5 design things to do this week

This week, you can: see a Japanese architect’s vision of the future, enjoy art by Gary Baseman and others at The Other Art Fair, admire the work of LA residential architect Roland E. Coate, explore the interplay between democracy and civic space, and take a spin through the history and symbolism of woman’s uniform.

1) Sou Fujimoto in LA: “Designing the Future” Lecture and Exhibition

The “present” and “future” have became one and the same, driven by the ever-increasing speed of technological and social change. So how therefore can we visualize the future, when it is the same as the present? That’s the question being posed Thursday night at SCI-Arc, when Hitoshi Abe will moderate a conversation with fellow Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto, Peter Frankfurt and Liam Young. Then a show of Fujimoto’s opens Saturday at Japan House in Hollywood (see his matchbox model top of page.)

When: Thursday, Oct 25, 5:45 – 8 pm

Where: SCI-Arc, WM Keck Lecture Hall, 960 E. 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013. Parking information here.

Tickets: Free. RSVP here.

Plus companion exhibition at Japan House: Sou Fujimoto: Futures of the Future. Free exhibition runs Oct 27 – Dec 12 at Japan House Los Angeles, Hollywood and Highland 2nd Floor Gallery, Los Angeles, CA 90028.

2) The Other Art Fair Los Angeles

The Other Art Fair is, yes, another art fair. It was founded in London in 2011 as a venue to buy art direct from emerging artistic talent and has quickly grown. Highlights include‘The Purr Room,” an immersive art installation by guest artist Gary Baseman, inspired by his companion and muse Blackie the Cat; and 31 Women, a display of one work each by 31 women artists who are all exhibiting at the fair. It marks the 75th anniversary of the original “31 Women” show at Peggy Guggenheim’s gallery, “Art of This Century” (Georgia O’Keeffe declined to participate, however, on grounds that she did not want to show as a “woman artist”).

When: Opening Reception Thursday, Oct 25, 6 – 10 pm, Fair runs through Sunday. See all hours and events here.

Where: Barker Hangar, 3021 Airport Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Tickets: Opening night preview party $60, GA day pass $15. You can purchase tickets here.

3) Cocktails, Booksigning to Celebrate Roland E. Coate

Roland E. Coate was architect to the stars as well as titans of industry in the inter-war years in Los Angeles, produced hundreds of buildings in styles ranging from English Tudor to Monterey Colonial in Santa Barbara to Bel-Air, Hollywood, Hancock Park, and Pasadena. His work spanned quaint bungalows, grand mansions and civic buildings including the 1923 All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena. A new book, “Roland E. Coate,” is one of a twelve-volume series by Marc Appleton, Bret Parsons, and Steve Vaught, showcasing the work of LA’s most important residential architects as featured in The Architectural Digest, from 1920 to 1940. Thomas Lavin will host cocktails and an author presentation Thursday.

When: Thursday, Oct 25, 5:30 – 7:30 pm

Where: Thomas Lavin, Pacific Design Center Ste B310, 8687 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Tickets: Free. RSVP to admin@thomaslavin.com.

4) Dean’s Creative Talks: Fascism, Aesthetics and Politics

Milton S.F. Curry is the first African American Dean of the USC School of Architecture, and is on a mission to cultivate diversity “not only at USC but within the entire field of architecture.” Curry is fascinating on the relationship of race to art and architecture. On Friday he will take up “Fascism, Aesthetics and Politics,” from the vantage points of political philosophy, architecture and urbanism, in a conversation with Yale University professor and author Jason Stanley.

When: Friday, Oct 26, 6 – 8:30 pm

Where: USC School of Architecture, Gin D. Wong Conference Center (Harris 101), Los Angeles, CA 90089

Tickets: Free; RSVP required. Click here for more information.

5) Conversation with Jason Wu and Sharon Takeda

Fashion designer Jason Wu, famed for his designs for First Lady Michelle Obama, joins Sharon Takeda, LACMA’s senior curator of costume and textiles, to discuss his career designing for Mrs. Obama, Reese Witherspoon, Julianne Moore and other influencers, as well the history and symbolism of woman’s uniform. The latter is the subject of a collaborative workshop between Otis College of Art and Design and the LACMA fashion archive. The talk Friday night is supported by the MADWORKSHOP Foundation.

When: Friday, Oct 26, 7:30 pm

Where: LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Tickets: General Admission $10. You can get tickets here.