From Skirball, UCLA, Pacific Asia, LACMA & the Autry
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know (repeat 26 times, please) ... can't leave the fun things alone, there are too many diversions around town this weekend, including:
-
In Westwood, Korean artistic and cultural creations get a spotlight with the opening Sunday of two free exhibitions, one devoted to contemporary ceramics from noteworthy artisans and the other to joyful figurines of clowns, tigers, acrobats and other characters, all of which are used to adorn coffins. Both displays are free and offer insights, curators say, into Korean life -- the ceramics illustrating a creative 'liveliness' even in the approach to every day objects and the dolls expressing both a desire for joy in the next world while appreciating the transience of this existence. And, by the way, in the Mid-Wilshire on Saturday afternoon, those who appreciate art from the peninsula may wish to take in a traditional Buddhist sutra painting lecture and demonstration.
Contemporary ceramics, coffin dolls of Korea will go on display
- In Griffith Park, those who set out Saturday can take in a two-fer, stopping by to see the 'How the West Was Worn .. by Michael Jackson Exhibit, while also absorbing multiple presentations that deal with 'Empowering Women: Art and Commerce.' This event will feature basket weavers, women artists from a collective, the signing of a book on how 1800s women got by on only a little, a panel discussion on women leaders and how they're transforming California and an appearance by 'Spirit Vessel' creator and teacher Nadiya Littlewarrior.
-
With summer fleeting and the heat lessening some, here's two chances to don some different duds and to step out and into some different aesthetics. In Pasadena tonight, put on those cheongsams, qi pao, ao dai, sari, hanbok and sashay over to an 'Evening in 1930s China,' an event connected with the exhibition, 'China Modern: Designing Pouplar Culture,' for which there will be a special Saturday afternoon tour with curator Kalim Winata (shown in photo at right). On Saturday, get into a whole different thang and garb to dash to the Mid-Wilshire for an evening event that celebrates the manliness of the art of Thomas Eakins and Catherine Opie with some cutting dashing, Victorian Industrial-inspired Ultimate Steampunk Outfits, assisted by the folks at Clockwork Coture.
-
On the Westside, those who can skirt around the messy 405 Freeway construction will find a Saturday afternoon free screening of a film that may answer a lot of questions for fans of soul legend Bill Withers. 'Still Bill' interviews an all-star array of cultural figures to give context and perspective to the top-selling musical figure who overcame a childhood stutter, caught the barest few lucky breaks when he left the Navy and moved to L.A. to seek a recording career and went on to hit the charts with unforgettable songs like 'Ain't No Sunshine,' 'Lean on Me,' and 'Just the Two of Us.' And, then, because he wanted a real family life, Withers walked away from it all. What was that all about?
What happened to stellar soul career of iconic musician Bill Withers?
Click here for the official Withers site
