SoCal Minds

Phew, a hectic and notable week for all manner of speakers

From ALOUD, Zocalo, UCLA, Skirball, Claremont McKenna

OK, this isn't meant to be anywhere near close to encyclopedic but let's try to capture a slice of the many and varied really smart folks who will speak in the next few days in sessions, mostly free and all requiring registration, such as:  the amazing cookbook author, food expert and New York Times columnist Mark Bittman in a chat with renowned L.A. chef Evan Kleiman at 7:30 tonight (Tues) on the Westside; MacArthur 'genius' fellow and Haitian native Edwidge Danticat in a talk with journalist Amy Wilentz on the 'immigrant artist at work,' at 7 tonight (tues) downtown; a panel of scholars, artists and activists will examine 'race, class and residence in Los Angeles,' in a Westside program at 7 tonight (tues); Matthew Kahn,  a public affairs prof, Luskin Scholar and author, will ponder 'how will cities survive climate change,' in a program at 7:30 tonight on the Westside; on Wednesday night at7:30 in mid-city, national correspondent Robert Kaplan takes on the question whether the 'U.S. is ready for the rise of Asia;' on the Westside on Wednesday night at 7, the gifted, talented, iconoclastic one-time editors of the LA Weekly will celebrate their second edition with readings and performances by contributors to their new literary venture, Slake; in Claremont on Wednesday night, sports writing legend Frank Deford will be in the spotlight; and on Thursday night at 7 downtown, though the session shows at full now, noted Los Angeles experts Glen Creason and D.J. Waldie will discuss their new examination of the City of Angels in maps.

Hot stuff around town to cut the chill and gloom

From Art Center College of Design, Japanese American National Museum, the Autry, Skirball & UCLA

With the gloom and a bit of a chill descending on the metropolis just before the weekend, it may be hard to get some gas in the old tank to get up and go partake of activites. But there's plenty, including the annual Car Classic in Pasadena, a celebration not only of the automobile but also its underlying technology and especially the care, craft, thinking and design that goes into a great vehicle. Of course education itself can take some curious twists, as a scholar will explore in a converation about the ignominious history of American Indian boarding schools, which will be part of a busy Saturday in Griffith Park, where there also will be a big show and sale of vintage American Indian baskets. In Little Tokyo, they'll be rockin', jammin' and takin' in lots of jazzy sounds as the Asian American Music Festival blows into town today and Saturday, when docents will launch a two-day class on the comrehensive history of Japanese Americans. And by the way, Caldecott-winning author Allen Say (aka James Allen Koichi Moriwaki Seii) will be launching, selling and signing 'Boy in the Garden,' his latest, beautiful looking book for kids on Sunday in Little Tokyo. This might be a good weekend to scoot over to the Westside to catch up and maybe even contribute to the global 1000 Journals project and exhibition, a unique opportunity to enjoy and share outstanding examples of quality writing, art, poety and other stuff shared in a special, personal medium. And for thos who insist they can best rest when they're dead, here's a different look at how Korean shamans once escorted, danced and conducted ceremonies to get folks out of here.

Can citywide events draw in artistic Angelenos?

Its advocates say it is more than a happy pastime and insist it helps people be more observant, better learners and more socially and culturally engaged. In an effort to promote this art, a push modeled after a program successfully executed in London, there will be events in the next month scattered all across L.A. in some of its prime venues -- this weekend in San Marino, and in the days ahead, in Westwood, Exposition Park, downtown, Malibu, Pasadena and on the L.A. River. So sharpen those pencils and crayons and pull out the pens, charcoals and any other similar implements. Got the picture yet? The Ryman arts folks want one and all to join in for an October of  the 'Big Draw LA, a citywide celebration of the act of drawing.

As heat breaks, build a 'sweet home,' find a beat or corrido

From the Skirball, LACMA & MOCA

Sheesh, if the heat didn't fry up every synapse in Southern California the anticipated dip, finally, in temperatures may be a signal for all to get out of the A.C. and shelter and take in intriguing, creative stuff around town. On the Westside, Angelenos can participate in one of their most prized pastimes -- worrying about houses, buildings, um Real Estate -- as part of a novel, involving, performance and installation by the British theater company 'Subject to _ change.' It's called 'home sweet home' and asks folks, as they have in other spots (as shown in photo at right) to step up, take materials they're supplied or bring and to create little cardboard houses, then to imagineer a fullblown community. Yes, Angelenos don't always do so well on that last part, community being another 'c' word like 'commitment,' and all. But will this installation end up with our legendary sprawl? Manses loomin o'er crack shacks? By the way, the 8,000-square-foot gallery space will be dotted copies of with L.A. landmarks, as well as appearances by postal carrier, a DJ, a videographer and there will be shopkeeps, real estate agents and other thespians floating around during town halls and block parties.

