Room for the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition
Artist/Designer:
William (Billy) Haines
Project Location:
California, United States
Figure 1: William (Billy) Haines was invited to design a room for the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition in San Francisco, "where the organizers of the Division of Decorative Arts wanted to demonstrate that the emerging 'American Modern' style possessed 'a general understanding that good things of all periods live well together and that good things are timeless.' This philosophy was already the hallmark of Haines' design work. By being asked to create a model room alongside those by established and emerging modernists, such as Alvar Aalto, Tommi Parzinger, Frances Elkins, William Pahlmann, Marcel Breuer, and McMillen, Inc., Haines was officially recognized as one of the country's leading designers. In his 'Desert Living Room' (the name he gave the model space), Haines hung an oil painting by Georgia O'Keeffe over the fireplace, which set the mood for the room. The minimalist metal-framed fireplace was surrounded by silver and turquoise."--from Page 88, Class Act: William Haines: Legendary Hollywood Decorator
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Photographer: Class Act: William Haines, Legendary Hollywood Decorator, page 89 )
Figure 2: "The graphic, textured walls were made of California Joshua wood...Every element in the 'Desert Living Room' was evocative and sensual--from the leather-and-parchment floor and sheer mohair curtains to the felt and leather sofa and buckeye-burl and rawhide coffee table. Haines designed the backgammon table for the most elegant of settings. The backgammon pieces were made of lucite and imitation tortoise shell."--from Page 88, Class Act: William Haines: Legendary Hollywood Decorator
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Photographer: Class Act: William Haines, Legendary Hollywood Decorator )
Style/Period(s):
Modern
Primary Material(s):
Fabric, Wood
Function(s):
Exhibition
Related Website(s):
Significant Date(s):
20th Century, 1930-1939, 1939
Additional Information:
Schifando, Peter and Mathison, Jean H. Class Act: William Haines, Legendary Hollywood Decorator (New York: Pointed Press, 2005).
Mann, William J. Wisecracker: The Story of Hollywood's First Openly Gay Star (Penguin Books, 1998).
Mann, William J. "William Haines: Creator of a Smart New Look for the Hollywood Scene", Architectural Digest, January 2000.
http://www.williamhaines.com
The 1939 San Francisco Golden Gate Exhibition was held on what was known as "Treasure Island", a man-made island constructed for the exhibition.
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