As a long-time resident of this sprawling city, I can wholeheartedly say that Hauser & Wirth’s “L.A. Story” exhibition at their West Hollywood location is a captivating love letter to the City of Angels. This showcase, named after Steve Martin’s iconic film, beautifully encapsulates the surreal idiosyncrasies and intriguing contrasts that make LA unique.
Hauser & Wirth is presenting a tribute to the City of Angels in a fresh group exhibition at its recently established West Hollywood venue, inspired by Steve Martin’s 1991 romantic comedy, “L.A. Story.” This showcase displays sculptures, paintings, and installations from a broad range of contemporary artists. These artists express their perspectives on the unique quirks that LA is famous for, using their individual artistic styles to comment on the city’s surreal characteristics.
It might be that Los Angeles, compared to cities like New York, London, and Paris, is often perceived primarily through the lens of entertainment. The city’s image is painted with sun-dappled palm trees, glimpses of celebrities, drives along PCH, and the neatly manicured gardens of Beverly Hills – a romanticized picture that tourists anticipate, only to find it contrasted by the practical challenges of exploring LA’s vast road network without an efficient public transportation system or the relaxed atmosphere reminiscent more of suburban living than the bustling energy of major European cities.
While typically overshadowed by the art scene in New York, LA has shown to a beacon for the creative community over the past 70 years. Ed Ruscha, one of the father’s of LA contemporary art and the recent subject of a major retrospective at LACMA, has been chronicling the visual lexicon of the city’s landscape and architectural makeup since the late ’50s. David Hockney has long been enamored by the City of Angel, emblematic of his series of swimming pool compositions, including the mural he painted on the plaster of the Roosevelt Hotel’s pool in Hollywood.
In this exhibition, several pieces draw inspiration from scenes in the TV series’ cinematic equivalent. For example, Vija Celmins’ artwork depicts a hand pulling a trigger, echoing classic noir and Western motifs. Additionally, there’s a scene reminiscent of a highway shootout, as seen in Martin’s film. I’m delighted that the show L.A. Story is being celebrated by numerous talented artists and the fantastic gallery, Hauser & Wirth, which is right next to the Troubadour, where my journey on Santa Monica Blvd. first began in Los Angeles, as expressed by Martin during the program.
The movie “L.A. Story” is being displayed in West Hollywood until January 4, 2025. You can find the entire roster of participating artists listed below.
Hauser & Wirth
8980 Santa Monica Blvd,
West Hollywood, CA 90069
Exhibiting Artists:
Artists such as Carlos Almaraz, Kevin Appel, John Baldessari, Mark Bradford, Chris Burden, Vija Celmins, Eric Fischl, Mark Grotjahn, David Hockney, Luchita Hurtado, Friedrich Kunath, Florian Maier-Aichen, Catherine Opie, Hilary Pecis, Ken Price, Richard Prince, Calida Rawles, Jennifer Rochlin, Allen Ruppersberg, Ed Ruscha, Paul Sietsema, Henry Taylor, and Lesley Vance are a diverse group of talented creators in the field of visual arts.
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2024-10-12 01:27