Here are the “must see” shows and exhibitions in Los Angeles that you’ll want to check out before the summer is over.
Alison O’Daniel at Shulamit Nazarian
Now—August 25
“Say the word ‘NOWHERE.’ Say ‘HEADPHONES.’ Say ‘NOTHING.’” is Alison O’Daniels’ multidisciplinary exploration of sound and its perceived absence inspired by audiology tests and the artists own use of hearing aids and lip-reading in her everyday life. The exhibition features O’Daniels’ film The Tuba Thieves, which was created over a period of seven years through collaborations with composers, athletes, and performers—a number of which were deaf or hard of hearing.
Larry Bell Bette and the Giant Jewfish
1963
Vacuum coated glass and chrome plated metal
16 1/2 x 16 1/2 x 16 1/2 inches
Photo by Fredrik Nilsen
Courtesy of Private Collection, Massachusetts
Piero Golia at Gagosian
Now—August 24
Piero Golia’s “Suddenly, in the middle of the summer” is an exhibition following the artist’s idea establishing alternatives as opposed to following expectations. At a glance, the show appears to be a collection of familiar objects (lamps, paintings, and fruit bowls), but upon further examination one will find that each item has been created with such care and meticulous technical process that they are transformed into luxury items.
Installation view of Piero Golia’s “Suddenly, in the middle of the summer” © Piero Golia
Photography by Joshua White / JWPictures.com
Courtesy of Gagosian
Larry Bell at Hauser & Wirth
Now—September 23
“Larry Bell. Complete Cubes” is the artist’s first show at Hauser & Wirth showcasing Bell’s iconic glass cubes. The installation is organized by scale, featuring rarely seen works from the artist’s early career, including over 20 cubes ranging from 2-40 inches, dating back to the 1960s.
Photo by Ed Mumford Courtesy of M+B, Los Angeles
Sam Davis and Josh Mannis at M+B
Now—August 25
Named for a song by metal band Volvod, “Macrosolutions to Megaproblems” is an exhibition of works by Sam Davis and Josh Mannis. The two bonded over a shared dark sense of humor and zest for the organic horror of life. In addition to serving as an artistic visualization of this bond, the exhibition creates a physical representation of comedy and the reality that a dystopian future might very well be our everyday lives.
David Leggett Color blind deep forest
2017
Screen print and acrylic on paper
14 x 11 inches
Courtesy of the artist and Various Small Fires, Los Angeles
David Leggett and Ryan Richey at Various Small Fires
Now—August 25
“Mixed Emotions” is an exhibition of works by David Leggett and Ryan Richey, friends and former classmates. Through their two singular styles—both deeply rooted in the counterculture scene of the Midwest—the artists utilize humor as a gateway to discuss unconventional subject matter like the issues of racism, sex, and identity politics, as well as a means of self-reflection that allows for sentimentality.
Jess at Kohn Gallery
Now—September 7
“Secret Compartments” is a survey of works by the late American artist, Jess, ranging from the early 1950s into the 1990s. The show includes paintings from the artist’s most important series, “Romantic,” “Salvages,” “Erotic,” and “Translation,” as well as drawings and collaborations with poets and writers. Featured in the exhibition are works like Jess’ famous “Paste-Ups” (a series of collages) and Heavy Water: a Novel or The 40 & 1 Nights or Jess’ Didactic Nickelodeon—a recently rediscovered sculptural work created in 1955, which operates like a moving picture device complete with audio.
Installation view of “Jess — Secret Compartments” Courtesy of Kohn Gallery
