ART YOU TAKE PART IN
I never in my wildest imaginings would have thought Los Angeles to become a mecca for art. But the combination of a rich cultural stew, the burgeoning arts life of downtown L.A., an explosion of galleries (of which Culver City was at the forefront), the opening of the Getty, better leadership at LACMA, and a gentrification which is bringing in Midas-loads of money, the City of Angels is now — along with music — an embarrassment of riches. To understand just how exciting and exhaustive our resources are, you must get to the L.A. Art Show, which opens tonight with a spectacular opening night gala benefitting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This must-see artstravaganza runs through this Sunday, January 14, in the Convention Center’s South Hall.
It’s a little like Disneyland, but instead of lands, this international fair with curators and galleries from around the world has a dizzying array of works in specialized sections: Roots, Core, Works on Paper, Project Space, Jewel and — new to the show in 2018 — Design LA Art, which dedicates over 60,000 square feet to performance art, installations, exhibits and programs highlighting the vast diversity of the global contemporary art world (there will also be functional art, modern furniture, accent decor, architectural objects, jewelry and more).
Many of these exhibits are being shown outside of Latin America for the first time: The MUSA Museum Guadalajara, Mexico will be exhibiting Metaphysical Orozco, a retrospective of José Clemente Orozco, a central figure in Mexican muralism. The installation treats the public to an audiovisual exploration of the fields of thought found within Orozco’s murals, as well as the history and themes that inspired them. The master works will be projected using 3D video mapping accompanied by a musical soundtrack, giving visitors a comprehensive sensory experience that will be complemented by informative graphic material.
And for those who like art interactive, get to Antuan Rodriguez’ Left or Right, an installation which has images of world leaders and tyrants placed on punching bags, so you get to literally punch out your anger, hatred and resentment to those who disrespect humanity and our earth.
Already the city’s largest international art fair, for its 23rd edition, the showcase is continuing its expansion into the global art market with a new partnership with The Museum of the Arts of Guadalajara, as well as exhibitors from more than 18 countries.
The Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) will be exhibiting the world premiere of Aporías Moviles, a multi-media installation by Argentinian artist Nuna Mangiante which features portraits with obscured faces on display with various construction and building materials. It speaks of urban transformations as an emerging social reality in Latin America.
The UCLA Art | Sci Center will present Brainstorming: Empathy a performance/experience work created by Victoria Vesna in close collaboration with neuroscientist Mark Cohen; they are exploring the possibilities of brain to brain communication. “These are part of a larger area of research into the physical associates of mental processes such as emotions and feelings,” says Caichiolo. “It has evolved since to include the idea of embodied intelligence in the form of an octopus crown worn by participants.”
Plantigrade by Marcos Lutyens presents patrons with a psycho-synthetic terrain they are invited to walk across barefoot, paying special attention to the sensations of color and texture coming through their feet.
On the 30th anniversary of Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket, Matthew Modine’s Full Metal Diary offers an incredibly rare and vibrant portrait of one of cinema’s most iconic war films – by one of the industry’s most enigmatic directors. The exhibition is a study of a young actor under the apprenticeship of a legend. A combination of rarely seen, medium-format photographs taken on set are displayed alongside poetic, intimate excerpts from the actor’s personal diary. This glance behind-the-curtain reveals unique insights into Kubrick’s methodology as well as the complicated process of an actor struggling to come to terms with his craft. Full Metal Diary is an extraordinary example of art imitating life, and Mr. Modine will be on hand for a lecture and Q&A during the show (check lecture series’ times here).
These are just the tip of the artberg folks. Give yourself plenty of time to stroll, think, and be grateful you live in such an extraordinary city. Although appearing at the top of the year, The LA Art Show promises to be a highlight.
photos courtesy LA Art Show and HiJinx PR
Los Angeles Convention Center South Hall
Thurs, Fri and Sat, January 11-13, 2018 from 11am to 7pm
Sun, January 14 from 11am to 5pm
(opening night premiere on Wed February 10 from 7pm to 11pm)
for tickets ($30 – $250), visit Event Brite
for more info, visit LA Art Show
