ZODIAC ISSUE
cover
VO L .5 — N O. 2
BANKS · TOY SELECTAH · MARIO HUGO · COS · KILLSPENCER WILLIAMS + HIRAKAWA · THE SPRINGS · TYLER WELLS · REGENT THEATER
JAN
•
FEB
.THE EN D .
MASTHEAD
PUBLISHER
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DA N T E C OL OMB AT T I
A S S O C I AT E P U B L I S H E R
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M A L I MO CHOW
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ON THE COV ER BANKS
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ER IN DEN N ISON
ONLINE EDITOR C O N TA C T 17 7 8 N . M ai n S t . L o s A n g e l e s , C A 9 0 0 31
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R EN É E GE ORGE
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(3 2 3) 3 5 2 - 3 2 5 0 • P R@ L A C A N VA S .C O M Wan n a c o n t r ib u t e? S e n d al l e di t o r i al
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E V E N T S A S S I S TA N T
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JA DE DA N IE L S
O N L I N E E D I T O R I A L A S S I S TA N T
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C ON N IE MO TA
SOCIAL MEDIA
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AVAILABLE AT:
SPORTIE LA AND THE GLENDALE GALLERIA 5째
TA BL E
music
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CONTENTS
MUSICI A N • B A N K S
16˚
MUSIC V EN U E • R E G E N T T H E A T E R
21˚
SPOTL IGH T • T O Y S E L E C T A H
25˚
PL A Y L IST • G O L D E N T O U C H
20˚
LA STREET ART
26˚
ART IST • M A R I O H U G O
28˚
G ALL ERY • G A L L E R Y S C E N E : C O M I N G O F A G E
35˚
GA LLERY OPENINGS
36˚
DESIGN ER • C O S
54˚
EDI T OR I AL • R E T R O G R A D E
38˚
EDI T OR I AL • S O L S T I C E
46˚
ST OR E • PA Y A V I S I T
60˚
TR EN D • T R E N D M A T R I X
62˚
BR H I N D T HE L ENS • K E A L A N S H I L L I N G
6 4˚
CHEF • T Y L E R W E L L S
74˚
V ISI T • T H E S P R I N G S
76˚
F OOD SCOOPS • M E A S U R E D I N D U L G E N C E
78˚
NOTED
10˚
banks, one of 2014’s breakout artists talks shop with garth trinidad
finally, a one-stop shop for dinner and a show
mad decent’s toy selectah reflects on the universal language of music
mack sennett studios’ jesse rogg soothes our winter blues
art
snaps from our favorite art around l.a.
designer mario hugo on his unique aesthetic approach
l.a.: the art community’s new hub
a comprehensive round up of los angeles art shows
style
the minimalist scandinavian brand posts up in beverly hills
photography by emman montalvan
photography by aaron feaver
three new shopping destinations to check out
retail therapy for every persuasion and budget
photographer kealan shilling captures the moment
food
handsome coffee’s tyler wells on hospitality, problem solving, and his entrepreneurial spirit
what’s cooking at arts district destination, the springs
a list of delicious, healthy, and affordable bites around the city
misc n˚ 59
what to look out for this season
EV EN TS • S C E N E
&
HEARD
81˚
take a peek at our most recent parties, and find out how to stay in the loop
C AL EN DAR • J A N U A R Y
82˚
C AL EN DAR • F E B R U A R Y
8 4˚
L AST LOOK • W I L L I A M S
+
H I R A K AWA
our cover photographers williams + hirakawa on playlists, personal days, and parenthood
86˚
pall adium
AVAILABLE AT:
SPORTIE LA AND THE GLENDALE GALLERIA
7째
A NOTE
j
O C T O B E R 9 th
“When’s your birthday?”
“When’s your birthday?” for tyler Wells, the answer is July 28th. he’s a leo. he also
A jarring non sequitur offered up by my new best friend,
happens to be a warm, boisterous, entrepreneurial visionary—a
interrupting a rousing game of “Would you rather” while we
mutually exclusive concoction according to the astrologically
manned the hostess stand of a high-end, pAth-adjacent club in
indoctrinated. And take the inventive, meticulous artist and
hoboken where we were both working in 2007.
designer mario hugo, born August 29th. not surprisingly, he’s a
“October 9th.”
Virgo. Our wacky editorial photographer, Emman motalvan? A
“Oh.” She replied, thoroughly grossed out.
spirited Aries. my tremendously talented friend, photographer grant yoshino, who shot our COS feature and perpetually comforts
turns out, I’m a libra, and, at least in theory, Sasha loathed my
me with his painstaking attention to detail? Another Virgo. And
kind. At this point, I’d heard of astrology, but simply filed it away
finally, there’s our cover artist, Banks. the ethereal songstress
as a mostly reductive, often contradictory pseudoscience, reserved
is self-taught and writes all her own stuff. She is poised, clever,
for the hippie/stripper hybrids.* like many of the close-minded
and more charming than she needs to be— a true gemini woman
uninitiated, I asked her to explain. Essentially, libras are slightly
if I’ve ever met one. this issue has been more than enough to
dead inside. (full disclosure: my teenage nostalgia is wholly
solidify my casual confidence in astrology. It’s been a curious
mall-oriented and parking lot specific. I love Diet Coke, top 40,
journey, I’m sad to be putting it to bed.
chain restaurants, and lip-gloss. Admittedly, I’m at least part awful. Is this because my parents conceived me around Valentine’s Day? Do I have everything in common with lil Wayne and Eminem? Self-indulgent research is the best kind. Especially for a libra.) Sasha, on the other hand, is a pisces. She listens to Joanna newsom and writes poetry just because. She spells magic with a “k”, deliberates in color palettes, and believes in the possibility of everything until proven otherwise. now everything made sense. this conversation sparked a long period of observation. these days, the constellations serve as a reliable system to lightheartedly explain the human condition and thoughtfully organize relationships. About a year ago, the editorial team conceptualized the Zodiac Issue as a means by which to ask our features that same probing question Sasha asked years ago, cleverly veiled under the guise of professionalism and creative process.
As famed astrologist Susan miller once told new york magazine, “no astrologer believes in astrology before she starts to study it—you just don’t think that it could possibly work.” She goes on, “It’s counterintuitive. But so is getting on a ten-ton airplane and going across the country or eating penicillin.” Indeed, there is a large population of folks who squawk in the face of the zodiac. there are people who rely on its vague concepts to construct their personal belief systems. however, for those who have empirically studied it, astrology is a methodology that can be tested objectively. the 5,000-year-old practice appears in post-graduate dissertations and major academic libraries. It is not good science, nor good sense, to dismiss a popular practice simply because it happens to be fashionable. What if we disregarded other unfamiliar philosophies without investigation? there’s a word for that, you know.
* Some of my favorite people are hippie/stripper hybrids
Editor-In-Chief
NoTed ECHO PARK RISI NG
woodcatcoffee.com / ostrichfarmla.com / @dinette.la highland park may be the current Eastsider’s go-to, but a healthy dose of new establishments are keeping Echo park on the map. Some favorites: dinette, a sleek, savory and sweet breakfast spot from gareth Kantner; woodcat, the latest in hip coffee digs; and just across the street, ostrich farm, a locally sourced, farm-to-table restaurant that’s said to also serve a special late night menu. With all three of these spots clustered together on east Sunset, there’s no need to leave the neighborhood: we’ve got breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night on lock.
I NF USION P ROF USION infusevodkas.com
gone are the days of natty light and plastic handles of popov; and in their place, our “grown-up” taste buds now yearn for something a bit more discerning. Enter infuse vodka, a small-batch brand that handcrafts each bottle with its own fruit infusion. At Infuse, every bottle is five-times distilled and flavored with real fruit, so no two bottles are alike. pair one of the company’s six different vodka varieties with your mixer of choice, or simply chill and serve on the rocks. ‘Cause, you know, you’re sophisticated now.
ON FI RE
H EAD SPACE
vsf.la
theampalcreative.com / @ampalcreative
Esther Kim Varet’s formerly understated
looking to invest in quality, lA-made goods?
gallery space in Venice Beach, various small
got a thing for quippy one-liners? how about
fires, has since migrated east and matured
premium and vintage textiles and wacky
into a sleek and fully-fledged 5,000-square-
prints? Do you experience a polarizing bout
foot arts complex. located on highland
of cognitive dissonance from your combined
Avenue in hollywood, the newly inaugurated
love of urban cool and laid-back surf
indoor/outdoor space boasts a sculptural
culture? If you answered, “yes” to any of
quality that creates an uncanny bridge
these questions, rest your domes at 1280
between the gallery and its contents. “It’s
½ Sunset Blvd. in Echo park at The ampal
alive! It’s alive!” (Only in the very best
creative’s first brick and mortar. the surf-
sense, that is).
and-skate-inspired hat brand pays homage to its founder’s fourth-generation California surf roots, and its products are designed and made in Downtown lA. Whether you’re into snapbacks, five-panels, buckets, or beanies, these guys will have what you’re looking for.
10°
SALU TAT IONS
blissandbone.com / @blissandbone there’s no quicker route to immediate respect than luxurious stationary. Enter bliss & bone, the brainchild of fashion industry vet Cindy Skanderup. Skanderup’s new brandcum-creative agency came to fruition after she began planning her own wedding and discovered a gaping hole in the invitation market. Equipped with a designer’s eye and plenty of production knowledge, Skanderup began personally crafting each Bliss & Bone collection to provide affianced couples with unique branding tailored to their own individual tastes. And for those of you who aren’t matrimonially inclined (or who are still working on establishing boundaries and healthy communication channels), Bliss & Bone also makes custom stationary, thank-you, and apology cards.
WELCOMED DETO UR forkintheroadsantamonica.com
If you find yourself meandering down Santa monica’s main Street sometime between happy hour and t-shirt time, duck in to fork in the Road for the ultimate evening transition. formerly naresh’s, this intimate neighborhood joint comes to us from the folks behind Bank of Venice and Venice Ale house— so you know they can pour. With a menu including big and small plates, patrons can start with light fare like arugula flatbread or kale salad. feeling carnivorous? Dig in to barbecued pig tail, duck confit, or a roasted half chicken like you mean it. Each plate tastes as good as it looks.
T WI NNI NG
twofreshbeats.com
Two fresh’s downtempo rhymes fuse instrumental hip-hop with poppy synth lines, burly beats, and thoughtful sampling to create a unique sound. So unique, in fact, that it recently scored Sherwyn and Kendrick nicholls (the twin brothers behind the two fresh moniker) a deal with 1320 records—all before they’d even celebrated their 21st birthdays. the brothers grew up playing tennis and quickly became state champions at Brentwood high School; but they ditched the court for the concert stage shortly after graduation. Since then, two fresh has established a foothold in the hip-hop scene with a rigorous tour schedule alongside artists like Skrillex, nit grit, and 12th planet, and performances at a slew of music festivals including Coachella, Electric Daisy Carnival, moogfest, SXSW, Dew tour, Bumbershoot, DEmf, Starscape, Wakarusa, and Camp Bisco. At 21, we were still losing our debit cards every thursday night.
