During this year’s Modernism Week in Palm Springs we attended a lecture about iconic LA architect Craig Ellwood. A small detail remained in our memories – a short film like we’ve never seen before by his daughter Erin Ellwood, a designer and film-maker based in Ojai, California.
We all know the stories about the famous mid-century modern architect Craig Ellwood from many articles and documentaries out there but this short film brings together much more than architecture and design – and it shows Craig Ellwood’s architecture from a totally different point of view.
After the renovation of the iconic Smith House where Erin Ellwood provided plans and other details her wish was to stay in a home her father designed. The clients agreed and together with her mother, actress Gloria Henry, Erin moved in for three days. But it doesn’t finish here.
Erin brought a camera with her and captured without any storyboard what she and her mother experienced for the first time in their lives – first of all the architecture of their husband and father! But there’s something else behind it: The film also shows the imperfection of life we don’t want to see in today’s social media – the real life without any filter! Listen carefully…the architect, the actress, life back in the midcentury modern era and much more collides in just a view minutes!
We never expected an answer but when we asked how to watch the film again and how to show it to our friends and colleagues here in Europe Erin sent us this link:
TRUTH TO BE TOLD – EPISODE 1
Please tweet your comments, we’re so excited to know what you think about it!
By the way: Erin co-edited the monograph Making L.A. Modern: Craig Ellwood – Myth, Man, Designer, which was published in April 2018 by Rizzoli. The personal essay she wrote for that book, “Growing Up With Uncomfortable Furniture,” was excerpted by the L.A. Times.
Images: anothermag.com, egg creative.com, themodernhouse.com
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Truth Be Told is truly a wonderfully told story of a wife,mother,and actress;as she reflects on a life well lived, At 97 Gloria has truly seen it all,and speaks her mind with no holds barred;and why shouldn;t she;she is wise for the life experiences. Thanks for your words of wisdom Ms. Henry;and thanks to Ms. Ellwood and Michael for a fine work of art!
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