5 Design Things To Do This Week

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Verde Xchange features Frank Gehry and Eric Garcetti on the LA River, a talk about the “most sustainable building in the world”; Art LA opens while museums and Broadway theaters offer art and culture for free; Catherine Opie talks at the Hammer about her photos of Elizabeth Taylor’s wardrobe; leading LA graphic designers push the press. That’s all this week in design events from DnA.

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The Cornell Tech residential tower, designed according to Passive House principles for developer Hudson Companies; photo courtesy of Handel Architects. (The original image is no longer available, please contact KCRW if you need access to the original image.)

1) Verde Xchange/FutureBuild Conference

Frank Gehry and Mayor Eric Garcetti talk about making over the L.A. River, and DnA’s own Frances Anderton moderates a panel discussion with David Kramer, David Martin and Harlan Kelly about the world’s most sustainable buildings — all part of this two-day conference on green cities, clean technologies and the sustainable economy.

When:  Monday & Tuesday, January 25-26, 7 AM to 5 PM (Gehry/Garcetti panel Tuesday at 7:55 AM; Anderton panel Tuesday at 9:10 AM; full program here)

Where:  L.A. Hotel Downtown, 333 South Figueroa Street 90071

Tickets:  $110 (Student Member) – $210 (Private Non-Member). Registration and information here.   

Ben Jones, still image from video performance.

2)  L.A. Art Show and Opening Night Party

The 21st annual L.A. Art Show showcases modern and contemporary work in 150,000 square feet of space at the Los Angeles Convention Center.  Wednesday’s opening night event features art, performance art, music and food from more than 20 local restaurants. Proceeds benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

When:  Opening Night Party, Wednesday, January 27, 7:00-11:00.  Show runs January 28-31.

Where:  Los Angeles Convention Center 1201 South Figueroa Street, L.A. West Hall A

Tickets: $15 and up. Get ’em here.

And while you’re getting your art-on this weekend, take advantage of Free-for-all-Saturday, when museums all over the region offer FREE admission. (You’ll still have to pay for special ticket exhibits, though.)  Saturday, January 30.

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3) Pushing the Press: A Conversation with Sean Adams, Kim Baer and David Mayes

Designers Kim Baer, Sean Adams and David Mayes discuss Pushing the Press, an exhibition featuring 15 years of work by noted Pasadena printer Typecraft. Followed by an after-party and access to the exhibition.

When:  Thursday, January 28, 7 PM to 10:30 PM

Where:  A+D Architecture and Design Museum, 900 East 4th Street, L.A. 90013

Tickets:  $30-$50.

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4) Day at Museums/ Night on Broadway

Spend Saturday drinking in LA’s culture — for free!

On Free-for-all-Saturday, museums all over the region offer FREE admission (except for special ticket exhibits).

And seven of DTLA’s historic theaters and movie palaces — the Million Dollar, Los Angeles, Palace, Tower, Globe, Orpheum and United Artist (Ace Hotel) — will host free performances and installations. On the street, Broadway between 3rd and 7th Streets becomes a festival area, with live music (The Spazmatics! Ozomotli!), kids activities and shopping pop-ups.

When:  Saturday, January 30. Downtown event guide here. Participating museums in Free-for-all-Saturday, here.

Where:  Broadway, between 3rd and Olympic, Downtown L.A.; Museums, all over.

Tickets:  FREE. All ages. Rain or Shine.

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Catherine Opie, “The Quest for Japanese Beef,” 2010-2011 (The original image is no longer available, please contact KCRW if you need access to the original image.)

5) Hammer Conversations: Catherine Opie, Connie Butler, and Helen Molesworth

Photographer Catherine Opie joins MOCA and Hammer curators Helen Molesworth and Connie Butler for a conversation about the concepts of portraiture, gender, celebrity, and creativity at play in her photographs of Elizabeth Taylor’s Bel Air home (now on display at MOCA) and in her images of visual artists, fashion designers, and writers drawn from her own circle of friends.

When:  Sunday, January 31, 3:00pm-4:00pm

Where:  Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles 90024.

Tickets:  Tickets are required and available at the Box Office one hour before the program. General admission tickets are available one per person on a first come, first served basis following member ticketing. Early arrival is recommended.