The Design Issue

The Design Issue

ALWAYS CRUISIN’…

OZZIE WRIGHT | DAVE RASTOVICH | SANUK.COM

ISSUE No. 32

JANUARY / FEBRUARY

The Design Issue PUBLISHER

DANTE COLOMBATTI ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

MALI MOCHOW EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ART DIRECTOR

ERIN DENNISON

CHLOE PARKS

MEDIA MANAGER

JESSIE MA PHOTOGRAPHY

JUCO GEORGE BYRNE POONEH GHANA JESSIE WEBSTER RACHEL MANY TRISHA ANGELES TYLER ALLEN RUBEN DIAZ SIERRA PRESCOTT EDEN BATKI CONTRIBUTORS

GARTH TRINIDAD JESY ODIO VI NGUYEN KRISTEL KOVNER SOPHIE HE MEGAN LABER RACHEL MANY KIMBERLY JOHNSON CONTACT

1933 S. BROADWAY ST. 11TH FL LOS ANGELES, CA 90007 PR@LACANVAS.COM

SENIOR DESIGNER

REGINA ROSAT0 DESIGN/PRODUCTION

JESSICA MACARANAS COPY EDITOR

APRIL WOLFE FINANCE DIRECTOR

COLE WESTERHOLM ONLINE CONTRIBUTORS

RENEE GEORGE PATRICK CAIN SANNI YOUBOTY VALERI SPIWAK BRITT WITT DANIELLE DORESY SARAH CAMPBELL NATALIE KESSEL EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS

JOSE ANGEL PICON CHRISTIAN MOOSER GABBY CATALANO CHEYANNE MORGAN SUBSCRIPTIONS SUPERVISOR

OLIVER

Submissions WANNA CONTRIBUTE? SEND ALL EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS TO SUBMIT@LACANVAS.COM

W W W. L A C A N VA S . C O M © 2016 by LA CANVAS. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without permission in writing from LA CANVAS. LA CANVAS makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information it publishes, but is not responsible for unsolicited or contributed manuscripts, photographs, artwork, or advertisements. LA CANVAS is not held responsible for any consequences arising from errors or omissions.

Table Of Contents 22

STYLE SACRED MOTHER CARLY JO MORGAN 32 The Topanga Canyon artist you wish you were friends with

1

GOING FORWARD, LOOKING BACKWARD TINKER WATCHES 34

Tinker is not your Apple watch—and it doesn’t want to be MOVING IN THE APARTMENT BY THE LINE 38 The Manhattan concept space finds a home on Melrose Place

COVER The Design Issue cover is a collaboration between Adi Goodrich and JUCO

TREND MATRIX 41 Retail therapy for every budget MAGIC EYE 42 Photographer George Byrne sees what you can’t

MUSIC

MISC

AT NEON’S END NEON INDIAN 18 Alan Palomo digs deep into his musical roots, talks evolution + convergence, and reveals this latest album as Neon Indian will be the last.

SOUND DESIGN DJ VAL FLEURY 20 “It Girl” DJ Val Fleury scores our January/February playlist

NOTED 12 What to look out for this season

18

LA CANVAS CARES 60 A simple guide to local nonprofits and community building

PERMANENT RESIDENT RESIDENT DTLA 21 That Arts District building you’ve been wondering about

CALENDAR JANUARY 62

CROONER KING GALLANT 31 A falsetto that could melt the microphone

LAST LOOK ADI GOODRICH 66 You could say Adi Goodrich has a good eye

CALENDAR FEBRUARY 64

ART SOFT TO THE TOUCH ELENA STONAKER 30 Always an artist, sometimes a muse THE CONDUCTRESS ALEXANDRA LOEW 22 Pushing the boundaries of taste with the architect and interior designer A NEW VIEW ASHES/ASHES 26 The gallery helps us consume what the world of fine art can’t digest GALLERY OPENINGS 27 A roundup of art shows to catch this season

FOOD 51

DESERT BITES DUNE CAFE 33 The best falafel in town WING IT NEAL FRASER 51 Redbird’s executive chef talks on site-specific cooking and timelessness EYE CANDY FOOD SCOOPS 54 The most beautiful restaurants in town AN AUSPICIOUS ARRIVAL OTIUM 58 At Otium, The Broad Museum’s new restaurant counterpart, the hype is well deserved

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ISSUE NO. 32

No. 10

EDITOR’S LETTER

A Note FROM THE EDITOR

If I’ve learned anything from a week spent watching HGTV at home with my mom, it’s that good design is subjective. One man’s shipping crate is another’s tiny house. Or in the case of George Byrne, an empty sidewalk can be transformed into a fine art photograph—that is, of course, if you’ve got the eye. In Byrne’s case, the Australian photographer’s knack for turning seemingly mundane objects into art has earned him international recognition. The gift of being able to see what others don’t is particularly apparent in George’s work, I mean, when else have you wanted to frame retail space in Boyle Heights? Or take Alexandra Loew. The interior designer certainly knows her way around a battery of tastes, mediums, and spaces. Not only does she teach at Otis, Loew also owns and runs an LA-based firm that provides complete architectural, interior, and product design services. To her, the most important part of the design process is collaboration. Thanks to a sharp vision and expert ops, Alexandra is able to transform the homes of mere mortals into exquisite spaces tailored to her client’s needs. Then there’s Alan Palomo, better known as Neon Indian, whose music defies much-debated subcategory

known as “ chillwave.” With a constantly evolving sound, he is able to transcend hipster genres by embracing the two things that actually matter— the beat and his prerogative. Palomo’s thoughtful cocktail of disembodied samples, nostalgia, and bluesy-funk simultaneously pleases music snobs and party kids alike. For a town so notoriously slept-on in terms of its art cred, LA’s experienced a significant upswing in culture this past year. It’s as if the Broad’s arrival dared the city’s new establishments—restaurants, venues, galleries, and public spaces—to step up their game. Bunker Hill’s Otium features a mural

by Damien Hirst on its south facade. The Apartment at the Line brings flawless décor to Melrose Place, and even lets you loiter. Resident, the Arts District’s latest hidden gem, combines the utility of a community beer garden with the acoustic design of a top-notch music venue and the soul of the building’s fine artist owners. For something so pervasive— design sure can be intimidating. The dogma behind art’s more deliberate cousin is easy to spot, but tricky to produce. If I’ve learned anything from producing the Design Issue, it’s that it’s best to leave experiential aesthetics to the professionals.

ERIN DENNISON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

WONDERING WHAT'S GOING ON IN LOS ANGELES THIS WEEK? Visit LACANVAS.com for the best in LA events, fashion, music, food, and art.

PHOTO BY: Anthony Deeying

NOTED KNOCK OUT

PRINT MAGAZINE’S REGIONAL DESIGN AWARD 2015 PRINTMAG.COM

Not to brag or anything, but we accomplished something pretty legit last year. This past fall, the LA CANVAS Teamwork Issue was named best Regional Design Publication by Print Magazine’s Regional Design Annual. For the unindoctrinated, the RDA is the industry’s most prestigious and well-respected American design competition.

Previous winners of the honor spanning digital, architecture, and print mediums have been the immensely talented folks at We Are the Rhoads, Pottery Barn, Alternative Apparel, REEF USA, and Bacchus, to name a few. Shout out to Art Director Rachel Many and cover photographer Ryan Schude for making us look so good.

NAIL, POLISH HOME POLISH

HOMEPOLISH.COM | @HOMEPOLISH

It’s true that “love makes a house a home,” but good design makes a home a sanctuary. The look and feel of your digs has a huge effect on your mood, productivity, and sanity—an obvious concept that inspired Noa Santos and Will Nathan to create Home Polish, a service that connects clients with great designers at a reasonable hourly fee, challenging

the norm of outrageously priced interior design.

Home Polish harnesses the talent and creativity of 400+ designers to create the perfect custom living or work space for their eager (and growing list of) homesick clients. You can tour real homes from past projects, receive advice from a pool of designers, get discounts on popular home product brands—wherever, whenever thanks to their Virtual Design feature. ’Cause, you know, real adults know how to ask for help when they need it.