11°
NoTed STORY TIME
eisradio.com / @eis_radio
the detox from Sarah Kroenig’s Serial has been brutal. the radio program brought to us by WBEZ Chicago and the folks at This American Life stretched out for 12 weeks, with a cult-like audience that expanded beyond the average public radio listener. While awaiting season 2, we’ve been on the hunt for something to fill the void. Enter EIS—an acronym for Everything is Stories. the unconventional podcast, produced by garrett Crowe, mike martinez and tyler Wrey, employs a similar narrative format to The Moth and TML, with a dark, strange twist. recently, we were introduced to Charles ferrell, a former boxing manager who spoke in details about fixing fights, mafia connections, and his love for classical piano. Since leaving the “business” he’s taken old voicemails from fighters, promoters, and wise guys and streamed them over his improv key strokes. And then there’s mat fraser, a performance artist currently starring on American Horror Story: Freak Show, who delves into his prior experiences in the carnie/sideshow industry. podcasts: not so twee anymore.
SPIN CIT Y
AROMA T H ERAP Y
On the hunt for some unique vinyl? Well,
While few things are as fulfilling as
there’s a new pop-up shop in town for all
french fries, we’d like to argue that hand-
you aural purists. scion a/v will be posted
poured,
up on melrose through January 31st with
scrumptiously scented candles are right
a space filled to the brim with rare
up there with our favorite truffle-salted
records from a host of indie labels. Dim
snack. pomme frites, founded by husband
mak, Stone’s throw, nuclear Blast, Echo
and wife team thomas neuburger and
park records, fool’s gold, and several
Kristen pumphrey, is a small-batch
others will join in to sling their coveted
candle company operating out of the Arts
merch to a crowd of eager enthusiasts.
District. made with domestically grown
So count us in: after all, copping
soy wax, cotton core wicks, and fine
flosstradamaus on vinyl is way cooler
fragrance oils, the line also features
than buying a marked-up Bob Dylan
ethereal, nuanced scents like neroli &
album at Urban Outfitters.
Eucalyptus, Amber & moss, and teakwood
scionave.com / @scionav
pfcandleco.com / @pfcandleco
minimally
branded,
and
& tobacco—a distinct favorite among pomme frites’ loyal fans. poured into an amber colored jar and simply labeled, these candles are akin to olfactory comfort food. hats off to neuburger and pumphrey for knowing a thing or two about profound satisfaction.
FRESH AI R
air-style.com / @airandstyle this february, skater/snowboarder/ginger extraordinaire Shaun White brings air + style to pasadena. the innovative series is a blend of action sports, live music, fashion, art, lifestyle installations, and great food. A group of featured athletes, including 16 snowboarders and 16 skiers, will compete by tackling a 16-story, 450-foot-long ramp and 70-foot jump while acts like Kendrick lamar, Steve Aoki, phantogram, Edward Sharpe and the magnetic Zeros, portugal, the man, and Diplo take the stage. previously produced in Innsbruck, munich, Seefeld, and Beijing, the two-day showcase posts up for the first time on U.S. soil at the iconic rose Bowl. your move, hOV.
12°
doT com R I G H T T H I S WAY Wanna know what we’re up to? follow @lACAnVAS on Instagram for behind-the-scenes snaps documenting the wonderfully grueling editorial process and sneak peeks into exclusive events, along with shots from our favorite photographers, artists, and of course, meals.
THE SHOP Saw something you liked in our Trend Matrix? Head to LACANVAS.com to browse our editor’s picks, purchase subscriptions to our print magazine, and become a member of our Culture Club—receive discounts, gifts from our partners, tickets to LA shows, and exclusive VIP invites.
T H E W EEK LY
P LU S O N E
T H E S CO O P
Each week, our editors round up the best
From a series of kickbacks around the city,
We know you’ve been up all night swiping
happenings in Los Angeles including art
to curated private dinners, LAC has more
left, so LAC took the liberty of researching
openings, festivals, parties, sales, concerts,
than enough decadence and small plates
all of LA’s most intriguing happenings for
and restaurant openings, along with special
to compromise your caloric integrity. Stick
you. Every Tuesday, LA CANVAS emails
destination events in neighboring areas like
with us this season to find out about
an exclusive offering, from seasonally
Palm Springs and Orange County—all
LA CANVAS' privately curated events—and
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PK O SH K A .C O M
ZODIAC ISSUE
16째
째 musician
banks
d J U N E 15th
In Goddess We Trust TEXT BY
GARTH TRINIDAD
The enchanting, self-taught Banks lets us into her universe
J
illian rose Banks loves the Valley. As a child growing up in tarzana on over an acre of land, she was an avid explorer. Banks and her sister composed creepy stories about fictional characters dwelling
in the hilltop water tower, and spooked each other with tales of Beetlejuice lurking beneath a dune of woodchips. they devoured fresh fruit from the loquat tree while their creative inclinations flourished. “I can’t imagine being that age now, eleven or twelve,” Banks quips, as we settle in to talk at Sonos Studio’s private listening room in los Angeles. “All this social media, it’s too much, too difficult to live in the moment...at my shows in places like lA and new york, everyone is viewing through their phones.” She tells me this after posing for a quick selfie with a stuffed squirrel, then nestling into a plush sofa for our interview. With legs crossed and black boots on the coffee table, slender fingers snuggled inside her sleeves and smart devices set aside, she turns her attention to me—existing, at least for the time being, very much in the moment. Banks participates in social media (@hernameisbanks) with leisurely purpose. Keenly aware of the value inherent to both communication and visual narrative, she also simply fancies the idea of making herself available. She retweets and replies on twitter, posts pics with admirers on Instagram, and communicates with her fans via a dedicated cell phone. She is graceful and humble regarding her blooming liaison with celebrity—even fascinated by it, seemingly able to peer in from the outside. Delving further into the experience of her abrupt lifestyle shift, she explains, “you have to be able to operate at a completely different level and tempo. I don’t even have a body clock anymore. I seem to do well in london for some reason.” As our conversation turns to travel, the avid explorer tells me about finding inspiration in the array of exotic fruits she has encountered trekking through foreign cities and markets. fruits like the mangostein she sampled in Bali, for instance: a tropical treat with commingling flavors of mango and banana. As she speaks, I picture young Jillian in her backyard, loquat juice dripping from her chin, grinning from ear to ear.
17°
ZODIAC ISSUE
° musician
PHOTO BY
CATIE L AFFO ON
"I'm a complete, whole human being completely expressing myself fully. I love feeling and being sexy, but it's mine to own." -
not that Banks’ Valley idyll lasted forever.
no input, no feedback, and remains unashamed
Adolescence changed a lot of things for Jillian.
of her unorthodox style of playing by ear.
“I felt as if my head was going to explode,”
A little more than two years ago, Banks was a
she says, regarding the shift that occurred
solitary closet artist making music to please no
when she was about fifteen years old. Banks
one but herself. It was around that same time
assures me the feeling was not simply a
(and against Jillian’s will) that a friend played
response to her parents' divorce, but rather a
her music for DJ-cum-producer trevor mcfedries
product of the loopy emotional rollercoaster
(aka yung Skeeter). Enchanted by her dusky
that takes so many of us for a spin at that age.
vocals and deep, unconventional pop, trevor
finding an outlet was paramount. On a whim,
became her manager—and hasn’t looked
she decided to tinker with a lonely keyboard
back since.
that sat in the corner of her room. the rest, as they say, is history. “It was a moment of
Banks’ father was a devout musical connoisseur.
discovery,” she says, “a once-in-a-lifetime
“he came home from work, cracked open a
discovery of passion.” from that point she spent
beer, and played Dead Can Dance, peter
a couple of years in what she refers to as a
gabriel…” she recalls with a grateful smile.
“hole,” retreating from the world and letting
his eclectic taste opened her up to a fervent
friendships dwindle as she worked to find her
and broad awareness of music. “I love music.
voice, her mind. Banks taught herself stroke
It’s in my blood,” she says. “All kinds of music.
by stroke, three chords at a time. She sought
It has to have a certain kind of feeling for me,
18°
banks
a kind of soul. It has to have what I like to call
whole human being expressing myself fully. I
individual in its origins, some efforts require
crunch. Doesn’t matter what it is, what genre.
love feeling and being sexy, but it’s mine to own.”
multiple artists in order to come to fruition.
right now I’m really feeling tala. She’s based
take her work with UK-based totally Enormous
in london. I believe she’s persian and English.
Echoing the beginnings of her burgeoning
Extinct Dinosaurs, in which Banks’ melodies
her sound has that raw crunch I’m talking
career, Banks’ ideal creative routine involves
fuse with chords by the British producer to
about. She infuses classic persian, Arabic vocal
hours spent writing at a piano by herself.
create spectacular moments on songs like
stylings in her work. It’s so killer. I would love
however, life on the road has necessitated a
“Warm Water” and “Bedroom Wall.”
to collab with her.”
new strategy. for her, writing is akin to breathing. “Writing is how I process...life,
Banks’ music is powerful and potent. She writes
I steer the conversation toward twerking, hip-
everything...if I don’t write, I can’t function.”
songs with messages—messages I find myself
hop videos, and feminism. While some have
Since going on tour, she has had to figure out
wanting to share with my almost adolescent
identified the singer as a militant feminist,
ways to capture a moment, seize an idea—
children. As a DJ working to champion music
thanks to the implications of her album title,
whether it’s backstage on a piano (providing
with substance, Banks’ work fills me with
Goddess, Banks herself prefers to focus on
the venue has one) or brief sessions with the
excitement—and maybe even hope—for the
issues of empowerment and authentic sexuality.
guitar player a few minutes before sound check.
future of pop. After a hug and some dap, she
lyrically and visually, she’s stirred by fiona
“All I need is 3 minutes for a sketch, then I
saunters off into the breezy afternoon; and with
Apple, lauryn hill, Sade, and tracy Chapman.
can render it later.” her collaborators are of
visions of Aphrodite and Athena swirling in my
“they are some of the sexiest women in music,”
like mind, and Banks carefully selects them in
mind, I vow to keep the faith—at least until
she asserts. “they own their sexuality; no one
the hope that each will bring a unique
the next album. d
is behind it. there’s nothing false in it, nothing
perspective to help complete her vision. She
hidden.” Banks continues, “I’m a complete,
delights in the idea that, while every song is 19°
THE GRAMMY MUSEUM® PRESENTS GoldeN ToucH selections by JESSE ROGG
the further we forge ahead through the decades, the harder it is to get closure. year after year, the human condition remains infinitely complex; and all the while, the cosmos hurtles on, seemingly indifferent to our penchant for tidy endings and defined conclusions. then again, that’s the beauty of the new year. Every 360 days, regardless of what’s happening in our lives, the gregorian calendar imposes a little structure. So as we bid adieu to 2014, and make ready to enter the astrological phase of Capricorn, why not mark the occasion with some well-chosen exit music? We’ve enlisted the impeccable taste and attuned ear of pal Jesse Rogg to help ease us into 2015. So sit back, grab a drink, turn up the speakers, and remember: it’s all going to be just fine. maybe even better than fine.
