Shana Nys Dambrot
New poems by a dead poet with the help of A.I. (and his own photography); new and rare art books and the worlds (and parties) that spin in and around them; a weekend of food, film, dance, and poetry inspired by paintings; classic Chinese printmaking, interdisciplinary landscapes, and allegorical photography; poetry by women of color inspired by majestic sculptures; a documentary on the world’s greatest personal library; art across the L.A. River; blockchain art by cyberpunk feminists.
Allen Ginsberg: Patti Smith & William S. Burroughs, The Bunker, September 20, 1995 (Fahey/Klein Gallery)
Thursday, August 10
Muses & Self: Photographs by Allen Ginsberg at Fahey/Klein Gallery. Ginsberg’s personal photographs balance our understanding of the outspoken Beat poet. At his core, Ginsberg was a witness and chronicler of the world; his profound admiration for the beauty of the vernacular, intense observation, and celebration of the present moment guided his photography and poetry. In conjunction with the selections, the gallery hosts a preview of A Picture of My Mind: Poems Written by Allen Ginsberg’s Photographs—a collection of ekphrastic poems generated by an AI-powered version of Ginsberg’s own body of text in response to specific photographs, developed in collaboration with poetry collective theVERSEverse. 148 N. La Brea, Hollywood; Opening reception: Thursday, August 10, 6-8pm; On view through September 23; free; faheykleingallery.com.
L.A. Art Book Fair
Printed Matter’s L.A. Art Book Fair at MOCA Geffen. Over the course of four days, Printed Matter’s LA Art Book Fair offers dozens of opportunities for engagement, with free conversations, workshops, performances, and other artist-led programs. Programs also include an Opening Night celebration, exhibitor awards, curated exhibitor projects, as well as offsite programs and parties at partnering institutions around downtown like JANM, ICA LA, Hauser & Wirth, Ace Hotel, and a special performance at Zebulon. Artists, writers, designers, and publishers highlight new releases; four days of music and performance on the Plaza stage; mural and special exhibition projects; vintage, rare, and out of print treasures; social justice organizations and politically-minded artist publishers; panels, readings, signings; and all the novelty tote bags a person could ever want. 152 N. Central Ave., Little Tokyo; Thursday, August 10, opening night party, 6pm, $10; Fair hours and programming Friday-Sunday, August 11-13; Daily tickets $5; many programs (off-site and after-hours are ticketed separately, or free; laabf2023.printedmatterartbookfairs.org.
Ari Salka: Semblance Study, 2023, 50 x 60 inches, Acrylic, Enamel, Spray Paint, India Ink, and Latex Paint on Canvas (Lauren Powell Projects)
Ari Salka: Semblance at Lauren Powell Projects. Salka’s work on canvas, wood and mirror is a symphony of figurative and abstract painting. Bold strokes and enigmatic forms create a connection with the viewer that transcends that which cannot easily be identified. With a deeply personal touch, Salka embraces a diaristic and autobiographical approach to mark-making, using abstraction, figuration, and poetry. Salka passionately investigates repetition and fragmentation, resulting in a tapestry of notational entries. Alongside Semblance, Salka has curated culinary, dance, film, and poetry responses to this body of work—happening all weekend August 11, 12, 13, and on August 16 and 20. 5225 Hollywood Blvd., East Hollywood; Opening reception: Thursday, August 10, 5-8pm; the exhibition and all events except the culinary night on August 11 are free; laurenpowellprojects.com.
Zhen, Xu: School of Fish 3, 1997, Woodcut print (USC Pacific Asia Museum / Gift of Charles T. Townley)
Friday, August 11
Imprinting in Time: Chinese Printmaking at the Beginning of a New Era at USC Pacific Asia Museum. Surveying printmaking by Chinese artists from the 1980s to the present and examining the unique narrative of the medium within the contexts of cultural, academic, sociopolitical, and economic changes. Since the 1930s, the woodblock has been given singular priority for articulating social commentary and nationalistic sentiments. The emergence of etching, lithograph, silkscreen, and digital devices in the 1980s added new energy to the medium. On Saturday, August 19, join guest curator Danielle Shang for an in-depth look at the extraordinary prints featured in the exhibition. 46 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena; On view August 11 – November 12; $10; pacificasiamuseum.usc.edu.
