FOCUS – Self Help Graphics
By Mark Miller (Mark and Evonne, please scroll down to the bottom of the page for a special message.)
Many of you may not be aware of this embattled and historic local center for arts activism, but Self Help Graphics in East L.A. was the brain child of several artists including the late Sister Karen Boccalero, an Italian American, chain smoking Franciscan nun who had studied art in Rome. Sister Karen was apparently a force to be reckoned with. According to some who knew her she was loved, feared, reviled and adored, but never dismissed. Sister Karen had the moxy and the vision to tap into the emerging post 1960′s Chicano movement to bring about positive social change and empowerment through print making. The idea that she co-hatched in 1971 in an East LA garage endures as an important safe haven for artists, art students, and community groups. It’s a prestigous training ground for new and emerging print makers, and many artists who started there have gone on to national prominence. (more…)
OUR FIRST 3-D POST!!! – Jack Laxer at the Getty
CLICK ON THE THREE THUMBNAILS BELOW TO VIEW ANIMATED GIFS. IF YOU’D RATHER VIEW THE IMAGES SIDE BY SIDE, WE’VE POSTED THEM AFTER THE JUMP.
WHAT: Photography in 3-D: Capturing the Built Environment, Photography by Jack Laxer
WHEN: Sunday, April 11, 2010, 3:30pm – 5:30pm
WHERE: Getty Center, Museum Lecture Hall
COST: Course fee $15 (includes 3-D glasses and parking); reservations required. Call (310) 440-7300
My grandmother owned a stereopticon, and as a child I was fascinated by it. I still have it, and it looks *just* like the contraption on the right. Basically, during the early days of photography the stereopticon was an invention that helped people of the late 19th century collect the sights of the world without leaving home… a magical machine displaying the most exotic wonders of the world in 3D so people could fantasize about being there in person. 3D may be all the rage when it comes to watching movies right now, but the art of 3D photography is still more amazing to me somehow.
The other day I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Jack Laxer who will be showing his master 3D/stereo photography of Modernist architecture at the Getty this Sunday (complete with 3D glasses provided!) . When he was kind enough to offer me the opportunity to feature some of his work on HiddenLA this week, I wasn’t sure how I was going to do it justice but I knew I was up to the challenge. Since I can’t exactly hand out stereopticans to all of you, I decided to try turning them into animated gifs… and it actually kinda works! Obviously the effect will be much better if you go to his Getty event and check out his work in person with 3D glasses on your face, but this’ll give you a taste. One warning though… before you click on the thumbnails below, just please be sure you aren’t epileptic. Oh, and just know if you haven’t had coffee yet, you probably won’t need any after viewing them. ;)
CLICK ON THUMBNAILS BELOW FOR ANIMATED GIFS
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HOT ANGELENO – Guy Orlando Rose
Never heard of Guy Orlando Rose? Well, if you had been born 100 years ago you would’ve been in the minority. Not only does the town of Rosemead bear his family name, but Mr. Rose (1867-1925), a California impressionist painter born in San Gabriel, is said to have been the very first native Southern Californian to receive international fame. His incredible artistic vision and skill even earned him high standing as a protégé and friend of Monet. No kidding! Click on the thumbnails throughout this post to see larger views of some of his incredibly beautiful paintings of Southern California in the early 20th Century.
HOOD – Laurel & Hardy’s Culver City
“Many scenes in the Hal Roach comedies were shot on the streets of Culver City. The brilliant designer and pop culture historian Piet Schreuders creates a computer model of Culver City as it looked in the 20′s – and matches-in scenes from Laurel and Hardy comedies that were shot on site.”
I saw this a few years ago and it just blew me away. The amount of loving and precise effort this one man put into matching up the scenery is so impressive. Unfortunately, some of it isn’t subtitled, but it doesn’t really matter.
For a 13-page PDF of background about this clip, click here.
EVENT – Shag Swapmeet
(Shag as in the iconic illustrator, not as in this… or this… or this.)
