Art and Commerce in Palm Springs

Friday morning we piled everyone into the car and took off, not to the mall but rather to spend a couple of days at the family’s desert hideaway. And by “hideaway,” I mean…no internet!!! But once une femme got through a few hours of white-knuckled cyber-withdrawal, it was an enjoyable and relaxing getaway.

If you plan to be anywhere near Palm Springs before December 27, you MUST check out the Lino Tagliapietra retrospective at the PS Art Museum. This is an absolutely incomparable exhibit of Italian glass artwork, from an artisan/artist who is widely regarded as the world’s best glassblower. The pieces (all 169!) are absolutely stunning, and don’t miss the video presentation showing the artist at work. The precision and detail in these works of art is mind-blowing. Favorites were the sculpture below, based on the artist’s interpretation of boats, and some of the goblets.

This was my very favorite piece, so serene.

The museum itself has quite an impressive permanent collection as well, including several modern works from well-known artists (Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Rauschenberg, Andy Warhol, and Henry Moore among them) an amazing display of Native American arts, American Western art, two sculpture gardens, a collection of contemporary glass studio art, and several other exhibits that we didn’t have time to see.

Another Lino piece. The colors, depth, details and textures are jaw-dropping when seen up close.

I’d forgotten to bring my jacket (lulled into a false sense of security, I suppose, by our blast of warm weather on Thanksgiving) so late Saturday afternoon we drove over to El Paseo in Palm Desert to see if I could find something on sale to ward off the evening chill. Surprisingly, the streets were almost deserted in this posh shopping area, and some stores had even closed early, not the mad shopping crush I’d worried about.

Talbot’s came up the winner; this lightweight quilted vest is a fabulous non-bulky layer, perfect for those times when a sweater alone isn’t enough, but a jacket is too much. And a weekend 20% off special, not to mention earning double Appreciation Points, helped me rationalize the impulse purchase. I’d never imagined I’d used the words “quilted” and “flattering” in the same sentence, but this vest really is both! If it goes on sale again, I may pick up another color.
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19 Comments

  1. El Paseo, I remember that area from years ago. I have several quilted vests and find them indispensable. How wonderful to have a spot in Palm Springs! My sister and her partner are in the process of buying one as well, he loves golf! Do you golf?

  2. Tagliapietra’s glassblowing art is extraordinary – hope I get to see a show of his work someday (more likely in Italy than Palm Springs, as I mostly head eastwards). Thank you very much for sharing this. I’ve been to Murano where he hails from and seen glassblowing. And yes, I did buy a necklace. Oh, suppose they are touristy, but actually very pretty – glass beads mostly red.

    I’m always cold on my arms when I’m cold, so a vest is of no use, but perhaps there is a similar jacket with sleeves. I’m pleasantly surprised to find anything quilted that doesn’t make us look like upholstery!

  3. The exhibition looks fantastic – and I am a bit obsessed with Palm Springs. Never been, but love all those fab mid century bungalows – and the glamour, oh the glamour! – got to get myself out there.

  4. Tagliapietra’s glass is stunning, and lagatta, beautiful glass beads are timelessly elegant!

    As for the vest, I can certainly see why you’d consider another colour- so versatile! I love your Palm Springs posts.

  5. Really great blog! Loving the artwork above by the way, very inspirational.

    I’ve just started a blog about my Mom, she’s 59 next year but she’s so beautiful and stylish I just had to document her fashion! Do you fancy trading links?

    http://www.shesnoplainjane.com

    Thank you…and keep up the fab writing xx Big up to all you hot forty+ lovelies from the UK xx

  6. No Plain Jane – sure, I’ll add to my blogroll. Your Mom looks great for 59!!

    hostess – no, I don’t golf (yet), but Palm Springs is definitely a golfer’s dream.

    lagatta – your necklace sounds lovely. I love that red Italian glass!

  7. lagatta – and I’m with you on the cold arms, which is why I use the vest over a sweater.

    Belle – actually it was cool and on Saturday rained a bit in the morning. Not swimming weather.

    That’s Not My Age – the exhibition was amazing. Palm Springs has an interesting mix of old mid-century and fugly 70’s sprawl. It’s not so much glamorous as reminiscent of past glamour. But it’s a fun place to visit.

  8. LPC – and the pictures don’t begin to do these pieces justice! It was a mostly relaxing trip.

    tishjett – thanks! I’d glanced at the vest on line and dismissed it, thinking it would be stiff and bulky, but it’s neither.

    Duchesse – it is versatile, but now I have to choose another color! It’s between the dark brown and green.

  9. Thanks for the heads up on the art glass exhibit. Not sure we’ll make it out there before Dec. 29, but will keep it in mind if we do. Love shopping El Paseo and that Talbots. Did you get to the Cabazon outlets?
    Linda

  10. Thanks for the info about the glass exhibit. I am going to be in Palm Springs this weekend and will definitely carve out time to see it.