GEORGE MAP LE
T O K I M O N S TA
“Realla”
“This Is Not Bout Us”
F LY I N G L O T U S
THEOPHILUS LONDON
LES SI NS
MOON BOOTS
MAXXI SO UNDSYST EM
GLASS ANIMALS
“Talk Talk”
“Never Catch Me”
KINDNESS
“Can’t Stop”
“Grind”
ON OPEN EXHIBITI 2015 MAY 10, 4 1 0 2 3, CEMBER 1
DE
“Don’t Ask Why” hn n y r e mi x
DJ TENNIS
“Love Child”
“300 Vows” n o r eg ular play r e mi x
“Gooey” g i li ga n m o s s r em i x
XINOBI
T H O M A S S J AC K S O N
“Charm”
ST RE A M O UR F ULL SP OT I F Y P LAY LI S T
WWW.GRAMMYMUSEUM.ORG
ON LACA NVA S. COM
“Break You 2”
VENUE
° THE REGENT
Cosmic Transportation Mitchell Frank aligns his stars to better the neighborhood with a revived Regent Theater
TEXT BY
RENÉE GEORGE
In the mood for dinner and a show? Oddly enough, that can be
flanked by its literary neighbors and boasting frank’s signature
difficult to find. thankfully, the regent theater is back in action,
touch, the revived regent theater has already established itself
and poised to elevate the quality of the live entertainment
as the latest lA music haven, with a slew of notable headliners
experience.
like fKA twigs, Death from Above 1979, and Cold War Kids
the iconic theater located in Downtown lA’s historic Core originally opened in 1914. the space was used as a Vaudeville showcase, general film theater, X-rated destination, and one-off special events venue. these days, the regent plays home to mitchell frank’s latest cultural endeavor, yet another hub for lA
by tig notaro and José gonzales, mitchell frank has big plans for his latest venue—and will undoubtedly continue to weave himself into the cultural fabric of the city. When asked what was going to make the regent stand out amongst
behind Spaceland in Silverlake and both the Echo and Echoplex
the rows of historic theaters in the area, mitchel explains, “It’s
in Echo park, has pulled off a star-studded transformation on an
just different. the Ace is beautiful, the Belasco is beautiful. the
old-time classic.
regent is about fifty percent smaller than the Belasco and the
with Knitting factory Entertainment and development firm Artist & recreation to tie the new DtlA venture together. After hearing rumors of the regent’s renaissance, we paid frank a visit to get the scoop.
a hallway leading to the theater in front of us: an eatery serving up delectable pizzas and antipasti on one side, and a dimly-lit watering hole filled with day-trippers sipping cocktails to the hum of vinyl acoustics on the other. Enter prufrock pizzeria, stage right, and the love Song Bar, stage left. Both establishments take their names from the t.S. Elliot poem, the love Song of J. Alfred prufrock. Don’t quite get the connection? neither did we, so we asked frank to illuminate us. turns out, as any seasoned pizza cook knows, dough must be “proofed” before it is cooked. When that process is combined with a stone oven, or “rock,” you get “prufrock.” the “love Song” is a little more intuitive, and simply pays homage to all the amazing lyricists, songwriters, and poets out there.
Ace, yet bigger than the Echoplex. It fits that in-between niche. We’re also versatile and diverse in our bookings: there’s latin, dance-themed nights, comedy, film screenings. We’re doing the eighth year anniversary for Smog Sessions—it was a DubStep night at the Echo, and I think we were the first to do a DubStep night in lA. they’ve progressed and we’ve progressed. they started
through the entrance, we noticed two options on either side of
4 4 8 S . M a i n S t . / 9 0 0 13
from rock-n-roll flea markets and comedy shows to performances
music lovers. And from what we can tell, frank, who is the man
Extracting inspiration from his Eastside successes, frank worked
T H e r e G e N T T H e aT e r
already on the books. And frank doesn’t intend to stop there.
21°
at the Echo and now, with three times the size, we can elevate the night at the regent—we can take a band that performs at the Echo and elevate them to the regent. We plan to play host to all types of entertainment, from vegan food festivals to movie screenings, and are honored to bring events from other cities like Dilla Day, which is a celebration of beloved hip hop hero, J Dilla. Events like this will help us embed ourselves in this dynamic neighborhood.” finally, we’ve got a one-stop shop for a colorful night on the town.
6700 SANTA MONICA BOULEVAR D LOS ANGELES, CA 90038 tel 323. 466. 6323
L OSA N GE L E S. SA E . E D U SAE Institute Los Angeles is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program,and other consumer information, please visit http://usa.sae.edu/about/sae-institute-accreditation-and-regulatory-information/
SAE Institute is passionate about preparing students for diverse, entrepreneurial careers in the audio and entertainment industries. At each of our 50+ campuses around the world, you’ll find programs specifically designed to immerse you in hands on, real-world projects so you can launch a career doing what you love. Our brand new campus occupies the former Hollywood home of the Eastman Kodak Company on Santa Monica Boulevard at Las Palmas Avenue. Find out more about our 9 month Audio Technology Program by visiting our website. Request a tour and experience our brand new facilities and production suites today.
spotlight
° toy selectah
Good Vibrations Mad Decent’s Toy Selectah reflects on Compass, collaboration, and the universal language of music.
photo text by
CARLOS ALVAREZ VI NGUYEN
As any grade-school grad or corporate employee can tell you,
and that’s just the beginning. Ranging in style from reggae to
collaboration—be it in the form of group projects or team building
dancehall, punk rock to jungle to hip-hop, Compass is impressive
exercises—can be a challenge. Even in more creative fields, many
not only for its sheer number of collaborators, but also for the
folks prefer to go it alone rather than cede artistic control. But
rich spectrum of musical genres and offshoots included throughout
for some, collaboration is the spark that ignites inspired new
the album.
work. Take Mexican producer and DJ powerhouse Toy Selectah, for instance: a rising star who teamed up with not one, not two,
Given the scope of this undertaking, one might be tempted to
but over 80 different artists to create his latest album.
predict chaos and ego-fueled personality clashes. On the contrary, Toy tells us it was anything but. “There was such chemistry and
Born Antonio Hernández and based out of Monterrey, Mexico, Toy
good vibrations,” he explains. “I grew as an artist, understanding
has made a name for himself as a globetrotting tastemaker and
more and more,” and drew inspiration from a wealth of “different
iconic figure in Mexico’s musical landscape. His group Control
perspectives.” Ultimately, the process left Toy pondering the
Machete was one of the first Mexican hip-hop acts to hit the
effects of globalization. As he put it, these days, “we’re living in
mainstream, and his sonic intuition eventually found him taking
a world that feels more small.”
soundcloud.com/toyselec tah
T O Y S E L E C TA H
the well-loved cumbia sounds filtering into Mexico from Colombia and fusing them with tribal guarachero beats pioneered in Mexico
And that’s something that has always informed Toy’s perception:
City. He would later go on to play a major role in Latin American
the universality of music. “It’s the most primitive way of life for
music’s crossover success, heading A&R for Universal Music’s
generations of people. The human need to dance, laugh, celebrate.
imprint, Machete Music, from 2004 to 2007, and helping usher
Besides the generation, race, speech, or whatever, there’s a
in reggaeton and other Latin rhythms as stateside mainstays. You
common place with the same vibrations.” It’s clear that the
could even say that Toy’s deftly manipulated intersection of
unifying and pacifying power of music is a true passion for Toy.
electronic and reggaeton, appropriately dubbed “Raverton,” helped
As we chat, I broach the topic of Mexico’s 43 kidnapped students.
foster what you may know today as Moombahton.
“We don’t have solutions in our hand, but we need to be aware and participate with debates and opinions ... we need to be able
In 2011, Diplo’s Mad Decent label released Toy’s Mex Machine
to talk about it openly.” With a refreshing sense of humility, he
EP; and continuing in the vein of global dissemination, Toy
adds, “I am nobody to talk about the big stuff, but I know what’s
Selectah recently announced an album that just might be one of
going on, I speak with my daughters and friends. Something’s
the most ambitious endeavors we’ve heard of yet. Compass is a
wrong and we need to look and help, in demonstrations and more.”
hyper-collaborative effort with partner and co-conspirator Camilo Lara (producer/DJ, Mexican Institute of Sound), enlisting a
He might not be saving the world yet. But by tapping in to the
dizzying number of collaborators that reads like a who’s who of
elemental power of music and making personal connections
global music: Robbie & Sly, Boy George, Nina Sky, Chrome Sparks,
through his collaborative work, Toy Selectah is certainly taking
Bondo de Role, Das Racist’s Kool A.D., Cypress Hill’s Eric Bobo…
steps in the right direction.
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E. DAVID flOrES | KAnO | nOSEgO
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M u s i n g s F E AT U R E D I N
QUOT TOM M AG A Z I N E
ZODIAC ISSUE 째 artist
mario hugo
h AU G U S T 29 th
I T ' S E L E M E N TA R Y TEXT BY
LINDSAY PRESTON Z APPAS
Mario Hugo is an artist, designer, and one half of the creative agency Hugo & Marie. His approach to design often starts with the tactile: when discussing his work, he often speaks of the fibers in a sheet of paper or the physicality of letterforms. We caught up with Mario to discuss his personal process, his love for Calvin and Hobbes, and the distinctions between art and design.
feels like the purest media for the idea. I don’t insist on hand drawing;
YOU R DE S IGN H A S A N E X T R E M E LY TAC T I L E A N D S C U L P T U R A L QUA LI T Y TO I T. CA N YOU TA LK A BI T A BOU T T H AT ?
but I definitely have an inclination towards the feeling that drawings
I think I’ll talk about tactility and sculpture separately. I’m 32—I had
drawing on paper for me. Sometimes that intimacy is completely wrong
a computer early on (my mom was a consultant for what was Bell
for the brief or project I’ve been given, so I’ll avoid it. the media just
Atlantic at that time)—and I remember loving drawing and designing
has to feel right.
give me. there isn’t really anything as intimate or personal as a hand
things on my first 486. But digital wasn’t really the bulk of my childhood inspiration. I really like paper. I spent my entire education head down
But anyway, paper is inexpensive, ubiquitous…and graphite is probably
drawing on lined paper. my eyesight is shitty. I’m very nearsighted, so
among the most common tools on the planet. there is something
I’d get up very close to fabric, or a painting, or a sheet of paper, and
romantic about using the simplest tools to tell a story or explain an
I got used to the comfort of it. you can get so close to a sheet of paper
idea: you focus on the themes because you’re not really wondering
that eventually all you see is a big expanse; and it’s really comforting,
about the finish, you know what I mean? I work digitally all the time—
honestly, because it just eliminates all the noise around you.