BODYCON FRANK BODY

US.FRANKBODY.COM | @FRANK_BOD

SMART WATER SOMA WATER

DRINKSOMA.COM | @SOMAWATER

Food, water, shelter. As one of the top three biological needs, you’d think that there’d be more thought going into how water is distributed and consumed. But most water filters use crappy plastic, allow for chemicals to penetrate, or are just plain ugly. Soma is quenching our thirst for functionality, simplicity, sustainability, and design— and of course, water. The company not only gives you a great way to drink clean water, they’re passionate about solving the water crisis on a larger scale. From every filter sold, a portion of the revenue is donated to water projects. Raise your glasses—and filters—to a happy, healthy, and hydrated life.

This Australian-made, coffee-based skincare line is here to get your shit together. Frank Body features a natural line of products that target cellulite, stretch marks, psoriasis, eczema and other conditions with decidedly satisfying results. So what’s in the boxxxxxxxx?!? Being a caf-fiend himself, Frank mainly utilizes cacao and coffee extracts with tons of beneficial properties (fighting radicals and aging, stimulating blood flow, etc.) and forgoes the parabens, PEGS, phthalates, in his products. Both strategy and outcome are effective, straightforward, and pretty frank (had to).

FACE THE MUSIC GROUPMUSE

GROUPMUSE.COM | @GROUPMUSE

We love a ratchet house party as much as the next person, but lately, we’ve been experiencing a growing appetite for adulting. Groupmuse creates a warm, profound social environment where musicians, friends, and family can appreciate live classical music from their reasonably well-furnished living room. Performers are compensated by audience donations, a sum of which has surpassed $300,000 collectively in just two years. There have been more than 1,000 Groupmuses so far on the East Coast, and they’re planning to expand to the West Coast this year after an exceptionally successful Kickstarter campaign. Get ready to impress your friends.

No. 13

BODY PAINT

PONCHO THE ARTIST PONCHOTHEARTIST.COM | @PONCHOTHEARTIST

Celebrity tattoo artist, body painter, and artist, Edward “ Poncho the Artist” Davila founded “ Art is my Drug” in 2012, opening a studio of the same name in 2013. As his moniker suggests, Davila has dedicated his life to all things creative.

Throughout his career, he’s become a public figure, mentor, and motivator to young artists across the globe by touring schools to speak to kids on the importance of the arts. Davila’s ultimate mission is to give creatives a platform to share, discover, and support each other. In October, Poncho was crowned the winner of the LA CANVAS X El Jimador Art Brawl live art contest and has previously been featured in LA Weekly and Inked Magazine, where he dubbed by “ LA’s Top 20 Tattoo Artists.”

ALL THAT JAZZ JAZWINGS

JAZWINGS.COM | @JAZ_WINGS

In an age where thoughts and ideas are comparable to money itself, the successful and the complacent are distinguished by how well they can bring their ideas to life. Enter JazWings, a platform for those with a product/service idea (for toys, games, apps—anything considered an entertainment property) that’s looking to gain traction in the marketplace. First, upload your idea to the site (for free!), and community members vote on their favorites. The ones with 100-percent votes are reviewed by JazWings and move on to the Supporting Phase, a financial campaign utilizing the site’s in-house crowdfunding platform. Once you have enough money in the bank, the product will be manufactured and distributed. Your ideas and the world deserve each other.

AIR HEAD AIR + STYLE

AIR-STYLE.COM | @AIRSTYLE

This February, skater/snowboarder/ginger extraordinaire Shaun White brings Air + Style to Expo Park in Downtown Los Angeles. The innovative series is a blend of music, action sports, art, and culture. The featured athletes—a total of 24 snowboarders and skiers—will compete by tackling a 16-story, 450-foot-long ramp, and 70foot jump. During which, acts like J. Cole, Incubus, Haim, Big Grams, A$AP Ferg, A-Track, and Travis Barker take the stage. The two-day showcase will post up February 20th & 21st. Get tickets from airandstyle.frontgatetickets.com to attend. Your move, HOV.

TRANSFORMER THIS BOOK IS A CAMERA

KELLIANDERSON.COM/BOOKS/THECAMERA | @KELLIANDERSON

A true creative (or scientist) possesses the ability to make something out of nothing—a wizardly skill that is now easier to master than ever with Kelli Anderson’s This Book is a Camera. Yep, it really is a camera. These guys came up with a way to transform paper to technology via an educational pop-up book that, if cuts and folds are carefully

followed, turns into a real working pinhole camera that produces real photographs. The book/camera is a steal at just $29—a steal that’s backordered until February.

DOT COM

LA CANVAS

No. 14

Dot Com LA’S CULTURAL HEARTBEAT

DAY TRIP

ART HYPE

THE INSIDE SCOOP ON OUR FAVORITE HAUNTS

MOCA PACIFIC DESIGN CENTER

For our Day Trip series, we hit the road in search of hidden gems in spots like Joshua Tree, Santa Barbara, and the Sunken City.

Our Art Hype series zeros in on the contemporary and street-art scene in LA. Photography heads, be sure to stop by the Catherine Opie: 700 Nimes Road exhibition starting Jan. 23.

21 QUESTIONS

ONES TO WATCH

HOT OFF THE PRESS

TASTEMAKERS SPILL THEIR GUTS

ORIGINAL STORYTELLERS MEET ADVENTUROUS AUDIENCES

REMEMBER FOAM MAGAZINE?

We curate our digital dashboard as much aswe nurture our print publication—but in real time.

Check out the latest in LA culture, events, fashion, music, art, food, and film on LACANVAS.com.

Like 50, we’ve got some questions. Eavesdrop as DJs, artists, chefs, and designers tell us the last three things they’ve Googled and their favorite L A hot spots.

Caught Sundance fever? Us too. Peep our picks from LA’s finest at this year’s indie festival.

Remember FOAM Magazine? Well, it’s back. This season, we’re proud tobe relaunching the women’s surf/lifestyle magazine. Welcome to the family, guys.

LA EVENTS CALENDAR

WHERE TO GRUB

LISTEN UP

WHERE TO GO, WHAT TO DO

UP TO DATE INFO ON LA’S FOOD SCENE

EAR TO THE STREETS

Check out LACANVAS.com for our brand new events calendar. Art openings, sample sales, live concerts, and film screenings—we’ve rounded them all up for comprehensive guide toLA’s latest happenings. Meet us at Air + Style (Feb. 20-21) to make anIG cameo.

Catch our roundups of LA’s best brunches, bars, and new restaurant openings.

From mixtapes to live shows, discover the best new music in LA. Browse our favorite Soundclouds, videos, and must-see show listings.

H A NG W ITH US TAKE A PEEK INSIDE OUR #BTS SHENANIGANS ON SNAPCHAT —@LACANVAS.

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH

POWERED BY K2LA

No. 17

Neighborhood Watch THE ITINERARY For every mood and craving, there’s a place and an occasion to satisfy—particularly for K-town residents. Whether it’s for live music, craft beer, gourmet food, or hookah smoke, the neighborhood’s robust calendar can certainly keep you east of Western. 2016 kicks off with a bang for several of our favorite venues, which, on top of their already bumpin’ office hours, put in the extra credit to bring us a little somethin’ special this season. In the spirit of the New Year, we rounded up a list of events not to miss this January and February.

CHILL OUT

GAME CLOUD HOOKAH LOUNGE 251 N VERMONT AVE. LOS ANGELES, CA 90004

restaurant’s menu are the biggest personalities that their special events bring in. Come hungry, thirsty, and bored, to the scheduled programming of Beer

BEST IN SHOW

Belly, including One Night Stand (meet people and drink great beer, interpret nuances independently), New Order Monday (aka “NOM,” where Chef Wes serves his newest creations to the tune of ’80s classics). In addition to these regulars, Beer Belly hosts several special events throughout the year—our

THE WILTERN 3790 WILSHIRE BLVD. LOS ANGELES, CA 90010

past favorites have been the Game of Thrones release @WILTERN

213.388.1400

party, LA Beer Week Meet the Founders, and Bikes & Beers, to name a few.

wiltern . com

213.529.4585

Lookbook for Game Cloud: ripped jeans, Vans, and a flannel—the epitome of chill. The hookah lounge is the definition of a low-fi Saturday night, a place to watch sports with your homies while blowin’ some Os out of their fancy glass hookahs.

If you’re tired of just watching the action on the big screens, there are video games (FIFA, anyone?) to play. The lounge offers $5-off deals on hookahs often—just check their Facebook page for updates.

