Photographer Dolly Faibyshev, a self-described “American born to Russian immigrants,” explores the American dream on both coasts, in New York City, Las Vegas, and now Palm Springs. Having captured dog shows, rodeos, and Occupy Wall Street on camera, she turns to architecture from the 1950s and 60s, looking at California just as an ordinary tourist might take in the view. Yet, Faibyshev’s Palm Springs is empty of people, uninterrupted but for the shadows of neighboring trees.
Faibyshev shares her vision in Palm Springs: Mid-Century Modern Postcard Book, a collection of 32 bright pictures of architecture in the low desert. Most of the postcards show resort-era Palm Springs from a drivers-eye view. The book also includes interior shots of the Aerial Tramway Valley Station, the Ace Hotel, and the Palm Springs Desert Museum. Many postcards depict landmarks such as the Palm Springs City Hall, Swiss Miss House, Elvis’ Honeymoon House, and Neutra’s Kaufmann House. Others celebrate the details of mailboxes, carports, stone and perforated walls, chalet entrances, wide driveways, brightly painted doors, trees, sand, and stone. Each postcard is descriptively titled, and, for more widely known subjects, Faibyshev lists the building’s name, date, and architect. The collection is printed on thick cardstock and perforated, ready to be sent or kept as a sunny addition to one’s personal library.
Palm Springs: Mid-Century Modern Postcard Book By Dolly Faibyshev $12.99 Buy here