I’d say I spend 90% of my day behind a computer screen—but I’m grateful to have spent the first ten years of my life without one. I like
In terms of sculpture, I guess I like the idea of work being a kind of
a little naiveté, and I really like old stuff. I like old music, old record
icon, or a monument. Sculptural things feel a bit more permanent—like
sleeves, old paintings. I think there is generally a lot of heart in the
they are ideas, as opposed to just scenes or moments. I also just like
old stuff.
weight and volume, generally. T H IS M AY BE A T IR E SOM E QU E S T ION, BU T CA N YOU DISC US S YOU R
T H AT ’ S SO I N T ER E S T I NG, SI NCE M A N Y W R I T ER S A N D A RT IS T S A R E
R EL AT IONSH I P TO T H E WOR DS “A RT ” A N D “ DE SIGN?” I K NOW T H E SE
AC T UA L LY T H R E AT E N E D BY T H E BL A N K PAGE BY T H E WAY I T
CA N BE TR ICK Y DIS T I NC T IONS, A N D OF T EN COU N T ERPRODUC T I V E
E M BODIES SUCH I N F I N I TE POTEN T I A L . I FEEL LIK E LOT S OF A RT IST S
ON E S. M A N Y PEOPLE WA N T TO DR AW LI N E S I N T H E SA N D BE T W EEN
F I N D WAY S T O AV O I D T H E B L A N K PA G E L I K E W I T H A N
T H E SE T WO CA M P S, BU T YOU SEE M TO BE ON A K I N D OF T R A PE Z E
U N DER PA I N T I NG, FOR E X A M PLE , OR M AY BE COLOR E D PA PER .
BE T W EEN T H E T WO.
I hadn’t really ever thought about it in the terms you’ve described; but
I don’t know that I’ll have any additional clarity at the end of this
I do think a blank sheet can definitely be threatening. I typically draw
response, but “art” for me, personally, is really anything that transcends
on found paper, actually, which feels like an underpainting to me. I
its media. Calvin and Hobbes is art, because it isn’t just a comic strip.
used to scour the used bookshelves over at the Strand for great blank
they aren’t just comic characters to me, they’re people; and each strip
flyleaves, so the paper has a lot of character, stains, etc.
isn’t a comic so much as a tome. Calvin and hobbes has completely transcended its media in my eyes, so I consider it art. I like the idea
A S T H E DE SIGN WOR L D BECOM E S I NCR E A SI NGLY DIGI TA L , DO YOU
that ultimately, someone else will decide whether something is art for
F I N D I T H A R DER TO I NSIS T ON A MOR E H A N D DR AW N S T Y LE? DO
them— design, textiles, fashion, music, film, dance, a graceful motion,
YOU F EEL T H AT YOU H AV E TO W R E S T LE W I T H T H E COM PU T ER A BI T
whatever it might be. I’ve had solo shows and exhibitions, but I don’t
TO PRODUCE T H AT LOOK ?
know that it is really mine to define if the work is “art.” I’ll just continue
I like language and sensibilities more than specific styles. I like to
making things I like, both personal pieces and commercial projects. I
play with new stuff and experiment, and leave the themes to be the
can say that I’d like to make artful things—I’d like to make work that
consistencies, as opposed to the media. So I’ll work in drawings,
touches people or makes them think in a way that means something
paintings, photography, vector, 3D—it doesn’t bother me as long as it
to them. I think we always want to codify and define everything, put
29°
30째
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A L B U M PAC K AG I N G
ZODIAC ISSUE 째 artist
mario hugo
things into their respective bins, and I think this question is so complicated because you can’t really do it with art…because it is way more gray and enigmatic and amorphous than people are used to. T O TA L LY AGR E E W I T H YOU ON C A LV I N A N D HOBBE S . GE N I U S . T H ROUGH T H E COM IC, HOBBE S WA S A LWAYS GE T T I NG AT DEEPER TRU T HS. IS T HIS PER H A PS PA RT OF A N “A RT” DEF I N IT ION? R EV E A LI NG S O M E T H I N G B E YO N D I T S I N I T I A L R E A D ? D E S I G N H A S T H I S P O T EN T I A L A S W ELL , NO?
right. I don’t really speak about design and art in any concrete terms, but I can say that I prefer things that are lyrical as opposed to literal. I want artwork to be a conversation. I want to be able to think about a piece after I’m done just looking at a piece, you know what I mean? I like interpretation, and all the things between the lines—I’d say this definitely contributes to that quality that makes things “art” to me. HOW H A S WOR K I NG FOR A N D W I T H O T H ER DE SIGN ER S V I A H UGO & M A R I E I N FOR M E D YOU R OW N PER SONA L PR AC T ICE? H AV E YOU F O U N D YO U R S E L F M O R E I N T E R E S T E D I N C O L L A B O R AT I V E PROCE S SE S?
hugo & marie is a small agency my wife Jennifer [marie] and I started about six years ago. We knew we’d spend most of our lives working, so
and Charles Eames…people who kind of lived and breathed design. I’m the creative director of the agency, and Jennifer is the business director. hugo & marie runs in two halves—part representation agency and part creative consultancy and boutique. I always liked working by myself, but you bottleneck and the projects can’t really get any bigger after a certain point. In order to work on those bigger projects I’ve had to really embrace collaboration, and it has been fun. We have six internal designers that work with me on all kinds of projects—these guys are like family to me. this last year, I worked with the incredible
31°
N y k h o r G o e s R e d F E AT U R E D I N
into the idea of Josef and Anni Albers, robin and lucienne Day, ray
R E DMILK M AG A Z I N E
we thought it ought to be spent doing what we wanted. We were always
ZODIAC ISSUE
° artist
“there is something romantic about using the simplest tools to tell a story or explain an idea: you focus on the themes because you’re not really wondering about the finish, you know what I mean?” micah lidberg on a video for Coldplay, mVm, and I made a crazy kitsch pop video for rita Ora. We commissioned merijn hos to create some stunning little branding for a project we’re launching. It is fun to get out of my own head sometimes; it keeps things fresh and churning, and it goes on to inform all the other stuff. W E H E A R D YOU SAY I N A PR EV IOUS I N T ERV IEW T H AT T E X T IS OF T EN A S TA R T I NG P OI N T F OR YOU. I S I T T H E U BIQU I T Y OF T E X T T H AT M A K E S I T A MOR E A PPROACH A BLE OR COM F OR TA BLE PL ACE TO BEGI N?
Some amazing illustrators I know have hands that are like printers for their subconscious: they just set pencil to paper and then something crazy and beautiful happens. I’m not like that. I need to really think and plan. I need a reason to be working on something, and words are often enough—music, stories, mythology, a great phrase, personal thoughts, whatever. I like when words conjure up big images. Additionally, and a bit more literally, I’ve worked with a lot of type and letterforms. What I like about working with letters is that you can really push abstraction. Our brains are looking for patterns, codification, so text allows me to make stuff that is abstract and familiar all at once, without worrying that there is too much of the former. Even the most abstract work I like has to relate to something human, even if by the loosest associations. D O YOU H AV E A S I NGU L A R A R T PR AC T ICE T H AT ’ S NO T CL I E N T DR I V EN, OR I N LI EU OF A DE SIGN PROJ EC T ? W H AT IS T H AT LIK E?
yeah, hand drawings aren’t really client driven for me—I make them for myself. I also loved sculpture when I did it, but it’s been years. maybe I should get some clay or something. I want to do more personal work, but between the business and a bunch of hugo & marie’s side projects launching soon, that personal stuff has taken a backseat right this moment. I’m thinking of organizing an exhibition or something for next year so I can force myself to focus on it again. h
32°
Frank Warren PostSecret Live Wed, Jan 28
EXPLORE ENGAGE EXPERIENCE
Louise Lecavalier Fou Glorieux: So Blue
Live in Royce Hall
Fri, Jan 16
An evening with
Gregory Porter Sat, Jan 17
Sussan Deyhim The House is Black Fri, Jan 23
gallery
° coming of age
Coming of Age Stars align for Los Angeles’ growing arts scene
PHOTO TEXT BY
THE BROAD ART FOUNDATION RACHEL MANY
los Angeles gets a lot of flack for its supposedly “superficial” art world. you’ve no doubt heard the tired tinseltown stereotypes of silly Angelenos clinging to new york’s oh-so-sophisticated coattails in an effort to prove our worth. Sadly, as with so many stereotypes, this notion is rooted in a degree of truth. In fact, up
“NORMS, LA CIENEGA, ON FIRE,” ED RUSCHA • 1964
until recently, the act of leaving lA for nyC was the ultimate mark of success for local artists.
100,000-square-foot complex will close for renovations after the
So maybe we should just give up. you’ve made your point, manhattan. you’re smarter, prettier, cleverer and more elegant
So what gives? While this cultural renaissance is more than
than we’ll ever be. We. Know.
welcome, why here? And why now?
Or do we?
for one thing, new york artists have been priced out of formerly
Between the smattering of worthwhile galleries throughout Culver City, the freshly minted art spaces in hollywood, and the massive new museum additions taking center stage Downtown, los Angeles is undergoing one hell of a cultural makeover. Art is no longer a laughing matter in this fair city of ours. In the last year, DtlA has seen the opening of commercial galleries like Grice bench, françois Ghebaly Gallery, ibid projects, and the mistake Room, not to mention well-known new york-based dealers like gavin Brown and michele maccarone stepping out from the illustrious shadow of the nyC establishment to set up shop on our famously sunny streets. more recently, nearly half of the individuals featured in the W Magazine “Art Issue” list of “hot young Artists” were
young artists and trailblazing loft living. And for those that have chosen to make do, fatigue has set in. “manhattan is over,” declares Christopher Knight, longtime art critic for the Los Angeles Times. “Kids can’t move there the way they used to. If you’re not gonna be in manhattan, and you’re going to cross the river, you might as well keep going to California, where at least the weather is nice.” los Angeles is particularly attractive to younger artists these days, with a host of renowned art schools—CalArts, UClA, Otis, and the Art Center College of Design, to name a few—and comparatively affordable rents (at least when held up against the astronomical prices plaguing new york’s aspiring art set). los Angeles would appear to be the perfect host for a cultural
Samara golden.
revival, slowly carving out a place for itself in the evolving narrative
awakening will be found in two enormous new venues, both set to open in 2015. first, there’s the Broad, a $140 million museum of contemporary art slated to open this spring along the grand Coming of Age
low-cost neighborhoods—enclaves once famous for incubating
lA-based, including the likes of tala madani, Kour pour, and
But perhaps the most dramatic symbols of the city’s artistic
GallerY
January exhibition, and re-open to the public in 2016.
