Shana Nys Dambrot
A star-spangled block party with drones instead of fireworks, an expat comedy troupe lives the Amsterdam dream, a collage artist is inspired by natural disaster, a painter speaks across borders, a trans woman makes the healthcare system work for a change, a multimedia installation honors personal and community history, an Arthur Miller classic gets a contemporary update, artists have been making computer-generated films for decades, late-night ambient music in the garden, jazz in the pine forest, a renowned dance company opens for community summer classes, gallery shows take on the abstract patterns and oppressive over-saturation of visual culture.
Francesca Gabbiani at Wilding Cran
Thursday, June 29
Francesca Gabbiani Mutations at Wilding Cran Gallery. Drawing inspiration from her experience living in Los Angeles, Gabbiani has been captivated by the phenomena and mythology of wildfires, returning to them over and over in an effort to dissect their psychological impact upon our social, environmental, and emotional landscapes. In a liminal space between enchantment and trepidation, her intricate collages evoke fragility and beauty, along with the pervasive anxiety of climate disaster. 1700 S. Santa Fe., downtown; Opening reception: Thursday, June 29, 5-7pm; On view through July 29; free; wildingcran.com.
Framing Agnes
Framing Agnes at Philosophical Research Society. Chase Joynt’s acclaimed film focuses on a pioneering transgender woman who participated in an infamous gender health study at UCLA in the 1960s. Her clever use of the study to gain access to gender-affirming healthcare made her a fascinating and celebrated figure in trans history. This playful cinematic exercise features an all-star cast of trans performers, artists, and thinkers including Angelica Ross (Pose), Jen Richards (Mrs. Fletcher), and Zackary Drucker (Transparent). 3910 Los Feliz Blvd., Los Feliz; Thursday, June 29, 7pm; $10; prs.org.
Akashic Books
Book Soup presents Boom Chicago: the 30 Most Important Years in Dutch History at Gold Diggers. Boom Chicago is the most influential comedy institution you’ve never heard of—the Chicago-born, Amsterdam-based improv theater is infamous as the unlikely launchpad for legends spanning Jordan Peele, Seth Meyers, Jason Sudekis, Brendan Hunt, and generally across the SNL-30 Rock-Ted Lasso continuum and beyond. Celebrating the new Akashic Books publication by founders Andrew Moskos, Pep Rosenfeld, and Saskia Maas with co-author Matt Diehl, comedy icon Ike Barinholtz (History of the World, Part II) hosts a special evening never to be repeated—laughing, reminiscing, and improvising with an all-star cast of Boom alumni. 5632 Santa Monica Blvd., Echo Park; Thursday, June 29, 8pm; $38.58 includes a copy of the book; booksoup.com.
Roberto Gil de Montes: El olvido, 2001, Oil on canvas, 47 13/16 × 91 9/16 in. (Courtesy of the Hammer Museum)
Roberto Gil de Montes in conversation with Pablo José Ramírez at the Hammer. Artist Roberto Gil de Montes, whose work El olvido (2001) is on view in the Hammer’s Together in Time exhibition, joins curator Pablo José Ramírez onstage for a conversation about his history with the Chicano Arts movement, the hidden pockets of surrealism in daily life, his practice surrounding his adopted home of La Peñita, Mexico, and his work in relation to the Hammer’s contemporary collection. Audience Q&A and a reception with light refreshments to follow. 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood; Thursday, June 29, 7:30pm; free; hammer.ucla.edu.
Glenn Kaino: Aki’s Market (JANM)
Friday, June 30
Glenn Kaino: Aki’s Market at Japanese American National Museum. Inspired by Akira and Sachiye Shiraishi’s small neighborhood market (1957-70) in East Los Angeles, artist Glenn Akira Kaino (Akira’s grandson and namesake) creates an exhibition exploring the transgenerational trauma from the World War II Japanese American incarceration experience through the stories of Kaino, his family, and the community. In a virtual reality recreation and a sculptural installation of a contemporary store, Kaino takes up collective memory where the archival bleeds into the imaginary and where the most advanced technology serves the most personal past. 100 N. Central Ave., Little Tokyo; On view June 30 – January 28; $16; janm.org.
Death of a Salesman at Casa 0101
Death of a Salesman at Casa 0101. Arthur Miller’s iconic two-act tragedy set in late 1940’s Brooklyn is directed by Corky Dominguez in a mostly Latino cast. The central character, Willie Loman, is experiencing an epic battle against time, exhaustion, and encroaching mental and psychological debility. He desperately must find a way to reconcile his life and the deep pain it has caused his family. Winner of the 1949 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Tony Award for Best Play, the work’s infinitely expandable universe of meaning remains, somewhat tragically, as relevant today as when it was first penned. 2102 E. 1st St., Boyle Heights; Performances through July 16; $25; casa0101.org.
