10 Ways To Blow Your Mind in April
Author:Abigail StoneYour last chance to drive Desert X and 9 more things to do this April.
Desert X – through April 21st. The second outing of the public art exhibition, structured as a self-created journey, is winding down its time in the desert. The installations, which extend to encompass the Coachella Valley’s nine cities, from Palm Springs to the Salton Sea. This year’s itineration, which includes work by Nancy Baker Cahill, Jenny Holzer, speaks to the evolution of the desert and the foreboding specter of climate change. More info here. (Opening Image: Katie Ryan’s Ghost Palm, photo by Lance Gerber)
Collision – through April 30th. Over the past year Bianca Chen, daughter of legendary antiques dealer Joel Chen, has been collaborating with costume designer and stylist Lynn Pickwell who’s worked with some of the world’s most celebrated musicians. (Rumor has that she’s the one who convinced a young Bruce Springsteen to tighten up his t-shirt game.) while an extensive collection of fashion-forward clothing and accessories. The show, which combines selections from Pickwell’s archives with iconic pieces from the JF Chen collection, is a reminder of how creative getting dressed can be. Through April 30th at JF Chen, 830 N. Highland Avenue, Los Angeles
Soul of A Nation: Art In the Age of Black Power. Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power shines a bright light on the vital contribution of Black artists made over two revolutionary decades in American history, beginning in 1963 at the height of the civil rights movement. Romare Bearden, Barkley Hendricks, Noah Purifoy, Alma Thomas and Charles White (a retrospective of his work is also on view at LACMA) are just a few of the artists represented here. At The Broad, 221 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, through September 1st.
Annie Liebovitz: The Early Years, 1970 – 1983 – through April 14. While most people know Annie Liebovitz’s work from her iconic photos for Vanity Fair, fewer people remember that she started her career working for Rolling Stone magazine as a photojournalist. Arranged chronologically and thematically, this exhibition begins with her work for Rolling Stone magazine and visually chronicles the defining moments and key protagonists of the decade. At Hauser + Wirth, 901-909 E 3rd St, Los Angeles
Creative Mornings. What were you doing on the last Friday morning in LA? We were sitting in Studio-MLA listening to the vivacious landscape architect Mia Lehrer talk about water, a subject she’s very familiar with (Lehrer was instrumental in penning the Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan). Creative Mornings, a free monthly breakfast lecture series designed for creative communities founded in 2008 by Tina Roth-Eisenberg, has now expanded to over 201 cities. We’re sure yours is included. Sign up to be notified when tickets become available. Go here to see when this month’s talk, on the theme of inclusivity, will take place in your city.
Frieze Art Walks. Just because the celebrated art fair had ended, doesn’t mean you can’t partake of some of its events. One of our favorites was the Walk of Art, which introduced us to galleries — and neighborhoods — we were less familiar with. Scattered all over Los Angeles, these 12 self-directed mostly walkable itineraries are the perfect way to spend the day. Click here
People – closes April 6. Gallerist Jeffrey Deitch has returned to Los Angeles, this time with his own space, in a rapidly evolving neighborhood in Hollywood. His first show, People, brings together more than fifty standing, sitting and hanging figurative sculptures. The artists in the show span several generations from the 1980s to the present, with an emphasis on emerging talent.
Jens Risom Talk – April 17th. In honor of the launch of their new Block Island Collection designed by iconic designer Jens Risom, Design Within Eeach is hosting an event featuring his son Sven who will discuss his father’s legacy and the evolution of the pieces. Originally created to be used for his family’s Block Island, Rhode Island vacation home, his children later found the designs for them on the back of a scrap of paper and worked with Design Within Reach to bring them to life. From 10 -12 at Design Within Reach, 8612 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA. Call 310.659.9018 to RSVP.
Smorgasburg – Sundays. If you’re hungry on a Sunday morning head to Smorgasburg at ROW DTLA. The weekly outdoor food festival, which invites you to sample a mixed bag of cuisines from a variety of vendors. Oysters? Check. Shave Ice. Check. Donuts? Check. Tacos? Of course. Jewerlry, clothing, plants and other items are also available.
The Great Los Angeles River Clean Up – April 13th, April 20th, April 27th. If you’re wondering how you can make your city more beautiful, join Friends of the Los Angeles River’s annual cleanup. It’ll be in a different spot each Saturday, with multiple meet-up locations at each. The annual “work party” will include live music performances, gift giveaways, family activities and refreshments so it’s not all work. Register here.