Avenue Corridor and designed by “starchitects” Diller Scofidio & renfro. then, further east, there’s the highly anticipated hauser, wirth & schimmel Gallery, opening this January with an inaugural exhibit featuring notable lA artists including mark Bradford,
of art history. According to mayor Eric garcetti, “Our renowned contemporary art scene is just the latest piece of lA’s cultural renaissance, positioning us squarely at the heart of international creativity.” Iwan Wirth, president and owner of hauser & Wirth, agrees. “more of our artists live in lA than in any other city. It seems particularly fitting to launch our third decade…in the city known around the world as a place for imagination, reinvention and new forms of cultural expression.”
rachel Khedoori, paul mcCarthy, and Sterling ruby. housed in
So take that, new york. It’s not that we don’t love you…but it’s
an abandoned flourmill on East 3rd Street, the staggering
our turn.
35°
GallerY opeNiNGS
| On Reflections Craig Krull Gallery • Jan. 24 - Feb. 28 Opening Reception: Saturday, January 24th, 4-6pm Craig Krull Gallery presents On Reflections, a solo exhibition for Swedish painter Astrid Preston. The artist’s representations of naturalistic landscapes and bright, airy utopias generate a combined sense of the ideal and the surreal. Astrid Preston’s work is a breath of fresh air, and a reminder of the aesthetic marvel that is nature’s majesty. | craigkrull.com
| Rhythm and Shoes La Luz de Jesus Gallery • Jan. 9 - Feb. 1 Opening Reception: Friday, January 9th, 8-11pm For his latest collection, painter Hudson Marquez turns back the clock to a bygone era of revelry and style. Rhythm and Shoes pays homage to R&B legends like Ike Turner, Little Richard and Johnny Ace—to the larger-than-life stories that a young Marquez heard growing up, and to the sometimes outrageous, always dapper footwear he observed among club-goers as a kid sneaking past bouncers to get a taste of the scene. Get ready for big hair, sky-high stilettos, and tall tales. | laluzdejesus.com
| Gay Semiotics Cherry and Martin Gallery • Jan. 10 - Feb. 21 Opening Reception: Saturday, January 10th, 4-6pm First shown in San Francisco back in 1977, Hal Fischer’s Gay Semiotics is a groundbreaking work uniting photography with the language of linguistics and structuralism. Throughout the exhibition, Fisher presents and identifies the codes of sexual orientation and identification he observed among men in San Francisco’s Castro and Haight-Ashbury district, blending image and text to create what many consider to be a seminal work of conceptual photography. | cherryandmartin.com
Christopher Grimes Gallery • Jan. 17 - Mar. 14 Opening Reception: Saturday, January 17th, 6-8pm From Mosset’s two-dimensional wall murals to Bunga’s threedimensional cardboard constructions, this exhibition highlights the interplay between two divergent approaches to painting. Mosset works to dissolve the notion of authorship in his pieces— to reach a “degree zero” of painting that subsequently calls the painter’s gesture itself into question. In contrast, Bunga presents a series of new “construction” paintings that are much more intimate in nature, stemming from his interest in issues of process, space, and the presence of the body. | cgrimes.com
The Reef LA Mart • Jan. 15 - Jan. 18 Opening Night Benefit Gala: Thursday, January 15th, 7-10pm The 24th annual International Photographic Art Exposition will be held at THE REEF in the Historic LA Mart building. This year’s exhibition will range from 19th Century works to contemporary photography-based art in addition to classic photographs from world-renowned individuals in the medium. The opening benefit gala will honor critically acclaimed documentary photographer and UCLA Professor of Photography, Catherine Opie. Photo LA will feature lectures, special installations, roundtable discussions, and a number of docent tours from prominent member of the photographic community. | photola.com
When Fashion Shows The Danger Then Fashion is Danger
MOCA • Feb. 7 - May 17 Longtime collaborators Berhard Willhelm and Jutta Kraus will showcase their progressive new collection at the MOCA Pacific Design Center Gallery in a site-specific exhibit marking the pair’s relocation from Paris to Los Angeles. Designed as a sculptural installation imbued with fashion sensibility, the MOCA engagement is also, as Willhelm puts it, a “thinking-forward exhibition,” offering commentary on the invariability of contemporary fashion and looking ahead to aesthetics of the future. | moca.org
| Estampas De La Raza Large Gallery Vincent Price Museum • Feb. 7 - May 23 Opening Reception: Saturday, February 7th, 4-6 pm The Vincent Price Art Museum presents Estampas de la Raza: Contemporary Prints from the Romo Collection. This exhibit of more than sixty works includes prints produced at the advent of the Chicano Movement, and ranges in scope from late 1960’s pieces to examples of the latest modern-day renderings. Many of the prints were created right here in Los Angeles at Self Help Graphics—a hugely influential community-based printmaking atelier, and one of the most significant venues for such work in the United States. | vincentpriceartmuseum.org
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Back to Basics
Swedish design house, COS opens its first US location in Beverly Hills text by
ERIN DENNISON
P H O T O G R A P H E R Yoshino S T Y L I S T Julie Vo H A I R Michael Long M A K E U P Homar Safar N A I L S Kait Mosh M O D E L Lily Moff ett @ Freedom Models
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top us if you’ve heard this one: a contemporary Swedish fashion
to the brand through our website, where we exhibit our latest art and
house puts a modern spin on classic tailoring, makes a name for
design collaborations.
itself on the world stage, then secures its status with a stateside
debut in a major U.S. city. Sure, the current climate of ready-to-wear
YOU GU Y S A R E K NOW N T O U T I L I Z E S TA PL E S L I K E C O T T ON A N D
may be drenched in devotion to intelligent basics—but with good reason.
WO OL , A S W E L L A S E X PE R I M E N T I NG W I T H U N IQU E FA BR IC S L I K E
Elegant, timeless, and tactile, such pieces boast a deceptive simplicity.
N E OPR E N E A N D M E TA L M E S H . HOW D O YOU K NOW HOW FA R T O
And while it’s one thing to acknowledge the serenity achieved by
P U S H A C L A S S I C G A R M E N T ? H OW D O YO U K E E P A C O H E S I V E ,
marrying traditional elements with a modern aesthetic, it’s quite
M I N I M A L I S T COL L E C T ION W H I L E P U S H I NG BOU N DA R I E S?
another to execute the precise alchemy that keeps us lusting after
We always believe that form follows function and would never use a
these hybrid creations.
design feature just for the sake of it. We do love to push the design of timeless pieces in the collection; a great example is the white shirt
The team behind Scandinavian design house Collection of Style (COS)
in our current range; the front it is a stripped back simple classic
has that execution on lock, achieving enlightened, visual brevity by
poplin style but the back of the shirt is open, creating a modern and
integrating inspiration from fashion’s more cerebral cousins—product
unexpected twist.
design, fine art, and architecture—into their pieces. And by sidestepping the conventional route of biannual shows and traditional advertising,
We also like to experiment with fabrics and really push our production
COS is able to connect directly with their target audience through
to find the best choice for each style. In the case of a fabric like
a carefully curated website, artist collaborations, and a biannual
neoprene, we love the rounded silhouette it can create when left
print publication.
relatively untouched with minimal tailoring. This ‘natural’ silhouette of the textile creates a super structural and modern cocooning shape.
In 2007, COS launched as part of retail giant H&M with an ethos celebrating the notion of democratic fashion—that is, quality garments
YOUR CLOTHES SEEM A LMOST LIK E A CHESS M ATCH BET W EEN
for the design savvy consumer, all available at an affordable price point.
CLASSIC SENSIBILITIES AND CONTEMPOR ARY TAILORING. WHAT’S
Since then, the populist brand has built a global business, boasting
T H E R EL AT IONSH I P TO T R EN D?
104 stores in 25 countries.
It is interesting that you picked up on this; the real cornerstone of our
When Banana Republic closed is location at 357 N. Beverly Blvd., the
brand is a timeless and yet modern design aesthetic. We take what
light-filled, two story retail space became a prime target for any strategic
may be perceived as a classic garment—for example a black blazer and
fashion brand. And just this fall, COS bucked convention and claimed
play with the conventional details to create a draped collar or cocooning
the chic spot over a more traditional New York location for its first U.S.
silhouette with a raglan sleeve. In terms of our relationship to trend,
brick and mortar. (As it turns out, the company’s lead designers count
I would say we want to create stories every season; we tend not to look
Californian Architect Ray Eames as a major influence).
to classic definitions of trends but allow ourselves to be influenced by all manner of different factors. We decide on all of our seasonal stories
In response to the company’s LA debut, LA CANVAS sat down with head
in-house and are now working on the Autumn Winter 2015 collection.
womenswear designer Karin Gustafsson to discuss the brand’s relationship to both form and function.
I always want to codify and define everything, put things into their
C O S I S A B L E T O C O M M U N IC AT E I T S P H I L O S OP H Y ON S E V E R A L
you can’t really do it with art because it is way more grey and enigmatic
PL AT F OR M S , A N D T H ROUGH VA R IOU S M E DI A F OR M S . HOW L ONG
and amorphous than people are used to.
respective bins, and I think this question is so complicated because
H AV E YO U B E E N U T I L I Z I N G M U LT I P L E C H A N N E L S T O B R A N D Y O U R S E LV E S ? W H Y D O Y O U T H I N K I T ’ S I M P O R T A N T T O
DO YOU SEE A HOM E LI N E I N COS’ F U T U R E? A N Y LEF T- OF- CEN T ER
T R A N SL AT E A COL L E C T ION I N SE V E R A L WAY S?
CA P SU LE COLLEC T IONS? DE SIGN ER COLL A BOR AT IONS?