Better believe they’ll be having some sweet deals for NFL fans, as the season wraps up this January, culminating in the much-anticipated Super Bowl on February 7th.

Legends and up-and-comers alike have graced the stage of the iconic Wiltern throughout the decades, and the lineup stays strong kicking off 2016. After wrapping up 2015 with Miley Cyrus and a blown-out New Year’s Eve bash, Patti Smith and her band will

YOUR WEEKLY TURN UP

THE STAPLE

perform Horses January 8th and 9th, Chase Rice’s JD and Jesus Tour will take off January 16th, with Dr. Dog, Hop Along, Jennifer Nettles, and KCSN 88.5 FM taking on February’s crowds.

THE POT LOBBY BAR AT THE LINE HOTEL

3515 WILSHIRE BLVD. LOS ANGELES, CA 90010

COME HUNGRY

BEER BELLY 532 S WESTERN AVE. LOS ANGELES, CA 90020

@BEERBELLY_LA

213.387.2337

beerbellyla . com

Better get your elastic-waist sweatpants on, ‘cause Beer Belly calls for an appetite, and mobility to mingle. Big on craft beer, bigger on crafty food, the only things that may surpass the eminence of the

LOCK & KEY @EATATPOT

213.381.7411

239 S VERMONT AVE. LOS ANGELES, CA 90004

@ lockandkeyla

213.389.5625

icecreamsundays . la

eatatpot . com

From brunch at the Commissary to nights in Break Room 86, and special events and meetings, The Line has quickly become Koreatown’s go-to for both locals and visitors. Everything you could want from the city can be found in the hotel, including a bar/club with a dope headliner—on the regular.

Resident DJs play nightly Wednesday–Saturday, with Ali Shaheed Muhammad of A Tribe Called Quest every first through third Thursday at the Pot Lobby Bar. The last Thursday is reserved for the Beat Junkies, the famous turntablist collective.

Get in at no cover cost, sip, see, and stay over at The Line to do it all again the next day…If you can handle it.

Lock & Key, Koreatown’s neighborhood speakeasy, is a favorite for cocktail lovers and turn-up aficionados. The demure-from-the-outside but decked-out-on-the-inside bar/restaurant/event space features a room full of locks and doors (hence the name), and swanky ’20s décor. But if you’re anything like us, you’ll forgo the seating to get down to the hip-hop and R&B hits on rotation.

Sundays are especially sweet, as the venue hosts #icecreamSundays, where top chefs, mixologists, and DJs get together to throw a hybrid brunch/ party unlike any other. Make sure to call for a reservation to secure your spot.

At Neon’s End ALAN PALOMO TALKS INSATIABLE URGES AND INESCAPABLE LABELS

MUSICIAN

text

No. 19

NEON INDIAN

GARTH TRINIDAD POONEH GHANA

photography

M

onterrey-born Alan Palomo was raised in Texas on a musical diet of yacht rock, R&B hits, New Order, and his father’s brand of Mexican pop. The intimate narrative informing his sonic path has played out like a mellow acid trip that’s ultimately led him to a state of clarity and focus. This clarity sees Alan moving on to pursue dreams outside music, specifically outside Neon Indian. During his recent maze run of tour dates through Japan in support of the latest and what may be the final Neon Indian project, we caught up with Alan to dig a little deeper into his story.

I read your father was a Mexican pop music star for a time. Take me back to when you became aware of and/or inspired by your father’s music career—was he a major influence in your decision to become a musician?

I remember watching TV while my mom taped some performance of his. We were allowed to stay up specifically to see this episode of “Sábado Gigante,” a long-running syndicated variety show. When I asked if the trumpet-playing monkey in it was real, he said yes. His line of work always seemed steeped in mystery to me at that age. He’d come home late at night with a guitar slung across his back, his suit jackets always having that club smell I’m now all too familiar with. It didn’t really inform some decision to pursue music, although when I started, I realized I had osmotically developed a sensibility for music through the two decades of seeing him and my brother at work.

At what point did you become interested in making music? Do you recall a moment, phase, epiphany, or revelation?

My fascination happened in a slow gradient, but the tipping point that really sealed my fate was sitting in a lit mag class while a friend played some New Order singles. “Bizarre Love Triangle” came on, and it stirred some memory of hearing it in my cousin’s room when I was like 3. He had it on while he played Sega Genesis with the sound off. I realized it had always been my favorite song, occasionally playing in malls or passing cars, and I just didn’t recognize it.

What’s been your most formative musical experience thus far?

When I moved to Denton, I had already met a small crew of musicians visiting this college girl I knew. I

started surfing their couch on the regular when my dorm turned boring and claustrophobic. The house parties were totally exciting to me. It seemed like the town’s modest size made for a pretty unified community. You’d meet everyone in the span of a weekend.

I met a lot of bands and even more specifically I met the electronic musicians who’d help me develop a voice with my instruments. My old bandmate Grey, who very unfortunately passed away last year, was one of the first. The members of Ghosthustler (my first band) and I moved into the guesthouse I was crashing at and quickly started making music together. I think the pervading alt-country vibe made electronic music a very alien niche there. The upside was that the few of us that existed knew each other very well and traded music and production knowhow constantly. It was easily the most communal, formative musical experience of my life.

There are so many layers to your sound. I hear boogie funk, soul, R&B, new wave, dub, hip-hop, house, pop, yacht rock—growing up, who were the artists and bands that made a lasting impression?

I’ve always been a fan of super-eclectic DJs... people like Optimo or Traxman, who span thirty years of style and mood in a matter of an hour and somehow always find their link to the present. It’s just more enriching for me. I grew up on a lot of yacht rock mostly.

My dad loved Chicago, Eric Clapton, and the Doobie Brothers. Lots of Rhodes pianos and falsetto. I guess it permeated its way into my musical DNA by way of my old bedroom boom box. When MTV 2 launched in 6th grade, I remember recognizing a lot of those palettes in the Daft Punk Discovery-era videos. I guess that’s probably the first time I entered some nascent interest in music that wasn’t already just lying around the house. But I mostly didn’t care about music at all until I hit high school. Then the need for music became insatiable.

Your sound is referred to as synthpop, chillwave, or electropop. Do genre labels bother you?

It seems like electronic music can be a bit of a losing battle sometimes. Music is tremendously topical and obsessed with categorization. Things like Soundcloud and the democratization of accessibility has rendered genre as completely ridiculous. However that doesn’t stop journalists, or really just bloggers now to take an incessant crack at finding new names for stuff. I was actually pretty happy when chillwave

wasn’t the hip editorial MO anymore. The cognoscenti had moved on. It gave me carte blanche to just write and have fun without worrying about any expectations. The irony now is that people approach me at shows and ask me why I turned vaporwave and I don’t even know what that means? In the end, I guess you can take the process of making music very serious but certainly not yourself.

I read about your laptop incident a few years ago where you lost an entire album worth of demos. That makes me think of silver linings—you ended up doing more film score work and we may not have ended up with this new Neon record as is...

I definitely felt like it helped me in the abstract. I don’t think I had the skill set then to make the kind of album I was after. There were a lot of growing pains involved to become more studio literate and work at having my hands keep up with my head. Also, had I been married to those demos I don’t think I would have grown nearly as much as I did undertaking VEGA INTL. Night School. It just wouldn’t have been the same. The only ones I was able to reconstruct from a nagging memory years later were “Slumlord” and “Street Level.” The fact that I remembered them so vividly almost proved that they had earned their right to exist.

Do you think you’ll ever stop making music?

As Neon Indian? Yea, definitely. I don’t have any plans to make another album at the moment, and to some extent, this record feels like a nice bookend to a trilogy of things I wanted to say in music since I began. If the project ever continued beyond this, it would have to undergo some massive aesthetic overhaul to remain interesting to me... I think about my life and all the things I’d like to do that aren’t related to music, and I land on the truism that it shoulvd only happen when the idea is there and the urge is too insatiable. I would hope fans want more than for me to just re-write my first record when I’m strapped for cash... a prospect I just never found worth their time or mine.

What’s next for Alan Palomo?

I originally studied film. I want to direct films.

Sound Design selections

BY DJ VAL FLEURY

Fashion and music have always been friends with benefits. Whether it’s Ye’s notable bond with Riccardo Tisci, A$AP’s affinity for Raf, or Grimes’ insane pen skills—the two mediums have a long history of crossing paths.

