5 Design Things to do This Week

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A talk on aesthetics in philosophy, the final proposals for a redesigned Pershing Square, a tour of the art scene in West Adams, and a design street fair in West Hollywood. All that and more in design events this week.

Graham Harman (Photo: Brechtje Keulen)
Graham Harman discusses his view on the role of aesthetics in philosophy (Photo: Brechtje Keulen) (The original image is no longer available, please contact KCRW if you need access to the original image.)

1.) Graham Harman: “Why Art and Design are Central for Philosophy”

Award-winning philosopher and international lecturer Graham Harman will mine his work in the field of metaphysical ontology, or the philosophy of existence, to explore the role of objects and aesthetics in philosophy. Harman is Distinguished University Professor at the American University in Cairo. He is the 2009 winner of the AUC Excellence in Research and Creative Endeavors Award, and a frequent international lecturer. Presented by the Otis Undergraduate Fine Arts Department’s Critic-in-Residence program.

When: Thursday, April 28, 7 pm
Where: Otis College of Art and Design, 9045 Lincoln Blvd, Los Angeles 90045
Tickets: Free and open to the public. More information here.

Semi-finalist round proposals which made it to the final round. Finalists submissions will be premiered at the event.
Semi-finalist round proposals for Pershing Square which made it to the final round. Finalists submissions will be premiered at the event. (The original image is no longer available, please contact KCRW if you need access to the original image.)

2.) Pershing Square Renew: 4 Finalists Present at “Reimagine the Heart of Los Angeles”

The international competition to redesign the 150 year old park has been narrowed to four finalists: SWA and Morphosis, James Corner Field Operations with Frederick Fisher & Partners, Agence TER, and wHY with Civitas. This downtown event will include a visionary discussion of the role of Pershing Square as an active and dynamic public space, and the unveiling of the four finalists’ proposed designs. Speakers include Fred Kent, founder and President of the Project for Public Spaces, visionary inventor, author and futurist Alex Lightman; Ryan Vaillancourt of downtown-based tech firm NationBuilder and owner of downtown’s Gelateria Uli; Veronica Perez, a longtime downtown resident and public affairs advocate; and more to be announced.

When: Thursday, April 28, 5:30-8:30 pm
Where: Palace Theater, 630 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014
Tickets: Free (donation optional). RSVP here (waitlist expected to get in)

Examples of Dingbat apartments in Southern California
Examples of Dingbat apartments in Southern California (The original image is no longer available, please contact KCRW if you need access to the original image.)

3.) In the Gutter I Dingbat 2.0: The Iconic Los Angele Apartment As Projection of a Metropolis

Ugly or innovative? Or both? “The Iconic Los Angeles Apartment As Projection of a Metropolis” (LA Forum, Doppelhouse Press), explores how the dingbat apartment building contributed to Los Angeles’ rapid postwar urban expansion. Known for distinctive mid-century decorative facades and a boxy structure, the dingbat apartment building stands today as the iconic apartment architecture of Los Angeles from the 1950s and 1960s. Join KCRW’s Frances Anderton, along with LA Forum, Doppelhouse Press, Architect Lorcan O’Herlihy, and Dana Cuff from UCLA’s cityLAB for a brief presentation and discussion as part of this book launch celebration.

When: Saturday, April 30, 6-9 pm
Where: Jai & Jai Gallery, 648 North Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Tickets: Free. RSVP here.

4.) Design East of LA Brea (deLaB): West Adams Art Tour

Los Angeles’ ever expanding art scene has found its way to the West Adams neighborhood. Join deLaB for a tour of this emerging creative culture and meet the artists making it happen. Galleries include Ochi Projects, Martos Gallery, Joan, and the studios of Claudia Parducci and Brian Wills.

When: Saturday, April 30, 12-3 pm
Where: 3301 W Washington Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90018
Tickets: $25. Get tickets here.

One of the design spaces at A Street Affair
One of the design spaces at A Street Affair (The original image is no longer available, please contact KCRW if you need access to the original image.)

5.) A Street Af(Fair): East Meets West

Eastside and Westside come together to honor two important design movements: European-inspired Hollywood Glamour and California Modernism, all under one “roof” in the West Hollywood Design District. Stroll the European-style outdoor market and enjoy world-class shopping, music and food, all curated by Parachute Market.

When: Saturday, April 30, 11 am-5 pm
Where: North Almont Drive, between Melrose Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard
Tickets: Free and open to the public. More information here.