Nancy Baron: Palm Springs Modern Dogs

Nancy Baron: Palm Springs Modern Dogs by Aline SmithsonSeptember 26, 2020

©Nancy Baron, Cover of Palm Springs Modern Dogs at Home, published by Schiffer Books

In a time of self-quarantine and confinement, a time of wildfires, hurricanes, and earthquakes, plus the addition of a contentious election looming, Nancy Baron’s new book and exhibition, Palm Springs Modern Dogs at Home is the perfect tonic for thinking about better times. Her photographs allow us bask in the sun drenched glow of mid-century architecture, revealing perfect canine companions in this desert community. Each expertly framed architectural composition is a portrait of place, with the dogs providing a particular humanity. Psychologists feel that owning a dog increases feelings of relaxation, trust, and empathy while reducing stress and anxiety–that and a chilled martini makes for a very good life….and a very good book.

Her new effort follows her previous books on Palm Springs lifestyles: The Good Life > Palm Springs and Palm Springs > The Good Life Goes On, published by Kehrer Verlag and Beautiful Trailertown, which is self-published.

Nancy recently opened a show at the Griffin Museum of Photography in Boston running from September 5 – October 23, 2020, with an Artist’s Talk and Reception on October 4, 2020 7-8:30 PM EST. You can sign up for the talk here. She also giving a lecture on October 13th at 2pmPST at the Center for Photographic Arts in Carmel. You can sign up here.

Griffin Museum exhibition install

Born in Chicago, Nancy Baron is now based in Los Angeles and Palm Springs, California. In her fine art documentary photography she uses portraits, landscapes, and architectural photographs to record the world nearby with a hopeful bias.

Nancy’s prints have been exhibited in group and solo shows internationally and are held in public and private collections. Her photography has been published in notable magazines and newspapers worldwide, including The New York Times, Madame Figaro, W Magazine, Architectural Digest, The Telegraph Magazine, Conde Nast Traveler, Fast Times, Mother Jones, and on the Apple, CNN, and BBC websites.

Baron’s two monographs, The Good Life > Palm Springs and Palm Springs > The Good Life Goes On are published by Kehrer Verlag and are held in various museum libraries, including MOMA, LACMA, the Getty, The Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University, and The Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas, Austin.

Nancy’s third monograph, Palm Springs Modern Dogs at Home, published by Schiffer Books in September 2020, is now available.

©Nancy Baron, Abbey

Palm Springs Modern Dogs at Home

In good times and bad, our best friends are there for support, therapy, and unconditional love. Especially now–where would we be without our dogs? Although the so-called modernists of Palm Springs embrace the serenity of life in post WWII America, the sometimes-harsh realities of contemporary life are impossible to ignore. These mid twentieth century re-enactors are often transplants, enjoying the Palm Springs lifestyle with their dogs and friends as their chosen family. The beautiful climate, wide-open spaces, and clean décor make the perfect home for their desert pets that are as lovingly groomed and cared-for as their surroundings.

For the many years that Palm Springs has been my second home, I’ve been documenting the endlessly intriguing lifestyle beyond its resorts. As a Chicago native, my fascination and appreciation for this desert oasis is magnified and unwaning. The community has welcomed my camera and me into their homes, perfect odes to mid century modern American design. The dogs of the house often follow me around and wander into my camera frame, adding warmth and life to the image as they do to their homes. In these pages I have put these precious pups in the spotlight where they belong.