As part of the Hotel California body of work Ian included two pieces based on a stunning Palm Springs property, while not a hotel, this property and many like it were originally built as holiday homes. Ian says it still captures the spirit of what he wanted to portray and of course has the architectural qualities contrasted by the pools next to them - and of course the light.
‘I’ve always loved the Mid Century Modern architecture of Palm Springs contrasting with the desert. Everyone talks about my work being made of denim, and of course, it is California’s state official fabric, but my work is more than denim and what interests me the most is how light hits things.’ Ian Said.
Ian was lucky enough that his neighbour owned a beautiful property by Architect Jack Meiselman (Renovated 2013) called III Palms, the Atanasio–Martinez residence. Unlucky for Ian was that they may be neighbours, but only in London. Jack Meiselman, along with his brother Bernie, were the developers responsible for building a number of affordable mid-century modern homes in the Palm Springs area during the 1950s and 1960s and greatly responsible for the "Desert Modernism" movement and Anthony and Valarie’s house a perfect example.
Meiselman homes are famous for having features such as butterfly rooflines, post and beam ceilings, abundant walls of glass and clerestory windows, decorative concrete blocks and great indoor-outdoor flow to take advantage of the Palm Springs climate.
Anthony Atanasio and Valerie Martinez are not just neighbours but friends of Ian’s. For years Ian has been impressed with their credentials as top commercial film directors - lets not forget that Ian’s first professional years were in advertising. The multi-award winning husband and wife commercial directing team, ATANASIO + MARTINEZ have according to critics, consistently produced commercials that "pushes the technical boundaries of what advertising could/should be"
There She Stood in the Doorway
The creative duo have done ads for the likes of Ethihad, Audi, Nike, Budweiser, Diesel and Hotpoint and with talent such as Nicole Kidman and Liam Hemsworth who both highly commended the Anglo-French team as well as the industries award juries.
‘If I was still in advertising working as an Art Director I would be just dreaming of working with Anthony and Valerie. But I’m lucky that I live in a building with such creative people and glad to call these guys my neighbours’ Ian added.
credit http://www.atanasio-martinez.com/
Valerie Martinez at the opening of Hotel California at the Catto Gallery, London
details of the bushes by the Atanasio-Martinez property in Such a Lovely Place. Credit Debbie Bragg
Valerie sat in the chair looking back over her property in Palm Springs. Credit Debbie Bragg
Ian is grateful to Anthony and Valerie for letting him work with their beautiful home to immortalize in denim and they were the first to view in Ian’s studio.
‘All the other pieces in the collection I took the photos and set up the scenes, so I am really happy to have worked with Anthony and Valerie - as not only are they top Directors, Anthony is a great photographer.’
You can see the show until the 28th July 2019 at
CATTO GALLERY
100 Heath Street London, NW3 1DP
Gallery opening times
Monday - Saturday 10 - 6pm
Sunday 12.30 - 6pm