What: The first-ever Shag Swapmeet – art, merchandise and ephemera spanning the illustrator’s entire career
When: Saturday, September 12, Noon
Where: Billy Shire Fine Arts, 5790 Washington Blvd., Culver City (323) 279-0600
Details: “Collectors and connoisseurs of illustrator Shag will have a chance purchase a cache of art, merchandise and ephemera spanning his entire career at the first ever Shag Swapmeet. (Some examples here.) Several important original works will be available for sale ranging from the bamboo-framed “The Perils of Trying Too Hard,” from 1998 to his signature triptych, “Departure Idlewild, Stopover Borneo, Arrival Ape City.” Numerous long out-of-print serigraphs, many dating pre-2004 will also be available for sale alongside a limited number of poly-bagged “Paintings by Shag” from the 2006 “Conspicuous Consumption” exhibition. The Shag Swapmeet will also feature signed casino chips, shot glasses, a very limited edition charm bracelet, bar stools, tiki decanters, mugs, toys, exclusive Disneyland Tiki Room purses, signed prints, discounted books, “Shag With a Twist” merchandise and ephemera and much more Shag Swag.”
For a full preview of the objects and advance purchasing options, contact the gallery.
EVENT – The Berlin Wall Falls in Los Angeles
Let’s just pray David Hasselhoff doesn’t show up and start singing.
In honor of the 20th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, on November 8th the Wende Museum of the Cold War and artists Shepard Fairey, Kent Twitchell, and Thierry Noir will be erecting a symbolic Berlin Wall aross Wilshire Boulevard. No, I’m not kidding.
The Wall Project, painted by professional and amateur artists, will close Sunday afternoon traffic on one of the city’s busiest thoroughfares for three hours on Nov. 8 beginning at 3 p.m. The project involves the Culver City’s Wende Museum and Archive of the Cold War, the city of Los Angeles, the German Consulate General in Los Angeles and other partners… In a reenactment of the actual events, invited dignitaries will break down selected portions of the Wilshire wall, which will be placed directly in front of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Project leaders plan a live feed of the events between Los Angeles and Berlin, official sister cities since 1967. (Because of the time difference, it will already be Nov. 9 in Berlin, the day the wall came down in 1989).
TONIGHT – Jazz Photography *Icon* Herman Leonard!
What: Mingling with 86-year old legendary jazz photographer Herman Leonard in person. Enjoy art and refreshments along with music provided by Joey Altruda and his Cocktail Crew.
When: Tonight (8/29), 8-11pm
Where: Reserve,
420 North Fairfax
Price: FREEEEE!
Details: AIGA/LA & Reserve present The Photography of Herman Leonard. Meet legendary jazz photographer and coolest guy in the world, Herman Leonard, at his solo exhibition.
“In the late 1940’s, Herman Leonard’s passion for jazz brought him to the swinging clubs of Broadway, 52nd Street and Harlem. With the camera as his free ticket, he photographed and developed friendships with some of the greats of jazz history including Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington and many more.
A year’s apprenticeship with Yasuf Karsh provided invaluable experience photographing the likes of Albert Einstein, Harry S. Truman and Clark Gable. In 1956 Leonard was chosen to be Marlon Brando’s personal photographer for an extensive research trip to the Far East. In the late 1950’s Leonard headed for Paris where he worked in fashion and advertising and served as the European photographer for Playboy Magazine.
VIDEO – A Little Face Time with Marty & Elayne
There are few things we can truly count on in life,
but we can always count on Marty & Elayne to be…
Marty & Elayne.
‘Cuz they’ve got us… under their dermis.
EVENT – Pee Wee Re-Opens Playhouse Doors
*CHECK OUR DAILY EVENT LISTINGS FOR THIS & LOTS OF OTHER COOL STUFF!*
8/11 ALERT: GIVE TICKETMASTER THE CODE “2HOORAY” OR “HOORAY” FOR DISCOUNTS ON FLOOR SEATS
8/10 UPDATE: An Los Angeles Times article on the show:
“The new stage production is a “re-imagined” version of Herman’s past theatrical outings, according to promoters. The original version of the show debuted at the Groundlings Theatre in 1981 before playing at L.A.’s Roxy Theatre for five months. The production then went on a 22-city tour that included New York’s Carnegie Hall.
