Shana Nys Dambrot
As Women’s History Month kicks off, the calendar reflects a fulsome slate of powerful female voices in art, curation, performance, literature, and more, making themselves heard in the cultural landscape. Exhibitions and theater works examine how we invest ordinary objects with extraordinary meaning, how we interpret and remember family history, how we respond to being appropriate for others’ agendas, how we might imagine all-female worlds, and how to (not) be the perfect daughter. Plus, a new museum for Venice, a new year festival for Spring, a somehow totally fresh Basquiat curation, a play about workers taking back their power, pioneers of glass sculpture, and art from the ashes.
Jean-Michel Basquiat: Hollywood Africans, 1983, Acrylic and oil stick on canvas, 84 1/8 x 84 in (Whitney Museum of American Art, © Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Licensed by Artestar, NY. Courtesy Gagosian)
Thursday, March 7
Jean-Michel Basquiat: Made on Market Street at Gagosian. Between November 1982 and May 1984, Basquiat produced approximately a hundred paintings, numerous works on paper, and six silkscreen editions while living and working in Venice, CA. Made on Market Street—the first exhibition focused exclusively on—is curated by early engaged supporters Fred Hoffman and Larry Gagosian (at whose beach house he was staying during these prolific sojourns), and reflects on this consequential era by bringing together nearly 30 works, several of which are among his most important paintings. 456 N. Camden Dr., Beverly Hills; Opening reception: Thursday, March 7, 6-8pm; On view through June 1; free; gagosian.com.
Self Help Graphics: Battle of the Saints
Self Help Graphics presents: Battle of the Saints at Long Beach City College Gallery. Battle of the Saints highlights the everyday icons worshiped across cultures. Revered figures like wrestlers, saints, gods, artists, and activists appear in our daily lives, everywhere from billboards to candles, key chains, murals, t-shirts, toys, and our imaginations. Natalie Godinez and Lulu Urdiales curate a playful take on how we imbue familiar figures with the power of sainthood, drawn from the artist of the SHG print studio family. 4901 E. Carson Ave., Long Beach; Opening reception: Thursday, March 7, 5-8pm; On view through April 27; free; selfhelpgraphics.com.
The Actors’ Gang
Ybor City at The Actors’ Gang. Written and directed by Mariana Da Silva and with movement direction by Stephanie G. Galindo, the hauntingly beautiful new play Ybor City tells the story of overworked Cuban cigar factory immigrants in 1931, who find themselves inspired by the spirit world toward revolution. The Actors’ Gang’s first fully bilingual play, Ybor City is a sensory rich theatrical experience, overflowing with music, movement, and imagery. 9070 Venice Blvd., Culver City; Performances March 7-30; $25/Pay-what-you-can Thursdays; theactorsgang.com.
Olive Diamond at Anat Ebgi Gallery
Friday, March 8
Olive Diamond: To Be Sung and Remembered at Anat Ebgi. Informed by real oral histories from her family and imagined versions that expand on these narratives, Diamond’s work considers a wide-lens view of migration and movement through landscape, tableau, and portraiture. Although specifically inspired by her Jewish heritage, such as family members who escaped persecution through Russian forests, or journeyed to French colonies in Morocco, or her grandmother born in a refugee camp in Siberia, the exhibition delves into these tales of displacement and passage to explore profound depths of human experience—love and loss, fate and coincidence. “It’s quite dark to think about how a journey like that would affect someone,” Diamond has written. “Instead of focusing on the dark parts of those journeys, this body of work focuses on the light.” 6150 Wilshire Blvd., Miracle Mile: Opening reception: Friday, March 8, 5-8pm; On view through April 20; free; anatebgi.com.
