In possibly the most archetypally Californian art experiment of the summer, the Mount Wilson Observatory (Griffith Park's less flashy but equally gorgeous and historical cousin in the San Gabriel Mountains, north of Pasadena) invites some 30 contemporary visual artists to invade and explore its buildings and grounds for the weekend. “Knowledges” is a sculptural, installation-based multimedia program of day and nighttime viewing that casts a wide conceptual net, including some far-out ideas about science, architecture, measured observation and humanity's cosmic context. This slightly surreal blending of art and science is a very L.A. undertaking. After all, this is the city that gave the world both the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the Light & Space movement, not to mention the sweeping views of the city offered by the location itself. Even a partial list of the artists and groups involved demonstrates the event's dynamic eclecticism: Lita Albuquerque, the Center for Land Use Interpretation, the Museum of Jurassic Technology, Zoe Crosher, Russell Crotty, Charles Gaines, Katie Grinnan, Cody Trepte, Kerry Tribe, Dani Tull, Marilyn Lowey and their colleagues work in everything from pure abstraction and kinetic light-based sculpture to interactive installation and political science, proving space is still the place. Mount Wilson Observatory, San Gabriel Mountains, La Canada; Sat., June 23, 10 a.m.-midnight; Sun., June 24, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; free. 626-440-1136. theknowledges.org.

Sat., June 23, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., June 24, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 2012

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.