KiMo Theater

Very Very Nice.

Here is a recent photo.

Carptrash:

I am not writing this in an argumentative tone. I just wanted to state that up front so that people won’t “read” an attitude where there isn’t meant to be one.

Your post regarding the phrase “Pueblo Deco” proves my point. I stated that it must have been made up by someone in the last 30 years or so because it’s certainly not a term that the architects themselves would have used. You state that the term was coined in 1968. As an architectural historian myself, my contention is that the Kimo is not art deco. Even if art deco enthusiasts (of which I am one) were to say that it is, it would only show that those enthusiasts are misinformed.

Again, I am not writing this to start an argument, and if you want to continue this discussion I will be very happy to exchange ideas and comments with you via email. I love discussing architecture with anyone who will listen, and I promise to keep things on a professional, and good natured, level.

This is the Kimo at night.

Ziggy:

The term “Pueblo Deco” was coined by architectural historian Marcus Wiffen who certainly did know what he was talking about.

He used it to describe a style of ornamentation that was a hybrid based on Native designs from baskets, pottery, jewelry and such and the more Moderne designs that we now call Art Deco – a term that was only invented around 1968 or so. We could argue about if all the ornamentation were stripped off the KiMo whether we would have a Deco shell of a Pueblo Revival shell, but I suspect that you’d loose were we to take a vote among deco enthusiasts if you still maintain that the KiMo is not a deco theatre.

This is a nice photo.

This is a new link for the Library of Congress photo.

A 1984 view of the Kimo Theater in Albuquerque.

Yes Howard, but just because a term is often used doesn’t make it correctly used. I’ve seen “Art Deco” used to describe items and styles that are way outside the art deco period and style. The term “Art Deco” correctly refers only to items who’s style is inspired by the themes of the 1925 Arts Decoratifs exposition in Paris. This style was a reaction against the historicism and romanticism which had been driving the decorative arts and architecture. The Kimo theatre, with its obivious roots in Native American style is a wonderful and unique expression of the historicism that american architects loved in the 1920’s, but it is not “Deco” is any way, neithier “Pueblo” not “Art”. Again, I suspect the name was made up by someone who either wanted to ride on the popularity of art deco, or because it sounded plausible, but it’s a disservice to the actual style of the theatre to call it something that it’s not.

I don’t think it’s right to call the style of this theatre “Pueblo Deco”, since that is a term that must have been made up by someone in the past thirty years or so. Art Deco was virtually unknown in Albuquerque in 1927, and was just barely beginning in the U.S. in general. It’s highly unlikely that the Boller Bros. somehow fused native and modernistic elements to produce “Pueblo Deco”. This would be especially true since Art Deco was not called Art Deco in 1927. It was referred to as “Art Moderne”. I’m sure that “Pueblo Deco” was not used by the architects, and that the term wasn’t used at all until the 1970’s, if even that early. It’s probably a term made up by someone not knowledgeable enough to know how inaccurate it is. There really are no “Art Deco” themes in this theatre.

This is a 2007 photo of the KiMo Theater.

I was recently in Albuquerque on business, and stumbled upon the Kimo. It is open every day for touring, and the theatre is stunning.
The restoration is near flawless and is a incredible example of the Southwest Pueblo Indian style. The Kimo features murals by the German
artist Karl Von Hassler (who had his studio in the upstairs offices for a time) titled The Seven Cities of Cibola; they’re a spectacular highlight. A visit to the Kimo is must for classic theatre buffs. You will not be disappointed.