How to make a performance, installation, fun out of L.A.'s passion for sur-real estate

And speaking of performances, check out the different way to get the beat of the grand new pavilion at the art institution in Mid-City -- which also is seeking submissions by mid-November, in English or Spanish, in art or language, of corridos or narratives about our beloved El Lay for performance soon by Ozomatli -- or maybe make it downtown Thursday night at 6:30 to ponder 'Ideas on Trial.'

Here's a different way to get a bang out of new Resnick art pavilion

Got a special narrative about El Lay buzzing in the noggin?

Click here for info on entering a 'corrido' for performance by Ozomatli

With summer fleeting, many weekend diversions for all

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

A slice of an LA weekend: from Hapas to Lemony Snicket

From the Japanese American National Museum, LACMA, Pepperdine, the Skirball & UCLA

Never a shortage of smart stuff to take in, in what promises to be a seasonably sunny Southern California weekend: In Little Tokyo, it will be a free Saturday, for example, as two hip and happening folks headline a day highlighting the experiences of Hapa or mixed race Americans; the session with scholar-artist Kip Fulbeck and educator Dr. Maya Soetero-Ng (President Obama's sis) is on a wait-list basis. For those concerned about families, religion and faith, there's a big conference going on in Malibu, though a call will be required to see if the now full sessions can accommodate. Meantime, get those feet and the mind moving with all the day-long events as museums on the Miracle Mile join in for their annual Artwalk, which this year will include World Cup soccer-related activities; there are some fees for the events at the county museum, where there will be displays of art (of course!), music, performance, workshops, activities, food, and more. The participating institutions include LACMA, Peterson Automotive, Page, Craft and Folk. If the feet still gotta move, there is, of course, a weekend festival of avant-garde dance films by Pina Bausch and others, in Westwood by Dance Camera West. And for parents and kids who are fans of Lemony Snicket, author Daniel Handler and his illustrator and wife, Lisa Brown, will be over on the Westside on Sunday for a chat and reading.  

A focus on EthnoLA, Jews on vinyl, Bukowski

From UCLA, the Skirball & the Huntington

While they take on the global research that keeps them at the world-class fore, it's also great to see that institutions in the region also aren't skimping on the attention to materials and topics that are distinctly LA and worth a lot of attention just for that reason. Here's a trio of developments that prove the point:

• In Westwood at 7 tonight, in a free, public screening for which space is limited and reservations are required, the Bruins will keep highlighting the 40th anniversary of their ethnic studies programs by displaying films by students in the Center for EthnoCommuncations. The works delve into the lives of: multi-ethnic skateboarders in Long Beach; bus riders, their union and their elder organizer Granny Kim; and the struggles of South Asian motel owners in South Central and Latino truck drivers at the Port of LA.

Click here for more info, free ticket info on tonight's EthnoLA program

 On the Westside, there will be a curators' talk and the opening of an exhibition that tracked through musty garages, dusty attics and little plumbed archives in search of rare contemporary artifacts that speak in sometimes scratchy but powerful fashion about the lives of Jews in America, circa 1940 to 1980. Trojan scholar Josh Kun and cyber music expert Courtney Holt on Tuesday night will describe how they collected and curated the materials that make up 'Jews on Vinyl,' an exhibit that opens to the public on Wednesday. The exhibit features a 1950s-style living room with listening stations where audience members can take in Jewish recordings, many no longer available in any format, that provide a soundtrack of changing lives and sounds, from sacred music to the pop triumvirate of Neil Diamond, Barbra Streisand and Barry Manilow. And check out the accompanying album art, such as for the 1962 Roulette recording by the Barry Sisters (shown at left). 

A quest to find soundtrack of Jewish life in America, 1940-1980

'Jews on Vinyl' opens on Wednesday 

In San Marino, lots more attention will be paid to it when the exhibit actually goes up. But the mere mention that this fall there will be a big display on author Charles Bukowski already has no doubt stirred the denizens of not just cloistered libraries but also those who frequent dark, noisy bars late into the LA night. His fans will have plenty of time to howl at the moon and otherwise carry on while waiting for this October show of his papers, first editions of his works, archival photographs and memorabilia, as well as copies of magazines and other publications that carried his words. Items to be displayed will be provided by Linda Lee Bukowski as well as the library's collection of Bukowski papers, donated by Mrs. B.

Exhibit set for October on 'Poet on the Edge'

In comic, picture books, glimpses of other worlds

From CSULB & the Skirball

Sometimes it takes a little more than a visualization to really see someone else's point of view. Maybe a picture needs to be drawn. From comics, illustrations, depictions a lot can be learned, as happens with a Long Beach undergrad who won a national essay competition with her scrutiny of superheroes as seen through the eyes of white versus black creators. Heard of the 'Black Panther' or 'Luke Cage,' creations of white comic book artists? Seems these superheroes talk more jive, act more violent and they're focused on serving the white community, observes prize-winning essayist Elise McCutchen. As for 'Icon' and 'Status,' well, these black superheroes created by black comic artists offer a more diverse picture, incorporating African American history, literature and experiences into their existence, even while perpetuating some stereotypes with their bulging bods and angry expressions, she says. Her observations won her $350, a trip to New Orleans and honors from the National Council for Black Studies. Meantime, in Brentwood, just catching up with an eclectic illumination of illustrated texts from the 16th Century to the present, an exhibit of Jewish picture books that rounds up the Haggadot, Art Spiegelman, Isaac Bashevis Singer, Marc Chagall, Maurice Sendak and Lemony Snicket. 

