Just as spring was preparing to blossom throughout the region and the seasonal changes were once again repainting Virginia Robinson Gardens’ glorious landscape, the Friends and guests gathered to celebrate the end of their most recent educational lecture series, co-chaired by Clare Wagner, Suz Landay, and Ann Petersen on April 14, 2022.
Featuring Tim Street-Porter and Annie Kelly discussing their new book, Los Angeles Today - City of Dreams: Architecture and Design, the 45-minute talk inside the Pool Pavilion highlighted the dynamic changes that continue to engulf Los Angeles.
“Tim was really focused on getting the icons of Los Angeles,” Annie told the Friends.
In their lush new book published by Rizzoli, Tim beautifully captures the zeitgeist of Los Angeles on the cusp of the Covid-19 pandemic through a series of approximately 250 photographs. The book is lovingly edited by Tim’s wife of 45 years, Annie.
“This was kind of a Covid book in a way,” Annie said. “The whole process of the book was part of the pandemic. It’s really a very personal project.”
While the photographs were shot before the pandemic, including a penetrating shot of the Formosa Café just a few days before it closed forever, the editing process took place during the early months when the world was on lockdown. During that time, Annie was quarantined in Australia, and Tim was in Los Angeles. Their strong history of collaboration – this is their 12th book together – fostered an easy collaborative process despite the distance.
Gracing the cover of the book is a particularly iconic shot of the Griffith Park Observatory, the grassy landscape in the forefront, and the ever-evolving Downtown Los Angeles skyline in the background.
“People think Los Angeles doesn’t have parks,” Tim said. “I think it was important to showcase the extensive green space.”
Similar to the cover, which beautifully highlights the juxtaposition of the multi-faceted landscape that is Los Angeles, the book is replete with beguiling images spotlighting Los Angeles’s unique arsenal of photogenic landmarks.
From the striking image of City Hall from across Grand Park to a lesser-seen view of Disney Concert Hall to the gorgeous Rose Garden at the Huntington Library and several stunning shots of the Virginia Robinson Gardens, the book offers beautiful and unique glimpses of Los Angeles.
“I’m looking at the lighting as much as I am looking at the architecture in terms of what to shoot,” Tim said.
Among the most personal photographs is one of their Los Angeles home, number 603 on the Registry of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monuments and the one-time home of Leonard Bernstein. There’s also a serene shot of a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home in Pasadena built above an arroyo and another of Diane Keaton’s one-time home that helped launch the trend of Hollywood stars revitalizing architecturally significant homes.
“The movie industry is a generator of dreams,” Tim said.
Once again, the lecture series began with juice, champagne, coffee, and cookies as the Friends caught up. Following the discussion, attendees gathered amidst the roses for a lunch catered by the Kitchen for Exploring Foods which included fried chicken, grilled vegetables, Parmesan crisps, saffron rice, and dessert. A wonderful time was had by all!
Post by Laura Coleman
Friends of Robinson Gardens Member
Photos by Kerstin Royce, Sharon Gart, Clare Wagner, and April Walton
SUZ LANDAY
IT WAS A SPECIAL AFTERNOON FOR SURE.
Monica
Such fun to be back in the gardens!