Cindy Rehm: The Formless is What Keeps Bleeding (Hexentexte)
Hexentexte presents The Formless is What Keeps Bleeding Book Release and Screenings at Heavy Manners Library. Extending interdisciplinary artist Cindy Rehm’s research into lost women—those who have been silenced throughout time through suppression or appropriation—Rehm’s project consists of nearly 200 collage drawings in response to Marcel Duchamp’s installation Étant donnés. The lifeless female body central to this work contains three women central to Duchamp’s life, who remain culturally obscure: book binder Mary Reynolds, Brazilian sculptor Maria Martins, and his second wife Alexina “Teeny” Duchamp. In this series, Rehm explores the lingering presence of these three and considers the possibility for a line of communication between women across generations. 1200 N. Alvarado St., Echo Park; Friday, March 8, 7pm; free; cindyrehm.com.
Rosa Loy at Michael Kohn Gallery
Saturday, March 9
Rosa Loy: Glade at Michael Kohn Gallery. One of the few female members of the New Leipzig School, Loy took up painting the same year as the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. With origins as a trained horticulturist, she brings a surrealist’s eye to renderings of lush flora and uncanny all-female worlds. Loy’s easel is a crossroads where German folklore is mixed with the artist’s subconscious. These visually intricate stories and cryptic narratives are situated within lichtung—a word she describes as “the place in the middle of a dark forest where the sun is shining.” Above all, this clearing is a site of rest amid a turbulent present. 1227 N. Highland, Hollywood; Opening reception: Saturday, March 9, 5-7pm; On view through April 20; free; kohngallery.com.
Gabrielė Adomaitytė: Counter Current Laughter, 2024. Oil on linen. 78 3/4 x 92 1/2 x 1 3/4 in (Courtesy of CLEARING)
Gabrielė Adomaitytė: Chronicler at CLEARING Gallery. Born in Lithuania and currently residing in Brussels and Amsterdam, Adomaitytė has developed a distinctive approach to art-making, masterfully navigating the realms of painting and sculpture, and intertwining traditional techniques with digital explorations. By continuously questioning the capacities of painting and the challenges of visual representation, Adomaitytė engages deeply with the information systems that shape our understanding of the world. Her art acts as a bridge between the digital and the tangible, inviting viewers to navigate through layers of meaning and contemplate the ever-evolving landscape of visual culture. 530 N. Western Ave., Melrose Hill; Opening: Saturday, March 9; on view through April 20; free; c-l-e-a-r-i-n-g.com.
Senon Williams: Rituals
Lauren Powell Projects presents: Senon Williams in Sunset Hiking Club at the MOCA Store. A unique afternoon celebrating Los Angeles–based artist Senon Williams’ new artist book, Rituals, a sunset procession sees six of the artist’s paintings being carried on foot by the assembled crowd, from MOCA Grand through downtown to the Geffen Contemporary. At the Geffen there will be the book sale and signing, and a public viewing with poetry readings by Mandy Kahn, Ari Salka, and Williams. Rituals captures the experience of the painting processions that happened at Lauren Powell Projects and Griffith Park during spring and fall 2023. Limited to 100 copies, each unique unbound book includes several fine art prints. 250 S. Grand Ave., downtown; Saturday, March 9, 3-6pm; free w/ rsvp; laurenpowellprojects.com.
Donna Gough at Launch LA
Donna Gaugh: everything, always, everywhere, now at Launch LA. With this series of visualized geometric structures, Gough explores connections between the language of geometry and ideas of our very existence, with broad conceptual themes of our place in space. While referencing visual aspects of formal geometry and the philosophy of Synergetics (Buckminster Fuller’s theory of geometry as the ‘language of the universe’ and whole system behaviors), these works deconstruct traditional, formal geometric structures and reconstruct them to create a new visual language (or reality). 170 S. La Brea, Miracle Mile; Opening reception: Saturday, March 9, 3-6pm; On view through March 30; free; launchla.org.
Between the Lines at Craft in America Center
Between the Lines: Stephen Edwards and John Luebtow at Craft in America Center. Insatiably curious about process, both artists consistently push the boundaries of material exploration and technical development, proving the adaptability of glass as a sculptural, expressive medium. Reading into their works unveils existential messages and layers of philosophical and personal meaning. Works in the exhibition include Luebtow’s initial entry point into the art world via ceramics in the late 1960s, when he first considered concepts of line, form, color, and spirituality. With an overlapping artistic ideology, the exhibition will feature never-before shown recent sculptures by Edwards, as well as quintessential, retrospective works by each artist spanning the past two decades. 8415 W. Third St., West Hollywood; Opening reception: Saturday, March 9, 3-5pm; On view through May 25; free; craftinamerica.org.
