California Design 1930–1965: “Living in a Modern Way”

This book beautifully documents how climate, immigration, and industry influenced California’s modern design aesthetic. A booming population throughout the interwar period brought European émigrés like Richard Neutra, Rudolph Schindler, and others into the state. These artists designed pieces that celebrated and embraced casual, indoor-outdoor living. California’s centrality to WWII efforts introduced new materials to design, sparking the creativity of regional artists. And then there’s Hollywood: Esther Williams swimsuits and the popularity of Paul T. Frankl’s rattan furniture among Hollywood celebrities like Charlie Chaplin added glitter to the appeal of the California lifestyle. The essays by 10 design historians complement one another and provide a 360-degree view of the subject. Several of the authors address particular categories of design, such as architecture, textiles/fashion, or graphic design. Others address larger themes, such as the way design was lived day-to-day and the business of selling modern design. The book’s interest in comprehensiveness reflects its position as part of a larger initiative to document the history of California art. The book’s unfettered design and close coupling of image to text contribute to the overall quality of the book, whether closely read or informally browsed. (Nov.)