Report from Standing Rock (photo: Jen Rosenstein, via welcometolace.org)
Lucky Dragons
When: Wednesday, December 14, 6–8pm
Where: 18th Street Arts Center (1639 18th Street, Santa Monica, California)
For the past two-and-a-half months, the art and music duo Lucky Dragons (Luke Fischbeck and Sarah Rara) has been participating in an Artist Lab Residency at 18th Street Arts Center. Their project titled User Agreement is an attempt to “reverse-engineer the technologies of peace … [whereby] … the artists unpack and re-imagine techniques for resolving conflict.” This Wednesday, they present the results of their residency with a holiday party and closing performance. Free admission with RSVP.
Lucky Dragons, “User Agreement” (via facebook)
Geographies of Displacement
Geographies of Displacement (via atlandsedge.com)
When: Thursday, December 15, 7–9pm
Where: Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery (4800 Hollywood Boulevard, East Hollywood, California)
The link between art and gentrification in Los Angeles has become a rather contentious issue recently, as galleries expand into areas of East and South LA where they previously had no presence, drawing the ire of neighborhood activists. Organized by At Land’s Edge, Geographies of Displacement will feature presentations from representatives of various community-based organizations on creative actions of resistance that they’ve undertaken, followed by an open discussion.
We the People Closing Reception
When: Saturday, December 17, 12–5pm
Where: Werkärtz (927 S. Santa Fe Ave., Downtown, Los Angeles)
We the People is a 21-person group show that aims to address some of the issues raised in the wake of the presidential election, “a broad inclusive conversation, with artists representing varied groups and notions,” as curator Austyn Weiner puts it. In an attempt to make a concrete impact, 50% of all proceeds will go to The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. To commemorate the end of the week-long exhibition, a closing reception will be held this Saturday, featuring a performance by Daniel T. Gaitor Lomack titled “You Killed My Daddy” at 3pm.
We The People installation view (via Austyn Weiner)
LAFMS Box Box Launch and Panel
When: Sunday, December 18, 2–5pm
Where: Twooga Booga / 356 Mission (356 S. Mission Road, Boyle Heights, Los Angeles)
The Los Angeles Free Music Society formed in the early 1970s as a loose collective of underground musicians and artists dedicated to freeform sonic experimentation, improvisation, and noise-making. A 2012 exhibition at The Box featured both visual artwork by collective members and performances from the various bands that have been affiliated with the LAFMS over the past four decades. A 13 LP box set released earlier this year captures all of these performances, providing a glimpse of a moment in the life of this constantly evolving group. This Sunday, Twooga Booga hosts a box set release party and panel discussion featuring core LAFMS members Ace Farren Ford, Dennis Mehaffey, Fredrik Nilsen, Paul McCarthy, Joe Potts, Rick Potts, Tom Recchion, and Vetza.
Los Angeles Free Music Society Box Box (via facebook)
Michèle Lamy Talk on Rick Owens: Furniture
When: Sunday, December 18, 3pm
Where: West Hollywood Council Chambers (625 N. San Vincente Blvd., West Hollywood, California)
Michèle Lamy (via moca.org)
The title of the upcoming exhibition Rick Owens: Furniture at the MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) Pacific Design Center may bear the name of the avant-garde fashion designer, but the driving force behind the collection is Owens’s longtime partner, collaborator, wife, and muse, Michèle Lamy. A day after Saturday’s opening, Lamy joins MOCA curator Helen Molesworth at the West Hollywood Council Chambers for a discussion about the furniture line made out of marble, bronze, ox bone, concrete, and plywood, punk aesthetics, and the paintings of Steven Parrino, whose work is also included in the show.
Report from Standing Rock
When: Sunday, December 18, 2–4pm
Where: Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions (LACE) (6522 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, Los Angeles)
The indigenous struggle against the Dakota Access Pipeline has garnered widespread support across the county, with many activists and artists traveling to Standing Rock to join in the protests and document their actions. Two of the artists who recently visited the Oceti Sakowin Camp, Molly Larkey and Jen Rosenstein, will present a slideshow and report on their experience this Sunday at Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions (LACE), providing a much-needed firsthand account of the situation.
