LA Examiner

Category: Arts

  • Artist Umar Rashid Curates a Robert Colescott Show for Blum LA

    Artist Umar Rashid Curates a Robert Colescott Show for Blum LA

    Image credits: Pexels

    LA-based artist Umar Rashid is bringing his “The Anansean World of Robert Colescott” to Blum. The curated show combines 30 paintings and drawings from five decades of Colescott’s career. Works include drawings from the early 1950s, when Colescott would have been studying in Paris under Cubist artist Fernand Léger, semi-abstract paintings from the late 1960s, and works from the height of his career from the 1970s to the 1990s. The exhibition at Blum Los Angeles aims to shed a different light on the artist known for his harsh social critique of the US.

    Rashid brings a lifetime of adoration for Colescott, focusing on the historical aspects of the influential artist’s work. 

    Robert Colescott

    Robert Colescott’s most famous painting is “George Washington Carver Crossing the Delaware: Page From an American History Textbook” (1975). The work has since been acquired by the forthcoming Lucas Museum of Narrative Art at a Sotheby’s auction in 2021 for $15.3 million. Rashid drew inspiration for the exhibit from numerous spirits, including Ananse, a spider deity and trickster from West African mythology, positioning Colescott as the “grand trickster of the ages.”

    Umar Rashid’s Reflection on Colescott

    Rashid writes of Colescott, “The appellation is incredibly apt in terms of his artistic practice. Yet he was not born thus but forged through the crucible of being an African American fine artist in a time of limited opportunity for those like him and the ideals he sought to bring forth in a postindustrial world burdened by draconian racial awareness, social robotization, and post-imperial, imperial war machinations.”

    Rashid came into contact with Colescott’s “George Washington Carver Crossing the Delaware” years ago and compares the experience to a dream. Though he did not know the name of the pivotal work, Rashid knew of the iconic Leutze painting on which it is based.

    Artistic Influences

    Rashid grew up frequenting art museums with his father. He was taken by prominent artists such as Horace Pippin, Jacob Lawrence, Henry Ossawa Tanner, and Elizabeth Catlett, who created a canon of Black painters in his mind. It was in this environment that Rashid first experienced Colescott. He recalled in an interview, “I remember the Colescott and not thinking about or not looking at the cartoonish representation of Black people, but just looking at Black painters in general in the painting. But this painting just really stood out because it was historical. At the time, I didn’t get the tongue-in-cheek aspect of it. I didn’t see all the things that were happening. I just saw the image.”

    In 2018, Rashid was hosting an exhibition at the University of Arizona Museum of Art in Tucson when the curator told him that Colescott used to teach at that university. This brought him back to studying his work through a historical lens. Before that, Rashid was only familiar with Colescott’s nudes and Léger-era pieces. The Blum exhibition showcases a broader scope of his work to introduce the influential artist to a new audience.

    The curated exhibition runs through May 17 at Blum Los Angeles.

  • One Hundred Percent Exhibition Displays Artists’ Resilience Amid Wildfires

    One Hundred Percent Exhibition Displays Artists’ Resilience Amid Wildfires

    Image credit: Unsplash

    Just over three weeks ago, curator Aram Moshayedi issued an open invitation to visual artists and other creatives directly impacted by the devastating 2025 Los Angeles wildfires. The resulting exhibition, called One Hundred Percent, is donating all proceeds to the participating artists in a display of solidarity. To support the event, Moshayedi’s team is working entirely on a volunteer basis.

    A Remarkable Number of Participants

    More than 80 artists responded to the invitation, ranging from college graduates to preeminent figures like Diana Thater and Paul McCarthy, who lost their homes in the fires. The show is taking place at 619 N. Western Avenue from now until February 22, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.

    Artists Included in the Exhibition

    Some of the artists who will be featured in the One Hundred Percent exhibition include Marwa Abdul-Rahman, Kelly Akash, Kathryn Andrews, Eddie Rodolfo Aparicio, Lisa Atkinson, Ronna Ballister, Seth Bogart, Peter Bonoff, Maura Brewer, Fiona Yun-Jui Chang, Ching Ching Cheng, Alma Cielo, Kevin Cooley, Steven V. Correia, Beatriz Cortez, Petra Cortright, Akina Cox, Moira Cue, Rhea Cutillo, Calethia DeConto, Lou Dillan, Matt Doolin, Victoria Franklin-Dillan, Devyn Galindo, Howard Goldberg, and many more.

    Whether these artists are well-known or not, their work holds great value in such difficult times.

    “I’m honored to be part of One Hundred Percent,” said Pomonis, “an exhibition curated by Aram Moshayedi that brings together artists impacted by the Eaton and Palisades Fires. This show is an act of resilience—a space for collective reflection on loss, transformation, and the enduring power of art… Let’s assemble in community and art.”

    An Emotional Event

    In anticipation of the February 13 opening, Moshayedi had this to say about the unique event: 

    “I think there will be a lot of emotions. It’s a convergence of people who have been affected either directly or indirectly by the fires, and will hopefully offer an opportunity for some kind of release.”

    Art in the Face of Fire

    There is a wide variety of work on display at the exhibition, and much of it was created in direct response to the fires. Whether through photographs taken in the aftermath or resilient artworks that withstood the flames, the exhibition speaks volumes about the disaster. It’s easy to overlook just how much art has been lost in wildfires, but viewing what survived carries a deep significance.

