting romans. via Etsy, Fabulousmess

Dancing couple, 1950's, fiberglass wall light. 1stDibs, Mix Gallery

Both the wire and fiberglass Weinberg sculptures are actually quite large. via Cover Jazz

Three horses wall relief sculpture, 1950's. via 1stDibs, Regan & Smith

Painted brass sculpture. via ModCats

The same figural sculpture as above but as table base. via 1stDibs, Mode Moderne

Clock tower shelf, 1950's. via Justin Modern

Atomic pedestal clock. via 1stDibs, Gurley Antiques

Atomic sculptural wall clock, 1950's. via Wright Auctions

Football. via 1stDibs, Modern One

Fencers. via 1stDibs, ModHaus

Gladiator. via 1stDibs, Belvair

Tennis anyone? via 1stDibs, The Warehouse

Musicians. via Metro Retro

Lute planter. via ModCats

Guitar wall light, 1950's. via Treadway Gallery

Harvester motif relief wall sconces. via eBay

Gladiator motif relief table lamp. via 1stDibs, Mix Gallery

Table lamps. via Treadway Gallery

Ball-footed tripod desk lamp. via 1stDibs, Metro Retro

Gilded bronze sagittarius sculpture

Gilded bronze animals and dancing figures. via 1stDibs, Showplace Antique & Design Center

Swivel barstools. via eBay

Frederic Weinberg Co. labels showing different addresses in Philadelphia.

The Etruscan style pieces below are often attributed to Weinberg or listed with the phrase "in the style of Weinberg". I am no expert, but from what I can decipher, I don't believe these were actually designed, made or sold by Weinberg; I found one with a label attached stating it was made in Greece (see below).

via Etsy

via eBay

via ModHaus

Click here to see the current selection of Frederic Weinberg items on 1stDibs