California Design comes to Auckland Art Gallery this winter

California Design gives visitors the chance to see some of the world’s most iconic objects and designs that are as fresh and relevant now as they were when first created. In addition to the exhibition, an exciting programme of talks, film screenings and popular Open Late events will help visitors forget the winter blues and experience the California way of life.

The exhibition – the first major examination of modern California design – demonstrates the impact of California’s artists, craftspeople and designers on the products, furnishings and houses of mid-twentieth-century America. The touring exhibition, which is on view in Tokyo before arriving in Auckland, was organised by Wendy Kaplan, Curator and Department Head, and Bobbye Tigerman, Associate Curator, of the Decorative Arts and Design Department at LACMA. Highlights include:

• Rare design icons such as the world’s first Barbie doll, the plywood Eames elephant toy for children, and a very early Oscar statuette designed by Cedric Gibbons
• Fashions including classic Levi Strauss & Co. clothing and a 1960s swimsuit by Mary Ann DeWeese
• Furniture by Charles and Ray Eames, Hendrik Van Keppel and Taylor Green, and Dan Johnson
• Textile designs by Paul László and Bernard Kester
• Ceramics by Gertrud and Otto Natzler, Edith Heath, and Beatrice Wood
• Photographs of landmark California homes including the Kaufmann House by Richard Neutra and the Stahl House (also known as Case Study House #22) by Pierre Koenig; both are immortalized in images by legendary photographer Julius Shulman
• Graphics by Saul Bass, Alvin Lustig, Charles Kratka; including several Arts & Architecture magazine covers by various artists and John Van Hamersveld’s The Endless Summer poster for Bruce Brown Films.

Sunday 21 July, 3pm Tony Robotham – California Dreamin’ – Inspiring Innovative Car Design and Development

Why is California the home of the advanced design studios of every major automotive manufacturer? Take a road trip with Tony Robotham, Senior Lecturer at AUT University’s School of Engineering, and discover the influence that California has had on the design and development of the modern motorcar from the mid-1930s through to today and understand perhaps why the Golden State continues to inspire automotive designers and evoke aspirations of attractive lifestyles.

Auditorium – free

For more information on the exhibition please click here.