Photo: (left) Lisa Brown, 'The Latke Was Suffering So Much That It Leapt Out of the Hot Pan and Out the Window of the Cottage, and Began to Run Screaming Down The Boulevard,' illustration from Lemony Snicket, 'The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming;' (right) Icon, DC Comics

Even for colorful superheroes, a world of difference in black and white

'Monsters and Miracles,' an exhibit of Jewish picture books

True beliefs: on religion, democracy and food

From Zocalo & Skirball

To fully grasp just how profoundly people are influenced by their beliefs, turn no further than two disparate but intriguing author appearances that will be free and open to the public tonight, with reservations required, of course. In downtown at 7:30, the sophisticated, cosmopolitan and global-thinking Ian Buruma will make his case that democracy cannot work unless at least some of the passions that religion inflames can get tamped down. With his latest work, 'Taming the Gods,' the Dutch native and Asia expert, who previously has explored the public murders in the Netherlands of a prominent conservative politician and a filmmaking provocateur and descendant of painter Vincent Van Gogh, has turned deeper attention to religious fervor and governing on three continents. Meantime, over in Brentwood at 7:30, rock star Moby will speak out on his passion and crusade to get Americans to slash their consumption of beef and to reduce their reliance on industrially processed foods. Its part of his smarter for the environment advocacy that he and more than a dozen other contributors have laid out in 'Gristle.'   

Photos: Buruma, l, Moby

In downtown, an examination of religion, inflamed passions, democracy

In Brentwood, advocacy for the abandoment of excessive eating of meat

Picture this: the Internment's aftermath, the civil rights era path to freedom, the`thrill of victory'

From the Japanese American National Museum, Skirball, Annenberg Space for Photography

Said it before. Worth saying again: Los Angeles is a great visual capital of the planet and there's plenty of proof around with photography of motion, grace and history on exhibit:

In Little Tokyo, there will be a Saturday afternoon reception and signing of a new book that chronicles the war-time work of a major but unsung figure in the chronicling Japanese-American life: photographer Hikaru Carl Iwasaki. He's the lone shooter still alive and was the only Nikkei photographer involved in the peculiar push by the U.S. government to persuade the country to re-accept Japanese-Americans after they were unjustly interned during World War II. He was sent nationwide to document ordinary, even plebian life but managed, as author-scholar Lane Ryo Hirabayshi (he of the Asian American Studies program at UCLA) argues, to elevate that effort and to capture a bittersweet and fleeting glimpse of an ugly part of American history. Iwasaki joined in this post-war public relations push after also documenting the internment, working alongside more acknowledged photographers like Dorothea Lange and Ansel Adams. At a time when the posts made them princes of the photo world, he went on to be a bureau chief for the now defunct Life Magazine and then a colleague at Sports Illustrated of shooters like Walter Iooss and Neil Leifer (see below). The reception and book signing is free and open to the public with museum admission.

*He's also a Denverite, the dad of my best friend from childhood onward.  

A visual recollection of the World War II internment's aftermath

In West Los Angeles, two, side-by-side exhibitions recapture the painful and poignant path, the "Road to Freedom," pursued by African Americans to win civil rights in the U.S. from 1956 to 1968. More than 35 photographers contributed the 170 displayed works, some of which never have been shown before and all of which are supplemented with recordings of speeches and music, as well as archival documents and artifacts that aim to put in context what amounted to arguably one of the most important movements of the 20th Century. In a companion display, photographer Eric Etheridge captures 40 key figures from the civil rights movement, documenting how they looked then and in portraits of them as seniors.

'Road to Freedom,' exhibit of top photos of civil rights movement, opens

'Breach of Peace' portrays civil rights leaders then and now

Before there was 24/7 cable TV, HDTV, slow mo, instant replay and the array of modern technologies that dominate the displays of modern athletics, the thrill of sports and the exulation in victory or the grief of defeat all got caught -- or it didn't -- depending on the immaculate skills and talents of a determined cadre of shooters. In particular, the photographers of Sports llustrated raised the act of chronicling popular pasttimes into art, as is shown in the Century City display of the always arresting work of Walter Ioos and Neil Leifer. This display not only captures the breadth, depth and quality of their joyous labors, it also uses technology to transport sports nuts back to the mesmerizing moments that have made fun and competition a cornerstone of contemporary life. The exhibit is available for viewing online, but even the best monitor fails to do justice to these terrific photos.

Photo: Muhammad Ali / Neil Leifer

Sports as art: the work of Walter Iooss, Neil Leifer