The Modern Touch

Julius Shulman: Visual Acoustics 

I know that I've mentioned 'Visual Acoustics' previously, however this is a lovely little piece of film taken from the documentary. Photographer Julius Shulman was largely responsible for introducing architectural modernism to the people of California. His images not only brought new work to light in the 50s and 60s, but intuitively communicated the unique optimism and rigor of the international style. Shulman died in June this year at the age of 98, but not before taking part in the filming of Visual Acoustics, a documentary about his work and practices. In this clip of the film Shulman revisits the site of his most famous photograph, a shot of Pierre Koenig’s Case Study House #22 from 1960.

Watch here: nowness.com

Visual Acoustics Film

The Modernism of Julius Shulman

A Documentary Film by Eric Bricker

This has got to be worth watching. Narrated by Dustin Hoffman, 'Visual Acoustics' celebrates the life and career of Julius Shulman, the world's greatest architectural photographer, whose images brought modern architecture to the American mainstream.

Shulman, captured the work of nearly every modern and progressive architect since the 1930's including Frank Lloyd Wright, Neutra, and Lautner, who I mentioned in my previous post. His images epitomised the singular beauty of Southern California's modernist movement and brought its iconic structures to life.

Case Study House 22

For Sale. The Schaffer Residence

A Single Man

One of my favourite movies of the last couple of years is Tom Ford's directorial debut, the super stylish, A Single Man starring Colin Firth. Set in 1962 Los Angeles, the attention to detail and sophistication throughout the film is stunning, whether it's the Mercedes 220S or the sheer perfection of Firth's character George Falconer's clothes drawers. However, of some interest to all Modernists at the moment is the fact that George's beautiful apartment is on the market. Originally designed by architect John Lautner in 1949 for the Schaffer family in the Verdugo Mountains, Glendale, California the property is presented for sale through realtors Mossler, Deasy & Doe for a super cool $1,495,000.

http://www.crosbydoe.com/address/11/John-Lautner-Architect