Both disciplines share elements like form, contrast, texture, and arrangement, so it’s no surprise that the sonically inclined often draw inspiration from their aesthetic counterparts. This relationship runs deep.

For the Design Issue, we summoned It-girl DJ Val Fleury to put together a tracklist by artists who are nice to look at and listen to. Sit back and enjoy, ’cause every well-curated glossy deserves a soundtrack.

OCT. 21, 2015 - FEB. 15, 2016 WWW.GRAMMYMUSEUM.ORG Ke n Ve e de r/© C apitol Ph oto Arc h iv es

KING KRULE

YACHT

M.I.A.

“Border Line”

“Hologram”

“atTENTion”

OK GO

AZEALIA BANKS

FRANZ FERDINAND

“I Won’t Let You Down”

“Heavy Metal and Reflective”

“Evil Eye”

KANYE WEST

LION BABE

PORTUGAL. THE MAN

“On Sight”

“Impossible”

“Purple Yellow Red & Blue”

YEAH YEAH YEAHS

SHLOHMO

“Maps”

“Meet Ur Maker”

ARCHITECTURE IN HELSINKI “Heart It Races”

Stream the full Spotify playlist at L ACANVAS.COM

VENUE

No. 21

Permanent Resident WITH ECLECTIC PROGRAMMING AND A LUSH GARDEN OASIS, RESIDENT PAYS A MODERN HOMAGE TO THE ORIGINAL SPIRIT OF THE ARTS DISTRICT

text

SOPHIE HE TYLER ALLEN

photography

You know the building. 428 S. Hewitt Street is a stand-alone loft in the Arts District—the one with the impressive rooftop garden and ghostly lighting. Its innards have been a mystery for a minute, but as of press time, the bewitching structure will be open to the public.

Meet Resident, your new favorite Downtown LA haunt.

Helmed by a team of eclectic professionals, Resident fuses the sensibilities of its five partners: Tim Krehbiel and Bridget Vagedes, a classic car restorer and a fine artist, respectively; 18-year music industry vet Larry Little of Fortress Music (The Orwells, Mystery Skulls); architect Jacek Ostoya, partner at LA-based firm Gold Grenade; and designer Paul Oberman, the former owner of Kung Pao Kitty.

Together, the collaborators held a comprehensive vision for the venue that took both the personality of the neighborhood and the needs of the music industry into account.

Tim Krehbiel and Bridget Vagedes had owned and lived on the property since 2000, back when the Arts District was still a veritable no man’s land. Ostoya and Little wanted to pay homage to that heritage.

With its exposed steel beams and brick wall interior, Resident’s indoor bar still resembles a mixed-use creative loft, and even with the addition of several modern amenities—a sleek new backlit bar, a parking area for food trucks, and a sound stage—the space still maintains much of its former identity. Out in the backyard, string lights, bougainvillea,

and cacti line the 300-capacity garden and picnic area, and a converted Spartan trailer serves as an outdoor bar.

“Our space is an honest extension of what was started 15 years ago: a home for artists,” says Ostoya. “ Just as the Arts District allowed artists large, inexpensive spaces to create art, we allow artists and bands to ply their trade.”

Resident’s integrity to the original essence of the neighborhood shines through in its programming, one that revolves around experimentation and community, not just ticket sales. So far, the venue has hosted the likes of Mystery Skulls, Wes Period, and Burger Records’ Cherry Glazerr. This month’s roster continues to feature a similarly eclectic mix of programming, including blues/R&B dance nights, local bands like psych-soul duo Brainstorm, and a sex-positive band night curated by adult film stars. As it stands, Resident is currently one of the only intimate-size venues in the Arts District, one that provides a breath of fresh air from the scene’s usual Echo Park and Silver Lake venues.

“We don’t want to be seen as carpetbaggers,” says Little. “ Instead of taking from the neighborhood, we’re adding to it. We want to be good neighbors.”

RESIDENT 428 S. HEWITT ST. LOS ANGELES, CA 90013 residentdtla . com

RESIDENT

ARTIST

No. 22

ALEX ANDRA LOEW

Pushing the Boundaries of Taste WITH ARCHITECT & INTERIOR DESIGNER ALEXANDRA LOEW

Perched a few stories above the bustle of Hollywood Blvd., Alexandra Loew’s LA design studio sits unmarked, unadvertised, and completely unassuming.

ARTIST

te xt

K RISTEL KOV NER

T

he architect and interior designer greeted us at the door, along with a small dog. “We thought she was a golden retriever, but it turns out she’s part Chihuahua,” she explains.

An air of laid-back serenity is immediately palpable, as though the flights up the building’s vintage stairwell transported us far from Hollywood. The studio walls are sheathed with unique textile samples and expansive architectural designs, from a dramatic Swiss hotel concept to a plethora of luxury homes and apartments worldwide. Loew, who also has a studio in New York, describes each project to us with the same grace, care and originality displayed in her impressive body of work.

How did you end up in LA? I moved here from New York City twenty years ago.

I was a documentary filmmaker, and I produced TV commercials and music videos to make ends meet in-between projects. But I became fascinated by the degree to which every frame of a commercial project was crafted to advance the mood or message.

I carried that lesson into my master in Architecture.

Every design decision is an opportunity to focus the experience of space.

Were you always interested in architecture?

I was always interested in telling stories and I feel that now I just tell stories through space and interiors.

With a background in film, you must love set design.

Set design is on my wish list for 2016, actually.

Something performance-based and experimental, where there’s opportunity for abstraction. I recently saw the Japanese dance company Sankai Juku at UCLA and the set design was incredible: minimalist, thoughtful and precise. It was perfectly orchestrated.

Any favorite LA architectural styles? love the “Shangri-La” that I see a lot, which is a house that starts off as ordinary, but has an extraordinary interior or garden. I like the “anything goes” quality of LA. It’s relaxed and easy and there’s always an element of bohemianism, no matter how formal.

What comes first, the architecture or the interior design?

I think it always starts with the interior and works its way out. After doing interiors for over 10 years, it’s fun to consider what architecture looks like if you

start with what’s considered to be the last step. That’s what’s exciting about this ground-up house we are doing in Lake Tahoe. We have a couple more on the horizon for 2016. We are approaching the design of these houses from the inside out.

How do you approach each project?

I don’t have one particular style or signature; we like to get to know the client and the space. So much of interior design has gone in the direction of “showmanship” and that is not what we do. It is important that a home reflects the occupant(s) and has a single-minded point of view on the story it’s telling. We like to do things that are appropriate, but it’s always nice to create a little friction.

So you see each home as a story?

More like a character in a story. It’s important that the interiors make the occupant feel good, happy being their authentic self, but we also enjoy providing them with something unique, even quirky and idiosyncratic. Whether it is the overarching concept, or a custom piece of furniture, or giving a direction for collecting.

ALEX ANDRA LOEW

Being tasteful can be predictable, no?

What are some style or decades that influence you?

I’m enamored with the simplicity of the 1930s.

The forms and the lines, the gardens and the pottery, all of the patterns. I love the uber chic 70s and the outrageous moments of the 80s. I think there are virtues from every historical moment. I’m especially drawn to each era’s weird and unique color stories.

A historical moment period without virtue?

I’m not a big fan of the exuberant 1950s. photography

So, no mid-century? like the more peripheral mid-century designers.

The Mad Men version of mid-century is a little too happy. I tend towards moody and melancholy.

Tell us a bit about the client/designer relationship.

We like to give clients everything they’ve always wanted but nothing they’ve ever dreamed of. We give them what they want, but the most exquisite version of itself.

Have you ever had to compromise your own taste for a client’s?

I think there’s always a beautiful solution.

Less is more or more is more?

I like to push the boundaries of good taste. Being tasteful can be predictable, no? It’s more compelling to play the edge. Those interiors turn out to be the ones that are truly timeless.

HOUSE BY THE BEACH BRANDON SCHULMAN

GALLERY

No. 26

A New View ASHES/ASHES HELPS US CONSUME WHAT THE FINE ART WORLD CAN’T DIGEST

text

KIMBERLY B. JOHNSON RUBEN DIAZ COURTESY ASHES/ASHES

photography

When the director and owner of ASHES/ASHES set out to find a space, he knew he wanted to be near an area with both architectural and civic clout.