Bermudez Projects
Of Flames and Shadows Gone Astray at Bermudez Projects. Through a range of mixed-media work — each incorporating fire as a material — the exhibition touches on our shared experiences of overcoming some of the darkest moments of life; reaffirming our enkindled spirit to thrive in the face of adversity. Impermanence, resilience, loss, and rebirth are explored through each artists’ work, inciting a deeper inspection and introspection of our personal and shared existence. The exhibition aims to leave viewers with a greater appreciation for triumph over tragedy; strength through sorrow; and healing after heartbreak. Featuring artists Francesca Bifulco, Malado Francine, Bryan David Griffith, and Cody Norris. 1225 Cypress Ave., Cypress Park; Opening reception: Saturday, March 9, 6-9pm; On view through April 6; free; bermudezprojects.com.
Venice Heritage Museum
Venice Heritage Museum Grand Opening & Inaugural Exhibition: This is some place. The opening of this space is the culmination of years of work in this unique community. Justin Yoshimaru, President of the Venice Heritage Foundation says, “I am delighted to open the doors of the Venice Heritage Museum. This is a welcoming space where Venetians, Angelenos, and all visitors can join together to celebrate our collective histories, preserve important stories, empower our communities, and connect the past with the present. I encourage everyone to come visit the first-ever museum for Venice and experience our exhibitions, cultural programming, and community events.” The opening exhibition offers activities exemplifying moments across the last 119 years, demonstrating how Venetians have sought to make their home distinct from the world that surrounds and affects it. 228 Main St., Venice; Opening reception: Saturday, March 9, 6:30-9:30; free; veniceheritagemuseum.org.
Nowruz at UCLA
Sunday, March 10
Farhang Foundation presents Nowruz at UCLA. Nowruz, or “new day,” is an ancient celebration of the vernal equinox—a universal time of rebirth and renewal. Today, Nowruz is celebrated by over 98 million people worldwide, with festivities spanning across diverse regions such as Iran, Afghanistan, Armenia, China, Georgia, the U.S., India, Tajikistan, and Turkey, among many others. It is the most colorful and lively Iranian event of the year. Picture horns blaring, dancers twirling, bright silk garments, and exciting storytelling. Farhang Foundation‘s festival welcomes spring with its 14th Annual Celebration of Nowruz in Los Angeles, a daylong program of traditional music, arts and crafts, dance, food, children’s activities, stilt walkers, and the signature Grand Haft Sîn display. 10745 Dickson Ct., UCLA Campus; Sunday, March 10, noon-5pm; free/Royce Hall concert ticketed separately; farhang.org.
Pasadena Playhouse
Wednesday, March 13
One of the Good Ones at Pasadena Playhouse. The ultimate family showdown is on in the world premiere of this new comedy commissioned by Pasadena Playhouse. When the “perfect” Latina daughter brings her boyfriend home to meet the parents, her family’s biases and preconceptions are put on full display. As tensions run high and hilarity ensues, everyone must navigate the ins and outs of family dynamics and the boundaries of acceptance—all while tackling the age-old question: what does it truly mean to be an American? Meet your new favorite family in this laugh-out-loud, heartfelt story from Gloria Calderón Kellett, the co-creator and showrunner of Netflix’s One Day at a Time. 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena; Performances March 13 – April 7; $35; pasadenaplayhouse.org.
Jean-Michel Basquiat: Horn Players, 1983, Acrylic and oil stick on canvas mounted on wood supports, in 3 parts, 96 x 75 in (The Broad Art Foundation © Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Licensed by Artestar, NY. Photo- Rob McKeever, Courtesy Gagosian)
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