Check out the latest in car connectivity at the LA Auto Show, buy ceramic art saved from a studio fire, explore two art exhibitions on the Santa Monica beach, hear music at a Richard Neutra house and admire large-scale folk art in Simi Valley.
1) Two Santa Monica art exhibitions
Los Angeles: Detailed
With its diversity and dreams, oceans and mountains, excesses and blight, it has been said that Los Angeles was ‘made for pictures’. In Los Angeles: Detailed, 9 photographers examine Los Angeles through multiple lenses and changing light.
When: Tuesday, Nov 15, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Where: Annenberg Community Beach House, 415 Pacific Coast Hwy at Beach Coast Way, Santa Monica, CA 90402
Tickets: Free. Register here.
Home Remedies for Driving while Black
Also in Santa Monica, check out artist-in-residence Zeal Harris‘ final presentation at the Camera Obscura Art Lab. Entitled “Home Remedies for Driving while Black,” the exhibition is a body of original studies, test prints and works in progress on her title theme. Visitors are invited to step “backstage” to see her process as well as some older works not currently on view. Limited edition prints available for purchase.
When: Saturday, Nov 19, 2 – 5 pm
Where: Camera Obscura Art Lab, 1450 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Tickets: Free. RSVP here.
2) L.A. Auto Show
Shiny paint and sleek lines, pistons and spark plugs – or not, the 109th L.A. Auto Show opens this week with the usual fanfare, as well as an acknowledgement that the industry is changing. From new models of old classics, like the 2017 Lincoln Continental (above – it’s all about the grill), to completely new products, from type of vehicle (lots of scooters and e-bikes) to connectivity, promising to disrupt the industry as we know it.
When: Friday, Nov 18 – Sun, Nov 27. Complete schedule here.
Where: Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Tickets: $5-$85. Tickets and other information here.
After a year and a half of building and curating his DTLA arts district studio/showroom space, Ben Medansky was ready to throw a party. He themed it “The Up in Smoke” party: he burned sage for atmosphere and friends and supporters smoked, drank and ate with his high-end and distinctive pipes, cups and plates. The heartbreaking irony was lost on no one, when, the following night, a massive multi-building fire, which started at an adjacent pallet yard, destroyed Medansky’s space. Now, 4 months later, the phoenix is rising from the ashes. With an eye on moving forward, Medansky and the design community of Lawson-Fenning are creating a ‘circumstantial’ show where he is displaying and selling his charred ruins, turning tragedy into art. Listen to DnA’s interview with Medansky here.
When: Saturday, Nov 19, noon – 4 pm
Where: Lawson-Fenning, 6824 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles 90038
Tickets: Free. RSVP to info@lawsonfenning.com
4) CrossFade: Barnsdall Arts and Big City Forum Modernism and Listening Party @ Neutra VDL
For over four decades, Barnsdall Arts has been committed to providing outstanding, affordable arts education programs and exhibition throughout Los Angeles. You can support the organization and explore Richard Neutra’s original 1932 VDL home. There will be music and sound design curated by renowned members of the LA creative community, as well as tasty local treats and wines from Silverlake Wine.
When: Sunday, Nov 20 at 2 pm
Where: Neutra VDL House, 2300 Silverlake Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90039
Tickets: $15-$30. Get tickets here.
5) Grandma Prisbrey’s Bottle Village
Some say ‘it takes a village’, Grandma Prisbrey said ‘it MAKES a village.’ Inspired by empty bottles, dolls, pens, pencils, greeting cards, odd bits of furniture, broken tile, toys and other treasures from the local dump, ‘Grandma’ Tressa Prisbrey added a bit of mortar and built a small village in Simi Valley. Why not? The “Pencil House,” the “Round House,” the “Shell House”, were all built by ‘Grandma’ Prisbrey beginning in 1956, after she was already 60 years old. You can explore this large-scale Folk Art site and experience first hand this fantastic and fantastical environment, now designated a California State Historical Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It sounds creepy, but some people are into that kind of thing.
When: Sunday, Nov 20, 10:15 am – 2 pm
Where: Bottle Village, 4595 Cochran Street, Simi Valley, California 93062
Tickets: $25. More information and tickets here.
