May 192018
 

This weekend head to Hauser & Wirth to check out artist Mark Bradford’s exhibition New Works. His first gallery exhibition in Los Angeles in over fifteen years, the paintings included continue to explore societal issues through his dramatic use of color, and his unique technique- which involves combining layers of printed paper with paint and then cutting into these layers to create intricate patterns and shapes. They are incredible to see in person.

From the press release-

Bradford employs the ‘tools of civilization’ – billboards, merchant posters, newsprint, comics, magazines, and endpapers – to conflate cultural and political forces, and create layers of social commentary in paintings that evoke deep feeling. ‘How we build and destroy ourself are the materials that I’m really interested in,’ the artist once stated, ‘and paper is one of the main ways in which information is displayed.’ Through his rigorous physical approach to the material presence of painting, Bradford has addressed powerful issues of our time, including the AIDS epidemic, the misrepresentation and fear of queer identity, and systemic racism in America. His recent work engages in a broader excavation of American history to raise questions about the preservation of the past and the transference of power.

In the new works on view at Hauser & Wirth, Bradford probes stories found in comic books to question the archetype of the antihero and the influence of the media on contemporary society, while also revisiting misconceptions of black identity and gender as seen in previous works. ‘New Works’ presents paintings that extend the artist’s examination of homophobia and racism in American society, continuing themes explored in Bradford’s multimedia installation ‘Spiderman’ (2015), which was shown at the Hammer Museum in LA in 2015.

Also at the Hauser & Wirth space are two other exhibitions worth checking out- Louise Bourgeois: The Red Sky and Romanian artist Geta Brătescu’s The Leaps of Aesop. All of these shows close 5/20/18.

If you go on 5/19, at 2pm artist Matthew Day Jackson will be discussing his work with curator Hamza Walker, Executive Director of LAXART.

 

May 182018
 

Tricky feat. Martina Topley-Bird- When We Die

Things to do in Los Angeles this weekend (5/17-5/20/18)-

Thursday

MOCA Music, a free (with RSVP) night of musical performances at The Geffen Contemporary location, will feature THE MARIAS, Jarina De Marco, Sister Mantos, and a DJ set by Chulita Vinyl club

Ariel Pink is playing at The Wiltern with DIIV opening

The Broad and X-TRA are hosting a discussion of artist Joseph Beuys with NY writer Lynne Tillman and LA visual artist Kerry Tribe ($15)

Dead Horses are opening for Horse Feathers at the Bootleg Theater

Artists Taisha Paggett and Ashley Hunt will be discussing their individual work and ongoing collaboration at Art+Practice

Aïsha Devi is performing at the Echoplex with GILA and bod opening

Friday

Tricky is performing at The Fonda Theatre with Young Magic opening

LACMA is hosting a free screening of American Animals with a conversation with writer/director Bart Layton and actor Blake Jenner to follow

Vita and the Woolf are opening for The Lighthouse and the Whaler at Moroccan Lounge

Generacion Suicida are playing at The Hi Hat with The Wraith and Tenement Rats

Peter Hook & The Light are playing at The Wiltern

Saturday

Off the 405, The Getty’s free music night, is back with Allah-Las

Annenberg Space for Photography is having an after hours night (6-9pm), a chance to check out the exhibit Not an Ostrich: And Other Images from America’s Library, as well as enjoy some food and music (free but register)

Artist Matthew Day Jackson will be in conversation with LAXART Executive Director Hamza Walker at Hauser & Wirth

Arcana Books is hosting a book signing and a discussion of the work of artist Sister Corita Kent

Reptaliens are playing at The Hi Hat with HOTT MT and Samira Winter opening

Mute Swan are playing with Young Lovers, Blue Velvet Drapes, Take Pictures, and Birds of Bad Weather at Lot 1 Cafe

Sunday

Spend part of your day enjoying the outdoors and checking out some artwork at the Beverly Hills Art Show (free, also on Saturday)

Once a year for Museums of the Arroyo Day, six museums offer free admission- The Gamble House, Heritage Square, LA Police Museum, Lummis Home, Pasadena Museum of History, and The Autry

Dum Dum Zine’s L.A. Zine Week Kick Off Party is happening at The Hi Hat with performances by Sheer, dimber, Cheekface, Taleen Kali, Magic Wands, live readings, literary prizes and more

Color TV are playing at Junior High with River Gods and The City Hall