Summer unofficially ends this weekend, and we’re wasting no time in kicking off a busy fall season of exhibitions at LACMA with three exhibitions opening to the public on Sunday. All three are part of the ambitious Pacific Standard Time initiative, sponsored by the Getty and Bank of America. Members, don’t forget—you don’t need to wait. You can see all of these exhibitions right now!
Asco: Elite of the Obscure, A Retrospective, 1972-1987 is the first survey of the East L.A. art collective that specialized in hit-and-run performance art and conceptual multimedia pieces.
Asco, Instant Mural, (detail) 1974, courtesy Harry Gamboa, © Asco, photo © 1974 Harry Gamboa, Jr.
Two smaller exhibitions—each comprised of single artworks—are opening side by side in the Art of the Americas Building. Edward Kienholz: “Five Car Stud” 1969-1972, Revisited presents Kienholz’s major civil rights work, on view for the first time since its debut at documenta forty years ago. If you missed it, read curator Stephanie Barron’s memory of seeing the chilling artwork as a college student in 1971. Nearby, Maria Nordman’s Filmroom: Smoke, 1967-Present is a film shot in Malibu in 1967 on two cameras—one on a tripod, one hand-held. Each version is screened in the room, separated by a wall which creates three different ways of viewing.
That’s not all we have opening this weekend. Now on view in the Pavilion for Japanese Art, Washi Tales: The Paper Art of Ibe Kyoko is an installation of works by contemporary artist Ibe Kyoko, who takes an ancient art form and reimagines it for contemporary times. And of course Ai Weiwei’s Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads has only just opened, so check that out if you haven’t yet. If you need more convincing, check out the Los Angeles Times’ review of Ai’s sculptures.
Ibe Kyoko, Japan, Born 1941, Hogosho 08-2, washi (Japanese handmade paper), 175 cm x 400 cm, Collection of the artist, photo by Ibe Kyoko.
We’ve got great free concerts all weekend long, including on Labor Day. Tonight, saxophonist Michael Session brings his sextet to Jazz at LACMA. Tomorrow is the final concert in the 2011 season for Latin Sounds, featuring the Afro-Cuban rhythms of Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca. Sunday, the Salastina Music Society and baritone Rod Gilfry will perform Samuel Barber’s Dover Beach, among others, during the free Sundays Live concert in the Bing Theater. Finally, Monday is a Target Free Holiday Monday, featuring a couple of performances by La Santa Cecilia (profiled earlier this week in the Los Angeles Times). In addition to the live music, of course, the galleries are free all day (excluding Tim Burton).
Scott Tennent