PRESENCE ALMANAC
Twelfth Chronicle Curated by Elliott Desai
Cover photo by Elliott Desai
Inside Cover photo by Elliott Desai
Cover photo by Elliott Desai
Inside Cover photo by Elliott Desai
FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF ARTS & CULTURE
It’s the beginning of October and a cool, sunny day is ahead of you.
Last week, I dedicated an entire afternoon to riding the metro.
First on the 10 towards Beverly Hills, then on the 4 to Santa Monica, and finally east on the E Line / north on the 217 to go home.
Seeing the Pacific Ocean was a reminder that the beach is a core attraction for living in Los Angeles.
So this week I returned to one of the first beaches I ever visited in LA.
MALIBU LAGOON STATE BEACH
In 2014, we arrived as volunteers to clean up the shore and pull weeds.
And as of this week, it’s been exactly 9 years since that first trip. So on Tuesday afternoon, I traveled up the Pacific Coast Highway and captured what a day here looks like.
This neighborhood is popularly known for the Malibu Pier, Malibu Point, and it’s next to Malibu Creek State Park (from the 9th Chronicle).
Along Cross Creek Road is Malibu Village, which features a Farmers Market, shopping mall, playground, and public art piece named “Big Red.”
So after picking up food from the surrounding options, I typically enter the State Beach parking lot (or leave my car parked along the highway.)
The view within the lagoon feels like a snapshot from someone’s dream — and personally, it feels prehistoric / The Land Before Time-esque.
Most of the visitors are surfers, which leaves plenty of room on the actual beach to lay out.
In all honesty, I haven’t spent much time in this zip code, and it feels like there’s more unknown surprises to be discovered here.
So if you find yourself in Malibu for a few hours or an entire day, let me know where else to be!
BEVERLY HILLS
I vividly remember learning there’s a difference between LA County and the City of Los Angeles when I first looked at a map of Beverly Hills.
As a midwestern boy, this is one of the most iconic places in the US.
So for its first mention in the almanac, I’m featuring two locations that may be new for even a local.
I first learned of Gagosian when they exhibited Exodus by Anselm Kiefer - enormous works at an old masonic lodge on Wilshire Blvd.
But the main locations are across the street from each other on Camden Drive (around the corner from Rodeo and the Beverly Hills Park.)
Right now, Derrick Adams’ Come as You Are is on view until October 28 and Urs Fischer’s Denominator is on view until November 4, 2023
Additionally, this neighborhood will celebrate the Beverly Hills Art Show on October 21 & 22 along Santa Monica Blvd in the park / gardens.
A stroll around these streets will reveal more restaurants and stores, but if you travel south towards the border of Century City, you will next discover Roxbury Park
In 2018, I moved to the PicoRobertson neighborhood and passed by the entrance on Olympic Blvd on my way to work every day.
It’s been 4 years since I spent quality time here, so on Wednesday’s quest to engage with all five sensesI found myself on Roxbury Drive.
To my surprise, the property is filled with expansive fields and vibrant, green parks where many residents are already enjoying the space.
Seniors lounging in the shade, adults tanning in the lawn, children getting home from school, and babies on swingsets with their families.
Enjoy the nature around you!
This Twelfth Chronicle kicks off the last 7 days of this moon cycle - published October 6 at 6:49 AM.
Sincerely,
Elliott DesaiMALIBU LAGOON STATE BEACH
Photo by Elliott Desai
Photo by Elliott Desai
Photo by Elliott Desai
Photo by Elliott Desai
Photo by Elliott Desai
Photo by Elliott Desai
Photo by Elliott Desai
MALIBU VILLAGE
Photo by Elliott Desai
Photo by Elliott Desai
Photo by Elliott Desai Big Red
BEVERLY HILLS
Photo by Elliott Desai
© Derrick Adams | Be the Table, 2023 Come as You Are
Photo by Elliott Desai
Photo by Elliott Desai
© Derrick Adams | Happy Place, 2023 Come as You Are
Photo by Elliott Desai
Photo by Elliott Desai
© Urs Fischer | Denominator, 2020-22
Photo by Elliott Desai
© Urs Fischer | Denominator, 2020-22
Photo by Elliott Desai
© Anselm Kiefer | Exodus, 2012-21
Photo by Jeff McLane
© Anselm Kiefer | Exodus, 2012-21
Photo by Jeff McLane
© Anselm Kiefer | Exodus, 2012-21
Photo by Jeff McLane
ROXBURY PARK
Photo by Elliott Desai
Photo by Elliott Desai
Photo by Elliott Desai
Photo by Elliott Desai
MALIBU BEVERLY HILLS
Malibu Village
3836 Cross Creek Rd, Malibu, CA 90265 malibuvillage.com
Malibu Lagoon State Beach
3835 Cross Creek Rd, Malibu, CA 90265
Derrick Adams
Come as You Are
September 14 - October 28, 2023
gagosian.com/exhibitions/2023/ derrick-adams-come-as-you-are
Urs Fischer
Denominator
July 20 - November 4, 2023
gagosian.com/exhibitions/2023/ urs-fischer-denominator
Anselm Kiefer
Exodus
November 19, 2022 - June 16, 2023
gagosian.com/exhibitions/2022/ anselm-kiefer-exodus-los-angeles
Gagosian
456 N Camden Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
gagosian.com
Roxbury Park
471 S Roxbury Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90212
October 6 at 6:49 AM Los Angeles, CA
© Elliott Desai
presencealmanac.com