Garo Antreasian at Tufenkian Fine Arts
Garo Antreasian: Abstract Geometries at Tufenkian Fine Arts. Antreasian is rightfully situated as one of the most influential pioneers of contemporary printmaking and painting of the last 30 years. His rhythmic architectural, geometric, and ornamental shapes and colors, synthesis of multiple visual and textual traditions, and subversion of distinct artistic categories all point to the breadth of his multifaceted and ambitious creative output. As a comprehensive representation of Antreasian’s oeuvre, Abstract Geometries, aims to provide a new avenue through which to explore the artist’s works. 216 S. Louise St., Glendale; On view: June 30 – July 29; Artist reception: Saturday, July 15, 4-7pm; free; tufenkianfinearts.com.
Christopher Hartmann (detail) at Blum & Poe
Saturday, July 1
Christopher Hartmann, Acaye Kerunen, Matt Saunders at Blum & Poe. In Nightswimming, Hartmann’s paintings portray situations imbued with conflicting moods of intimacy and alienation, the indistinct yet persistent feelings of unease latent to our oversaturated media landscape and technology-mediated social connections. Kerunen’s immersive, cross-disciplinary practice includes visual art, curation, activism, acting, poetry, writing, and performance emphasizes triumphant noncompliance in a postcolonial world. Exploring the open border between painting and photography, Saunders delves further into his ongoing study of liminal spaces and the divisions among visual art’s medium specificities. 2727 S. La Cienega Blvd., Culver City; Opening reception: Saturday, July 1, 5-7pm; On view through August 12; free; blumandpoe.com.
Still from “unfold.alt” (2016) by Ryoichi Kurokawa (REDCAT)
Digital Infinities: Computer Generated Film & Video, 1952-2023 at REDCAT. From before the advent of the personal computer to today, computer generated worlds have been primary to imagination and exploration for artists of the moving image. As access to computer technology expanded, computer hardware and software tools have allowed for a transformation from access alienation and conceptual abstraction to practical, fantastical and accessible world building. Presented in conjunction with the LACMA exhibition Coded: Art Enters the Computer Age, 1952–1982. 631 W. 2nd St., downtown; Saturday, July 1, 7pm; free w/ rsvp; redcat.org.
tonalism
tonalism at Descanso Gardens. tonalism is a late night, ambient music happening inspired by La Monte Young’s Dream House as well as the work of musicians and composers such as Terry Riley, John Cage, and Yoko Ono. The gardens stay open late for live dublab DJ sets, visual elements, and the opportunity to be in the garden after nightfall. Visitors are encouraged to bring pillows, cushions, and blankets to lay down, listen, watch, and stay warm for a while. 1418 Descanso Dr., La Cañada Flintridge; Saturday, July 1, 8pm-1am; $35; descansogardens.org.
Jazz in the Pines at Idyllwild Arts Academy
Monday, July 3
Jazz in the Pines at Idyllwild Arts Academy. The return of the popular annual fundraiser Jazz In The Pines marks its 29th year of live performances on the art school’s 205-acre campus of astonishing natural beauty, as well as select historical venues in the town of Idyllwild. This year’s festival is curated once again by acclaimed jazz vocalist Rose Colella. Besides the performances, it includes open master classes, book readings/signings and live podcast recordings, where guests are invited to join the conversation. 52500 Temecula Road, Idyllwild; Performances July 3-15; free-$500; idyllwildarts.org.
Gloria Molina Grand Park 4th of July Block Party
Tuesday, July 4
4th of July Block Party at Gloria Molina Grand Park. Reinventing DTLA’s epic free Fourth of July celebration, for the first time in the park’s 10-year history, an innovative drone-based light show—not traditional fireworks—will illuminate the night sky. L.A.’s favorite neighborhood party will be spread across the six city blocks that comprise Grand Park, with gourmet food trucks, music performances (Georgia Anne Muldrow, Cut Chemist, Chali 2na, the Beat Junkies, Maya Jupiter, DJ Ethos, and more) on two stages, and a digital playground by EYEJACK with AR experiences, arts, crafts and games. 135 S. Grand Ave., downtown; Tuesday, July 4, 4-9:30pm; free; grandparkla.org.
L.A. Dance Project
Wednesday, July 5
Community classes at L.A. Dance Project. A series of unique summer movement classes for any level, hosted by one of the city’s most exceptional, acclaimed, and community-minded dance companies, offering a wildly eclectic roster of instructors interested in the narrative and expressive power of the art form. Krump Storytelling with Darrel Friidom Dunn; Repertory with Courtney Conovan; Ballet with Shu Kinouchi; and Movement Medication with Daphne Fernberger. 2245 E. Washington Blvd., downtown; Wednesdays, July 5, 12, 19 & 26, 7-8:15pm; $15 each; ladanceproject.org/classes.
Matt Saunders (detail) at Blum & Poe
Acaye Kerunen (detail) at Blum & Poe
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