“On the corner of Wilshire and Park View is this sort of modernist building,” the gallery’s director, who wishes to remain anonymous, explains. “It was built in 1964 and carries the type of architectural details that draws nostalgia and promises of idealistic fixtures.” Within a stone’s throw is MacArthur Park, already a prominent place of intrigue for the city. “I wanted to situate the space in something that was already a destination, or maybe one that just needed rediscovery.”

Upon entry, there’s this sort of canopy that extends out onto the ground level public space and into the lobby; which, quite noticeably, hasn’t been updated any time recently, making it “like a remnant from the ‘60s.” Down the hallway, you arrive at ASHES/ASHES. Opening up into a fantastically tall space, a detailed copper ceiling caps the room. Concrete-cast pillars supply support throughout the building, offering a sense of depth and grandeur—a match made in heaven for the experimental nebula that is ASHES/ASHES. After opening in June of 2014, the gallery has hosted 10 shows thus far in its short tenure. Focused predominantly on the real-deal, untapped realms of contemporary art, ASHES/ASHES explores that which the glossy-paged art world struggles to digest. Take, for instance, the gallery’s seventh exhibition, BODY PARTS I – V.

“We started with Cheryl Donegan and showed her first video from 1991,” the owner recounts. “It was essentially her, sitting in a chair, hands behind her back, holding a piece of bread between her legs.

The video begins with her nibbling at the top of this baguette and working her way down, basically to the limits of her flexibility. When she reached that point, the video ended. It was all about a medium which could extend longer than the capabilities of a physical action.”

For the installation, the space was drastically altered. “We took out all the lights, the windows that used to open and overlook the city street are now covered with an opaque film and the show is actually only viewable at nights for a short period of time.”

With each exhibition, ASHES/ASHES acts as a vehicle to facilitate in a more grand art discussion—one more prone to delve into the inner workings of existential crises than be concerned solely with appeasing the status quo. With any space similar to ASHES/ASHES in its intentions and execution, you kind of have to be there to let the scene set in—then you can analyze the vibe, supply your own critique and make your own calls on where insinuating baguettes will subside.

ASHES/ASHES will unveil a new show beginning January 14.

ASHES/ASHES 2404 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD #1A, LOS ANGELES, CA 90057 ashesonashes . com

ASHES/ASHES

ART

GALLERY OPENINGS

No. 27

Gallery Openings THE BEST OF LA'S OPENINGS text

+

selections

BY RACHEL MANY

TOBA KHEDOORI

THOMAS WACHHOLZ Strike Gently

LA ART SHOW: A New Experience

Regen Projects January 9 th – February 13 th

MIER Gallery January 16 th – February 26 th

Los Angeles Convention Center (West Hall A) January 27th – January 31st

Toba Khedoori renders small pictorial scenes on large expanses of paper, using everyday imagery such as park benches, rocks, fences, tunnels, and houses. She dwarfs her imagery to call attention to the literal, blank space of paper around it, providing different metaphors for social dystopia or personal loss. Her surfaces retain the incidents of their physical making, including studio debris like cat hair and dirt as well as the artist’s own footprints.

Thomas Wachholz has been experimenting with the technical capabilities of industrial printers, testing the limits of what is feasible. His work often encompasses paper as a medium that he manipulates with wooden matches and imprints to create abstract motifs that investigate the limits of paper and painting. Wachholz’s collection of alcohol works are comprised of a series of large-format digital paintings that are then erased with ethanol.

For the exhibition’s 21st edition, the LA Art Show will entail a fair devoted to only modern and contemporary art, intended to meet the needs and trends of the LA market, and present what is new in today’s art world. For 20 years, the LA Art Show has succeeded in reflecting the trajectory of the vibrant LA art scene and the city’s evolving nature. The show has grown to become the largest and longest-running platform for fine art, bringing in more than 120 galleries representing 22 countries.

Opening Reception: Saturday, January 9th, 7 pm regenprojects.com

Opening Reception: Friday, January 15th, 6 pm miergallery.com

laartshow.com

PRINTED MATTER LA Art Book Fair

LUCAS KNIPSCHER

VIVIAN MAIER

The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA February 12 th –February 14th

Thomas Duncan Gallery February 26 th – April 2 nd

KP Projects / MK Gallery December 15th- February 27th

Free and open to the public, Printed Matter’s LA Art Book Fair is a unique event for artists’ books, art catalogs, monographs, periodicals, and zines presented by more than 250 international presses, booksellers, antiquarians, artists, and independent publishers. Printed Matter’s LA Art Book Fair is the companion fair to Printed Matter’s NY Art Book Fair, held every fall in New York.

Lucas Knipscher’s works vary widely in style and composition, often including soft sculptures, upholstered objects, assemblages of both found and made objects, and hand-made and handdyed fabrics from India, Japan, and Indonesia.

His work attempts to dismantle assumptions about medium specificity, regularly incorporating photographic processes into painting, sewing, assemblages, and installations.

This winter, the KP Projects/MK Gallery present Vivian Maier: The Maloof collection. The iconic street photographer has shot more than 100,000 negatives, but rarely captures the same moment twice. The Maloof collection catalogs vintage prints, hundreds of rolls of film, home movies, audio interviews, cameras, documents, negatives, and personal items. The exhibition will showcase over 65 new, existing, modern color, and limited edition photographs.

laartbookfair.net

Opening Reception: Friday, February 26th, 6 pm thomasduncangallery.com

Opening Reception: Saturday, January 16th, 7pm-10pm mkgallery.com

SPOTLIGHTS

THE TASTEMAKERS

Spotlight A person who decides or influences what is or will become fashionable.

THE TASTEMAKERS

ART

ELENA STONAKER

MUSIC

GALLANT

DESIGN TEXT

CARLY JO MORGAN

JESY ODIO

CUISINE

ASTARA CARAS | EVAN HAROS | SCOTT ZWIEZEN

SPOTLIGHTS

No. 30

Elena Stonaker SOFT TO THE TOUCH

Elena Stonaker is always an artist, sometimes a muse. Los Angeles almost missed out on her. She almost moved to Orcas Island, was already far from her home in Colorado when she changed her mind, rented a Dodge Charger (no convertibles were available) and drove down to SoCal on Christmas Day. There she ended up at a dinner party with one of her favorite artists, the godfather of new-age painting, Alex Gray. And now it’s hard to picture Elena anywhere but in LA. If someone asked you describe a sculpture, you might say: hard, rigid, and immobile. None of these words would describe Elena’s pieces. Her sculptures are soft, flexible, and cuddly—practically

OCCUPATION A RTIST @ELENASTONAKER ELENASTONAKER.COM

begging to be held and touched. Her craft is impulsive and handsewn. “I don’t connect with machines,” she says. Since they can be taken apart by pulling at the seams, her three-dimensional quilts are ever-evolving and shifting. She refers to them with female pronouns, as in “she likes to party.” Photos of her art get hundreds of likes on Instagram, but experiencing them IRL at her Koreatown studio gives you the full sense of their texture.

No. 31

OCCUPATION MUSICI A N @SOGALLANT SOGALLANT.COM

You never know what people are going to say online about you. For Gallant, a comment in a song on his Soundcloud page made him so angry that he called the user in the middle of the night. After hearing in so many industry meetings how great his music was, the person on the other end of the phone, David Dann from the indie music label Mind of a Genius, was the first label executive to give him harsh criticism. “That’s when I knew he was focused on pushing me and my music,” says Gallant.

With a falsetto that could melt the microphone and lyrics that only a master wordsmith could forge, jaws dropped when “Weight in Gold” came out. For his next single coming out this month, Gallant promises

THE TASTEMAKERS

Gallant CROONER KING

me it will sound like “everything is going to be all right.” Onstage for RedBull’s 30 Days in LA, wearing white from head to toe, the man just could not stay still. The name of the game in music is usually: pick a genre and go with it. But Gallant isn’t interested in this or any other labels. He’s a student of music, always looking at the next step in his evolving repertoire. “Making an album is like writing a college essay. I’m still proofreading, editing, and trying to add an extra page,” he says. It’s this attitude that’s garnered Gallant some gold stars from fans and industry players, constantly surprised and entertained by his performances.