Liz Miller Kovacs: Geamana Venus, Ed. 3, Archival Pigment Prints on Fine Art Hahnenmüle Paper, 40 x 60 inches (Track 16)
Saturday, August 12
The 36th Parallel at Track 16 Gallery. Exploring the cross-sections of conscious and unconscious landscapes navigated through historic, domestic, and economic compasses. Featuring works by seven interdisciplinary artists, curator Beth Davila Waldman opens the conversation with various entry points of our social and cultural geography through material, image and assemblages. As a global platform of geographic and cultural connective tissues, the metaphor of the Parallel speaks to the roots of Waldman’s own artistic practice as well as those of her fellow artists from San Francisco to Los Angeles, Brooklyn to Berlin, India to Iran. Bendix Building, 1206 Maple, downtown; Opening reception: Saturday, August 12, 7-9pm; Panel discussion prior, 5:30pm; On view through September 9; free; track16.com.
Mania Akbari: Allegory of Fortitude V, 30 x 20 cm, 2023 (Hamzianpour + Kia)
Mania Akbari: The Night at Hamzianpour & Kia. The acclaimed Iranian artist and filmmaker’s first solo exhibition in the United States is an intensely personal presentation of 14 allegorical and documentary photographic images that center on the relationship between trauma, threat, the self, and the body. The works on show exemplify a consistent focus of much of Akbari’s creative work and are a powerful, raw, and demotically beautiful manifestation of art as a reflective and protean space in which the self can shape and express itself in the face of adversity and change. 5225 Wilshire Blvd., Miracle Mile; Opening reception: Saturday, August 12, 4-8pm; On view through August 26; free; hamzianpourandkia.com.
River Session #8: 6th Street Viaduct
River Session #8: Mile 21: The 6th Street Viaduct with Self-Help Graphics. An immersive exploration of the vibrant Sixth Street Bridge, an iconic span that connects the downtown arts district with the historic bungalows of East Los Angeles. Completed in 2022 as a replacement for an 83-year-old Art Deco bridge, it boasts 10 sets of stunning white, illuminated arches. While its popularity has soared, there are growing concerns due to frequent closures caused by reckless behavior. Have the actions of graffiti artists, skateboarders, climbers, and exhibitionist drivers claimed the bridge as a new kind of territory or does their activity enhance its cultural significance? Guided by East LA public artist and author, Arturo Romo (ELADATL) and printmaker Danny Gonzalez of Boyle Heights, explore their insights on connection and disconnection. Additionally, this session offers hands-on art-making with talented artists from beloved local art organization, Self-Help Graphics. 600 S. Santa Fe, downtown; Saturday, August 12, 6-8pm; $29-$35; lariverpublicartproject.org.
CHUKES at Matter Studio Gallery
Sunday, August 13
Truth Matters: Poetry at Matter Studio Gallery. Nailah Porter, S. Pearl Sharp, V.Kali, Stella the Poet, and Yellawoman will present their writings inside the current Chukes exhibition, Truth Matters. With the intention to embrace and expand the community and provide a platform for diverse cultures, experiences, perspectives, and creative mediums, in order to recognize how art connects us, how art can heal us, and how art unites us. 5080 W. Pico Blvd., Mid-City; Sunday, August 13, 2-4pm; free; matterstudiogallery.com.
Monday, August 14
Umberto Eco: A Library of the World at Laemmle Theaters. Part of the Culture Vulture film series, experience a documentary immersion into all things Eco, as Davide Ferrario’s film takes us on a tour of the iconic writer’s private library, guided by the author himself. Combining new footage with material shot with Eco in 2015 for a video installation for the Venice Biennale, Ferrario documents this incredible collection and the man who amassed it. As Eco leads us among the more than 50,000 volumes, we also gain insight into the library of the mind of this vastly prolific and original thinker. Monday, August 14, 7pm; Claremont 5, Glendale, and Monica Film Center locations; $16; laemmle.com.
New Landscapes 2023 #29 by Petra Cortright (FEMMEBIT)
Tuesday, August 15
In Medias Res: FEMMEBIT x Feral File at NFTuesday. An exhibition of on-chain artworks by feminist, and post-cyberfeminist artists who reimagine celluloid-based media for the decentralized realm of Life 3.0. The Hollywood-adjacent aesthetic is debunked and reinvigorated through works of art that take inspiration from the natural landscape of Southern California, questioning how cities are defined, who owns the land, and in what ways multiple perspectives can exist to cultivate a sense of belonging within urban environments of the imagination as much as in real life. The curated NFT exhibition drops August 17th on Feral File, but an in-person preview happens at this week’s NFTuesday LA, with an artist talk with Kate Parsons, Casey Kauffmann, and Huntrezz Janos. El Cid, 4212 Sunset Blvd., Echo Park; Tuesday, August 15, 7pm; free; femmebit.art.
Uma Rani Iyli: Winding and Unwinding 1 , 2015, Gold Thread and Plexi and Wire, 21 x 18 x 2 1/2 inches (Track 16)
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