The new production will feature Pee-wee regulars, including Miss Yvonne, Mailman Mike, Cowboy Curtis and Jambi the Genie. Audiences can also count on appearances by Pee-wee’s talking chair, Chairry, and his friend Pterri, the pterodactyl.”
Miss Y-Vonne? Jambi? COWBOY CURTIS? Wait, isn’t Cowboy Curtis dissecting bodies in Las Vegas or something? Huh. So, do any of you readers know any more details? And is this something you can share with the rest of us, Amazing Larry?
Seriously, I remember the exact *moment* I first laid eyes on Pee Wee Herman. I was staying at someone’s house when my mom was out of town and I was alone in their living room flipping through cable (which we didn’t have) when suddenly there he was and I was TRANSFIXED. My friends and I were also big Oingo Boingo fans so the whole Danny Elfman music thing cemented the love. We saw Pee Wee’s Big Adventure on *opening night.* Yeah, that was us. Throughout art school I had a giant photo of him on my wall, and at one point my bedroom even sported a mobile from Big Top Pee Wee, with a flying pig that flapped its wings when you pulled a string. Somehow it went with my decor.
I have always said that the whole “scandal” was unfair… anyone who watched the first show *KNOWS* Pee Wee wasn’t originally created to be a character for children. I’m looking forward to seeing what Paul will do with this, and I’m really really hoping it’s going to be awesome. Fingers crossed. I think if anyone could pull it off, he could. No pun intended. Shame on you.
_______________________________
For you lovers of 57 year old man-children, Paul Reubens has just officially announced the following:
“Big announcement! I’m doing The Pee-wee Herman Show
LIVE ON STAGE in Hollywood at The Music Box Theatre!!”
FANCY NEW EVENT LISTINGS!
All last week I was racking my poor little head brainstorming how to list upcoming Los Angeles events in a way that would be easy to maintain for me and as useful and user-friendly as possible for you.
Speaking for myself, sometimes time flies by too fast… I see so many great events online that I really want to check out and promptly forget about until the day after they’re over. Or there will be a repeat event and I’ll forget whether it’s the third or the fourth Wednesday. Or I’ll have a night free and toy with the idea of doing a google search to find out what’s happening outside of my apartment but out of laziness will just end up just sitting in front of the tv watching reruns of Monk I’ve already seen instead.
So with my own lameness/laziness in mind, I think I’ve come up with a great solution that makes HiddenLA’s Event Listing easy, convenient and more inspiring to use. You’ll have to let me know what you think. I’m pretty happy with it. Check out a full explanation of the cool new interactive features after the jump.
Just one little request… if you appreciate the resource I’ve created for you, it would rock my world if you would please take a moment to throw a coupla bucks into my Ginger Cocktail Fund so I can go out tonight and toast myself for workin’ my butt off trying to create something you’d like. ‘Cuz I really did! :)
CONTEST – The Los Angeles Superhero
Calling all comic geeks! To accompany their upcoming Heroes and Villains show, LACMA is announcing a contest to create your own LA-centric superhero or archnemesis.
REQUIREMENTS:
- 3-5 images of character designs/storyboards
- One-page synopsis of the plot
- Images must be jpegs, sized up to 800 x 1000 pixels
- Image files must not exceed 1 megabyte in size
- Deadline for submissions is Sept. 15th
Can’t draw? That’s okay. *We’d* still like to hear your ideas. Throw ‘em in the comments to entertain us.
HANDSHAKE – We love you, North Dakota!
According to Google Analytics, the only state in all of America that has yet to visit HiddenLA even *once* is North Dakota. Seriously! Even though we did a nice big feature on one of their native sons! Sigh.
Feeling a bit sad and rejected with this news, naturally the only solution was to turn to the internet for possible answers. It was tough admitting that all I really knew about North Dakota was to stay away from wood chippers. It seemed a good time to learn a bit about the commonalities we share so that perhaps we might have a better chance of forging a bond of web friendship. (I mean, how tough could it be… the word Dakota MEANS “allies” in the Sioux language, for Christ’s sake, so they’ve gotta be super friendly people. Right?)
After a bit of research it’s easy to see why North Dakota might be a bit intimidated by Los Angeles, though… the entire state contains nearly ONE THIRD the population of the San Fernando Valley alone. Wow.
