Dear Sophie -
Although there were a variety of artists, there was a shared sensibility among the rock posters of the 1960's.
With love,
Mom
DOYLE DANE BERNBACH
Dear Sophie -
While DOYLE DANE BERNBACH is the legendary advertising agency that transformed a staid industry with currency and irreverent humor, its' success is due to the impeccable art direction of HELMUT KRONE for Volkswagen, and the clever copywriter PHYLLIS K. ROBINSON for "You don't have to be Jewish to love Levy's". They are the legends responsible for the work that remains unsigned.
With love,
Mom
PAUL RAND
Dear Sophie -
PAUL RAND was not only one of the great graphic designers of the century, but best known for the logos he developed for brands. This is a very specific craft to synthesize the range of products and mission of a company to a singular, memorable, enduring mark. It is an art of design, composition and understanding.
With love,
Mom
SAUL BASS
Dear Sophie -
SAUL BASS developed title sequences for a number of films merging graphics, narrative and animation, summarizing a plot with stunning clarity. The choreography of the transitions is as thoughtfully paced as each frame is beautiful.
With love,
Mom
ALVIN LUSTIG
Dear Sophie -
Your beloved ALVIN LUSTIG designed over 70 dust jackets for New Directions Publishing (one more gorgeous than the next!) and made a significant mark on the development of graphic design and typography. He studied with Frank Lloyd Wright and at Art Center.
It is a tribute to your powers of observation that you found him. Bravo!!!
With love,
Mom
RAY KAPPE
Dear Sophie -
Among my favorite homes is that which RAY KAPPE designed for his wife Shelly and their family over 40 years ago in Rustic Canyon. He thoughtfully ensured everyone had their own private retreat, while there was open flow, light and communication among the spaces. His use of wood and the play of light from the trees foreshadowed my love for Marin and a source of inspiration (along with the vintage silver cars in their garage!)
With love,
Mom
TONY DUQUETTE
Dear Sophie -
This guy personifies "over the top". The great master of the mash-up, TONY DUQUETTE loved the exotic, the rich and mushing it all together. At his North Hollywood tropical refuge, he merged Asiana, Venetian, jewels, corals, mirrors, silver, chandeliers & tapestries, living up to his motto "More is More!".
With even more love,
Mom
GERTRUDE AND OTTO NATZLER
Dear Sophie -
While GERTRUDE NATZLER threw these refined forms, her husband and partner OTTO NATZLER developed a beautiful palette of glazes. They escaped Vienna in 1938 and made Los Angeles their home where they enjoyed a vibrant collaboration.
With love,
Mom
edgar kaufman jr. donated this one to moma. (mr. fallingwater). Â
ELSIE DE WOLFE
Dear Sophie -
ELSIE DE WOLFE (often referred to as Lady Mendl) reigned over the world of interior design for decades. She was commissioned to transform laden Victorian interiors, infusing them with comfort and light.
With love,
Mom
ROBERTO BURLE MARX
Dear Sophie -
ROBERTO BURLE MARX was a Brazilian landscape artist who was gratefully commissioned to execute works on a grand scale. Among his prolific work, his curving mosaic walk extends 2 1/2 miles along the Copacabana beach.
With love,
Mom
BEATRICE WOOD
Dear Sophie -
A resident of Ojai California, BEATRICE WOOD was a self-determined person as intersting as her work itself. She lived to be 105, just like Eva Zeisel!
What's up with these ceramicists? Must be a good life!
With love,
Mom
BRUCE WEBER
Dear Sophie -
BRUCE WEBER is a fashion photographer and ardent dog lover whose lense specializes in sexualized imagery of young, fit, preppy male models in idealistic settings on behalf of Calvin Klein and Abercrombie among other clients.
His film Let's Get Lost , the smoke filled tribute to the legendary jazz legend Chet Baker is especially beautiful.
With love,
Mom
SHIRIN NESHAT
Dear Sophie -
The Iranian artist SHIRIN NESHAT'S film Turbulent is one of the more beautiful things I have seen, heard, felt.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCAssCuOGls
With love,
Mom
LENI RIEFENSTAHL
Dear Sophie -
Another necessary evil is the career of the German photographer LENI RIEFENSTAHL, the Nazi sympathizer who generated iconic propaganda on behalf of Hitler and the the Third Reich. She was an accomplished image maker and technical innovator, best expressed in the glorification of Nazi power in "Triumph of The Will" and "Olympia."
Art is a powerful tool which is why we must make active choices as to who benefits from our creative powers.
With love,
Mom
LUCIE RIE
Dear Sophie -
Born Lucie Gomperz, LUCIE RIE also escaped the Nozi regime in Vienna in 1938 and left for Britian where she had a thriving studio and career for the next 50 years.
I am gaga for this work.
With love,
Mom
DAVID BAILEY
Dear Sophie -
DAVID BAILEY was THE '60's fashion photographer across the pond.
With love,
Mom
HELMUT NEWTON
Dear Sophie -
I debated whether or not to include HELMUT NEWTON, but since he is in the lexicon of image makers, and the complicity of his myth is perpetuated by institutions such as the Grand Palais, he seems necessary to discuss.
I find this photographers representation of women pornographic and misogynistic . Being eaten by a crocodile, oppressed by a fully dressed male overlord, and squatting to be ridden like an animal is grotesque and degrading.
I feel nauseous and want to barf.
With love,
Mom
g-d help us.
RICHARD AVEDON
Dear Sophie -
RICHARD AVEDON produced decades of iconic portraiture. His lense personified the glamour of my generation.
With love,
Mom
Granny L had this image of the Chicago 7 framed in the bathroom!Â
MELVIN SOKOLSKY
Dear Sophie -
MELVIN SOKOLSKY'S 1963 bubble photo shoot for BAZAAR is the bomb.
It was inspired by the Hieronymus Bosch masterpiece Garden of Earthly Delights (1490 - 1510).
With love,
Mom
HORST P. HORST
Dear Sophie -
David Fincher unabashedly mined the legacy of HORST when directing Madonna's VOGUE video.
With love,
Mom