SPOTLIGHTS

No. 32

Carly Jo Morgan SACRED MOTHER

It’s hard to believe when Carly Jo Morgan moved back to LA, she didn’t have that many friends. Her artisanal marketplace Mercado Sagrado started as a gathering at her house in Topanga Canyon and has now evolved into an annual bazaar attended by thousands. Half of them would say they are friends with Carly, and the other half wish they were.

Morgan was a tomboy and never planned on having children, but every piece of her jewelry line, All For The Mountain, is feminine and delicate, and last year, the all-female Angeleno art show she curated at Dilettante Gallery was called “Mothership.” Some of the artists seem to see Morgan as a mother figure, an interesting twist in her fate.

OCCUPATION DESIGNER @ALLFORTHEMOUNTAIN MADEBYTHEMORGANS.COM

As if her list of talents wasn’t long enough already, Morgan has now shifted her attention to a geometric furniture collection, Made By the Morgans, which she created with her husband. “Something shifted,” she says about collaborating with her spouse, with whom she also shares a baby named Cookie. “It was exciting to put our names together. We are both artists and we have very specific visions. But somehow it all made sense to drop our egos and think ‘this is for the family.’”

THE TASTEMAKERS

No. 33

Dune Cafe

OCCUPATION RESTAUR ATEURS

EVAN HAROS, SCOTT ZWIEZEN, ASTAR A CAR AS

There are obvious perks to getting a fake ID before you turn 21. One of them, at least for Astara Caras, a co-founder of Elf Cafe in Echo Park, was meeting Evan Haros and Scott Zwiezen at a liquor store.

An illicit transaction led to a legitimate bond as friends, bandmates, and pioneers in the early stages of the vegetarian scene in the city.

Almost a decade ago, when Elf was the first restaurant to start serving kale as salad, they saw many customers wrinkling their faces at the thought of eating “rabbit food.” But they stuck to their guns, perfecting a meatless and unprocessed version of Eastern Mediterranean cuisine.

Geographically, LA could not be further from Levant, but Astara explains that the climates are alike, so the produce, herbs, and flavor palates are synched.

photography

@DUNE_LA DUNE.KITCHEN

An open storefront in Atwater and a lack of quality falafel in town led Scott to open the doors to Elf’s cousin, Dune, a year ago. “Between East Hollywood and Glendale, there are no good Middle Eastern spots,” says Scott. Since the tiny space had no room for chairs, tables, or a bathroom, Scott knew he had to go casual—but take one bite of that falafel with kale, mint, and cilantro and you’ll forget you’re standing on the sidewalk. It’s been a hectic first few months—often they sell out of falafel and have to close to make more. “Opening Dune felt like a rocket launch with lots of pieces falling off,” says Scott. And a lot of East side foodies are glad they landed safely.

BY EDEN BATKI

Going Forward, Looking Backward TINKER IS NOT YOUR APPLE WATCH, AND IT DOESN’T WANT TO BE.

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MEG A N L A BER

A friend gets a text on his phone, which then lights up his wrist, notifying him of the text. Soon after, his iPhone-linked gadget notifies the entire table that his new Tinder match has messaged him back. This might sound like a rant about the impending Orwellian dystopia—it’s not. We’re simply pointing out how technology meant to streamline can often be a nuisance. Enter Tinker. Counteracting the constant noise, a new watch company promising you the basics in the classic form, with no calculator, event reminders, or heartbeat monitors to be found.

“This thing can’t go underwater. It’s not indestructible. It’s just an easy, elevated watch,” said Eva Goicochea, one of the founding members. Instead of interior lights and survival style bands, Eva and her partners wanted a customizing system that allows you to create your everyday watch with an almost effortless process. Choosing from three sizes, five tones of Australian leather for the band, and gold, silver, or copper casing, you can build a watch on their high-tech site and be out the digital door within minutes.

With the team’s diverse history, the four founders brought elements to the table that aided in building their ideal timepiece.

Eva was a founding team member of Everlane when the creative was based in Los Angeles, giving her the experience of a startup environment as well as an ethos in keeping it easy and truthful. Her partner, Ian Goicochea, studied engineering at Harvey Mudd, lending the knowledge of what was going to make their watches tick.

“We really took apart the idea and tried to make it as functional and accessible as possible,” Ian says. “ We were looking at companies whose price ranges spanned from $100 to $3000, and when I was reviewing the specs I wasn’t seeing where the absurd pricing was coming from. If anything, we wanted to

give a large consumer base a quality item at a price that was affordable.”

The pair has other businesses in the works that are exciting and note-worthy, but nixing the stability of a 9 to 5 is not the top priority. Like many people in their age range, having your hands in multiple industries and interests is important to them, but dedicating all their time to just one sounds more caging than their chance at freedom.

“It’s not like we’re all quitting our day jobs,” Eva says.“ This is a side venture we were all passionate about starting, but we want it to be one of the things we’re working on. We’d love to see it become big, but at the same time were happy letting the growth happen as organically as possible. We’re not looking into ad banners. If people want the product, we just want to make it easy for them to find it.”

For $150, the unisex watch that pairs well with pretty much everything is made of stainless steel, has an automatic system, a smooth comfortable leather band, and brings a simplicity to the process of choosing an everyday arm piece. While their product nods to the past with its clean and timeless design, their openness of sourcing, user-friendly interface, and honest approach point out what matters to the Millennial generation in terms of how we shop. We want to know where it’s coming from, we want it to be easy to purchase, and we’re looking for something that will last us past a few fashion seasons. Tinker Watches brings to light all of that, but also gets us away from our phones.

TINKER tinkerwatches . com

d

DESIGNER

No. 35

TINKER WATCHES

DESIGNER

No. 36

This thing can’t go underwater.

It’s not indestructible. It’s just an easy, elevated watch.

TINKER WATCHES

20 YEARS OF HISTORY + 1 NEW CURATED EXPERIENCE OVER 80 PROMINENT GALLERIES FROM OVER 20 COUNTRIES PAINTING, SCULPTURE, WORKS ON PAPER, INSTALLATIONS, PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO

LAARTSHOW.COM

STORE

No. 38

Moving In THE APARTMENT BY THE LINE FINDS A HOME AT MELROSE PLACE

text

MEGAN LABER XXXX

photography

Admit it. You’ve got a couple friends who you keep in your circle solely based on real estate. You know, the ones with great apartments.

Well-decorated spaces draw you in to spend a moment, and the best spots make you feel right at home. Step into The Apartment by The Line in West Hollywood—and prepare to reimagine how your own apartment can look.

Founded by veteran creative director and muse to many, Vanessa Traina started The Line as an e-commerce experience with an assortment of pieces made for those with a sophisticated mindset.

Her background is extensive, the stylist consults for Joseph Altuzarra and for Alexander Wang while he helmed Balenciaga. She had a custom Givenchy couture wedding dress made by designer friend Riccardo Tisci.

On the pulse of everything good in the current fashion market, the store involves Los Angeles-based independent jewelry makers like Sophie Buhai and Gabriela Artigas, as well as tastemakers Soyer knits and NewbarK footwear. Venturing into brick and mortar, Traina opened up the first “Apartment” in New York City, creating an actual livable space that presented the goods as she envisioned them for the postmodern homes in which they’ll likely find themselves. Her next stop?

Los Angeles.

“We were really following our customer, and Los Angeles was our second largest customer base after New York. We understood the

importance of having a physical touch point for the customer beyond the e-commerce storefront, and we wanted to further develop that relationship in Los Angeles,” says Traina.

Woven lounge chairs with fur throws, fiddle leaf fig plants in the corner, and plenty of windows to let in our perennial sunshine: the items chosen by Traina reflect the natural and casual aesthetic of our city. “Los Angeles shows the product through a different lens,” Traina says.

Offering up styling and decorating services, the physical manifestation of the Traina lifestyle brand allows the customer to enter her ideal setting of goods and choose her own way to partake.

The Apartment by The Line will assist with what you need in what could be considered the finest taste. Whether it’s a coveted interior piece, a closet essential, or art books worth the cost, seeing The Apartment’s wares may lead to your final admittance you can no longer get by with the free samples of Aesop from Acne Studios, Like any multi-skill-set entrepreneur, Traina’s next move is, of course, forward and onward.