Well, we may be big city folk, but that doesn’t mean we don’t care about stuff that’s important to our fellow Americans, though. We do! So after a bit of research, here are a few things I’ve come up with… an olive leaf of sorts. An itemized list with links after the jump.
FLASHBACK – A Day with The Doors
The following video “tells the story of Gary and Henry, two wild and crazy guys from the 60′s who designed albums covers for some of the biggest names in Rock and Roll… Gary and Henry discuss (with Ray Manzarek) how they came up with the infamous MORRISON HOTEL cover. They revisit the old hotel in downtown Los Angeles where they took the now classic shots of the doors in the hotel window. What’s amazing about this story is how different the world was back then. You can imagine today, taking a major rock and roll band to hotel with no advance notice and asking, “Hey mind if we take a few pictures?” Today, it would take months to set up the shoot and it would include bus loads of advertising people, reps from the record company, legal observers, and many many assistants. Ad to this, a full catering truck and security and you get the picture!”
See what The Morrison Hotel looks like today after the jump. Let’s just say I doubt you’ll be rushing there to book a room.
EVENTS – Kristin’s List
When it comes to online event listings, there is no better guide to cool happenings in Los Angeles than Kristin’s List. Not even us! Kristin has an incredible knack for weeding out the very best there is to do in this booming megalopolis of ours and presents it beautifully on a weekly basis. So bookmark her site if you haven’t already.
“Kristin’s List is a project by Kristin Bedford that explores LA’s cultural landscape. As a psychogeographer, artist and lover of the local, Kristin seeks out authentic ways to engage with the city. Born from her curiosity and affinity for list making, Kristin’s List is a resource for fellow explorers looking to experience a creative and original LA.”
RIP – Julius Schulman, California Cool Photographer
Sometimes I’ll start researching an article and then realize someone else has already crafted the post I was about to do. This is one of those times, so rather than re-invent the wheel, let me just say that Flavorpill did a great post on late architectural photographer Julius Shulman this morning. Schulman, who passed away on July 15th at 98, masterfully framed the “California cool” lifestyle as modernism entered the Southland landscape. His photos make me want to sit on an avocado green divan and drink a martini. Yes, I know it’s 10am. Your point?
ONGOING – The Sketches of Richard Neutra
What: RICHARD NEUTRA, Architect: Sketches and Drawings
When: Until November 1, 2009
Where: Central Library – Getty Gallery, 630 W. 5th Street, Downtown (213) 228-7000
Richard Neutra (1892-1970) was a pioneer of 20th century architecture whose geometric, airy structures helped to instill West Coast modernism across the landscape of Los Angeles. This exhibit at the Main Library downtown features 140 rare drawings spanning most of Neutra’s career.
“Nearly 50 years ago, architect Richard Neutra donated a collection of his drawings and sketches to UCLA. They included illustrations of famous projects he had worked on as well as those he had hoped to begin but could never get off the ground.
But the collection was notable because it also included drawings that have nothing to do with architecture: self-portraits, sketches of family members and landscapes that he created while vacationing in Europe and the U.S.
The drawings are stored in the university’ special collections and, for the most part, they have remained out of public view. Now, a new exhibition at the Central Library in downtown L.A. is offering a glimpse into this little-seen facet of Neutra’s output.” (SOURCE)
If you are more interested in checking out his architecture up close, you can take yourself on a tour of Neutra’s buildings around L.A. His former office in Silver Lake still stands as a registered historic place.
ONGOING – The Punum of Superman
FILM, EXHIBIT AND DOCENT TOUR
ZAP! POW! BAM! The Superhero: The Golden Age of Comic Books, 1938–1950
Where: The Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd. (310) 440-4500
What: Rare Superman Films
When: Sat., July 18, 2pm
Price: $6 Gen, $5 Members/Students
Details: “Fans of the Man of Steel won’t want to miss this afternoon of rare Superman footage. At this matinee screening, view episodes from the famed Kryptonian’s big-screen debut in the 1948 Hollywood serial. Also see The Adventures of Superpup and The Adventures of Superboy, two never-broadcast pilots meant to replace the Superman television series after lead actor George Reeves’s untimely death.”
