Art Deco in LongBeach

First Baptist Church, LongBeach, Photo Romi Cortier
First Baptist Church, LongBeach, Photo Romi Cortier
Art Deco Apartment, Longbeach, Photo Romi Cortier
Art Deco Apartment Building, LongBeach, Photo Romi Cortier
Art Deco Apartment Building, LongBeach, Photo Romi Cortier
Art Deco Apartment Building, LongBeach, Photo Romi Cortier
Art Deco Apartment Building, LongBeach, Photo Romi Cortier
Art Deco Apartment Building, LongBeach, Photo Romi Cortier
Art Deco Commercial Building, LongBeach, Photo Romi Cortier
Art Deco Commercial Building, LongBeach, Photo Romi Cortier
The Lafayette, Art Deco Building, LongBeach, Photo Romi Cortier
The Lafayette, Art Deco Building, LongBeach, Photo Romi Cortier

LongBeach has a large array of Art Deco, from the Queen Mary, to the Lafayette, to little known apartment buildings. In fact, there’s even an entire collection of deco buildings know as Lowell Elementary School that covers several blocks on Livingston Drive.

What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than canvasing the streets of LongBeach looking for Art Deco gems. My initial search online didn’t yield much. But I was meeting a buddy for lunch, who was in town on a business trip from Manhattan, and I knew there just had to be some great buildings worth photographing. The East Village Arts District had three  amazing buildings across from one another, including the Lafayette.  And the First Baptist Church, located on Pine Avenue,  is on the eastern border of a ‘transitional’ neighborhood that’s clearly undergoing gentrification. In hindsight  it  would make sense to head to the older areas of town to find structures built in the 20’s and 30’s. I just had to remind myself to be patient and not lean on the horn for any reason… wouldn’t want to end up with a ‘cap in my ass’.

The one element of the church spire that really grabbed my attention,  was the black disks near the top. They make me think of the May Company Building with it’s massive gold cylinder on Wilshire Boulevard, in LA’s Miracle Mile. It’s such a specific design feature whose rarity makes it unforgettable. And while we’re on the top of specific design elements, take a close look at rooflines of each of the buildings. They each have a very different silhouette, yet all of them fall into the design category of Art Deco. The vertical bands on each of the buildings also helps identify the deco period. The zig zag patterns in the plaster reliefs are hallmarks of 1920’s Art Deco, while the bright pastel tones of the structure with the street corner cylinder make me think of Florida’s Tropical Art Deco, done in the Streamline Moderne style.

You might be wondering why I chose to include the Queen Mary as my opening image for this series, but when I think Art Deco and LongBeach, she’s what comes to mind first. And what has a stronger silhouette than those three smoke stacks, tilted slightly backwards. She looks like she’s moving, even when she’s standing still, exemplifying  the spirit of deco. Planes, Trains, Cars, Steamships… it was all about the new found glamour of travel and how quickly we could get from one place to another after we evolved from the horse drawn carriage.

And a little FYI, the first 30 minutes of parking at the Queen Mary in the Port of LongBeach are free. I didn’t exactly know that when I took the ticket to get into their parking lot. I just knew I wasn’t leaving town without a good shot of her, and if that meant paying for parking, so be it. I was planning on making the argument of being lost and needing to turn around… I guess I’m not the only one who’s done that. Art Deco will be turning 100 in a few years, and I predict you’ll be reading a lot more about that period in the coming years.

