Free Lunar New Year Festival on February 3 at the Bowers Museum (image courtesy the museum)
Los Angeles is now an international cultural hub partly because of the number of major museums spread throughout the city, from old (by LA standards) standbys LACMA and MOCA, to new museums like the Broad, Marciano, and ICA LA. Beyond these iconic institutions, however, Los Angeles and Southern California have a wealth of artistic, cultural, and scientific centers for residents and tourists to visit.
Eyezon. Vinyl toy by Mark Nagata. (Photo by Gary van der Steur. FromKaiju vs Heroes: Mark Nagata’s Journey through the World of Japanese Toys, on view at the Japanese American National Museum.)
This weekend’s Annual Free-For-All Day offers a great opportunity to do so, with dozens of participating venues offering free admission on either Saturday, Sunday, or both days (check the schedule for details). Highlights include Mi Casa Es Su Casa, Sandra de la Loza’s exploration of her Mexican-American heritage at the Armory in Pasadena; a Lunar New Year Celebration of the Year of the Pig at the Bowers Museum; Kaiju vs Heroes at the Japanese American National Museum, featuring hundreds of Japanese toys from the collection of toy designer Mark Nagata; and at LACMA, a pop-up preview of the Academy Museum which will be opening later this year. Although museums will be offering free admission, some require advanced tickets.
Sandra de la Loza, “Brothers” (2003), C-print, 20 x 20 inches, framed (image courtesy the artist)
When: Saturday, February 2–Sunday, February 3
Where: Museums throughout Southern California
More info at SoCal Museums