    “As soon as the fires started,” Moshayedi continued, “I started collecting PDFs of available works by artists I knew to send around to collectors, donors, board members and others who I thought might be able to buy work in that moment of need. But I realised there were a lot more artists I didn’t know. I wanted to find a way to tap into that community of artists, who were anonymous to me, and lend whatever support and services I could as a curator.”

    Making the One Hundred Percent Exhibition Happen

    It was real-estate broker Geoffrey Anenberg who helped Moshayedi find the right space for the One Hundred Percent exhibition. After securing a venue on Western Avenue across from Zwirner, Moshayedi worked with Grief and Hope to send out the open invite. Working with an organization that raises emergency relief funds for artists and art workers proved to be an effective method, reaching numerous artists across Los Angeles.

    “Keeping in mind that your various capacities may be limited,” the invite read, “the idea of what constitutes a contribution or participation is completely open-ended and at your discretion.”

    Supporting Artists in Trying Times
    For those interested in supporting artists impacted by the Altadena, Eaton, and Palisades fires, Moshayedi’s One Hundred Percent exhibition offers the perfect opportunity to do so.

  • A New Art Fair Comes to LA

    A New Art Fair Comes to LA

    Image credit: Unsplash

    While the art world has felt bleak amid a buckling market, a new art fair is gracing Los Angeles this year. Named for its location, Santa Monica Post Office will run concurrently with Frieze LA and Felix art fair in February.

    The new boutique art fair may be small in size, but it is expected to pack a big punch. The LA fair was born from the earlier and smaller project Place des Vosges in Paris, also named for its location, for which a limited number of notable international galleries staged a show together over the last two consecutive years. Noticing some success and a lot of camaraderie, organizer Chris Sharp decided to bring this energy from the city of light to the city of angels.

    “The fair landscape has gotten really complicated,” Sharp said in an interview. “The fee structure [of larger fairs] is somewhat prohibitive, and I wanted to create an alternative to that.”

    In recent years, art fairs have expanded and become more corporatized, with substantial price increases, in which it can be difficult, if not impossible, for emerging or small galleries to participate, let alone experiment with their presentations. Charging project spaces $2,000 and galleries $6,000—a nominal fee compared to its larger competitors—Santa Monica Post Office will be “much more collegial” with “less pressure to sell.” It is expected to feel more like a large, curated group exhibition rather than an art fair with separate booths set up to sell.

    The Fluctuating Value of Creative Work

    The move is not entirely unexpected for the art world, which has seen art dealers dissatisfied with the status quo established by art fairs such as the Art Dealers Association of America and the Armory Show.

    The art world is not alone in facing these hurdles and feeling the need to crusade for its own worth. In the digital age, the value of creative work is being actively diminished or undervalued from nearly every angle. Even before the last few years, the sheer quantity of ‘content’ being pumped out in the film and television industry across streaming platforms had led to a dilution of its perceived worth among general audiences. The difference between planning a night out in which a viewer has to go to the theater, purchase a ticket, and view a film on its own terms in its own setting and simply flipping a movie on at home is monumental. 

    While these issues were already in place prior to COVID lockdowns, they were further exacerbated by the one-two punch of theaters closing for a period of time and the introduction of AI to the marketplace. Now, AI generators can produce artwork (whether that be an image, a novel, or a film) in far less time than it takes a human being to do so, leading to an even larger influx of quantity but at a far worse quality. The result has been that getting general audiences to properly value art as a resource and necessity can be a tremendous struggle.

    Who Is Featured?

    Santa Monica Post Office will feature a total of 28 local, national, and international galleries from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, Chicago, Toronto, New York, Milan, and Tokyo. The fair will consist exclusively of solo projects, including a presentation of one of Kaari Upson’s last bodies of work via Sprüth Magers, a showcase of Sara Cynwar’s latest work presented by Cooper Cole, and a show of work from the late Lin May Saeed from Chris Sharp Gallery.

    The full list of participants is listed below:

    • 4649, Tokyo
    • Babst Gallery, Los Angeles
    • Castle, Los Angeles
    • Chris Sharp Gallery, Los Angeles
    • Cooper Cole, Toronto
    • Cruise Control, Cambria
    • Ehrlich Steinberg, Los Angeles
    • Et al., San Francisco
    • Good Weather, Little Rock, Chicago
    • Gordon Robichaux, New York
    • Harlesden High Street, London
    • House of Seiko, San Francisco
    • Kayokoyuki, Tokyo
    • King’s Leap, New York
    • Laurel Gitlen, New York
    • Lomex, New York
    • Louis Reed, New York
    • Michael Benevento, Los Angeles
    • Overduin & Co., Los Angeles
    • P.P.O.W., New York
    • Roland Ross, Margate
    • Sprüth Magers, Berlin, London, Los Angeles, New York
    • Tanya Leighton Gallery, Berlin, Los Angeles
    • Theta, New York
    • Tomio Koyama Gallery, Tokyo
    • Tureen, Dallas
    • The Untitled Love, Los Angeles
    • Zero…, Milan

    The fair is set to be an exciting event in the Los Angeles art scene. It is set to draw in art lovers from all over. 