 

Antigone – Video Installation by Mark Boulos at LAXART Gallery

ANTIGONE - Video Installation by Mark Bouos, Photo Romi Cortier
ANTIGONE – Video Installation by Mark Bouos, Photo Romi Cortier
ANTIGONE - Video Installation by Mark Boulos, Photo Romi Cortier
ANTIGONE – Video Installation by Mark Boulos, Photo Romi Cortier
ANTIGONE - Video Installation by Mark Boulos, with Actress Catherine Carlen, Photo Romi Cortier
ANTIGONE – Video Installation by Mark Boulos, with Actress Catherine Carlen, Photo Romi Cortier
ANTIGONE - Video Installation by Mark Boulos, Photo Romi Cortier
ANTIGONE – Video Installation by Mark Boulos, Photo Romi Cortier
Actress Catherine Carlen and Romi Cortier taking a selfie inside Mark Boulos's Video Installaion - ANTIGONE.
Actress Catherine Carlen and Romi Cortier taking a selfie inside Mark Boulos’s Video Installaion – ANTIGONE.
Actress Julie Janney, Filmmaker Mark Boulos, Actress Catherine Carlen, and Actress Elayn Taylor
ANTIGONE: Actress Julie Janney, Filmmaker Mark Boulos, Actress Catherine Carlen, and Actress Elayn Taylor

I was completely enthralled by ANTIGONE at LAXART Gallery, the latest Video Installation by Mark Boulos.

Actress Catherine Carlen was recently referred to me by longtime client and friend Actress Sharon Lawrence. The two met while working on the short film The Bridge Partner,  which just wrapped production. Sharon kindly gave out my information, as she’s done countless times before, to Catherine who was looking for someone to reshape her hair. While in the chair, Carlen invited me to attend the premiere of Antigone, a new Video Installation by Mark Boulos.

The Culver City ArtWalk was packed with Angelenos out enjoying the warm September evening. I managed to slip into a few of my favorite galleries along the way, namely GEORGE BILLIS  and FRESH PAINT,  before entering the LAXART gallery. Catherine had given me a brief synopsis of what to expect, however, this premiere was also her first time seeing the completed Video Installation. I was transfixed by the three floating screens that could be viewed from both sides, which also gave us the opportunity to take a few selfies and art photos of our own.  The installation was edited together in a way that would give the performers the illusion of literally watching each other. One actress spoke candidly from her own experience as the two on the screens beside her reenacted her words. The objective was to muddle the line between enacted performances and documentary accounts, as the three performers spoke in unison. The process of getting to the finished piece took considerable work. The women worked off and on for several months exploring truth in method acting. They each shared personal stories, and were then asked to memorize the words of the other women and relive her experience, all of which was done on film. It takes a great leap of faith for a performer to allow themselves to be this raw in front of a camera and then trust the filmmaker to create a finished product that would stand on its own. It’s truly a collaborative project, and I applaud all of this fine women for fearlessly marching into the fire for the sake of making art.  Produced by Matthew Schum, Antigone will travel to Amsterdam, England, Geneva, Singapore and Tanzania.

Runs through October 18, 2014 at LAXART Gallery, 2640 S. La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90034

Clip from ANTIGONE

CatherineCarlen.com

 

Church Spires in Los Angeles

Church, Los Angeles, Photo Romi Cortier
Church Spire on Olympic Boulevard,  Los Angeles, Photo Romi Cortier
Church, Los Angeles, Photo Romi Cortrier
Church Spire, Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, Photo Romi Cortier
Church, Los Angeles, Photo Romi Cortier
Church Spire, Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, Photo Romi Cortier
Church, Los Angeles, Photo Romi Cortier
Church Spire, Third Street, Los Angeles, Photo Romi Cortier
Church, Los Angeles, Photo Romi Cortier
Church Spire, Gower Avenue,  Los Angeles, Photo Romi Cortier
Church, Los Angeles, Photo Romi Cortier
Church Spire, Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, Photo Romi Cortier

Los Angeles has some spectacular Church Spires, which is remarkable since we’re often referred to as Sin City.  But in a city with over 2,000 churches, we can’t all be bad, can we?  Maybe that’s why we’re also known as the City of Angels. Clearly, church and community have been very important to Angelenos over the decades. Why else would so much time, effort and money have gone into creating such total works of art.