“We are looking into possible locations at the moment,” Traina says. “We would love to have a third Apartment up and running by next year.”

THE A PA RTMENT BY THE LINE 8463 MELROSE PL, 2ND FLOOR, LOS ANGELES, CA 90069 theline . com / the _ apartment / los _ angeles

MOVING IN

TREND MATRIX FO R HER

MVMT $120 THE 4 0 IN ROSE GOLD

MARILOU RING

3.1 PHILIP LIM $1,050

CUERO & MOR $500

THE 2 BANDITS $108

ADIDAS $180

COMMES DES GARÇONS $120

ROPE JUNGLE BAG

ALIX FL AP SHOULDER BAG

ULTRA BOOST

TOM FORD $215

LE ATHER BASKET

CRACKED CL ASSIC HALF-ZIP WALLET

OLYMPUS $500

OUD WOOD

16MP MIRRORLESS DIGITAL CAMERA

HUAWEI $399

KVART & BØLGE $350

SILVER MESH WATCH

FJALL RAVEN $209 DUFFEL NO. 6

APPLE $1,049

38 MM SPACE BL ACK WATCH

A.P.C. $90

WENGE WOOD SPE AKERS

THE FIFTH $150 BROADWAY

KONUS $155 DJANGO

FAT WATER 12-PACK

THE LE AH NECKL ACE

FITBIT $145

WIRELESS ACTIVIT Y BAND

TOMS $59

SK8 HIGH SLIM

INCASE $49.95

BEN MEDANSKY $48

HARDSHELL MACBOOK PRO RETINA 15” CASE

DECO 79 $42

COIN 2.0 $99

LISTN $150

BOOK END PAIR

WOOLET $109

GPS-ENABLED LE ATHER WALLET

SAMSUNG GEAR $99

TILE $25

VIRTUAL RE ALIT Y HE ADSET

KE Y/ITEM FINDER

WARBY PARKER $145 DEMPSE Y SUNGL ASSES

VANS $55

CROCHET GLIT TER CL ASSICS

ALL-IN- ONE BLUETOOTH CREDIT CARD

ZEBRA WOOD TROUBADOURS W/ MIC

ASOS $29

SKINNIDIP FUR IPHONE6 CASE

CONVERSE $75 CHUCK TAYLOR ALL-STAR II

FO R HIM

CERAMIC CUP

SAUCY FREE DELIVERY ON-DEMAND ALCOHOL

POMELO $24

LIMA TE X TURED TOP

CEREAL MAGAZINE $14 VOLUME 10

VISION $35

STUD BALLET SHOES

MOKOUYOBI $5 WINTER SWEATER PATCH

BLUE BOTTLE $14/SHIPMENT

VOLCOM $28 BOARD BILL BEANIE

STANCE $18

TOM SACHS $12 CUSTOM SHARPIE

COFFEE SUBSCRIPTION

BRIGADE DODGERS

ONNIT $34

ALPHA BRAIN SUPPLEMENTS

WASHIO $1.65/lb

ON-DEMAND L AUNDRY SERVICE

EC O N O MIC A L

E XO RBITA N T

BULLETPROOF $36

ACNE STUDIOS $1,600

EDITORIAL

No. 42

Magic Eye GEORGE BYRNE SEES WHAT YOU CAN'T photography

GEORGE BYRNE

Us mortals use social media to construct our personal headlines—our Instagram feeds serve as a self-aware glimpse into our personal lives. But this glossy front is often a far cry from the behindthe-scenes reality.

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BOYLE HEIGHTS

No. 43

GEORGE BYRNE

George Byrne is a special case. The photographer’s interpretation of LA is raw and honest. His shots are a collection of refined moments—a gorgeously summarized cultural snapshot. He doesn’t focus on the bustling streets, crowded restaurants, the bars, concerts, clubs, and festivals. Instead, Byrne zeros in on the quiet moments that make up the majority of our real lives.

There is an exquisite, eerily familiar sense of quiet and solitude in his photos of LA—two adjectives that usually aren’t in the forefront when describing the city. But this Australian-born artist uses Instagram (@george_byrne) to depict the beauty in the small details, the wonder in the everyday that would otherwise be overlooked.

Shadows, lights, tones, textures—there is a stillness that somehow rings deeply in each snapshot.

Where/when were you born, and how did you first discover photography?

Was it love at first shot, or a budding romance?

I was born in Sydney in 1976 and was first introduced to photography around the age of 15 by my older sister who used to leave her camera lying around. I was immediately pretty enthralled by the whole thing, but it took a few years before I started to take it seriously.

What’s your favorite camera/lens to you shoot with?

My Pentax 6/7 medium-format film camera with 80mm lens.

Nice. How would you describe your relationship with Los Angeles, and how does photography come into play?

I have a deep affection for LA. It’s definitely become my home, but it’s a complex relationship. It’s such a huge city, so many things all at once; it’s almost overwhelming, I really couldn’t think of a more dynamic place to live.

Having said that, it’s not an easy place at all. There is great wealth here but there is also a huge chunk of the city that’s quite burned out and desperate— almost post-apocalyptic. It was this side of the city that struck me first. Vacant, sun burned streets. Empty boulevards with ghost like figures floating through— I found the whole scene fascinating. I was keen to try and capture the strange, dream like aura of the street life. In doing that I also found there’s a lot of beauty to be found in the simplest things.

We couldn’t agree more. Can you use three words to depict how you want people to feel when viewing your photographs?

Moved to tears (too much!?).

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GLENDALE

Not at all. How has your work evolved since you first started shooting?

I think there are many things that stay with me—but what I find interesting has evolved drastically; it’s really an ever-changing thing.

What is the most interesting or memorable experience you've had while working on a project?

I saw a mountain lion in Griffith Park; I doubt I’ll top that.

Yikes! What’s the biggest challenge you run into as an artist, either in regards to your creativity or in the industry?

For me, it’s managing time and being a businessperson. I’m working on it!

Same! What artistic direction do you hope to explore next with your work?

I’m really keen to get into large-format film photography—that’s my 2016.

EDITORIAL

No. 45

GEORGE BYRNE

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VIRGIL #2

EDITORIAL

No. 47

Do you have any upcoming exhibitions/ shows that we can attend?

Yes! I have a show in LA at midcenturyLA that runs through January and an exhibition in Sydney opening Saturday February 12th at Olsen Irwin Gallery.

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GEORGE BYRNE

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EDITORIAL

GEORGE BYRNE

No. 49

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VISIT GEORGEBYRNE.COM OR ON INSTAGRAM @GEORGE_BYRNE TO VIEW MORE SHOTS AND PURCHASE PRINTS.

PICO

Wing It CHEF NEAL FRASER ON SITE-SPECIFIC COOKING AND TIMELESSNESS

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ph oto g r a ph y

CHEF

I’m trying to keep my eyes open and keep learning, keep evolving. We’re always kind of trying to push it a little bit.

B

efore Neal Fraser decided he wanted to cook, he could barely boil water and make top ramen. Today, the chef and restaurateur, together with wife and business partner Amy, runs several acclaimed eateries, including BLD, Fritzi Dog, The Strand House, and Redbird at Vibiana, where we visit on this occasion.

Previously, Fraser had spent most of his time at his muchacclaimed restaurant, Grace. It closed in 2010 with plans to reopen downtown—Redbird followed instead, a highly anticipated opening after years of the Vibiana being renovated by Fraser together with Amy. Planning for the restaurant began in 2008, but, as Fraser tells us, a lot changed by the time it finally opened to the public. “Both my Amy and myself are kind of the same mindset that everything is site-specific. We could’ve written the menu three years before we opened and still not have done it, because the space has to work with the menu.”

Fraser shows me around the stunning downtown cathedral that today is a multi-functional event space and home to Redbird, one of the city’s most praised restaurants. “Our original design had water features, a glass ceiling, we wanted to open up all the arches. But once we got an engineer here, he said, ‘We can’t really take these out, it would ruin the integrity of the building.’”

When we visit, an employee is grilling oranges studded with cloves on a recently installed outdoor grill. It’s a decidedly rustic sight, and we sit down and quietly admire the historic space so lovingly done up. We’re in the outdoor courtyard, which, with its exposed beams, arched glass windows, and plentiful sunlight, feels like an extravagant little hideaway for Angelenos. The decor is smartly done, furniture the stuff of mid-century-modern dreams—woods, leathers, coppers. It’s the kind of place Don Draper would sit in, ruminating on the stresses of New York life while flanked by the sunny dispositions of those ever-charming Californians.

