a month ago, i was invited to experience the opening of XAVIER VEILHAN’s architectones series with music by NICOLAS GODIN of the band AIR, all of which took place at the legendary SHEATS-GOLDSTEIN residence, originally built by master architect JOHN LAUTNER. some may recognize this house from the film the big lebowski. that evening, VEILHAN released his first series of site-specific sculptures, strategically placed about the home as the accompanying music played to complement the experience. the structure itself is magical, as is the décor, but VEILHAN + GODIN’s unique additions made the experience sublime. additionally, there exists the only standalone JAMES TURRELL piece in the acreage below the home, another experiential wonder.
a photo of the architect JOHN LAUTNER looking out over LOS ANGELES from the home that he built. the first photo above, of the green statue of a man, is VEILHAN’s tribute to LAUTNER.
a RUSCHA hanging in one of the viewing rooms of the home.
the majority of the structure is built of poured concrete and made to fit in the hillside on which it rests, seamlessly blending into the exterior like a cave dwelling.