This week, the Los Angeles art scene brings you a birthday bash, an all access block party, and a look inside the deranged mind of a 1930's poet through the eyes of a contemporary LA artist.
1. Sean Townley The Third Measure at Night Gallery: Three cast aluminum lions that have been sculpted from a 3-D scan of an ancient Greek funerary lion are the central focus of The Third Measure, which has its official opening 7-10pm Saturday. Working directly with institutions to retrieve actual historical scans, Townley has repurposed the physical existence of these relics with the use of modern materials. The lions will be on display through November 21.
2. Grand Ave Arts: All Access at MOCA: Highlighting Grand Avenue’s status as a lively new arts destination, 11 cultural organizations along this arts-centric stretch of Bunker Hill in DTLA are presenting a free one-day cultural event Saturday from 10am-5pm. Of the highlights, MOCA is participating and your favorite artist-run radio station, KCHUNG, will be broadcasting live with DJ sets and performances.
3. Devin Troy Strother's They Should’ve Never Given You Niggas Money: Taking its name from a line in a Dave Chapelle comedy skit about Rick James, Devin Troy Strother’s newest exhibition at Richard Heller Gallery is colorfully humorous, to say the least. These brightly painted new works continue Strother’s exploration of contemporary stereotypes and cultural tropes in today’s African American youth. The opening reception of the show is Saturday at 6-9pm, but it's on view through December 19. Pro tip: read the work titles.
4. Richard Hawkins' New Work: A two venue exhibition: In his newest series of ceramics and collages, Richard Hawkins evokes the twisted drawings made by the visionary poet, director, writer and maniac Antonin Artaud during his stay at French psychiatric hospital in the late 1930s. With imagery that conjures witchy shamans, intersex idols and headless succubi, you’d think Halloween came early. The exhibition opens Saturday between two LA galleries: Jenny’s (7-9pm) and Richard Telles (5-7pm).
Bonus (This event is sponsored by the author): CURATE LA BDAY: On Thursday, from 8pm-midnight, LA’s go-to online resource for the city’s artistic community is celebrating its first birthday and the debut of it’s new iPhone app with a night of partying. Hosted by Werkärtz in DTLA, the night will feature musical vibes by RAM and Foreigner, with visuals by Akiko Yamashita and Julieta Gil. To attend, RSVP online.