Everything You Need To Know On L.A.'s Art Scene This Week

What happened this week? A lot happened, and I swear there are other things to talk about in L.A. other than our enviable weather. What are they, you ask? Awesome art stuff; opening and ongoing, along with a smattering of important news that will have you impressing future conversation partners all through the weekend. Until next week that is, when I see you again.

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OPENING:

-Richard Hawkins, a super favorite of mine, is opening at the Hammer this weekend. I. Can. Not. Wait.

-David Kordansky is opening William E. Jones on Saturday night. I am looking forward to his new collage like works. Always very thoughtful. Unless he does something totally different? Who knows?

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-Not an opening, per se, but Keanu Reeves is going to sign his art book (what?!) at LACMA on Sunday from 4-6pm. It’s called Ode To Happiness and looks gorgeous. It is a collaboration between him and artist Alexandra Grant, and in my head it is just a rebuttal to the sad Keanu meme. Mature, I know. (Side thought, do we think Keanu could be to Govan as Franco is to Deitch?)

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ONGOING:

-Will Cotton, the artist behind the fanciest Katy Perry album cover ever, is having a show at Michael Kohn Gallery and it looks to be just the thing to satisfy my sweet tooth in addition to instead of Valentine's Day candy.

-Guy Hepner is having a Valentine's themed show (at least that's how I interpret it) and I think it's really sweet. So grab your sweetie, or some sweets, and take in the collective sweetness.

Chris Bracey sign via

***NEWS!***

1. In sad, I'm very disappointed in you L.A. news: Last weekend, someone ripped a Polaroid taken by actor Jason Lee of Dennis Hopper off of the wall after the opening. There is a line you can call anonymously with tips, or if you are the perpetrator. Remember if you did it, there is no rest for the wicked. [LA Times]

2. In awesome for our future news, The Getty and LACMA went in and bought Robert Mapplethorpe's archives. This is incredible news for the future of our photography exhibitions in this town. I can't wait to see what comes of it. [LACMA On Fire]

- - 3. In other awesome for our future news, LACMA gets a $500,000 grant to go towards the preservation of Watts Towers, an irreplaceable monument that is truly incredible to behold. If you haven’t seen it yet, get thee to Watts! [Culture Monster]

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4. LACMA is all over the place this week! In time-suck news, they have put 10 new catalogs online. Don't worry, I didn't have any real plans this weekend anyway. [Unframed]

5. From California Girls to Barbie Girls, L.A. has it covered. LACMA is planning on having Barbie in their upcoming show on design. There's a 6-year old girl inside me who is SO excited! [Art Info]

6. Remember last week when I asked if L.A. was taking Deitch off the hook for the Blu censorship? I got an answer and it is NO! [Hyperallergic]

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7. The University of Iowa is thinking about selling their famed Jackson Pollock painting to fund their operations. People are outraged at the loss of culture Iowa will sustain. But there are bills? Culture! Bills! It's a tough decision, but I would rather pay my bills. Maybe that's just my studio dwelling 20-something mindset. [The Art Law Blog]

8. Nine people are going to be questioned in relation to the ongoing neglect of Pompeii (one of my favorite places on earth) and I hope they get to the bottom of it. [TAN]

[Deitch photo via; Richard Hawkins via; Sad Keanu mash-up by me; Will Cotton photo via; Mapplethorpe via; Watts Photo via; Barbie via; Pollock via; Pompeii via]

*For more from Alexis see her blog hydeordie.com and follow her @hydeordie.