Artists take on mass media, architectural photographs from postwar Germany, a deep dive into Louis Kahn’s buildings, discover the magic behind Pixar’s animation, and two shows at Annenberg that celebrate marginalized communities. Here are five things to do this holiday week.
1) Breaking News: Turning the Lens on Mass Media
In the relentless, 24/7 world of broadcast and online journalism, truth can become blurred by constant breaking news alerts, opinion masquerading as objective journalism and shouting matches between pundits. This past election cycle has, in particular, tested the news media’s abilities while bringing into question whether audiences seek information or confirmation. The Getty Center’s exhibition “Breaking News: Turning the Lens on Mass Media,” on view Dec. 20 to April 30, explores how artists interpret journalistic coverage of current events. The survey spans the last half century and includes photographs, video and collage by Catherine Opie, Robert Heinecken, Donald Blumberg, Sarah Charlesworth and many others. See DnA producer Avishay Artsy’s complete preview here. For related talks at the Getty Center click here.
When: Opens Dec 20 (runs through April 30, 2017)
Where: Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049
Tickets: Free, but Getty Center parking costs $15.
2) Christopher W. Mount Gallery Closing Exhibition: “Curatorial Adventures”
As of the end of this year, the Christopher W. Mount Gallery — which displays drawings, sketches, models, prints, art experiments and photography by prominent figures engaged in the design arts — will be closing its brick and mortar space at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood. Although sales of works will continue, founder Christopher Mount will be concentrating more energy on publications, archiving/estate activities, and curatorial endeavors. The gallery’s final exhibition “Curatorial Adventures” will draw on highlights of some of the gallery’s well-received exhibitions, such as “When the Future had Fins” and “Mapping the Information Age,” in addition to a selection of architectural renderings and sketches from the gallery’s collection. The featured exhibition is Early Architectural Photographs by Bernd and Hilla Becher. A primary portion of the installation will be devoted to a new selection of over sixty architectural photographs by Bernd (1931–2007) and Hilla Becher (1934–2015). The Bechers’ black-and-white photographs began as a project in the late 1950s to obsessively record and document the vanishing industrial building types of postwar Germany.
While at the gallery, be sure to check out Rick Owens: Furniture at MOCA at the PDC mentioned in last week’s 5 design things list.
When: Closing Wednesday, Dec. 28
Where: Christopher Mount Gallery, Pacific Design Center, Suite B267, 8687 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood 90069
Tickets: Free
3) Louis Kahn: The Power of Architecture
Louis Kahn: The Power of Architecture is the first retrospective of Louis Kahn’s work in two decades, presenting over 200 objects related to Kahn’s selected buildings and projects in the form of architectural models, plans, original drawings, photographs, films and more. Considered a touchstone of 20th century architecture, Kahn believed design should be both monumental and inspirational. The exhibition at The San Diego Museum of Art will be accompanied by Shape, Shadow, Space, an exhibition of architectural photography from students at Woodbury University School of Architecture.
When: Through January 31, 2017
Where: San Diego Museum of Art, 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park, San Diego, CA 92101
Tickets: Free with admission, $8-$15.
Related Events:
Listen to DnA for an interview with Sam Lubell about Louis Kahn and midcentury modern architecture on Tuesday, Dec. 20 at 2:30 pm.
Jan 9, 2017: Architect and Museum docent Ross Sutherland presents an overview of the special exhibition Louis Kahn: The Power of Architecture. Details here.
Jan 13, 2017: The Academy Award-nominated documentary My Architect follows Louis Kahn’s son’s journey to reconcile the life and work of his father. Details here.
4) The Science Behind Pixar at the California Science Center
Peek behind the curtain and see how engineering and technology turn into movie-magic. This interactive exhibit offers a behind-the-scenes look at Pixar animation and how the marriage of creativity and science can result in the memorable characters and stories loved by kids and adults alike. Character photo ops available. Due to the popularity of this exhibit, we advise purchasing tickets in advance.
When: Ongoing through April 16, 2017. Daily 10 – 5. Closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Where: California Science Center, 700 Exposition Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037
Tickets: Timed and ticketed exhibit: $7.95-$14.95. Get tickets here.
5) Annenberg Space for Photography: Identity and #Girlgaze
This beautiful little exhibition space is one of our favorites. Conceived as a cultural destination, each exhibit features world-class photography as a catalyst for culturally relevant discussions. It’s just across the street from Century City’s largest shopping center, so you can take a break from your holiday shopping (and returns) to spend an hour nurturing your soul.
IDENTITY: Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, The List Portraits is comprised of 151 large-format photographs of pioneers in five distinct (but often overlapping) groups. Each installment (The Black List, The Latino List, The Women’s List, The Out List and The Trans List) focuses on people who have overcome obstacles to achieve success in disparate walks of life.
#girlgaze: a frame of mind is an interactive, digitally driven exhibit that maps the imaginative landscape of young, female and trans-identifying photographers from around the world. Largely sourced through social media, the images reflect on everything from identity and standards of beauty to relationships, mental health and creativity.
When: Ongoing through Feb 26, 2017. Wednesday-Sunday, 11 – 6. Special holiday hours.
Where: Annenberg Space for Photography, 2000 Avenue of the Stars #10, Los Angeles, CA 90067
Tickets: Free. $3 validated parking in the building (entrance on Constellation), so make sure to bring your ticket.