LA Examiner

Tag: amid

  • 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.

  • Oscars Shares Ceremony Changes, Including Honor for L.A. Amid Wildfires

    Oscars Shares Ceremony Changes, Including Honor for L.A. Amid Wildfires

    Image credit: Unsplash

    The Oscars recently shared details on this year’s ceremony, including breaks from tradition and recognition of Los Angeles as the city grapples with the damage caused by wildfires. The 97th Oscars ceremony is set to take place on Sunday, March 2 at the Dolby® Theatre of Ovation Hollywood. It will be televised live on ABC at 7 p.m. ET and streamed live on Hulu and Disney+, as well as the Academy’s social media platforms.

    A Commitment to Acknowledge Los Angeles and the Film Industry

    Oscars CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang made an announcement detailing how the organization was committed to acknowledging the resilience of the film industry and its central city of Los Angeles. Though the fires continue to burn as of writing, causing the Oscars to extend the voting period, rainfall has brought some relief to the city.

    “We are all devastated by the impact of the fires and the profound losses experienced by so many in our community,” Kramer and Yang said. “The Academy has always been a unifying force within the film industry, and we are committed to standing together in the face of hardship.”

    “Our members always share how important it is for us to come together as a community,” Kramer and Yang continued, “and we are determined to use this opportunity to celebrate our resilient and compassionate industry. We also look forward to honoring our frontline workers who have aided with the fires, recognizing those impacted, and encouraging people to join the Academy in supporting the relief efforts.”

    Changes Due to the Los Angeles Wildfires

    The Oscars nominations voting period was extended through Friday, January 17, and nominations were announced on Thursday, January 23. Notably, the Oscars Nominees Luncheon, previously scheduled for Monday, February 10, will not be held this year. The Scientific and Technical Awards, previously scheduled for Tuesday, February 18, will be rescheduled to a later date.

    Hosted by Conan O’Brien

    This year’s ceremony will be hosted by Emmy-winning comedian and former late-night talk show host Conan O’Brien. His approach will reportedly focus on the spirit of connection and collaboration inherent in the filmmaking industry.

    Changes to the Original Song Category’s Presentation

    Notably, the Oscars is making a significant change to how the original song category is presented this year. The category will not feature live performances of nominated songs, but rather the show will focus on personal reflections and insights from the songwriters and creatives behind the music. 

    This year’s nominees include “Like a Bird” from Sing Sing, “Never Too Late” from Elton John: Never Too Late, “The Journey” from The Six Triple Eight, as well as “El Mal” and “Mi Camino” from Emilia Pérez.

    “We will celebrate their artistry through personal reflections from the teams who bring these songs to life,” Kramer and Yang wrote in a letter to Academy members. “All of this, and more, will uncover the stories and inspiration behind this year’s nominees.

    The Return of “Fab 5” Moments

    It is unclear whether this change to the Oscars tradition will be a permanent one, or if the Academy’s leadership thought it would be meaningful for this event in particular. What will return this year are the “Fab 5” moments, a segment where the Oscars invite individual artists to recognize nominees and perform tributes. This tradition was introduced relatively recently but has had an impact on audiences as a way to celebrate artistry across generations.

    “There is so much more in store,” Kramer and Yang’s letter concluded, “including powerful musical moments that connect film’s rich history to its bold and inspiring future. We hope you will tune in tomorrow morning to watch the Nominations Announcement, and we greatly appreciate your ongoing commitment to the Academy and our film community. We are stronger together.”