Cool Art in the Scorching Heat

For the last few days the combination of heat and humidity was unbearable, even here in Santa Monica. So the question is, where to go to escape the heat? To the movie theater? The nearest shopping mall? Or a museum? As far as the shopping malls are concerned I leave you to your own devices. But here is my suggestion for a very cool film, Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry, a documentary about Chinese artist/provocateur Ai Weiwei.

Alison Klayman’s documentary Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry.

Lion Attacking a Horse, Greek, 325–300 B.C.; Photo by Edward Goldman.

Lion Attacking a Horse. It dates from the 4th Century BC and with its dramatic and gory depiction of a desperate battle between life and death, it gives Hollywood action movies a run for their money. Trust me, staring at and walking around this sculpture will give you the shivers, which is a good thing on a hot summer day.

(L ) Katy Grannan, Anonymous, San Francisco, 2008/printed 2009, pigment print. © Katy Grannan, Fraenkel Gallery, San Francisco and Salon 94, New York.

(R ) Katy Grannan, Anonymous, Los Angeles, 2008, pigment print. © Katy Grannan, Fraenkel Gallery, San Francisco and Salon 94, New York.

Sharon Lockhart presents a series of enigmatic videos and photographs inspired by Israeli artist and choreographer Noa Eskol. Then there is an exhibition of the recent acquisitions made by LACMA for its photography collection. And brace yourself for the aesthetic equivalent of a splash of cold water in your face—a series of photo portraits by Katy Grannan. You are confronted by the strangest people you have ever encountered. These anonymous men and women, plucked from the streets of San Francisco and Los Angeles, look vulnerable, pathetic and even threatening. But almost always, they break your heart.

two super-sized installations honoring Michael Heizer’s larger than life Levitated Mass. Every time I go to LACMA I cannot resist the temptation to walk around his monumental piece. And if you want my advice, the sunset is the best time to be there and to snap a photo.

(L) Michael Heizer, Actual Size, installation view. Photo by Edward Goldman.

(R) Michael Heizer, Levitated Mass, permanent installation at LACMA. Photo by Edward Goldman

Levitated Mass, are a well-deserved tribute to this great American artist and I cannot help but feel sorry that both are running only through September 9th. So hurry up…