Collecting from the Past, Living in the Present

A full-time career, numerous consulting jobs, teaching at the university level, record producer, mid-century design and architecture historian and documentary producer. To say that Keith York is a multi-tasker is like saying Stan Getz was a good jazz artist.

More background on Keith. His official job title is Director of Programming for KPBS TV in San Diego. Basically, what this means, is he plans which shows will air, and when. Keith is also the person one would see if they had a video they wanted to shop for airplay. In addition to programming, he’s in the position to help people produce their shows, come up with budgeting, help with fund-raising and so on and so forth. In recent years he has been at the helm of a new high definition television channel for PBS (you have to have a HD TV to get it), the one and only of its kind in the country.
Is it any wonder Keith has won every, single national programming award in public television? Some of them more than once? Most recently, he was awarded the honor of Innovator of the Year.

At San Diego State University, Keith teaches media and communication classes in between his work at KPBS, which works out well with the television station located on the edge of the campus - the commute is a non-issue.

As for record producing, Silver Girl records is Keith's own label and in the last few years they’ve continued to expand their roster of artists, along with tour dates. Not only does he produce the records, he promotes them as well.

That aside, one project that continues to occupy a large portion of his life, and labor, is the restoration of his 1954 Craig Ellwood house. Typical of mid-century homes, its structure is post and beam with a back facade made up almost entirely of large glass panels. The interior is furnished with pieces by George Nelson and Charles and Ray Eames.

Keith is very detail oriented and when he decides to do something he doesn’t guess. He goes to the library or online. Meticulous with his research, Keith found the original plans, poured over vintage photographs, and made many a phone call to ensure that the restoration would be true to Ellwood’s vision. He collects modern furniture and art with the same zeal and can often be seen with his portable scanner amid the stacks capturing images for further study.I have to add here that one great thing about having Keith for a friend, is the fact that, at his fingertips, he has access to a wide variety of information. For example, one day we were talking about Lloyd Ruocco, a well regarded, if not universally well-known, San Diego architect. The next time I saw him he had the documentary on him from an old PBS airing. Anything you want, he has.

mmmmm

I asked Keith if he could pin point the time when he became serious about modern design. He said it was a number of years back and he was in the market for a desk. He stopped in at Boomerang (in its previous location on Park Boulevard) and, though he was totally unfamiliar with the mid-century style, was taken by a George Nelson desk. After leaving, he pondered the potential acquisition and decided to go back and buy it... but it was gone. However, his interest was not and the seed was firmly planted when his neighbor offered him two Eames Zenith chairs. Original originals. Made in L.A., before Herman Miller took over the production. He snatched them up and restored them, thus beginning his fascination and determination in collecting and restoring.

Keith has begun to expand his collection, taking an avid interest in the art and accessories of the period. He tells me one group in particular has caught his attention. They’re known as the Allied Craftsmen, and include artists such as Barney Reid and Sheldon Kirby, among others. I asked for more information and, naturally, Keith had a book handy. After reading several paragraphs, I took one of the pottery pieces in hand to have a look at the underside. There was a yellow dot sticker along with the artist’s name, year it was made, and the price. It was bought through the artist’s estate. I told him that he forgot to remove the sticker, and he told me it was left on intentionally.... for future documentation. Did I mention Keith is detail oriented?

For more information on Keith see www.silvergirl.com , www.kpbs.org , www.modernsandiego.com