Design and Architecture
One of the best ways to observe Los Angeles’ rich history is by scrutinizing the various stages of architectural styles and motifs around the city. Architects from around the world and centuries (post Spanish colonialism) have flocked to California’s vast geographical regions in order to creatively explore the variety architectural and design opportunities, offered by the coastal cities. Los Angeles is a unique Californian environment where modern architecture and design innovation is both rapidly novel and concentrated.
A pivotal element of Los Angeles’ design and culture is the automobile. Architectural historians and designers such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Reyner Banham, Richard Meier and a cornucopia of scholars associated with the prestigious Art Center College of Design, have been influenced by this ‘culture of movement’. One can contemplate and enjoy in depth conversations, interviews, news and events about these influential people and architectural culture by tuning the car radio dial to KCRW 98.9 and listening to the Dna: Design & Architecture talk show. {SO MANY “ANDS”}
The radio introduction to DnA: Design & Architecture is a wonderful compilation of small quotes, modern rhythms and sounds. As the brief sound bit concludes an unfamiliar female accent flows through the ‘airwaves’ of this local Los Angeles radio station. The British accent is none other than the reputable host Frances Anderton. The radio interviews and featured speakers on DnA are accompanied by a flourishing (AND ESSENTIAL COMPANION FOR THE SHOW) blog, which provides listeners (and fellow scholars, web surfers, bloggers) with the visual, textual and photographic accompaniment to the audio.
The DnA blog’s motto:
“A thoughtful look at architecture and design in the modern age”
Captures only a small portion of the dedication and variation she incorporates into the website. Anderton writes about topics such as theater, architecture, dance, design competitions, automobiles, weapons, fashion, fine art and furniture. Such versatility represents just how much modern humans are involved with and surrounded by the concepts of composition and artistic design.
Image from “If you can’t wait to get your palm Springs (or Claremont) Modern Groove On…”