A key part of our brand is our democratic sensibility: we love to share
For the time being, we will continue to focus on our collection and our
our inspirations and passions with our customers, as well as our
art collaborations. Currently, we are supporting a wonderful exhibition
collections. Since the launch of COS, we have striven to find what we
by the art collective Numen/For Use at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris.
feel are relevant ways to communicate our brand identity. We recognize
Having said that, all of us at COS are a little obsessed with homeware
that we have different audiences across the different mediums in which
and can definitely see a synergy between our design aesthetic and
we communicate, whether this is the readers of our magazine to whom
interior design…so never say never!
the tactility of the printed page appeals, or our customers who connect 55°
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store features
° pay a visit
pay a visit A MAN ON THE GO
Killspencer
• 2522 SUNSE T BLVD. / 90026
Spencer Nikosey has made quite the name for himself in the artisan carryall business. His quasi-eponymous brand, KILLSPENCER, recently opened a
Silverlake storefront-slash-workshop featuring handmade goods aimed at discerning gentlemen of the Eastside. The minimalist retail space also allows for in-house manufacturing of the entire collection, hitting the mark for those
with an inclination towards local crafting and an appetite for measured flare. Beyond his Silverlake store, Art Center grad Nikosey keeps busy with
collaborative projects alongside equally pioneering partners like Public School NYC and the LA artist collective, Cyrcle. We expect nothing less from the innovative, black matte leather enthusiast. / killspencer.com
RE ADY-TO
-WEAR
FOR HERE
,
AltHouse
PLEASE
• 761 S. MAIN ST. / 90014
A block and change away from the Ace Hotel on the burgeoning Broadway strip sits AltHouse, a new oasis for the sartorially inclined. Distinguished by
its emphasis on local designers and a serene, industrial retail space, AltHouse
makes for a welcome addition to the label-focused boutiques popping up along the cool kid corridor. Visitors will find the signature black and white silhouettes of cult favorite Shaina Mote alongside voluminous pieces from Black Crane—
each appealing in their own way to the understated yet adventurous clotheshorse. Between the racks of up-and-coming Left Coast brands, shoppers can also
cop New York favorites like Rachel Comey and Suno as they browse through
a thoughtful selection defined by the juxtaposition of vintage-inspired and contemporary investment pieces. Founded by Angelino Jennifer Althouse, the
store’s modern sensibility fits in perfectly with the eclectic, progressive vibe swiftly coming to define one of LA’s hottest neighborhood. / shopalthouse.com
#GIRLBOSS
GOES LIVE
Nasty Gal
• 8115 MELROSE AVE. / 90056
Call us traditionalists; but in this digital shopping age, we still crave the warmth sitting down for an in-person round of cocktails. So you’ll understand why,
k il l s pe nc e r, al th ou se , n as t y ga l
p aY a v i S i T
of a tactile shopping experience with the same fervor of email buddies finally
when Nasty Gal decided to establish a physical presence on Melrose Avenue,
it was all we could do not to jump for joy in our crushed velvet Marsela footwear. The eight-year-old brand’s first brick and mortar offers a curated selection of apparel, shoes, intimates, accessories, tech items and gifts, not to mention the exclusive vintage pieces that helped put Nasty Gal on the map. Designed by
renowned architect Rafael de Cárdenas, the 3,500-square-foot space takes
inspiration from concert stages with features like reflective surfaces and open, cage-like structures. Other highlights include a shoe salon, a magazine library, a live cactus garden, and Orwellian two-way mirrored dressing rooms that
allow shoppers to keep an eye on the scene outside without sacrificing privacy. 60°
/ nastygal.com
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Behind the Lens:
Kealan Shilling Photographer kealan shilling grew up skating and snowboarding on both coasts. These days, the former shredder is now a Boston-based photographer who travels the globe capturing moments with his 35mm camera. Between commissioned work, editorial campaigns, and creative pursuits, Shilling has the unique ability to consistently translate niche narratives into elegant still images. His diverse body of work is congruent, despite the scope of his evolving subject matter.
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Q+A YOU GR E W U P ON T H E NOR T H SHOR E OF BOS TON A N D H AV E SPE N T SIGN I F IC A N T T I M E E V E RY W H E R E F ROM L O S A NGE L E S A N D S A N DI E G O T O U TA H , C OL OR A D O, N YC , A N D S PA I N. W H AT D O YOU CON SI DE R S OM E OF T H E MO S T C I N E M AT IC L O C AT ION S?
Being form the northeast, I think I was always attracted to the idea of palm trees, bleached hair, and the sunny surf of SoCal beaches. But after some time spent out west, I started to long for those drizzly grim foggy days you get on the East Coast. they feed my artistic side. lately, I’ve been hooked on Detroit ever since I shot there last winter. the nova Scotia coast is up there too. the list is too long… I didn’t even mention going over seas. YOU SHOOT MOS T LY F I L M. W H Y IS T H IS YOU R PR EF ER R E D M E DI U M? A R E T H E R E A N Y S I T UAT IO N S W H E R E YO U P R E F E R T O S H O O T DIGI TA L? A N Y S U BJ E C T S?
the texture, tones, color—pretty much everything looks better on film in my opinion, and I’m a minimalist when it comes to post (production). I don’t like sitting in front of a computer all day weeding though thousands of images. I take my time more when I’m working with film. Digital has its place, though. Anytime I’m lighting something, or shooting technical stuff like skating or snowboarding, it’s usually easier to work with digital. YOU R WOR K IS L A RGELY NA R R AT I V E DR I V ENFOR YOU, W H AT A R E T H E K E Y C OM P ON E N T S YO U L O OK F OR W H E N C A P T U R I N G A MOM EN T ? W H AT ELE M EN T S DO YOU FOC US ON W H EN T RY I NG TO T ELL A V ISUA L S TORY ?
I try to covey the feeling of being there.
It’s not always easy to
translate the visual experience of actually being somewhere, taking something in, or being in the presence of a person your photographing. I think that’s mostly what I focus on —trying to capture or create an image that identifies with the moment in time, or the brand I’m shooting for, or the personality of the person I’m photographing. YOU GR E W U P SK AT I NG A N D SNOW BOA R DI NG, W H ICH A R E BO T H L A RGELY SOLO EN DE AVOR S. W I T H PHO TOGR A PH Y, A S A N A RT IS T T H ER E I S A N OV ER R I DI NG VOY EU R I S T IC COM P ON E N T TO YOU R 67°
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“Sometimes, though, in certain situations it is nice to be a fly on a wall.” L I F E S T Y LE . H AV E YOU CH A NGE D SI NCE BECOM I NG A “ BE H I N D T H ES C E N E S ” P E R S ON ? C A N YO U DE S C R I BE T H E DIC HO T OM Y BE T W EEN T H E T WO H E A DSPACE S?
I wouldn’t say I’ve changed, but I think I’m more relaxed behind the lens, more at ease. I think being in front of the camera over the years has helped me understand the trust you need to gain, and has helped me listen to subjects and brands to translate their vision and the way they want to be represented. Also, I don’t usually try to separate myself from the subject in a voyeuristic way. Usually, if anything, I try to include myself in the adventure, and be very much a present part of the story. If I’m part of it then we’re on an equal plane creating things together. Sometimes, though, in certain situations it is nice to be a fly on a wall. IS YOU R CR E AT I V E PROCE S S M UCH DI F F ER EN T W H EN YOU WOR K W I T H A BR A N D OR CL I E N T, A S OP P O SE D T O A N E DI T OR I A L OF PER SONA L PHOTO SER IE S? CA N YOU SPE A K A LI T T LE A BOU T T H AT?
my process and approach photographically isn’t that different, except generally I’m more in the director’s seat, driving the vision of the client or brand. most of my personal and editorial work happens more organically. Waiting for the moment, seeing it unfold, and anticipating the photo. YOU R S U BJ E C T S R A NGE F ROM F R I E N D S A N D P U N K S HOW S , T O AC T IO N S S P O R T S A N D M O DE L S W H AT A R E S O M E OF YO U R FAVOR I T E T H I NGS A BOU T E ACH GENR E? DO YOU F EEL LIK E T H ER E IS A CERTA I N A R ENA YOU R WOR K IS EVOLV I NG TOWA R DS?
I can find inspiration in any of those situations—that’s the common thread. I’m ultimately just a moment seeker, and you can translate that into anything. Obviously it’s the best when I get to hang out with my friends, but I have a lot of friends that are also athletes, musicians, and models, so it all goes hand in hand. As for the evolution of my work, we’ll have to see. In a way, I feel like a lot of what I’ve been doing is a warm up to transition into the fashion and fine art scene with my own voice.
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JOSH KNIG HT-JOH NS ON F T. COL L I NS CO ER IC ME SSIER ~ MT. BAC H EL OR, OR
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P H O T O G R A P H Y Rickett + Sones G R O O M I N G Veronica Chanel G O G G L E S B Y Dr. Sharpe’s Steampunk Gear
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t y l er w e l l s
g J U LY 2 8 t h
THE WILD
&
WON DE R F U L
TEXT BY
MEGAN HUGHES
Tyler Wells, more than just Handsome
C
ome January, many of us find ourselves reaching for the “reboot”
to improve everything I can with each step.”
button—and no wonder. there’s nothing more quintessentially Aquarian than the urge to turn over a new leaf: to vow that this
Wells refers to himself as “crazy.” But after chatting him up, we think
year, we’re going to be different. this year, we’re going to try harder.
he’s anything but. A unique breed of businessman, tyler appears to
this year, we’re going to become better versions of ourselves. It always
have figured out a way to balance professionalism and congenial
sounds so simple at first. But as any resolution junkie can attest,
affability. “[When we started handsome] we hoped to sort of bridge the
evolution is far from easy.
two sides of the Arts District and become a little bit of a hub. Before we opened, people didn’t really walk down mateo St. And then it came to life and you can’t park there anymore. So, I’m most proud of messing
Except, that is, for tyler Wells.
up parking opportunities anywhere I go,” Wells jokes. then, turning you may know Wells as the golden child of the los Angeles coffee scene.
serious, he adds: “no, really, I love the idea of building a community.”
he made a name for himself as the face of handsome Coffee roasters (although, by his own definition, he is “no longer handsome.”) But all that changed earlier this year, when Wells sold the handsome storefront
"the opportunity to be nice to people right to their faces...."
to Blue Bottle. for some, this might seem part and parcel with the American Dream: start small, stay true, earn recognition, reward your investors, and then—sell out for a profit. But Wells has heart; and from where we’re standing, the story of handsome’s success seems grounded in a more thoughtful reality. “the handsome story went just as it should,” says Wells. “there’s a lot of heartache for all of us on some level, but there are also a lot of
for the time being, that community comes in the form of Wells’ latest
great memories. We all learned so much from the experience.” And
storefront, Blacktop Coffee. As for the future, he isn’t really sure what’s
morphing life’s experience into something new and exciting seems to
next. “I guess I’m waiting for the right inspiration to come along. I
be second nature for Wells. he moves with purpose between ventures,
really like coffee a lot, but I won’t do anything that’s just coffee again.
hardly missing a beat. the sale of handsome Coffee to Blue Bottle was
I think the future is in good coffee along with good something else.”
announced last spring; and within just a few weeks, tyler was on to the
What kind of something else, you might ask? A possible hint: “It’s pretty
next endeavor: a modest but distinctive coffee bar up the street from
rare to find the combination of good coffee and good breakfast.”
