Shana Nys DambrotObviously tonight you’re going to get your rainbows and unicorns groove on at this year’s Artopia, presented by L.A. Weekly — but after that, stay strong because you’ve still got a whole weekend of flip and fancy art-friendly parties ahead of you. From the upscale to astrological, and from neighborhood heritage to universal tradition, we’ve got your weekend covered, plus a quick head start on an artsy Mother’s Day.
Friday, May 1: Mark Grotjahn at Blum & Poe
Grotjahn is one of L.A.’s best known painters, straddling the line between high-minded art-historical contemplation of issues of image/abstraction and more popular culture-minded ideas about scale, explosive gesture and identity markers. His much-anticipated new series of paintings debuts at culture monster Blum & Poe Gallery tonight, amid much fanfare and to the delight of a small army of well-heeled art-world insiders. Blum & Poe, 2727 S. La Cienega Blvd., Culver City; Fri., May 1, 5 – 7 p.m.; free. (310) 836-2062, blumandpoe.com.
Mark Grotjahn's Untitled (Non-Indian #4 Face); Credit: Courtesy of the artist and Blum & Poe
Saturday, May 2: “Zodiac” at the Gabba Gallery
“What’s your sign?” It’s more than just a pick-up line. It’s a social science with thousands of years of history and culture attached to it. It’s also a classically Cali way of getting to know someone and shorthand for letting them know something about you — even if all you manage to impart is that you believe in this new age shit. Curated by Jason Ostro and Phil Santos, the sprawling group show “Zodiac” takes on this topic in all its glorious, silly, serious, spirited, sexy glory. The Gabba Gallery, 3126 Beverly Blvd.; Sat., May 2, 7 – 11 p.m.; free. (310) 498-2697, thegabbagallery.com.
Gonzalo Papantonakis' Geisha's Techgarden; Credit: Heritage Festival at Angel City Brewery
Sunday, May 3: Heritage Festival at Angel City Brewery
If Thursday night’s Artopia got you in the mood for vibrant, eclectic homegrown art, live painting, groovy music, cocktails and food trucks, we invite you to scratch that itch some more at Sunday’s all-day Heritage Festival, once again in the heart of the Arts District, this time at beloved locals hang Angel City Brewery. The centerpiece is an art show curated by the Cartwheel Art mavens who, as fellow locals and tour-givers, have focused on work made in downtown and its micro-neighborhoods: the Arts District, Chinatown, the Historic Core, Little Tokyo, Olvera Street and surrounding areas. As Cindy Schwarzstein of Cartwheel Art Tours says, “The entire downtown area — from the Arts District to Boyle Heights to Dodger Stadium — is so full of art and history. It is exciting and an honor to create this exhibition which showcases artists who use Los Angeles as their homes and inspiration.” Angel City Brewery, 216 S. Alameda St., downtown; Sun., May 3, 1 – 8 p.m.; free. (213) 622-1261, angelcitybrewery.com.
John Kilduff at Daniel Rolnik Gallery; Credit: Kilduff's Flower Shop
Saturday May 2 – Sunday, May 10: Kilduff’s Flower Shop at Daniel Rolnik Gallery
Artist John Kilduff replicates regular objects using cardboard and paint — from car dealerships to all kinds of fine art genres. This year, he takes on both Mother’s Day and the California drought with a weeklong residency and installation at Daniel Rolnik Gallery, during which time the artist will create fanciful floral bouquets and arrangements in the drought-tolerant medium of industrial cardboard. Show Mom — and Governor Brown — that you care with these thoughtful, cheeky, one-of-a-kind nosegays. Daniel Rolnik Gallery, 1431 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica; Sat., May 2 – Sun., May 10, 12 – 7 p.m.; free. (310) 729-3399, danielrolnikgallery.com.
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