Hockney was impressed with how a photograph he had taken of a red pool toy floating in the water in Cadaqués, Spain looked nearly abstract, “like a Max Ernst,” he said. “I thought, it’s marvelous, I could just paint it.” He pointed out later that while the picture may look completely abstract at first glance, once the viewer reads its title, the work changes completely.
Things to do in Los Angeles this Memorial Day weekend (5/24-5/28/18)-
Thursday
Hammer Museum has a free screening of The Proposal, a film that follows the making of an artwork by Jill Magid from the recent exhibition Stories of Almost Everyone, with a Q&A to follow with the artist/director
Rival Cavves and Monogem are opening for ANIMA! at The Echo
The Broad is hosting En Cuatro Patas: Feminist Latinx Performance and Video, a ticketed event that includes after hours access to the museum as well as a screening of several short videos and a performances by experimental vocalist Carmina Escobar
Lean are playing at the Bootleg Theater with Sam Valdez and Tampa opening
Artist Lorna Simpson will be in conversation with The Studio Museum Director and Chief Curator Thelma Golden at The Underground Museum
Street artist Teachr is hosting Face to Face Art Show at Flux Rebellion, featuring his work and the work of Fairfax High School students he’s mentored, with the first 100 guests receiving a free gift
LACMA has a free screening of United Shades of America: The Border which includes a conversation with W. Kamau Bell
MOCA Music returns to The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA with performances by Berhana, Rayana Jay and Linafornia plus Modern Funk Fest DJs, food trucks, and drinks. You can also check out the Adrián Villar Rojas exhibition at the museum (free with RSVP)
Art Buzz, ICA LA’s Happy Hour, returns with a tour of Harald Szeemann’s exhibition followed by drinks and snacks (free but register)
It’s the first night for performances of Stardust, A Dance Tribute to David Bowie by Complexions Contemporary Ballet at The Music Center (runs through Sunday)
Tomo Jacobson + Sun Araw, The Orchardist, and Embassador Dulgoon are playing at Coaxial Arts Foundation
Guantanamo Baywatch are playing at the Teragram Ballroom with French Vanilla, Dumb Fucks, and The High Curbs opening
Saturday
Bring a mat or blanket to VSF gallery for Healing Sound Bath, an immersive 45-minute set on gong by Sat Purkh of Rama Institute amid Kathryn Garcia’s outdoor installation (free)
CAP UCLA is hosting Eighth Blackbird featuring Will Oldham (Bonnie “Prince” Billy) at The Theatre at Ace Hotel
Peach Kelli Pop are celebrating their new EP, Which Witch, with a free in-store performance at Permanent Records and later in the evening Permanent Records is hosting a free Record Store After Party at The Hi Hat with Hooveriii, RFRC (Rearranged Face & Red Channel), and Golden Grease
The Aero Theatre is showing a Godard double feature of Breathless and Band of Outsiders
Frankie Rose, Cold Beat, and Business of Dreams are playing at Zebulon
The Nude Party are playing at the Bootleg Theater with Liily, and The Pantones opening
LACMA is showing the documentary A Day on the Grand Canal with the Emperor of China or Surface is Illusion but So Is Depth, a film by directors Phillip Haas and David Hockney (free)
Guest curator Jackie Clay will be at ICA LA to discuss the exhibition sisters and brothers, and her research into black visual culture and queer video as part of an open house day of events that also includes Rafa Esparza in conversation with Jamillah James
Surface Magazine is hosting Design Dialogues No. 45 with Muji Art Director and Japan House Chief Creative Director Kenya Hara in conversation with Surface Editor-in-Chief Spencer Bailey at Vantage Room at Hollywood & Highland (free with RSVP)
The band Winter is having a record release show at The Echo with Vinyl Williams and Sabrina is Not in This Chat opening
For CalArts and Hauser & Wirth’s first performance collaboration, 30 student dancers will present HUMAN- multiple solo performances going on simultaneously within the public spaces of the gallery (free but RSVP)
Downtown Burbank Arts Festival returns with over 200 artists, art activities, live music, book signings, and more (also Sunday)
Justus Proffit is playing at The Factory downtown with Kaz Mirblouk, Sheer, and Good Ruin opening
As part of Noir City: Hollywood- The 20th Annual Los Angeles Festival of Film Noir at the Egyptian Theatre– tonight there is a screening of L.A. Confidential which includes a discussion with author James Ellroy
Sunday
Zebulon is hosting a free screening of Luis Buñuel’s film The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie, followed by a dance party hosted by the band The Entire Universe
Alamo Drafthouse is hosting a Wayne’s World Movie Party at The Regent Theater with a screening, live music, a Q&A with director Penelope Spheeris, and more
Congressman Ted Lieu and former U.S. Attorney and Deputy Assistant Attorney General Harry Litman will be discussing Robert Mueller’s ongoing investigation into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 elections at the Hammer Museum (free)
The Memories, James V and Dillon PC are playing at The Moroccan Lounge with Colleen Green DJ’ing