his former business in Downtown lA. Standing to greet one of the owners of the artisan shop next door, Wells With a voice that reaches Sam Elliott-esque depths, facial hair rivaling
chats for a few minutes before returning to our conversation. he moves
tom Selleck’s, a striking red coif, and an impish smile, it’s hard not to
and speaks with all the ease of a politician kissing babies—but with
buy what he’s selling—especially because, throughout it all, Wells just
none of the pretense. “my creative process is kind of a stream that I
seems so damn genuine. “I’m a real hospitality guy. I like people a lot
don’t have control over. Sometimes it overfloweth, and sometimes it
and I like to make people happy,” he explains. “I did a few things
won’t turn on,” he admits. Still, the outlook is bright: “I’ve been really
before I found coffee. Some pretty random stuff, like [being] an auto
happy for a while and [that] seems to help the creativity flow.”
mechanic and bicycle messenger, and then I went to cooking school and cooked for a while. I started to realize that when you fix someone’s
perhaps the secret to Wells’ winning personality and entrepreneurial
broken car or deliver a package they really needed, or make them a
spirit lies in his West Virginia roots. After all, to quote the state’s motto,
delicious meal, it makes them happy.”
there’s definitely something of “the Wild and Wonderful” in his playful energy—balanced, of course, with the strong ethics, creative drive and
It’s that passion, along with “the opportunity to be nice to people right
ceaseless ambition that undergird his professional success. Whatever
to their faces,” that inspired Wells to get into coffee. his compulsions
it is—that spark, that je ne sais quoi that continues to inspire Wells’
gnaw at him, forcing him to do better. “the tiniest things can have
reinvention—we’d say it’s working. tyler Wells may no longer be
drastic effects on the end result—there are, like, a hundred steps along
handsome. But for Angelenos, he’s evolved into something even better:
the way where things can go wrong...the way my brain works is to try
a community builder who genuinely cares. g
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visit
° the springs
Sustainable Development The Arts District gains a community wellness center and raw vegan eatery in The Springs
PHOTO TEXT BY
JO E L E N G S O N M EG A N L A B E R
Between industrial warehouses and fleets of shipping and receiving
Design Bitches, spearheaded the Springs’ minimalist design,
trucks sits a cluster of the most buzz-worthy businesses and
citing a combination of palm Springs and Wes Anderson films by
artisanal storefronts to pop up in los Angeles in recent years.
way of inspiration. the result? Clean lines and sophisticated
Some argue that the Arts District’s evolution parallels an early
architectural elements—all imbued with a playful touch.
6 0 8 M a t e o S t , S t. Lo s A n g e l e s , C A 9 0 0 2 1
TH e Sp riNGS
2000’s Brooklyn, acting as a kindred transplant center for overworked and spatially compromised new yorkers. And lucky
now, on to the menu. If it’s a vegan dinner you’re craving, consider
for us Angelenos, Kimberly helm and Jared Stein (former
the Springs your new go-to destination. prioritizing organic and
Brooklynites themselves) have relocated to the golden State with
locally sourced food, helm and Stein commissioned michael falso
a new Age agenda, bringing the essence of thoughtful urban
(formally of m.A.K.E. and moon Juice) to create a variety of
change with them.
dishes, all plant and nut-based, with a mission to satisfy the discerning eater.
the Springs, a health retreat and overall oasis for the aesthetically inclined, boasts a yoga studio, a spa specializing in acupuncture
“We didn’t want to just serve up carrot chips or something boring
and massage, a pop-up gift shop filled with goodies from our
that people can just munch on at home. We wanted the extreme
norCal neighbors up in Oakland, an organic wine and juice bar,
foodies to find this delicious,” said helm.
and a raw vegan restaurant that aims to break the mold. Sound overwhelming? We thought so, too. fortunately, one step inside
We began our palatable journey through falso’s offerings with a
the stunning space was enough to change our minds.
nut cheese plate, perfectly paired with a glass of organic wine. from there, we selected the nacho salad with cashew crema and
the neatly compartmentalized 13,500-square-foot warehouse is
guacamole as an entrée. While the menu promises to revolve
delegated into intuitive sections, allowing guests to roam
around seasonal changes and locally sourced produce, this
comfortably around the peaceful, light-filled space. Catherine
satisfying salad (along with falso’s other salads and zucchini
Johnson and rebecca rudolph, the duo behind lA-based firm
pastas) will be a Springs mainstay.
76°
" ONE OF THE HOTTEST NEW JAPANESE SPOTS IN LA! "
" A TRENDY IZAKAYA/SUSHI
-ZAGAT
-LA WEEKLY
RESTAURANT"
" MANHATTAN BEACH’S WINNING DINING SCENE SCORES ANOTHER SPOT " -WHERE LA
SUSHI AKATORA
IZAKAYA AKATORA
302 ROSECRANS AVE MANHATTAN BEACH, CA 90266 (310) 802-1131
115 W. MAIN ST. ALHAMBRA, CA 91891 (626) 943-7872
@AKATORAMB
WWW.AKATORALA.COM
AKATORALA
meaSured iNdulGeNce Welcome to the official season of post-holiday regret. Every year, we’re left with the inevitable 5-8 extra, well-earned pounds. And there’s nothing like a new calendar year to reinforce the reality of our caloric intake and false cardio promises. Ah, well: at least we have our guilt to keep us warm. that said, there are a few steps we can take to curb the damage of seasonal excess. We took the liberty of rounding up a few responsible yet satisfying dishes about town to reduce our waistlines without deflating our wallets. After all, you don’t have to be a Virgo moon to appreciate an attainable new years resolution and a calculated game plan.
text VIVIAN GALEANA
| Pasadena WHAT TO GET | BRUSSELS SPROUTS Magnolia House has managed to turn the muchmaligned Brussels sprout into a valid and delicious reason to get on the 110. Paired with crispy egg and smoked bacon, this dish is an ideal alternative to your grease-bundle of a breakfast sandwich. themaghouse.com
| Downtown WHAT TO GET | FRESH PACIFIC SPICY SHRIMP When it comes to managing post-holiday munching, may we suggest portion control and a hint of heat? The paprika and Chile de árbol in this otherwise protein-packed plate will thrill your taste buds—and maybe even help burn off Aunt Mary’s sugar cookies (or at least that’s what we’ll choose to believe). localtable-la.com
| Hollywood WHAT TO GET | GRILLED OYSTERS After sampling the grilled oysters at Madera, we’ve finally joined all you members of the kale coalition. Though, to be fair, we’d eat pretty much anything that found its way into this delectable combination of oysters, black kale, golden raisins and pine nut breadcrumbs. Well played, Madera: you’ve managed to melt our contrarian hearts. maderakitchen.com
| Koreatown WHAT TO GET | SEA URCHIN TATAKI AND SEAWEED DORITOS Saint Martha has officially taught us the art of appreciating our food—one bite at a time. And for those of you who scare easy, rest assured: despite its prickly appearance, sea urchin is easy on the palate. Well-paired with crispy seaweed chips, Saint Martha’s take on tataki is a buttery, melt-in-your mouth delight. saintmartharestaurant.com
| Downtown WHAT TO GET | CHIPS AND GUAC If there’s anyone well-versed in dietary loopholes, it’s a menu-savvy vegan. Lucky for the rest of us, the folks over at The Springs have mastered responsible (read: raw, vegan, organic and local) snacking without a hint of smugness. What better way to curve junk food cravings than with this fresh take on a Happy Hour staple? And did we mention the housemade Sriracha? thespringsla.com
VENICE | CAFE GRATITUDE WHAT TO GET | OPEN-HEARTED PANCAKES Sometimes, even the most virtuous eaters need a pancake fix. And if the urge strikes, trust the gentle souls at Café Gratitude to treat you right. A healthy stack of buckwheat-flax pancakes with fruit and cashew whipped cream rings in under $15 at the iconic Venice eatery. You’re right, Café Gratitude: We Are Grateful. cafegratitudevenice.com G E T T H E S CO O P O N LA’ S LAT EST AND G RE AT EST E ATS AT LACANVAS.COM
HAPPY HOUR Monday-Friday 3pm-7pm $2 House-made Empanada $4 Glass of Wine $3 Beer
3 COURSE SUPPER $16 Sundays in Downtown Mondays in Pasadena
Downtown 105 W. 9th St. Los Angeles, CA 90015 p. 213/623-1810
Pasadena 121 W. Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91105 p. 626/795.5658
1810restaurant.com twitter: @1810Restaurant
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SceNe & Heard R EV ELRY I S S U E R ELE A S E Dirty Laundry • Hollywood
last month, lA CAnVAS posted up at Dirty laundry in hollywood for the Revelry Issue Release Party. Our november/December cover artist, theophilus london, hit the decks along with DJ hapa and DJ Sean patrick for a proper end-of-year turn up. to help us celebrate, our friends over at Dunkin’ Donuts provided a Donut Bar, while the kind folks at Jack Daniel’s ensured our collective hydration with hosted cocktails throughout the evening. Spin Art set up shop alongside the madness, inviting guests to customize vinyl.
T H E G I V EB AC K EV EN T LATS • Downtown Los Angeles
for the holidays, Lust for Life’s Olivia lopez set up shop at lAtS and allowed shoppers to peruse her collection of couture pieces, ready-to-wear gems, and unique vintage finds. Contemporary brands like lAtS, OpnK, Koshka, the giving Keys, the fIDm museum, and OJOS Eyewear set up shop alongside the blogger powerhouse with a selection of their seasonal favorites. guests grooved to the sounds of Kriz Kruz and DJ Whitney fierce, specialty cocktails were provided by Black mask rum and Jarritos, a mimosa bar was sponsored by Stella rosa Wines and Clover Juice, lAtS Café hosted an espresso bar, brunch bites were provided by Belwood Bakery, and mADE by DWC showcased a pop-up shop featuring items handcrafted by DWC residents.
