For his current exhibition at the Palm Springs Art Museum, Todd Gray:Plurality of Being,Gray combines images that could initially be seen as incongruous to add layers of meaning and complexity to issues of identity.
Using his own previous photographic explorations from different parts of the world, he then places the images together within frames he’s found or was given. Through this process the history of his own journey combines with that of those he’s photographed. In some works the roots of trees reach out between images pulling them together or imitate the stretching out of arms. The blue and white of a bandanna finds its place within the colors of the universe in another. The viewer can put together their own meanings from these juxtapositions or just enjoy the beauty of the sculptural collages.
From the press release-
Using pictures made when he was Michael Jackson’s personal photographer in the 1980s, along with those of verdant flora, local friends, and galactic imagery, Todd Gray’s wall collages portray the multiplicity of experience and memory across space and time.
Mixing archival images of Jackson on tour in the United States with lush landscapes from Italy to South Africa, Gray’s photographic sculptures reframe and reveal an intimate yet collective post-colonial, transatlantic memory. By layering images, bodies and faces become fragmented, drawing into question the role photography plays in the transmission of history and cultural identity.
This is the first U.S. presentation of work made during Gray’s 2017 residency at NIROX in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Dance DTLA continues in Grand Park, this week with music from the 90s
The Molochs are having a record release show at the Lodge Room with Smokescreens opening
The Egyptian Theatre is showing Jean-Luc Godard’s film Sympathy for the Devil with a discussion with cinematographer Tony Richmond following the screening
The Entire Universe and Crush (Cole & Zumi from The Black Lips) are opening for Easy at The Echo
Saturday
At Zebulon from 2-4pm there will be a performance by Modular Soundbath with visuals by Vinyl Williams plus tarot readers and reiki ($5 suggested)
Grand Park and Outfest are hosting Proud Picnic and Movie Night– featuring the full length film When The Beat Drops as well as several short films
Bergamot Station in Santa Monica is hosting a night of Fall openings at its galleries which will be open until 8pm
The Babe Rainbow are playing at Zebulon with Mapache opening
Things to do in Los Angeles this weekend (8/23-8/26/18)-
Thursday
The Frights are signing their new album and playing a free show at Amoeba Hollywood
As part of Hammer Museum’s free programming for Made in L.A. 2018, artist Suné Woods, award-winning poet Fred Moten, and pianist & composer James Gordon Williams will present “a multimedia evening of wordplay, found imagery, improvised music, and moving images” titled You are mine. I see now, I’m a have to let you go.
The Delirians and Jackie Mendez are playing a free show at the Levitt Pavilion in MacArthur Park
Lee Fields & The Expressions are performing at the Echoplex
Friday
The Wende Museum in Culver City is hosting a Happy Hour with drinks in the garden and a curator’s talk on art and alcohol (free but RSVP required)
No Parents are playing with The Paranoyds, Junkie, and The High Curbs at 1720
Church in The Park, described as “equal parts jazz club, dance party and live remix experiment”, is taking place free at Levitt Pavilion in MacArthur Park with Mark de Clive-Lowe, The Beat Junkies, Ras G, Linafornia and more
For The Getty’s free music night, Off the 405, Combo Chimbita will be performing
Hammer Museum is hosting a group therapy session followed by a sewing workshop (free)
LACMA’sSummer After-Hours Party Muse ‘Til Midnight, includes late night access to the special exhibition 3D: Double Vision and LACMA’s permanent collection of Modern Art and European Painting and Sculpture in the Ahmanson Building, DUBLAB DJs, visual installations, performances, drinks, and more ($30)
Summer Happenings at The Broad continues with a night of “Chinese punk, post-punk, ritual performance, film, psychedelia and more” with performances including- Xiu Xiu and Re-TROS, Daniel Collás, Juliet Swango and Jie Ma performing Collás’ original score to accompany Zhou Hongbo’s film Lotus Ferry and more
Mura Masa is performing at The Novo with Empress of opening
Highland Park Bowl is hosting a free night of music with Insect Surfers, The Hidden Depths, and King Flamingo
Sunday
Billy Changer and Rudy de Anda are opening for Combo Chimbita at The Echo
LAMAG is hosting the free talk A Guide to Gallery Representation, moderated by Jonathan T.D. Neil, exhibition artists Andrew Norman Wilson, Lena Daly, and Château Shatto Director/Founder Olivia Barrett from 2-4pm at the gallery in Barnsdall Art Park as part of LAMAGLearn
In conjunction with Adler Guerrier: Conditions and Forms for blck Longevity at the California African American Museum, Guerrier and Los Angeles based artist Todd Gray will discuss their related interests in examining landscape and history through photography and collage, moderated by curator Diana Nawi. This event is followed by a special garden tour from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the Natural History Museum that includes free NHM admission with event RSVP.
CHANGES: Works at Union Station, is a free afternoon (1-6pm) of 20 site specific performances and interactive works from Los Angeles artists taking place in and around Union Station
Metro Art is having an Artist Conversation with Todd Gray, Ken Gonzales-Day and Phung Huynh in the Union Station Ticketing Hall in conjunction with the exhibition, The Makers: Portraits of Metro artists whose work enriches the rider’s journey, featuring portraits by Todd Gray
The Album Leaf are playing a free show at Amoeba Records to celebrate their new album Between Waves, which they will also be signing
At the Hammer Museum’s panel discussion The Streisand Effect, Made in L.A. 2016 artist Dena Yago, her frequent collaborator Sean Monahan, and Rachel Berks of Otherwild Goods and Services will discuss the “ever-expanding role and function of today’s creative industries and the blurring of lines between art and commerce”
Singer Julien Baker is performing at the El Rey with Phoebe Bridgers and Julia Jacklin
Artist Thomas Kuntz is giving a tour of the LACMA exhibition Guillermo del Toro: At Home with Monsters, and will speak about his experiences working with Guillermo del Toro on the film Crimson Peak (standby only)
Fascinator is playing with TeamMate and Middle Kids at The Echo
Friday
For the Getty’s Friday Flights, its free music and art series, the program includes a project by artist David Horvitz and musician Xiu Xiu; a performative lecture by Martine Syms; a bassoon and vocal collaboration between Archie Carey and Odeya Nini presented by wild Up; and B A S E (a durational rule game) by choreographer Laurel Jenkins.
Cut Chemist is the DJ for this installment of the free event DJ Nights at The Music Center Plaza
Punk icon Keith Morris will be signing his book My Damage: The Story of a Punk Rock Survivor and speaking with Jim Ruland at Skylight Books
If you like your drinks and bands combined with wild animals check out the LA Zoo’s Roaring Nights- this month it’s Indie Night. Or for an under the sea vibe you can check out The Aquarium of the Pacific’s Deep Dive event which in addition to the bands has DJs and a film about surfers
Culture Club are playing at the Hollywood Bowl (also Saturday)
Saturday
Diane Coffee (Shaun Fleming of Foxygen) is the performer this time for the Getty’s Saturdays off the 405 Music Series
Corey Helford Gallery is having a huge party for the opening of their 10 Year Anniversary Group Exhibition
FYF Fest is sold out for the weekend and Saturday but there are still tickets available for Sunday’s show- highlights of which include LCD Soundsystem, Grace Jones, Young Thug, Wild Nothing, Father John Misty, Beach House and more