  • The LA Art Show’s Thirty-Year Anniversary Is a Celebration of the Past and Future of LA Art

    The LA Art Show’s Thirty-Year Anniversary Is a Celebration of the Past and Future of LA Art

    Image credit: Pexels

    The LA Art Show is coming to the Los Angeles Convention Center in February for a big anniversary bash. The bash will celebrate art and the show’s full three decades.

    The thirty-year celebratory event will occur from Wednesday, Feb. 19, to Sunday, Feb. 23. The show will commemorate this milestone with DIVERSEartLA, the fair’s educational and non-commercial platform curated by Marisa Caichiolo. 

    DIVERSEartLA will further highlight the LA Art Show’s evolution, progress, and lasting impact over the last several years. It helps amplify marginalized perspectives, and the upcoming exhibition emphasizes the importance of diverse representation and advocacy.

    Looking Back to Move Forward

    The 2025 retrospective mirrors the evolution of the platform’s curatorial vision. Each piece featured at the event will be representative of a significant milestone that worked to challenge the status quo and encourage critical conversations about race, gender, and the complexities of modern existence at the time. 

    By utilizing this celebration to showcase all the ways in which pieces from the LA Art Show have helped cultivate a caring, empathetic, and vital conversation about pressing issues, the show can serve as both a congratulatory reflection upon the greatness that has been achieved and all that is to come. 

    The goal is not to pat the showrunners on the back but rather to remind people that they must stay abye in securing and sustaining their rights; the fight for equality is never truly over, and this exhibit’s work has been a pioneering voice in this field for three decades now, making it worthy of such weighty work.

    “This is the largest DTLA art event every year,” said LA Art Show director and producer Kassandra Voyagis. “It’s diverse, and holds a multitude of components from celebrating all forms of art. From the moment guests walk through the event to the second they leave, they will be immersed in extraordinary installations.”

    A 32-foot bear sculpture from the Danubiana Museum in Slovakia will greet patrons in the lobby. The bear symbolizes resilience and power and will set the event’s tone.

    DIVERSEartLA 2025 will also feature eight installations, a catalog, and a timeline showcasing performances and videos from previous years. The event will present works by a diverse group of artists and institutions.

    The Works on Display

    “Celebrating Diversity” by Chiachio & Giannone, curated by Gabriela Urtiaga, chief curator at the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA), and presented by the museum, highlights themes of diversity and pride. This installation was created by renowned Argentine artists Leo Chiachio, Daniel Giannone, and over 3,000 LA residents.

    Over 100 volunteers carried the flag created for this installation during the 2019 Long Beach Pride Parade.

    “Dactiloscopia Rosa: Video Art and QUEER Constructions,” curated by Nestor Prieto and presented by Museo La Neomudejar in Madrid, offers a historical overview of the LGBTQ+ liberation movement in Spain from 1970 to 2016. The exhibition draws from the transfeminist and Queer archive of the museum, reflecting on the social movements during the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s under the Franco dictatorship.

    Carlos Martiel’s “Cauce/Riverbed,” curated by Marisa Caichiolo, addresses the struggles faced by immigrants in California and the United States. Through his performance, Martiel delves into the realities of undocumented immigration, shedding light on the lives of approximately 11 million immigrants and their families. His work presents a poignant view of the human tragedy faced by those who risk everything to pursue the “American Dream.”

    “This is going to be a massive celebration in supporting arts and culture,” Marisa Caichiolo said. “We want to embrace these amazing 30 years with our guests for encouraging artists and their work. While we bring in work from other cities and countries, we also want to honor local artists with a big art celebration. DTLA brings together so many diverse artists, and getting to showcase their work and watch other people experience these pieces for the first time is why we created this event.”

    DIVERSEartLA 2025

    WHEN: Various times Wednesday, Feb. 19, to Sunday, Feb. 23

    WHERE: Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 S. Figueroa Street, DTLA

    COST: Tickets start at $35

    INFO: laartshow.com

  • The Broad’s “Joseph Beuys: In Defense of Nature” Exhibition

    The Broad’s “Joseph Beuys: In Defense of Nature” Exhibition

    Image credit: Unsplash

    Joseph Beuys produced nearly 600 multiples during his lifetime, almost 400 of which are included in The Broad’s current exhibition, Joseph Beuys: In Defense of Nature, which opened on November 16. Consisting of found objects, sculptures, photographs, and other materials that relate to his political life, the collection is representative of Beuys himself.

    “For him, all manner of things mattered,” said Andrea Gyorody, a Beuys scholar and one of the show’s organizers. “He put great effort into enshrining simple base materials with value, preserving their longevity as art objects.”

    A Vision for Transforming Social Reality

    Primarily, the multiples are concerned with the restoration of individual wellness and how the conditions of social reality might be transformed. “Capri-Batterie” (1985) features a yellow light bulb plugged into a lemon, which must be replaced as the fruit gradually rots. This is the kind of social participation that Beuys encouraged, an active regeneration of his own work. 

    “Beuys understood objects as holding a kind of stored meaning, an eternal potential that could be resurrected or recognized as a cue for action,” Gyorody said. “He hoped they could function as prompts or reminders of his political actions in a future when they were no longer talked about, and once referred to them as ‘memory props.’”

