Coast Modern

Bombast Vancouver

Michael Bernard — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:13:20 +0000

Had another incredible interview session with Vancouver furniture maverick Russell Baker at Bombast Furniture in Vancouver. The man is always 7 steps ahead of the curve. If you’re in Vancouver, check out his excellent retail space next to Ming Wo on the edge of Vancouver’s Chinatown. His art collection is worth the trip alone. Check Gary Lee-Nova’s original “Columbia Vista Vision” from 1968 on the wall. This piece showcases Vancouver’s incredible physcadelic past and Russell’s deep understanding of Vancouver’s art, design & architecture scenes. Here’s a map, tell Russell Coast Modern sent you!

Gordon Smith House II

Michael Bernard — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 15:05:04 +0000

What can we say, we managed to visit Gordon in his Erickson masterpiece in West Vancouver. What an incredible design on a magnificent lot. Gordon has had to paint the house much to Erickson’s chagrin in order to preserve the cedar. We love the original cedar of course but this green is actually quite excellent. If anyone could mix an appropriate colour to paint this house it’s Gordon Smith!

Arthur Erickson & Japan

Michael Bernard — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 22:31:20 +0000

This will be good, Journeys East—Arthur Erickson & Japan. Get the full story on Arthur Erickson’s years spent in Japan. Any architecture and design schools out there should snap up the bargain student price before they sell out. The AEC always put on solid events in the name of preservation and education. Check the AEC site for details and get your tickets.

AFF Rotterdam

Michael Bernard — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:47:34 +0000

Really excited to be asked for a reel for the Architecture Film Festival in Rotterdam this year. Would have been nice to premiere the film at AFFR but we’re not ready yet. Instead we’re cutting a short for the heads in Holland. Securing some music for the show that should prove to be a knockout. If you’re in Europe in November, we could use a couple of CoMo ambassadors to work the floor… Watch this space for details.

Abraham Rogatnick Moves On

Michael Bernard — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 20:44:33 +0000

Abraham Rogatnick passed away in Vancouver yesterday. Big respect to the man they call Abe, the man that studied under Walter Gropius at Harvard and did so much for Vancouver’s arts & architecture commuity. He was such a smart man with a gentle demeanor and cheeky wit. We were lucky enough to have spent a day with Abraham and he gave us the goods on the story of Modernism, believe me it goes deeper than you think. We shot over three hours of tape with Abe and will cherish every minute. Our thoughts go out to all that knew him along with a toast.

This video was shot after our interview with Abraham. Shot with my point and shoot still camera, Abe talks about how BC Binning moved away from a Southern Californian colour palette to a more appropriate North West palette. We already miss you Abe.

Abraham Rogatnick from Coast Modern on Vimeo.

Some of Binnings “California Colours”.

Julius Shulman Moves On

Michael Bernard — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 23:59:11 +0000

Sad to hear the news about Julius Shulman passing away last night. Julius will be missed by many including us here at Coast Modern. We were lucky enough to have spent several sessions with Julius including Gavin’s birthday dinner last year. The camera was rolling and we talked, drank and ate until late. Julius was the real deal and we learned a lot. He has been involved since the beginning, running around 1930s LA with Neutra and Schindler et al. A real privelage to have known him. He kept telling us to “Show them a beautiful life”… A toast to you Julius.

Make sure you see his film Visual Acoustics or pick up his latest triple decker book from Taschen.

Positioning The New

Michael Bernard — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 03:37:17 +0000

We stopped by the Charles H. Scott Gallery on Granville Island today to see the Selwyn Pullan show currently on until July 19. The collection delivered on it’s promise of fantastic post war – pre Expo residential and commercial architectural photography here in Vancouver. Pullan’s photographs tell a story of a Vancouver that seemed to know no bounds. This show is a window into another Vancouver and shouldn’t be missed if you call the city home. Couple this free show with lunch at nearby Go Fish and you have an ideal day on the coast.

Get Inside The Binning House

Michael Bernard — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:25:20 +0000

Here’s a great opportunity to get inside the renowned Binning residence in West Vancouver. Designed by Binning in 1939, it’s one of Vancouver’s early modern houses and was a crucial part in Vancouver’s early modernist development. If you’re into modernism and are going to be in Vancouver July 1st, this is a must. The Binning Book with an introduction by the late Arthur Erickson is also worth picking up.

B.C. Binning Residence Canada Day Open House
Wednesday, July 1, 2009 B.C. Binning Residence
2968 Mathers Crescent, West Vancouver
1PM to 4PM
Admission by donation
Call (604) 733-2313 for more info.

Coast Modern Film is on Twitter

Michael Bernard — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 05:09:31 +0000

It’s official, Coast Modern is now on Twitter. Join us for news and updates. Tweet. (We like our bird better)

Coast Modern Still In Production

Michael Bernard — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:40:38 +0000

We are still in production and are aiming for a Spring 2010 release. Overwhelmed by all the amazing feedback and response we received from people around the globe. We’ll be working through the summer so sit tight and watch this space for updates. Stoked for completion.

Cheers, Gavin & Mike.