The Agenda: The Architecture of William F. Cody, The Landsby, and a Carneros Inn Revamp
Author:Lindsey ShookExhibit
“Fast Forward: The Architecture of William F. Cody”
One of the defining names in midcentury modern architecture, William F. Cody is known the world over for his extensive work in Palm Springs—where he first traveled in 1946 and remained working until his death in 1978. From the iconic Del Marcos Hotel to the progressive country club concept called Eldorado to numerous celebrity homes in the desert, Cody’s aesthetic and body of work, coined “desert modernism,” is inextricably linked to Palm Springs, the Bay Area, and the American Southwest. This must-see retrospective includes masterful sketches and renderings, photos of now-lost structures, and examples of cutting-edge building systems that challenged then present-day architectural principles.
When: Sun. 7/10 – Sun. 9/25
Where: A+D Architecture and Design Museum, 900 E. Fourth St., Los Angeles
Showcase
UC Berkeley Master of Fine Arts Graduate Exhibition
Every year the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive open up gallery halls to six exceptional artists, all part of the university’s graduating master class. Spanning themes and mediums, the work on display shares one common thread—a thoughtful response to such serious contemporary issues as extinction, gentrification, and social and cultural melding. Isaac Vazquez Avila’s painting, collage, and sculpture evoke powerful feelings about living between cultures by referencing his own Mexican-American heritage. Lark Buckingham’s films examine technology and surveillance in relation to individual privacy and safety. And Jin Zhu’s work addresses the detrimental effects of gentrification through the stories of those recently displaced. If you’re looking for an artful way to discuss today’s hot-button issues, be sure to check out this show before it ends.
When: Wed. 6/29 – Sun. 8/7
Where: Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, 2155 Center St., Berkeley
The Carneros Inn
Revamp
Just in time for summer guests, the Carneros Inn in Napa wrapped a $6.5 million renovation on the 27-acre destination property. Expect stylish upgrades to the family pool, guest reception area, and the property’s events venue The Arbor. Guests will now be greeted with a new porte cochère, water feature, and modern outdoor seating before making their way to the charming country-chic lobby featuring white battened walls, limestone flooring, and a front desk made of walnut and Carrera marble. Drought-tolerant landscaping and heel-friendly turf overlook the property’s surrounding vineyards and mountains out at The Arbor, and the family pool area is outfitted with luxury lounges and a shaded trellis to protect guests from the sun. Look for a revamp of the 86 cottages and 10 suites by 2017.
When: June 2016
Where: 4048 Sonoma Hwy., Napa
Exhibit
These days, it’s hard not to think about climate change and its debilitating effects on animals and natural resources. This group show at Santa Barbara’s Museum of Contemporary Art (the name represents the temperature change above which the risks of global warming become severe) presents a global perspective on both the environmental and social damages of human exploitation. Through multidisciplinary and collaborative projects with a strong research-based approach, these artists take on large-scale infrastructure practices—open-pit mining, rubber tree farming, hydroelectric dams—that are seriously damaging local ecologies.
When: Through Sun. 7/24
Where: Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara, 653 Paseo Nuevo, Santa Barbara
The Landsby
Opening
The Central Coast just got a little less sleepy with the introduction of this new boutique design hotel. You’ll find it in Solvang—you know, the small town that looks like a Danish replica, complete with windmills. The Landsby nods to Scandinavian design in a much subtler way—with minimal spaces warmed by rich woods and plush upholstery in the cozy 41-room inn. Bonus: You’ll find a bedside card tempting you with seasonal ice creams delivered straight to your room.
When: June 2016
Where: 1576 Mission Dr., Solvang