    Never Stop Planting

    Another of Beuys’ most famous works is the 1982 piece “7000 Eichen (7000 Oaks),” consisting of oak trees planted alongside basalt stone steles in Kassel, Germany. Of course, this piece could not be featured in The Broad’s exhibition, but the project has inspired a similar initiative called “Social Forest: Oaks of Tonvaangar,” named for the Tongva people whose homeland is located in Los Angeles County.

    “Beuys said to never stop planting,” Sarah Loyer, curator and exhibition manager at The Broad, explained, “and we’ve taken our inspiration from that prompt because, unfortunately, his concerns about the environment are just as relevant today as they were four decades ago.”

    Carrying a Tradition to LA

    The Social Forest will be The Broad’s first permanent off-site project and will feature 100 Quercus agricola (coast live oaks) planted alongside sandstone boulders in the Chávez ridge of Elysian Park. An additional five trees will be planted in the sacred Tongva site of Kuruvungna Village Springs. To achieve this goal, The Broad partnered with community-based environmental justice nonprofit North East Trees, as well as Tongva (Gabrielino) archaeologist Desireé Reneé Martinez and artist Lazaro Arvizu Jr.

    “Social Forest is about environmental activism and ecological repair, of course, but there’s also a social aspect: a collective reckoning and reconciliation that needs to happen here in L.A.,” Loyer said.

    Purposeful and Poignant

    North East Trees director Aaron Thomas stated that no part of the reforesting process was inherently symbolic, explaining, “We can calculate for every one of these oaks what the real and important environmental benefit will be, like how much carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses like methane and ozone will be sequestered or the volume of rainwater that will be absorbed through their roots, trunks, and canopies. The coast live oaks are native to Southern California, so they’re a byproduct of this soil, and the sandstone is native, and when the boulders erode, they’ll become a part of the soil that nourishes the tree.”

    The Hope for Social Sculpture

    This initiative is intended to continue Joseph Beuys’s idea of social sculpture and human and ecological initiatives, which he hoped would continue after his death in 1986. Through the action of creating spaces that may be consciously or passively learned from, Beuys envisioned that everyone would unlock their unique creative and intellectual potential.

    “He really lived out his belief that everything we do is sacred,” Gyorody said, “that every action, every decision is shaping and reshaping the world around us. It’s like the butterfly effect where the flap of the wing changes the weather halfway around the world.”

  • Genaro Trejo’s Megacity Review Launches in LA

    Genaro Trejo’s Megacity Review Launches in LA

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    Founded by former investor and present arts advocate Genaro Trejo, Megacity Review is a new voice in the Los Angeles literary sphere aiming to capture narratives of urban life from worldwide. Trejo has established his platform for those often ignored by mainstream media, especially members of LGBTQ+ communities.

    “Cities are filled with dynamic people and untold stories,” Trejo said. “My goal with Megacity Review was to create a space that captures urban experiences from every angle. Cities are rich, complex spaces, and we want the journal to reflect that.”


    An Education That Began the Journey

    Trejo’s passion for the urban environment was bolstered by his studies at UCLA and the University of Chicago, where he studied political science and Chicano Studies and earned a master’s in public policy, respectively. This period of education initially led Trejo toward investment opportunities.

    Trejo’s Initial Career in Global Investing

    Though Trejo has deep connections in East Los Angeles, his career has involved travels to cities across the world. His local inclinations have brought him back to the city of Los Angeles, but his vision remains broad. Trejo’s career has ranged from global private investing to community work in his home city, but urban life remains at the core of his interests. Following a period of investment in Latin America and Asia, Trejo’s eyes were opened to the challenges of the urban landscape through his work in Mexico City and Shanghai, as well as its unique beauty and inspiring potential.

    Nonprofit Work and Partnerships

    In the present day, he uses his insight into urban spaces to contribute wherever he can, especially by serving on boards such as The Survivor Center (formerly The Center for Law and Justice) and PS Science. In these roles, he applies his urban knowledge to community work in order to improve the lives of others. Trejo also applies his skills to nonprofit work in Los Angeles, serving as COO of Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA) and partnering with groups like the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Weingart Foundation.

    Founding Megacity Review

    Megacity Review is yet another local initiative from Trejo, ignited by a passion for urban environments and a sense of purpose. He gained both experience and insight through his education and professional career, and now this platform will broadcast the voice of cities around the world.

    “After years in business, I wanted to bring [my] experience to the literary arts,” Trejo said. “Megacity Review allows me to support both emerging and established voices, showcasing stories that shape city life.”

    Megacity Review’s experience is inspired by The Paris Review, combining uncoated text pages with semi-gloss inserts. The result is a tactile experience that emphasizes the artistic features of the journal for the reader.

    The First Issue

    The first issue of Megacity Review, “Chronicling the Urban Condition,” features pieces by the New York Times-recognized artist Lauren Halsey, Vietnamese-American writer Lynn Lieu, the University of Chicago managing editor Lisa McKamy, and The Idea of You author Robinne Lee. As a whole, the issue explores themes of identity and culture, authenticity, and inclusivity.

    A New Platform for Urban Voices

    Megacity Review aims to capture the sense of city life, exploring its unique realities and global influence. Much like the city in which it is situated, the journal advocates for free expression while connecting a diverse audience of readers. Trejo envisions the journal as an outlet for sharing urban stories with a worldwide audience. It is an extension of his dedication to his home city of Los Angeles and the global urban community, moving beyond his local work to give a new voice to the people all around him.

