How often do you think, as an exhibition ends it run, oh, darn, I wish I’d seen that show?
We are here to help you avoid that feeling of regret, with this list of must-see shows, before they close in early January.
Also, where to party in style on New Year’s Eve, and chill out on New Year’s Day.
1) A Revolution of the Palette: The First Synthetic Blues and their Impact on French Artists
How often do you think, as an exhibition ends it run, oh, darn, I wish I’d seen that show? Avoid that feeling of regret, by checking out the following must-see shows, before they close in early January.
The Norton Simon Museum is one of LA’s hidden delights — a top-knotch collection of European and Asian art located in a manageable, restful building situated in a sculpture garden, with cafe, in Pasadena. It’s a lovely place to take visitors and to catch conservator John Griswold’s intriguing exhibition A Revolution of the Palette: The First Synthetic Blues and their Impact on French Artists.
It tells the story of paintings in the museum’s collection — from “the Rococo period to the threshold of Impressionism” — from the perspective of technical innovation: the invention of synthetic blue. Even if you are not an art history nerd, the paintings are just beautiful. Check out our interview with John Griswold, here.
While there, be sure to also check out Indoor/Outdoor: Vuillard’s Landscapes and Interiors, thirteen prints from Édouard Vuillard’s print album of 1899—comprising views of parks, boulevards and cafés, scenes of domestic interiors that offer a glimpse of Vuillard’s Paris as well as his now sought-after print work.
When: Through January 04, 2016; open daily, except Tuesdays and Friday, January 1 (New Year’s Day); check opening times here.
Where: Norton Simon Museum, 411 W. Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena (at the corner of Orange Grove and Colorado Boulevard); click here for map.
Tickets: Prices vary; check here.
2) New Objectivity and Noah Purifoy
Unless you’ve booked tickets you likely won’t make it into Rain Room this holiday, but don’t let that stop you heading over to LACMA, where you’ll find several terrific shows including Frank Gehry, Diana Thater: The Sympathetic Imagination, and, closing soon, New Objectivity: Modern German Art from the Weimar Republic, 1919–1933 (closes January 18) and Noah Purifoy: Junk Dada (closes January 3).
Junk Dada explores the work of veteran Watts artist Noah Purifoy, who spent the last 15 years of his life in the Mojave desert, creating ten acres of large-scale sculpture constructed entirely from junked materials.
New Objectivity is a collection of paintings and photographs produced during the short but artistically fertile Weimar Republic, which lasted 11 years from the fall of the German monarchy at the end of World War 1 to the rise of the Nazis. Centered in Berlin, a group of artists rejected Expressionism in favor of a new realism, dubbed “Neue Sachlichkeit”—New Objectivity—to capture the trials and freedoms of a fledgling democracy, postwar trauma, economic depression, social and sexual experimentation and newly industrialized architecture and cities.
Curated by LACMA’s Stephanie Baron, New Objectivity contains works that are truly shocking (of “desperate prostitutes, crippled war veterans, and alienated urban landscapes”) as well as many that are visually stunning. The show leaves one to wonder: is there a body of work being created by contemporary artists that carries so much punch and relevance to its time?
When: From Saturday, December 26, 2015 through Sunday, January 3, 2016, LACMA will be open 9 am–8 pm; the museum will be closed on Wednesday, December 30, 2015.
Where: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Bing Theater, 5905 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Tickets: $15 general admission; $10 LACMA, AIA members, and Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo Alumni; $5 seniors 62+ and students with ID; 323 857-6010 or purchase online.
3) Through Jan 3 at CAFAM: Chris Francis and More
Though a David in size compared to the Goliath of LACMA on the opposite side of Wilshire, CAFAM is always rich in exhibitions of design work at the intersection of art and craft, some of which can be purchased in its abundant gift store.
Closing in early January are several shows, among them the fabulous shoe collection created by artist-maker in residence Chris Francis (above): also Cathy Weiss: Love and Light, a site-specific installation by Los Angeles-based printmaker Cathy Weiss, “inspired by the love poetry found in the book Song of Songs from the Old Testament;” also Paperworks, work by fifteen contemporary artists with strong ties to Los Angeles who use paper as their primary medium; and Binh Pho: Shadow of the Turning, which illustrates a fantasy adventure novel, written by Binh Pho and curator Kevin Wallace, “through a combination of woodturning, sculpture, painting, and art glass.”
When: Monday and New Year’s Day: Closed; Tuesday – Friday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM (closes 3:00PM on New Year’s Eve); Saturday and Sunday: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Where: 5814 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Tickets: Members Free; general admission: $7; check ticket info here.
4) New Year’s Eve Twenty Sixteen | Black Tie Masquerade Ball with KCRW DJs
Yes, it’s shameless promotion for my music-spinning colleagues Jason Bentley and Raul Campos, but if you failed to get tix to Motley Crüe’s NYE bash at Staples or your idea of a swell New Year’s Eve is something a little more exclusive (and expensive) than joining the crowds in downtown’s Grand Park, then head to the Viceroy hotel in Santa Monica for their Masquerade Ball.
Its “poolside patio will transform into a party with freeflowing champagne, bites from Cast Restaurant and an open bar,” and if you need some fresh air you’ll be just yards from the beach and Santa Monica’s always enchanting, and always open, Pier (though individual businesses may close). Check out Time Out’s guide for other New Year’s Eve listings.
When: Thursday, December 31, 2015 at 9:00 PM – Friday, January 1, 2016 at 1:30 AM
Where: Viceroy Santa Monica, 1819 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Tickets: Buy tickets here.
5) The Day After: Post Parade Showcase of Floats Presented by Miracle-Gro
People who prefer their plants organic might leave this off their must-do list, but for anyone entranced by the artistry of the decorative floats in the Rose Parade, you can avoid the crowds and get right up close to the designs by attending the post-parade viewing.
It’s well worth the visit to see the often amazing creations wrought in “fruit, seeds, bark, grasses, and of course, breathtaking flowers.”
You can also see the floats being dressed in advance of this year’s 127th annual parade, and you can help do the decorating. Check out the options here.
When: Jan. 1, 2016 — Jan. 3, 2016; check specific times here
Where: Sierra Madre Boulevard and Washington Street in Pasadena
Tickets: Check out all ticket options here.