What: Exhibit
ZAP! POW! BAM! The Superhero: The Golden Age of Comic Books, 1938–1950
When: Ongoing through August 9, 2009
Price: Included in admission (tickets at the door): $10; $7 seniors/students; $5 kids 2–12; Free to members/kids under 2; FREEEEE TO ALL ON THURSDAYS
Details: “Through never-before exhibited art and objects culled from private and institutional collections, ZAP! POW! BAM! The Superhero: The Golden Age of Comic Books, 1938-1950 explores the genesis of cultural icons such as Superman, Batman, Captain Marvel, and Wonder Woman. (more…)
EVENTS – The Close Up 7/13-19
Note: this listing will be updated during the week as we see fit, and we try to include FREEEEE events whenever possible. :)
7/14-19 – Shakespeare at Our Lady of the Angels
Every Thursday – Outdoor Movies at the Grove
7/16 – Poncho Sanchez in Baldwin Park; Dreaming of India: A Cultural Block Party at CAFAM
7/17 – Horse racing and 80s music with The Romantics
TUESDAY, JULY 14 THROUGH SUNDAY JULY 19
What: Shakespeare Festival/LA’s 24th Annual Summer Festival presents AQUILA Theatre in “AS YOU LIKE IT”
When: July 14-19, 2009, 8pm – Box office opens at 7pm
Where: The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels Plaza, 555 West Temple Street , Downtown
Price: General admission tickets are FREEEEE! Patrons are invited to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Food Bank of Southern California
Details: Shakespeare Festival/LA will hold its 24th annual Summer Festival with a presentation of AQUILA THEATRE in As You Like It, the U.S. debut of the world-class touring production. The performance on July 16 will feature ASL translators for the hearing impaired. On July 17, actors will translate the performance into Spanish, the transmission of which patrons will be able to hear through headphones that will be made available. (more…)
TIP – Museums Are FREEEEE! And Fun!
To the best of my knowledge, the following listing should be the most thorough and recent compilation of free LA museum days that’s currently on the web. Please feel free to e-mail us with additions, corrections or alterations to the list so we can keep it up to date. Thanks.
Finances are tight for everyone right now. The bad news is one in ten Americans is unemployed. The good news is… you live in Los Angeles where, contrary to how it may seem, there are some incredible, world-class resources that can be enjoyed for little to no money. Case in point… did you know that almost every museum in town – large and small – can be visited for free at least once a month? It’s true. Whether you’re interested in anthopology or art history or aeronautics or stuffed bunnies… you can learn more about them at the places listed below without giving up your rent money. So get out there and explore!
EVENTS – The Close Up 7/6-12
Note: Event listings are updated during the week as we see fit.
Now through 8/31/09 – Photography: The Billboard Show
7/9/09 – Downtown LA Artwalk
7/10-12/09 – Echo Park Community Festival
7/11/09 – Historic North Hollywood Walking Tour, 80′s Prom Party
7/12/09 – Bastille Day Los Angeles; Art and Poetry with Exene Cervenka
ONGOING THROUGH AUGUST 31st
What: THE BILLBOARD SHOW Selling the California Lifestyle – Photographic Landscapes of the 1950s & 1960s
Where: Take My Picture Gary Leonard 860 South Broadway, Downtown (213) 622-2256
When: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 10am–2pm & 3–6pm; Tuesdays and Thursdays 10am–2pm; Saturdays 12–6pm; Sundays 12–3pm
Price: FREEEEE!