    Megacity Review’s first edition is available for pre-order at megacityreview.org.

  • Design Your Own Sofa to Complement Your Comfort and Creativity

    Design Your Own Sofa to Complement Your Comfort and Creativity

    Image credit: Unsplash

    If decorated properly, a person’s living space can quietly highlight their principles and beliefs. Understandably, one’s sense of style and decorative presentation could change with time and experience. Whether you’re looking to repaint your walls or design your own sofa, it’s common to want to liven up your home with something new.

    According to Architectural Digest, more than 70% of Americans took to redecorating and redesigning their homes following the pandemic. If you’ve been feeling the desire to update your furniture, it’s always good to have a step-by-step guide to help you in your journey.

    5 Easy Steps to Design the Perfect Custom Sofa

    Sofa design can seem cumbersome, but a plan often mitigates any worries during the process. With these five easy-to-follow steps, you can balance style and comfort while designing your perfect sofa.

    1. Choose Your Aesthetic

    Furniture stores offer a wide variety of styles and aesthetics, allowing you to make selections based on your unique taste. Whether modern themes pique your interest or classic backdrops suit your fancy, establishing your aesthetic is a great place to start.

    10 3 2 1
    1. Know The Dimensions of Your Space

    Size matters in the grand scheme of furniture arrangement. Taking a moment to note the measurements and dimensions of your living space will better prepare you during the sofa selection process. Avoid buying a couch and trying to fit it in the tightest corner of your room.

    1. Consider Custom Features

    Custom components, such as fabric selection, color themes, and patterns, all factor into the selection and design process. Your choices will depend most on your living circumstances and preferences. For fabrics, a pet-loving home might consider a couch with fur-resistant, claw-proof material rather than a leather finish. On the contrary, a house with kids might need a waterproof, stain-resistant sofa.

    1. Buy on a Budget

    Often, homeowners hire interior designers to customize their spaces. These custom furniture pieces can be costly, making independent sofa designers all the more attractive. DreamSofa understands that the balance between professional design and do-it-yourself planning can offer customers a furniture-buying experience well within their price range.

    1. Finalize Your Custom Design

    Once you’ve considered design aspects and other partialities, such as cushion firmness, seat height and depth, and fabric selection, your custom sofa is ready to be manufactured. Upon receiving your piece, DreamSofa lets you spend the next 100 days making sure the couch you designed is what you desire.

    Customizing Your Couch

    Customization is one of the key components in designing a sofa. As you jot down your selections, you want to pick a couch that matches your preferences. For example, a couch that sits high with a rather firm and compact build wouldn’t suit someone looking to rest and relax. Subsequently, you might choose an extra-soft piece with deeper, cushier seats.

    DreamSofa’s customization options can help potential buyers design sofas with their individualistic style and desire for comfort in mind.

    Wrapping Up 

    Many people find furniture design to be overly complicated and complex. As a result, having the guidance and support of a professional consultant can transform the process from distressing to fun. There’s no need to feel like you must settle on pieces that don’t fit your vision. From contemporary to mid-century, open up your customization options to a whole new world of sofa design selections, taking your perfect match from your head to your homestead.

    Written in partnership with Tom White.

  • 10 Incredible Gallery Shows in LA for This Fall Season

    10 Incredible Gallery Shows in LA for This Fall Season

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    Los Angeles is known for its incredible gallery shows, but this fall season they certainly seem to be bringing out their best selection. These 10 fall shows range from full-room artistic displays to intimate examinations of modern life, and they are sure to have something for everyone to enjoy.

    “Thinking Out Loud”

    Recognizing local and international artists since 2000, the Vielmetter Contemporary Art Gallery in LA is featuring selected artworks from interdisciplinary artist Genevieve Gaignard. Her work acts as an exploration of her biracial identity through the perspective of contemporary American society, imposing introspective themes on a backdrop of vintage wallpaper. The gallery features a new selection of collage pieces by the artist called “Thinking Out Loud,” accompanied by custom wall paint to enhance the visual environment. The display will run from September 21 to November 2, 2024.

    “strike the dust”

    A recent addition to the LA gallery scene, the New York-based Michael Werner Gallery will feature an exhibition of Florian Krewer’s latest work. Titled “strike the dust,” the show is a continued personal exploration of what it means to be alive in modern society, examining themes of loss, loneliness, and love. This exhibit will continue from September 13 to November 16, 2024.

    “Mojotech”

    Since 1999, Roberts Projects has been a diverse and ambitious program intently focused on museum-quality installations. This fall, they are featuring Betye Saar’s “Mojotech,” a piece that ambitiously merges ritual objects with electronic parts, emphasizing the impact of technology on the natural world. The piece combines African sculpture and was created during a residency at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Visitors are encouraged to leave offerings, with the display running from September 14, 2024, to February 28, 2025.

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    “Through the Vanishing Point”

    At The Box, a gallery focused on contemporary painters, sculptors, and photographers, Eugenia P. Butler’s (1947–2008) work is featured in “Through the Vanishing Point,” focusing on Butler’s fixation on transformative states. Her art continues to have a tremendous influence on the conceptual and experimental sides of art. With no specified end date, the display begins on September 15, 2024.

