A discussion of South LA’s turnaround, an artist’s takeover of Barnsdall Park, a celebration of desert modernism, and a water-themed public art show. It’s DnA’s list of must-do events this week.
1) Is South L.A. an Urban Success Story?
“I like to tell my neighbors, don’t move, improve,” says Jorge Nuño in his article on South Los Angeles for Zocalo Public Square. Well, his neighbors have been listening and South Los Angeles, long plagued by poverty, crime and drugs, has been seeing a rise in many of the positive indicators of a community: safer neighborhoods, a surge in home ownership, new businesses, greater transit, arts options, and better schools. Join Zocalo and the California Wellness Foundation for a conversation about South Los Angeles and its future. Moderated by KCRW President Jennifer Ferro.
When: Wednesday, July 13, 7:30 pm
Where: Mercado La Paloma, 3655 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90007
Tickets: FREE. Reservations required. RSVP here.
2) “Breaking Convention” Summer Soiree
A young artist named Aaron Axelrod has been given free reign to put his mark on both Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic Hollyhock House and Barnsdall Art Park — and so he has covered it in swirling video installations, made possible by projection mapping. He’s also created massive neon-lit sculptures and a piece featuring almost 700,000 multi-color crystals by Swarovski, a show sponsor. The show, “Dark Matter,” will be on show this weekend; on Friday night there’s a fundraiser in support of the Barnsdall Art Park Foundation. The evening will also include live music and DJ spins, along with cuisine and cocktails curated by the city’s best. Cocktail attire.
When: Fundraiser: Friday, July 15, 7 – 10 pm; Exhibition hours Saturday and Sunday, 5 – 9 pm.
Where: Barnsdall Art Park, 4800 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90027
Tickets: Friday Fundraiser: $75-$1,000. Buy Tickets; Exhibition Saturday and Sunday: Free.
Two other multi-media, environmental art experiences open this week: Union Station 360°, and MEDIAN at WUHO Gallery in Hollywood. Both are free.
3) Fast Forward: The Architecture of William F. Cody
Join curator Jo Lauria for a public tour of this A & D Museum exhibit featuring the architecture of William F. Cody. An architect for celebrities of the likes of Walt Disney, Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby, Cody was widely acknowledged as a forward-thinking, urbane architect who merged luxury with technology to achieve a high-style experimental modernism. This exhibition is the first comprehensive overview of Cody’s architecture based on primary archival research. It is a tribute to one of the “giants” of desert modernism and celebrates Cody’s centennial.
When: Friday, July 15, 6:00-7:30pm
Where: A & D Museum, 900 E. 4th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Tickets: FREE. RSVP to rsvp@aplusd.org
4) CURRENT:LA Water
CURRENT:LA Water is a new Public Art Biennial presented by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs that will focus on issues affecting Los Angeles and other global cities, with the goal of “taking art out of the museum environment and into LA’s diverse neighborhoods.” This inaugural show, curated by Marc Pally and a team of curators, focuses on Water in Los Angeles, and features works by artists including Mel Chin, Edgar Arceneaux, Josh Callaghan and Daveed Kapoor, Teresa Margolles and Kori Newkirk. Events run throughout July and August, in all corners of the city. Find your favorite events and locations below.
When: Four consecutive weeks beginning Saturday, July 16. Full Calendar of Events
Where: Various Locations
Tickets: FREE
5) Inner-City Arts and KCRW Present 10th Annual Summer on 7th
Inner-City Arts is a nonprofit in the Skid Row area of downtown that provides music, drama and visual arts classes, taught by professional teaching artists, to elementary, middle and high school students, many living in Los Angeles’ poorest neighborhoods. It occupies a striking campus designed by Michael Maltzan with graphics by Michael Hodgson and landscaping by Nancy Powers. You can support its mission and enjoy live music on the rooftop at the upcoming fundraiser, featuring gourmet food trucks, drinks, art installations and more!
When: Saturday, July 16, 6 pm
Where: Inner-City Arts, 720 Kohler Street, Los Angeles, CA 90021
Tickets: $45 in advance, $55 at the door. Get tickets here.