CULTURE
GENLUX
Modernism Barbie ABOUT LISA VOSSLER-SMITH’S MAJOR AND MINOR OBSESSIONS. —STEPHEN KAMIFUJI
FREEZING TIME: LISA VOSSLER-SMITH HOLDING HER “OTHER” HUSBAND, KEN, AT THE HOME OF MICHAEL VON WIT TENAU AND BOB BOGARD, OCOTILLO LODGE, PALM SPRINGS. RIGHT: A FEW OF LISA’S @TINYPALMSPRINGS
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odernism Week, a carnival of architectural reverence, reached new heights this year when 130,000 rabid mid-century aficionados descended into the Palm Springs area—doubling the previous year’s numbers. The festival is a veritable Noah’s Ark of design enthusiasts from 18 different countries and all 50 states. Orchestrating the festivities is CEO Lisa Vossler-Smith, who meticulously plans the eleven-day February schedule of over 350 events and another shorter four-day set in October. “We start planning the next event almost immediately after the current one ends,” Lisa shares. “It’s a continuous cycle, but it’s worth every moment when you see the joy it brings to people.” Modernism Week isn’t just a parade of aesthetic indulgence; it’s a cash cow with a conscience. The event, a nonprofit since 2009, has become a lifeline for other nonprofits, sharing ticket revenues and ensuring mid-century modernism isn’t just preserved but also purposeful. What began with five partners, including the Palm Springs Art Museum and the Palm Springs Historical
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Society, had blossomed into about 60 partnerships. “We share the proceeds with local nonprofits, primarily in the arts and architectural fields,” Lisa says. “It’s a beautiful way to give back to the community and support important cultural initiatives.” Shifting gears to Lisa’s guilty pleasure is her Instagram project, @TinyPalmSprings, where she’s been photographing Barbie dolls in real-life settings around Palm Springs for nearly nine years, creating a soap opera of plastic perfection. This project, born from a collection of 200+ Barbies and Lisa’s access to midcentury architectural backgrounds, has become her creative lifeline, where she’s posted over 1800 photos. “I’ve always loved Barbie,” she says, “but the two things didn’t combine for me until I was given a vintage Barbie collection.” Her photos are a whimsical narrative of nostalgia and creativity, a playful counterbalance to the precise world of architectural preservation. “I love creating stories,” she says. “Each doll has a unique personality and backstory. It’s like directing a mini-movie, but the best part is I get to play with dolls in my 50s.” G
PHOTO OF LISA: ROBERT STEINKEN; MAKEUP BETHANY KARLYN / OPUS BEAUT Y USING SHISEIDO BEAUT Y @BETHANYKARLYN
INSTAGRAM PHOTOS.