    “nativemanson”

    International art gallery Sprüth Magers, a leader amongst contemporary display spaces, is hosting Arthur Jafa’s first solo exhibition in LA, titled “nativemanson.” For 30 years, Jafa has explored his identity as a black man from Tupelo, Mississippi through film, sculpture, and murals. The exhibit will feature BEN GAZARRA, Jafa’s latest film, and a remix of Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver.

    “The Open Window”

    François Ghebaly is known for its network of multi-generational, international, and LA-based artists, and now the French painter and visual artist Brooklin A. Soumahoro joins their ranks. The collection of 10 abstract images is an ode to southern France, inspired by Henri Matisse’s 1905 masterwork Open Window, Collioure. Having spent years researching color theory for his project, “The Open Window,” the opportunity to see the display remains available from September 7 to October 12, 2024.

    “Azaleas”

    Located in LA’s Koreatown, Commonwealth and Council is featuring Lotus L. Kang’s “Azaleas.” Born in Toronto and based in New York, Kang is known for immersive floor-to-ceiling installations made to explore concepts of becoming and reflection. This display runs from September 21 to October 26, 2024.

    “Concrete Is Fluid”

    Honor Fraser is a contemporary art gallery with a focus on emergent technology and alternative interpretations of traditional mediums. Lauren Bon’s “Concrete Is Fluid” serves as the perfect fit for Honor Fraser’s perspective, using room-scale installations to contrast and interweave the industrial and natural landscapes. This exhibit will continue from September 14 to December 14, 2024.

    “L.A. Story”

    Founded in 1992, Hauser & Wirth is home to displays of contemporary and modern art in several locations. In West Hollywood, they are featuring a compelling display based on Steve Martin’s 1991 film “L.A. Story.” The studio worked with Martin to capture the LA of the film and contrast it against the LA of today, examining the way art has changed. This display runs from September 12, 2024, to January 4, 2025.

    “At Home: Alice Neel in the Queer World”

    The David Zwirner gallery represents over 70 artists around the world, and the space now welcomes Alice Neel. “At Home: Alice Neel in the Queer World” is a collection of Neel’s paintings, depicting individuals in the queer community and their particular relationship with the artist. This is Neel’s second appearance in a David Zwimmer gallery, but the first in LA.

  • Steve Martin Pays Tribute to Art In Los Angeles

    Steve Martin Pays Tribute to Art In Los Angeles

    Image credit: Unsplash

    The city of Los Angeles has long been the centerpiece of many films, including the memorable 1991 Steve Martin movie, L.A. Story. In the film, Martin shines the light on the oddities and normalcies that are uniquely L.A. The film’s essence has been captured in a new art exhibit titled “L.A. Story” at the gallery, Hauser & Wirth. The exhibit is the brainchild of art aficionado and actor, Steve Martin, along with the gallery’s senior curatorial director Ingrid Schaffner, and senior director Mike Davis. 

    An Hommage to L.A.

    In the film, Martin plays the role of television weatherman, Harris K. Telemach, who searches for meaning. His quest pays tribute to art in LA. The actual exhibit, however, is not an exact translation of the film into art, but rather of art that is a representation of the L.A. experience. 

    It features iconic works, including David Hockney’s famous depictions of swimming pools – a reflection of the laid-back, sun-drenched lifestyle that L.A. is known for. Other artists, including Eric Fischl and Calida Rawles, contribute their interpretations of swimming and diving, which reinforces the city’s connection to water and leisure.

    Beyond the Surface: Revealing L.A.’s Layers

    While it has become somewhat commonplace to make fun of L.A.’s superficiality, there’s a great deal more depth to the city than its glossy exterior. The exhibition exposes the city’s complexity, from its car culture to its social stratification. 

    Ed Ruscha’s works capture iconic L.A. landmarks, while Florian Maier-Aichen’s photographs of Malibu’s coast—both dreamy and ominous—are a reminder of the city’s delicate relationship with nature. Mark Bradford’s monumental canvases reflect the city’s ever-changing social landscape demonstrating the impermanence that defines much of L.A.’s existence. 

    The artwork also includes a scene from Martin’s film, where a shootout erupts on L.A.’s chaotic freeways. This is a reminder of the dark side of the city which is both unpredictable and dangerous. 

    Steve Martin: A True Artist

    Steve Martin is more than a comedian. He is also a passionate collector and supporter of the arts as well as an advocate for Los Angeles’s art institutions. His personal collection includes masterpieces by art legends Pablo Picasso, Georges Seurat, Edward Hopper, and Roy Lichtenstein.

    Martin is more than just a collector, however. He is also dedicated to bringing lesser-known talent into the spotlight. For example, in 2016 Martin was instrumental in organizing the first major viewing of Canadian artist Lawren Harris’s paintings at the Hammer Museum. The exhibition later traveled to other prestigious venues, including the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

    In addition to his role as an art curator, Martin has written a novel, “An Object of Beauty,” set in the cutthroat world of New York’s art scene. The book offers a behind-the-scenes look at the dynamics of power and business in the art world. It highlights the distinction between genuine appreciation and the manufactured importance that often surrounds high-profile art pieces.

    A Love Letter to L.A.