PHOTOGRAPH Y
Mark Wales
D O N ’ T ’ WANNA MISS T H E NEXT O NE ? SI GN UP F O R O UR WEEKLY
NEWS LE T T ER O N LACANVAS.CO M/T H EW EEKLY
81°
15 ART OPENING PHOTO LA @ THE REEF LA MART
15 CONCERT CHAIN AND THE GANG @ THE SATELLITE
22 THEATER SHEN YUN @ DOLBY THEATRE
22 BAR THURSDAY NIGHT BOOTY @ THE REDWOOD BAR & GRILL
29 ART OPENING LA CONTEMPORARY ART @ THE BARKER HANGAR
16 EVENT DIVA THURSDAYS @ PIPS ON LA BREA
16 FILM CLOUD EYE CONTROL: HALF LIFE @ REDCAT THEATER
23
CONCERT WHITE ARROWS @ EL REY THEATRE
30 EVENT SAMPLE SALE @ CALIFORNIA MARKET CENTER
17
ART BREAKING WITH TRADITION: CONTEMPORARY CHINESE INK @ LA CONVENTION CENTER
24 PARTY TOTAL WRECK @ FOOTSIE’S BAR
24 ART OPENING ASTRID PRESTON @ CRAIG KRULL GALLERY
31 FILM BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S @ ELECTRIC DUSK DRIVE-IN
18
CONCERT TOO MANY ZOOZ @ THE MINT
25 HAPPY HOUR $5 SPECIALTY COCKTAILS @ THIRSTY CROW
25 SPORTS LA LAKERS VS. HOUSTON @ STAPLES CENTER
19
FOOD LA RESTAURANT WEEK @ VARIOUS LOCATIONS
26
EVENT LA GIFT & HOME MARKET @ CALIFORNIA MARKET CENTER
20
MUSIC ACOUSTIC HAPPY HOUR @ HARD ROCK CAFE HOLLYWOOD
20
EVENT INTRO TO THE LA STARTUP COMMUNITY @ GENERAL ASSEMBLY DTLA
27
FOOD PRETZEL HOUR @ CAFÉ ROCKENWAGNER
27 PARTY DJ SEAN PATRICK @ HONEYCUT
21
EVENT THIRD WEDNESDAYS @ DOWNTOWN CULVER CITY
28
CONCERT WALE @ HOUSE OF BLUES-LOS ANGELES
FOR MORE EVENTS IN REAL TIME, VISIT LACANVAS.COM
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1 EVENT ROSE PARADE @ ROSE BOWL
1 EVENT NEW YEARS DAY @ THE QUEEN MARY
8 FILM LOS ANGELES FILM FORUM @ MOCA
8 HAPP Y HOUR GAME NIGHT @ GRAND CENTRAL MARKET
2
F
CONCERT G-EAZY BAY TO UNIVERSE TOUR @ FOX THEATER
9 CONCERT AESOP ROCK @ EL REY THEATRE
9 ART OPENINGS HUDSON MARQUEZ @ LA LUZ DE JESUS GALLERY
3
S
CONCERT WAND @ THE GLASS HOUSE
3 SPORTS KINGS VS. NASHVILLE @ STAPLES CENTER
10
10
ART OPENING HALL FISHER @ CHERRY AND MARTIN GALLERY
10
MUSIC EVENT KCRW DJ GOLDEN GLOBES ANTHONY @ BEVERLY HITON VALADEZ @ SAYERS CLUB
S
JANUARY
4 COMEDY OPEN MIC @ THE SATELLITE
4 EVENT MELROSE TRADING POST @ FAIRFAX HIGH SCHOOL
11
CONCERT PART TIME PUNKS @ THE ECHO
5
M
CONCERT ALT-J @ JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE
12
PART Y SPIN STANDARD W/ DJ SHORT SHORTS @ THE STANDARD DOWNTOWN
6
T
FILM THE CONTENDERS: CITIZEN FOUR @ HAMMER MUSEUM
6 FOOD FARMER’S MARKET @ GRAND PARK
13
ART CAMERON: SONGS FOR THE WITCH WOMAN @ LA MOCA
13
FILM A GIRL WALKS HOME ALONE AT NIGHT WITH ANA LILY AMIRPOUR @ HAMMER MUSEUM
7
CONCERT KING TUFF @ THE OBSERVATORY
7
W
EVENT PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS @ NOKIA THEATER
14
14
ART LA ART SHOW @ LA CONVENTION CENTER
14
FOOD CONCERT LUNCH Á LA PARK PAPA @ GRAND PARK @ THE ROXY THEATRE
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15 CONCERT GREEN LIGHT THEORY @ THE MINT
15 ART 826LA@HAMMER WORKSHOP @ HAMMER MUSEUM
22 CONCERT MEGHAN TRAINOR @ EL REY THEATRE
22 COMEDY WHORES ON SUNDAY @ THE COMEDY STORE
16
FOOD KING CRAB NIGHT @ PEARL’S LIQUOR BAR
23
PARTY SCHOOL NIGHT @ BARDOT
17 ART AGENTS PROVOCATEURS @ SUBLIMINAL PROJECTS
17 CONCERT THE PARLOR MOB @ THE ECHO
24 MUSIC RECORD CLUB @ EL PRADO BAR
24 THEATER THE PRICE @ AHMANSON THEATRE
18
PARTY DUB CLUB @ ECHOPLEX
25
CONCERT THE BLACK RYDER @ THE ECHO
19 CONCERT MASUMI + MONA @ ROOM 5 LOUNGE
19 SPORTS LA CLIPPERS VS. SAN ANTONIO @ STAPLES CENTER
26
CONCERT CARIBOU @ THE FONDA THEATRE
20
COMEDY MIKE EPPS @ ORPHEUM THEATRE
27
PARTY SALSA NIGHT @ EL FLORIDITA RESTAURANT
27
CONCERT DAN DEACON @ CENTER FOR THE ARTS EAGLE ROCK
21
FILM MADE IN LA @ LOS ANGELES CENTRAL LIBRARY
21
EVENT AIR + STYLE LOS ANGELES @ ROSE BOWL
28
PARTY DANCE YOURSELF CLEAN @ THE SATELLITE
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1
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COMEDY THE SAFETY WORD COMEDY SHOW @ WESTSIDE COMEDY THEATER
1 PART Y BEER BAZAAR @ ANGEL CITY BREWERY
8 FOOD UNPLUGGED SUNDAY BRUNCH @ LAKEVIEW BISTRO
8 PART Y DUBLAB VIBING TIME @ ACE HOTEL DTLA
2
M
CONCERT BANTA @ THE SATELLITE
9 CONCERT CATFISH & THE BOTTLEMEN @ EL REY THEATRE
9 EVENT TALK LIKE A PROGRAMMER @ GENERAL ASSEMBLY SANTA MONICA
3
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DRINK TUESDAY WINE TASTING SOCIAL @ URBAN RADISH
3 ART CONVERSATIONS IN AND AROUND ABSTRACT PAINTING @ LACMA
10 BAR KARAOKE NIGHT @ ALEX’S BAR
10 FOOD OG TASTING DINNER @ MO-CHICA
W
FEBRUARY
4 CONCERT LETTUCE WITH BREAK SCIENCE @ EL REY THEATRE
4 EVENT TRIVIA NIGHT @ THE STANDARD-DOWNTOWN LA
11 CONCERT LIAM HAYES @ THE HOTEL CAFE
11 COMEDY WEDNESDAY NIGHT FUNNIES @ THE ICEHOUSE COMEDY CLUB
5
TH
FOOD FARMER’S MARKET @ FIGAT7TH
5 CONCERT DENGUE FEVER @ ECHOPLEX
12 THEATER ABRAHAM.IN.MOTION: THE WATERSHED @ ROYCE HALL
12 CONCERT LOGIC @ THE WILTERN
6
F
CONCERT HOZIER @ THE FONDA THEATRE
6
FOOD FLAMENCO DINNER SHOW @ EL CID
13
THEATER WICKED @ PANTAGES THEATRE
13
THEATER ABRAHAM.IN.MOTION: WHEN THE WOLVES CAME IN @ ROYCE HALL
7
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ART OPENING BERHARD WILLHELM & JUTTA KRAUS @ MOCA
14
CONCERT SPARKS @ ACE HOTEL DTLA
14
CONCERT VDAY WITH THE GROWLERS @ HOLLYWOOD PALLADIUM
85°
L AST LOOK
° WILLAMS + HIR AKAWA
Double Exposure Photography duo and real life couple Williams + Hirakawa on the importance of being earnest
TEXT BY
CHARLES SMITH
When we hear the phrase “power couple,” a pretty distinct image
It’s something we juggle. We work a lot—and often, late hours—
comes to mind. Something along the lines of two Dri-fIt-clad
but we tag team our time with Eli. So while I’m getting things
automatons on treadmills, each skimming through Variety while
done for work, mark’s taking him to the skate park. We try to
barking into their respective Bluetooth headsets. Either that, or
make one of us available to him so we don’t miss out on his
Bill and hillary Clinton. So you’ll understand why we were so
childhood. We do travel sometimes, though, and that gets hard.
charmed to find that Sara hirakawa and mark Williams, life
Eli is very well adjusted to it by now, and we have an amazing
partners and the pair behind photography team Williams +
babysitter who loves him to pieces.
hirakawa, are precisely the opposite. throughout our interview, the pair made us want to believe in love again. We sat down with
people have to work… it’s a reality of life. Eli knows and accepts
hirakawa and Williams, who also happen to be the creative minds
that. he knows we love what we do, and [that] it takes hard work.
behind our Zodiac Issue cover shot, and caught up on playlists, personal days, and the trials of juggling parenthood with
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE MOST HONEST PART OF THE MEDIUM
an artistic career.
OF PHOTOGRAPHY?
DO YOU PLAY MUSIC WHEN YOU SHOOT? LIKE, WHEN YOU TAKE PORTRAITS OF NOTABLE PEOPLE?
there are many different forms of photography—for us, it is selfexpression. But with portraiture, it’s also a record of a person at a certain time in their lives.
Definitely! We’re both pretty passionate about music, and it sets the tone for the shoot…[it] gives us a vibe to work with, upbeat
SOME COUPLES HAVE “NO PHONE” SUNDAYS. DO YOU EVER HAVE
or more introspective, etc. It also puts people at ease.
“NO CAMERA” DAYS?
DO YOU TRY TO TAILOR THE MUSIC TO WHAT YOU THINK YOUR
ww w. wi l li a m sh ir a k awa .c om
W il l i a mS + Hir a K aWa
SUBJECT MIGHT WANT TO HEAR?
We actually don’t shoot a ton on our personal days…sometimes we just want to experience the moment without camera in hand.
yes, we do; and if they have their own playlists, even better. It’s
WHAT ’S THE MOST SPIRITUALLY GROUNDING THING ABOU T
about making them feel comfortable, getting them to let their
LOS ANGELES?
guard down and get into the shoot. I have to say: Banks had an amazing playlist.
I’d have to say the people in our lives. Our friends are very “real” people and they keep us in check.
IN ADDITION TO YOUR ARTISTIC WORK TOGETHER, YOU’RE ALSO PARENTS. DO YOU THINK THAT THE CAMERA CAN GET IN THE WAY OF PARENTING? OR DO YOU THINK YOUR CHILD HAS EVER THOUGHT THAT?
HAVE TO ASK: DID ANYONE GROOM DAVID LYNCH’S HAIR WHEN HE SAT FOR YOU? OR IS IT JUST THAT MAGICAL ALL THE TIME?
Amazingly, that’s how he looked when he walked in.
86°
LA CANVAS CELEBRATES THE RETURN OF A CLASSIC – THE CHAMPION SATIN JACKET