Event: Midcentury architecture and design gems at ‘Claremont Modernism.’ That’s right, Claremont

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When checking Southern California cities known for modernist architecture and design, Los Angeles and Palm Springs spring to mind. Claremont? Not so much.

Yet the leafy college town at the base of the San Gabriels, known as the ‘city of trees and PhDs,’ boasts a surprising number of several residences by modern architects Richard Neutra and Cliff May and is the home of acclaimed ceramist Harrison McIntosh. It is also where artist Roland Reiss, an instructor at Claremont Graduate School, designed and created the staggeringly cool ‘Castle of Perseverance,’ above, a 1978 room installation made completely of medium-density fiber board.

The work of these architects, artists and craftsmen including the late woodworker Sam Maloof, right, are celebrated in ‘Claremont Modernism: Modernist Mecca’ at the Objct Gallery, which is located in the now-defunct Claremont Museum of Art.

‘Claremont is really this little undiscovered gem of a community for arts and architecture,’ says curator David Shearer, who owns Objct Gallery. ‘One of the reasons for this show is to give a survey of the art, craft and architecture that exists here.’

Due to its popularity, the show, which was scheduled to end this weekend, has been extended until May 30. There are two good reasons to check it out this weekend, however: On Saturday from 6:30 to 9 p.m., Michael Stern will present ‘Julius Shulman Modern Images,’ a program that includes a lecture and the screening of his documentary ‘Julius Shulman: Desert Modern.’ On Sunday from 3 to 4 p.m., architect Dion Neutra will speak about the designs by his father, Richard Neutra, that can be found in Claremont.

Objct Gallery is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. 536 W. 1st St., Claremont; (909) 621-0125. Admission to the exhibit and events is free.

-- David A. Keeps

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