Los Angeles - December 4, 2019
Letter from the editor:
Choosing the best exhibitions of the year is not an easy task, especially in a large city like Los Angeles. Together with our regular contributors, we put together a list of some of the shows that resonated with us most deeply. Sometimes we were blown away by new work by contemporary artists; other times, we were struck by the curatorial research that went into a show. We were especially excited to notice a number of exhibitions devoted to overlooked California and Los Angeles histories.
In major museum news, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), Los Angeles has recognized its union. This makes MOCA the second museum in Los Angeles to have a union, joining the Museum of Tolerance.
And in Claremont, a church has mounted a nativity scene that places Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus in metal cages to evoke detention facilities at the US-Mexico border. “For us, this is a public nativity that you might call public art,” says Reverend Karen Clark Ristine.
Elisa Wouk Almino
Best of 2019: Our Top 20 Los Angeles Art Shows
Our favorite Los Angeles shows of 2019, brought to you by the writers and editors of Hyperallergic.
Hyperallergic Writers and Editors
Event Pick
A Poetic Response to Shirin Neshat’s Photographs
In conjunction with the exhibition, the Broad has organized The Logic of Poetry and Dreams, a series of talks and readings with poets, scholars, and artists who will reflect upon Neshat’s work.
Matt Stromberg | The Broad, December 12, 7-7:30 pm
SPONSORED
CalArts School of Art Is Accepting Applications for Fall 2020
A sanctuary for cross-disciplinary training, the School of Art promotes the creative environment and intellectual context for artistic experimentation.
Reviews
Seeking the Soul of Iceland
It is not surprising that a music star would have an exhibition at an art gallery. What is surprising is how compelling and meaningful this show, by Sigur Rós frontman Jónsi, really is.
Gregory Volk | Tanya Bonakdar Gallery, through Jan 9
Finding Crystalline Clarity in the Seemingly Chaotic
The technical mastery of Annie Lapin’s paintings is like that of a juggler who can simultaneously toss balls, bowling pins, flaming torches, and a chainsaw.
Daniel Gerwin | Shulamit Nazarian, through Dec 21
News
A Church Nativity Scene Makes a Statement About Border Detentions
The display presents the figurines of Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus separated by metal cages to evoke detention facilities at the US-Mexico border. “The role of public art is to raise awareness,” explains the church’s reverend.
In Surprising Development, MOCA LA Voluntarily Recognizes Employee Union
This will make MOCA only the second museum in Los Angeles after the Museum of Tolerance to have a union.
A Beloved San Diego Gallery Is Pushed Out by a Wave of Gentrification
Over 4,000 people are behind a petition to get the landlord to reconsider the new rent, which has more than doubled.
SPONSORED
The Huntington Presents Beside the Edge of the World
This exhibition features work by five artists based on research in The Huntington’s collections investigating ideas of perfection and utopia. On view through February 24, 2020.
The Art That Hangs Above LA’s Daily Commuters
As a problem of engineering, design, and aesthetics, commissioning art for the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority was a gamble.
Elifete Paz
Meet LA’s Art Community: Asuka Hisa Is Busy Prepping the ICA LA as a 2020 Voting Center
An interview series spotlighting some of the great work coming out of Los Angeles. Hear directly from artists, curators, and art workers about their current projects and personal quirks.
Elisa Wouk Almino
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