    For Martin, “L.A. Story” transcends being just an exhibition. It’s a love letter to the city that has been a central part of his life and career. “I’m thrilled that ‘L.A. Story’ is the focus of so many wonderful artists and a wonderful gallery, Hauser & Wirth, which is just across the street from the Troubadour, where I first stepped foot on Santa Monica Blvd., which began my L.A. sojourn,” Martin said in a statement. Ultimately, the show is a reminder that Los Angeles is not just a backdrop for stories, but a story in and of itself. 

    Visiting the Exhibit: The Details

    “L.A. Story” opens at Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles on September 12 and will run through January 2025.

  • Dining at the Hollywood Bowl: A Culinary Experience 

    Dining at the Hollywood Bowl: A Culinary Experience 

    Image credit: Unsplash

    The Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles’ most iconic outdoor performance venue, has been a cornerstone of the city’s cultural landscape for over a century. With a seating capacity of 17,500, it stands as the largest outdoor amphitheater in the United States, offering Angelenos a unique space to enjoy world-class musical, theatrical, and comedy performances under the stars. But beyond its stellar lineup of events, the Bowl has also become a destination for culinary delights, offering a diverse array of food and drink options that elevate the experience.

    Since the 1920s, the Bowl has been home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic, establishing a tradition of accessible and affordable entertainment. In line with this mission, the venue has offered a range of ticket prices, including numerous $1 tickets available throughout the summer, ensuring that the magic of the Bowl is within reach for the entire community. However, one of the challenges that persist is the notoriously difficult parking situation, which can be alleviated by taking advantage of the Bowl’s shuttle services.

    In recent years, the culinary offerings at the Bowl have seen a significant upgrade. Eight years ago, Sodexo Live, the Bowl’s food and beverage partner, teamed up with celebrated chef Suzanne Goin and restaurateur Caroline Styne. This partnership has transformed the dining landscape at the venue, infusing it with the same attention to quality and detail that Goin and Styne bring to their other renowned Los Angeles establishments.

    The Full-Service Dining Experience

    For those looking for a more formal dining experience, the Bowl offers two full-service restaurants. The Backyard, inspired by Goin’s former Brentwood restaurant, Tavern, serves up a menu that showcases California’s seasonal produce and diverse culinary influences. Highlights include a charcuterie board, grilled diver scallops served over cornbread panade and wild mushrooms, and a cherry and apricot galette for dessert. Ann’s Wine Bar, named in honor of an LA Phil donor, provides a tapas-style menu with dishes like grilled hangar steak and prawns with sweet corn pudding, all complemented by a curated wine list from Styne. Both restaurants open at 6 p.m., and reservations are highly recommended, although limited walk-ins are accepted.

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    For those with premium tickets, the Pool Circle dining option offers an exclusive a la carte menu inspired by Goin and Styne’s former West Hollywood restaurant, Lucques. This dining experience is reserved for those seated at the tables closest to the stage, offering an intimate dining experience as the evening’s performance unfolds.

    Casual Bites and Picnic Options

    The Hollywood Bowl also caters to those who prefer a more casual dining experience. Various kiosks and stands around the venue offer quick bites, including Suzanne’s Fried Chicken, street tacos with standout birria, all-beef hot dogs, hand-stretched pizza, and burgers. For those with a sweet tooth, the Sweetshop offers soft-serve ice cream, cookies, and non-dairy ice cream pies from Magpie’s.

    Picnic baskets can also be pre-ordered, allowing guests to enjoy a curated meal anywhere within the Bowl. Options range from fried chicken to vegan, steak, and charcuterie themes, making it easy to tailor your picnic to your tastes. Guests are also welcome to bring their own food and beverages, including wine and beer, for most performances, further enhancing the personalized nature of the Bowl experience.

    Convenient Marketplaces

    For those who prefer to grab and go, the Bowl’s three marketplaces offer a variety of prepared foods, including sushi, sandwiches, salads, cheese plates, and more. While the Plaza and East marketplaces tend to get crowded before shows, Buzz McCoy’s marketplace, located on the western side near the Field Gate, often has shorter lines and a fully stocked selection of snacks and beverages.

    As the Bowl’s season now extends from May to mid-November, there are ample opportunities to enjoy not only the performances but also the diverse culinary offerings that make the Hollywood Bowl a truly unique Los Angeles experience. Whether you’re looking for a gourmet meal or a quick bite, the Bowl’s dining options are sure to enhance your night under the stars.

  • Sneak Peek at History to Hit L.A. “Great Wall” Mural Expansion in 2027

    Sneak Peek at History to Hit L.A. “Great Wall” Mural Expansion in 2027

    Image credit: Unsplash

    Los Angeles’ historic outdoor mural, The Great Wall, is a testament to California’s history—and just so happens to be one of the largest murals in the world. The colorful mural already stretches across more than a half-mile along the L.A. River network on the Tujunga Wash, but is being expanded in the artistic plans to highlight more history of The Golden State.

    The expansion of the L.A. landmark was inspired by artist Judy Baca, who began work with a team of artists inside the L.A. County Museum of Art last October in what was, in essence, a live exhibit where visitors could watch the artists in action. In the Resnick Pavilions, painters placed thousands of acrylic brush strokes on a huge roll of unwoven fabric for viewers to witness. Yet, despite the studio-style process, Baca shared how the experience took her out of her element. 