A Spire etymologically is derived from the Old English word spir, meaning sprout, shoot, or stalk of grass. Symbolically they have two functions: to proclaim marital power, (reminiscent of the spear point it gives the impression of strength) and to reach towards the skies. The celestial and hopeful gesture of the spire is one reason for its association with religious buildings. It’s not just a symbol of piety, but is often seen as a symbol of the wealth and prestige of the order, or patron who commissioned the building.

The movie Stigmata has always been one of my favorite films. IMDB lists it as Horror/Thriller, however, I think it’s quite remarkable in it’s message. Basically the film has 3 scholarly priests, located in 3 regions of the world,  each deciphering a portion of a long lost document, believed to be the actual word  of Christ. Never allowed to share their findings with each other, the Church swears them to secrecy. Alas, Patricia Arquette begins to channel the findings of one priest via his rosary beads, a gift from her eccentric mother purchased at a Sau Paulo street fair. By the end of the film we learn the simple premise: Break open a stone, and I am there. Cut open a piece of wood, and I am there. God is everywhere, therefore, we don’t really need the church. Suffice it to say, I’m not a terribly religious guy. That said, I’ve never felt closer to god than when sitting in front of the Rose Window at Notre Dame in Paris. The craftsmanship of that structure, which took centuries to build, does exactly what it’s meant to do.  With it’s massive stained glass windows and soaring cathedral ceilings, it inspires one to look upwards towards the heavens in complete aw.

So, as you’re stuck in LA traffic, honking your horn and waiting impatiently, take a moment to look to the tops of some the buildings around you, or on the horizon… you must just be surprised at what you see.

 

 

 

Romi Cortier Design’s Traveling Tote Bag

Romi Cortier Design Tote at the Coliseum, Italy.
Romi Cortier Design Tote at the Coliseum, Italy.
RCD Tote on Roman Door, Rome
RCD Tote on Roman Door, Rome
RCD Tote, Venice Canal, Venice
RCD Tote, Venice Canal, Venice
RCD Tote in Grand Central Station, New York City
RCD Tote in Grand Central Station, New York City
Romi Cortier Design Tote Bag, Venice
RCD Tote,  Venice
RCD Tote, Pike Place Market, Seattle Wa.
RCD Tote, Pike Place Market, Seattle Wa.
RCD Tote, Washington State Ferry
RCD Tote, Washington State Ferry
RCD Tote, Stratosphere, Las Vegas
RCD Tote, Stratosphere, Las Vegas

Romi Cortier Design’s Traveling Tote Bag seems to be the hottest travel item seen around the world this summer. From Rome, to Venice, To Vegas, to Seattle and Manhattan… it’s everywhere!

It truly helps to have world class clients traveling the globe with their reusable RCD Tote bag. Honestly, I was just joking when I asked one of my clients to take a snap shot with the tote bag while vacationing in Europe… little did I know it would become the dedicated subject of several of their vacation images. Now I’m on a quest, to have the tote bag photographed in front of every major monument around the globe.  I mean really, what better way to accessorize the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty, or the Taj Mahal, then with one of our totes… and as you can see from the photos above, we don’t have that image yet. So please feel free to email us your favorite vacation image with our tote, so we can proudly add it to future posts.

A year ago September we were discussing what direction to take the RCD Brand, from web site development, to the creation of a new logo, to the remodeling of the salons interior and exterior. Thanks to the hard work and creative inspiration of Steven James Scott and Adeye Sahran, what we developed far surpassed my expectations. I feel like the team  gave me a greater vision of myself, a vision that nudged me to step up my game and reach just a little bit higher. Today the new logo is on all of our social media icons, business cards tailored to each stylist, two separate RCD tote bags,  our new awning, as well as a color version of the logo designed exclusively  for the salon entry door.