Details: “Ever since taking a photograph of the Dodgers as a little boy in 1959, Gary Leonard has documented the mercurial landscape of Los Angeles, from the political to the cultural and economic. A former employee of billboard advertising company Pacific Outdoor recently gave Leonard thousands of billboard slides, a hundred of which are now on view at Leonard’s gallery, Take My Picture (named after his column in various regional publications). Advertising everything from funeral services and early fax machines to civic defense and entertainment, the images provide a rare historical survey of mid-century American commercial design, proving that, much like one of his influences, Weegee, Gary Leonard has an excellent sense of timing.” (SOURCE)
HLA PICK – Sweet Jazz & Ginger Cocktails
UPDATE: As of January 18, 2010 Betty Bryant’s show at Street is on hiatus. :(
*To launch the image gallery for this HiddenLA Pick, please click on the tasty drink below.*
What: Your own private jazz concert… featuring Betty Bryant singing her heart out
Where: Feniger’s Street, 742 Highland Avenue, Hollywood (323) 461-7813
When: Thursdays 7:15-11 pm and Sundays 6:15-10pm
Some of the best secrets in this town are hidden in full view. You may not have seen the wonderful jazz pianist and vocalist Betty Bryant but if you’ve eaten at the new hotspot Street in Hollywood she just might have seen you. A long-time fan, when chef Susan Feniger took over the old Highland Grounds location, she had her architect create an upstairs nook with the specific purpose of giving Betty a place to play and sing her heart out to the diners below… and that’s exactly what she does every Thursday and Sunday night. Accompanied by long-time bass player Tom Gargano, Betty seranades the dining masses below from her own private catbird seat above them. The secret is this: few diners wonder where the music’s coming from so they’re missing out on where the real fun is. (more…)
ONGOING – Santa Monica Pier Twilight Concerts
THURSDAY, JULY 2ND
SUMMER SEASON BEGINS
Santa Monica Pier TWILIGHT DANCE SERIES
Place: Santa Monica Pier parking lot (on the pier)
Time: 7-10pm every Wednesday thru 9/3
Price: FREEEEE!
Details: No alcohol is allowed (Dang!). Dogs are allowed as long as they are on a leash. You are more than welcomed to bring your own seating but seats will be available for rental. The full 2009 concert lineup is as follows:
July 2 – Playing for Change and Bushman;
July 9 – Joan Baez and Tift Merritt;
July 16 – Sgt. Garcia, Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca;
July 23 – Squirrel Nut Zippers and Johnny Vana & The Big Band Alumni;
July 30 – Thomas Mapfuno and The Blacks Unlimited;
August 6 – Dave Alvin & the Guilty Women and Paul Thorn;
August 13 – Idan Raichel Project and Elijah Emanuel;
August 20 – Venice and Lucas Nelson & The Promise of the Real;
August 27 – Lila Downs and Very Be Careful;
September 3 – An evening with music icon Patti Smith and her band.
Yeah, you read right… Rock N Roll Hall of Famer PATTI FRIGGIN’ SMITH is gonna be playing a FREE SHOW at the pier, people!
MATINEE – Muscle Beach Party
FULL FILM AFTER THE JUMP! YAY!
In honor of the upcoming festivities celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Venice’s Historic Muscle Beach and the crowning of Mr. & Ms. Muscle Beach 2009, we would like to take this moment to present a true piece of Southern California movie nostalgia, the star-studded 1960′s beach classic… MUSCLE BEACH PARTY!!! WOOO HOOOOO!!!!
Okay, so it’s no Beach Blanket Bingo, I’ll admit… but if you have doubts about the cheesy, iconic goodness of this hormonal-teens-on-the-beach saga then dig this, chickies:
- The film was directed by William Asher, who besides being a driving force of the beach movie genre was the lead director on both I Love Lucy and Bewitched (he was also Elizabeth Montgomery‘s husband). All of which by default brands him as permanently awesome.
- The cast of this little flick included the following people: Frankie Avalon, Annette Funicello, Don Rickles, Dick Dale, Morey Amsterdam, Buddy Hackett, Dan Haggerty (aka Grizzly Adams), Bill Graham (!!!), Peter Lorre (!!?) and LITTLE STEVIE FRIGGIN’ WONDER (he’s towards the end).
Yes that’s right. Stevie Wonder was actually in Muscle Beach Party. Learned something today, didn’t you? Well, don’t worry… school’s over now. Time to hit the beach, moondoggie! (more…)
ONGOING – A President Named Barry
What: Lisa Jack Photography Exhibit: Barack Obama: The Freshman
When: Until July 18, Tuesdays–Saturdays (10am–6pm)
Where: M+B Gallery 612 N Almont Dr, WeHo (310) 550-0050
Price: FREEEEE!
Details: (more…)