    “I must say that I was very skeptical about painting in a white box,” Baca told the crowd at a recent press event. “I don’t paint in white boxes. I paint in rivers, and I paint on freeways. I paint in places where it’s dangerous.”

    While the team’s time at LACMA was not the same dangerous atmosphere Baca is used to, the artist shared that the process was a different kind of artistic danger because viewers could directly question the artists about the scenes being painted. The LACMA artistic showcase ended on July 21, but the artists’ work included scenes from the Chicano movement, the Watts Renaissance, and LGBTQ+ rights protests, ultimately covering 190 feet of additions.

    The team of artists will continue painting at the Bergamot Station Art Center starting August 2, with a view to adding historic moments from around the 1970s, including Jimi Hendrix scenes and Woodstock.

    “That will prove to be as interesting, and maybe a little even more controversial,” Baca said.

    California’s Great Wall had already depicted scenes from prehistoric times to the 1950s, but the team of artists will be adding an additional 200 feet of art, finishing in 2027 (just in time for the Olympics), that feature significant moments in California’s history—specifically history of marginalized communities. 

    The first section of the expansion covers significant moments in the Chicano Movement, beginning with a depiction of major labor leaders in the Central Valley, including Phillip Vera Cruz, César Chávez, Dolores Huerta with her megaphone and poet-boxer Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales—influential figures in the farmworker rights movement.

    Other striking artwork includes the East L.A. Walkouts of 1968, as students come out of their classrooms to protest prejudice in the education system, urging for Chicano history to be taught in schools. Police are painted arresting people, including young girls with brown berets—a moniker of the Chicano group modeled after the Black Panthers—to reflect women’s contributions to the movement.

    Black history in the Golden State is also included in the expansion, with the Watts Uprising of 1965 in the next scene, where you’re transported to a public outcry followed by the traffic stop of Marquette and Ronald Frye that turned violent. An alley is engulfed in flames as police fight with the brothers and their mother.

    Opposite of paintings of the Watts Towers, a trio of ferocious black panthers signify the community’s power during this time. Two women are painted with groceries from the Black Panther Party’s free food program as children eat and read books about colonization.

    Baca and her team used creative freedom throughout the paintings to create a resonance with people who remember how the rebellion felt.

    The Great Wall’s expansion is meant to bring the mural’s historical scenes up to the 21st century.

  • Documentary ‘I Am Not a Princess’: Irina Meyer Challenges Norms

    Documentary ‘I Am Not a Princess’: Irina Meyer Challenges Norms

    Image credit: Unsplash

    Stereotypes often shape our perceptions, but Irina Meyer is determined to change that. The biographical documentary I Am Not a Princess highlights the unique life of the filmmaker, who challenges the conventional and advocates for diversity in film.

    Produced by Meyer’s Mama Lion Productions, the documentary goes beyond mere portrayal; it serves as a call to action. Meyer explains, “It’s more than a documentary; it challenges viewers to rethink their assumptions and embrace the multifaceted realities of women.” In addition to her roles as a business entrepreneur and angel investor, Meyer is a dedicated mother who refuses to conform to societal norms.

    Challenging Conventional Narratives

    At its core, the documentary advocates for gender inclusion and representation in media. Meyer says, “In the digital age, interactive media can drive change and foster inclusivity in storytelling.” Despite women comprising half the global population, they receive only 35% of speaking roles in films worldwide. Meyer’s story inspires women to break barriers and demand respect in our male-dominated climate.

    Through her eyes, viewers glimpse a world where adversity fuels determination. Her experiences confronting workplace challenges, including sexual harassment, resonate deeply and underscore the urgent need for societal change. Meyer reflects, “From enduring abuse to facing financial crises and personal loss, I encountered obstacles that could have derailed my path. Instead, I drew strength from adversity and found the resolve to persevere.”

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    The film documents Meyer’s journey and examines its more significant societal impact and her transition from a successful career in Fintech to establishing Mama Lion Productions. Meyer’s commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices continues with her production house, Mama Lion Productions, where she collaborates with marginalized communities to ensure their stories are told. Meyer emphasizes, “Transitioning from Fintech and interactive entertainment to founding Mama Lion Productions was driven by my passion to amplify diverse voices in media.”

    A Call to Action for Inclusivity

    Meyer is driven by her mission to diversify and inclusively create media by spotlighting overlooked stories and challenging dominant narratives. Meyer is in constant pursuit of promoting broader perspectives and inclusivity. She sees her documentary as a way to drive progress toward a future where media encourages inclusivity. With her film, Meyer empowers viewers to rewrite their own stories and challenge societal norms by experiencing diverse perspectives. She believes the media can drive social change and aims to utilize that power.

    In a time when craving authentic voices and meaningful narratives is at the forefront, Meyer’s journey in I Am Not a Princess offers viewers a glimpse into a future defined not by societal norms but by diversity and equality. Meyer invites audiences to look beyond superficial labels and embrace the complexity of the human experience. Her work shows everyone has a story worth telling, essential to creating a bias-free world.

    Ultimately, I Am Not a Princess transcends its role as a documentary; it starts a movement. Irina Meyer’s story inspires defiance, resilience, and hope; Meyer shares her journey and calls on everyone to join her in creating a world where every voice is heard and every story is valued.