What does 2015 hold? Well, we just got in several sample T-Shirts with the logo that look pretty amazing.  I’d also love to develop a signature candle as well as hair care and body care products. I’m a huge fan of the French Parfumerie Fragonard, and two of their scents that truly inspire me are Suivez-Moi, and Desert. Smokey and Sultry,  with an undertone of sweetness. Subtle. Sophisticated. Understated. The way a fragrance should be experienced.  The video below will take you on a little tour of their Perfumery Factory and Museum in Grasse France.

 

Las Vegas’s Vintage Neon Signs

Vintage Neon Cowboy, Las Vegas, Photo Romi Cortier
Vintage Neon Cowboy, Las Vegas, Photo Romi Cortier
Vintage Neon Horse, Las Vegas, Photo Romi Cortier
Vintage Neon Horse, Las Vegas, Photo Romi Cortier
Vintage Neon Glitter Gulch Sign, Las Vegas, Photo Romi Cortier
Vintage Neon Glitter Gulch Sign, Las Vegas, Photo Romi Cortier
Vintage Neon Griffin Sign, Las Vegas, Photo Romi Cortier
Vintage Neon Griffin Sign, Las Vegas, Photo Romi Cortier
Vintage Neon Showgirl Sign, Las Vegas, Photo Romi Cortier
Vintage Neon Showgirl Sign, Las Vegas, Photo Romi Cortier
Vintage Martini Neon Sign, Las Vegas, Photo Romi Cortier
Vintage Martini Neon Sign, Las Vegas, Photo Romi Cortier
Vintage Neon Swimmer Sign, Las Vegas, Photo Romi Cortier
Vintage Neon Swimmer Sign, Las Vegas, Photo Romi Cortier
Vintage Neon Starburst Sign, Las Vegas, Photo Romi Cortier
Vintage Neon Starburst Sign, Las Vegas, Photo Romi Cortier

I love Las Vegas’s Vintage Neon Signs. They’re one of my favorite attractions in old downtown Las Vegas, which is located at the north end  of the strip on Fremont Street.  If you haven’t already been there, you must add it to your ‘to do’ list next time you’re in town. The scale of this area is much more human than the strip, with it’s mega casinos and hoards of tourists 20 deep on the streets. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still packed on Friday and Saturday nights with plenty of freaky folks to rival those on LA’s  Hollywood Boulevard. But there’s something old world and nostalgic about this area that keeps me coming back.

Named for John Charles Fremont,  it  dates back to 1905 when Vegas was founded, and became the city’s first paved road in 1925. Gambling was legalized in 1931 even though it was established well before then. The western end of Fremont Street was quite literally the picture of Las Vegas that was included in virtually every tv show and movie displaying the lights of Vegas…  think Elvis Presley in Viva Las Vegas 1964, or James Bond‘s Diamonds are Forever in 1971.

The road  to Glitter Gulch was closed to traffic in 1994, and the city embarked on construction of the Fremont Street Experience,  designed exclusively for  pedestrians. Imagine a metal canopy built 90 feet above the street that’s 90 feet wide and over  1500 feet long (4 blocks). Known as the Viva Vision Screen, it’s made up of 12.5 million LED lamps with a 550,000-watt sound system and plays 6 minute shows every hour beginning at dusk till 1:00 am. Recent expansion to the east, known as Fremont Street Experience East, features more of the refurbished vintage neon I’ve posted above and leads to several urban nightclubs.

If all of this isn’t enough to get you to old downtown Las Vegas, then go for the deep fried Twinkies and Oreos served at Mermaids Bar and Casino… that’s right, I loves me some junk food! Go big or go home. Honestly, it’s the first stop I make when I head to Vegas. However, it’s quite rich, so you might want to share an order with a special someone. But get there before midnight, because as I recently found out, that’s when they quit serving it.  I was ecstatic to get the very last order when I stopped in there a couple of weeks ago… and the twenty people behind me in line were groaning pretty loudly.   And let me tell you, there was a guy hovering near my table as he ‘waited for his wife’ who was using the restroom. He was eyeing the goods… but I wasn’t sharing. No way no how.

 

 

 

A Design Diary by Romi Cortier