So with such an iconic space, does the menu’s development mirror the aesthetics? Fraser tells us, “When you’re given such a blank space, it’s beautiful. How can you accent it? It’s like a peacock and adding, like, a colorful hat. It already has beautiful feathers. We wanted to pay homage to it.”

Not that the food is lacking in presentation. The aged Liberty Farms duck arrives, dramatically but perfectly cooked medium rare, the skin left on for a touch of velvety richness, and small cubes of pickled pear accompany the orange-tinged kimchi rice, with a deeply savory XO sauce. It’s a beautiful plate, delicious, and speaks to Fraser’s modesty. He speaks on the challenges of running a 140-

seat restaurant while remaining creative in the kitchen, “I try to the best of my ability to create a Los Angeles restaurant that represents the constituents of Los Angeles.”

With a city as diverse as ours, it’s a tough test. Fraser openly admits it can be difficult to pay homage to ethnic food while still remaining accessible. “We do a crab soup that has a Southeast Asian palate. There’s some funk, some dry shrimp. It’s spicy, but you know, it’s not Jitlada spicy.”

And as Fraser says, he and Amy wanted a place where the food is “inclusive without being boring, you know? It’s our hope that this restaurant will be around for a long time.” If the food we’ve eaten so far is any indication, he shouldn’t have any troubles.

Among the other dishes Fraser serves up are a head cheese served atop a fig mustardo-smeared rye crisp. Though headcheese isn’t the most appetizing of food names, it’s tasty—the fig mustardo imparting a subtle sweetness that goes well with the tender, meaty heft of the head cheese. We also try the New Zealand snapper crudo, beautifully dressed with a golden drizzle of California olive oil and intensely fragrant yuzu kosho and Meyer lemon. The yuzu kosho, a zesty Japanese blend of salt-cured yuzu citrus and chili peppers, beautifully accents the soft, supple quality of the fish.

Fraser goes on to tell us, mastering the art of interesting, compelling dishes and being timeless is a hard thing to do. “I didn’t want to be the trendiest, hottest flavors of today. Like, you know, the churros con leche of restaurants. You’ve gotta be careful about that sh*t. You can’t get stale.”

Redbird may not be the leading hashtag on Instagram, but Neal Fraser’s plans for the Vibiana are growing. We’re given a tour of the space, and quaint rooms not yet renovated hint at the everexpanding role of the venue. From a private kitchen space an investor chipped in for, where Neal will cook for smaller parties, to a patio being finished up on the day we visit—there’s a lot going on.

“I’m trying to keep my eyes open and keep learning, keep evolving.

We’re always kind of trying to push it a little bit.”

It’s clear Fraser has put a lot of thought into his establishments, Redbird, and the Vibiana’s ever-expanding space. We look forward to him “pushing it” even further, for many more years to come.

REDBIRD 114 E 2ND STREET, LOS ANGELES, CA 90012 redbird . la

NEAL FRASER

FOOD

FOOD SCOOPS

No. 54

Eye Candy FOOD SCOOPS The prerequisite for a restaurant to call itself one is pretty simple—they’ve gotta serve food. But aswe all know, our favorite restaurants take more than one sense into account. Interiors are tricky; like most refined arts, the best design is intended tobe subtle. It’s meant to contribute tothe experience as a whole without distracting from the food and conversation.

In the spirit of the Design Issue, we’ve rounded up the most gorgeous eateries in town. With decor ranging from contemporary and minimal, to historic or rustic, LA’s really got something for every aesthetic persuasion. Dig in—but don’t forget to document it first.

RÉPUBLIQUE 624 SOUTH LA BREA AVE. LOS ANGELES, CA 90036

310.362.6115

info @ republiquela . com

Since opening its doors in December of 2013, République has been no stranger to dozens ofinternational “ Best Of” lists. Dripping with history, overflowing with character, République isthe sexy older Spanish gentleman with a familiar grin.

Preserving the feel of the 1920s but infusing a chic modern flair, the renovation of the restaurant came with restored light fixtures, geometric tile flooring, white-brick walls, and reclaimed wood tables. The main dining area is open and communal, but there are a number of options available for diners who prefer a more private atmosphere, including the Right Bank Mezzanine, the Left Bank Wine Room, The Alcove, Kitchen Table, or the Full Buyout for the best company party you’ve ever been to.

Walter Manzke and Margarita—spouses and business partners—are the star chef and star pastry chef, respectively. The Café flourishes in the daytime, largely thanks to Margarita’s popular freshly baked breads and biscuits. Oh, and don’t get us started on the Kimchi fried rice.

Aside from Hinoki, aka an aromatic Japanese cedar wood, other equally enticing elements decorate the restaurant: oak and walnut with denim and brass are the staples of H&tB’s interior, designed

by Studio MAI’s Milo Garcia.

Mismatched chairs and quirky accents flirt with the classy, upscale layout of the rest of the space, as the lively and hungry of Century City fill it up.

The subtle hospitality of the restaurant, visually appealing dish designs, and, of course, citrusy musk of wood, keep diners coming back.

CLIFTON'S CAFETERIA 213.627.1673

648 S BROADWAY LOS ANGELES, CA 90014

info @ cliftonsla . com

#TBT to elementary school: what was your favorite part of the school day? Most likely lunch—ours was. Bringing that experience back (but with a full bar) is Clifton’s Cafeteria.

The dining experience is one that allows for much creativity, and as Clifford Clinton (aka Cliffton) once described his restaurant: “ a world of adventure, imagination, and magic.” Indeed, Clifton’s “ Golden Rule” was that they’d never turn away anyone hungry, and had a history ofhelping those who couldn’t pay for their meals.

The largest public cafeteria in the world, Clifton’s Cafeteria—now renovated and reopened—in DTLA’s Theatre District features exotic, eyecatching decor. Once you grab a tray, and peek in, you’ll see the universe inside the 10,000 square foot area: waterfalls, a 250-pound meteorite, a Gothic Bar, the ghost of Ray Bradbury (serious!) and some big-ass redwood trees. Transport toanother time and place at Clifton’s—with or without the help of their absinthe-infused cocktails.

HINOKI & THE BIRD 10 CENTURY DRIVE LOS ANGELES, CA 90067

310.552.1200

info @ hinokiandthebird . com

Hinoki & the Bird, a winner in the 10th Restaurant Design Awards, features a colorful palette for the eyes and equally colorful menu for your palate.

VESPAIO 225 S. GRAND AVENUE LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

213.221.7244

info @ vespaiodtla . com

Perhaps you’ve heard of the Emerson, an upscale apartment building in the heart of Downtown LA. Beyond living in a lovely unit with awesome amenities, residents can consider themselves lucky for another reason—the first floor of the building houses our favorite Ralph Gentile Architects’ yachtinspired restaurant: Vespaio. Yeah, we’re about this life.

The restaurant, facing the bustling Grand Avenue, stretches over 5,500 square feet of space.

That’s barely enough to house the classic and modern Italian flavor that renowned chef Agostino Sciandri brings to the table(s).

Speaking of tables, you can enjoy your breakfast, lunch, or dinner on the ones lining the spacious— and exquisitely lit—outdoor patio. There will soon be even more seating at Vespaio’s neighbor, The Broad Museum Park. Sit outdoors while you wolf down an entire sea bream. No one’s judging; these guys want you to make yourself at home.

Escala: Spanish for “Stopover” or “Layover”. A unique stop in the heart of L.A.’s Koreatown Renaissance.

Inspired by owner OG Chino’s uncommon roots, Chef Chris Oh mixes classic Colombian recipes with Korean flavors & a love for communal eating & drinking.

Urban Art & Music by our marquee family of World Class Artists & DJs. Stopover for the food, stay for the experience.

3451 W 6th Street

Open Daily 11:30am - 2am LUNCH + DINNER

Los Angeles, CA 90020

SUNDAY BRUNCH

In The Historic Chapman Market

HAPPY HOUR + NAPPY HOUR Events / Birthdays / Large Parties

Koreano • Colombiano • Angelino

213-387-1113

@escalaktown

escalaktown.com

#escalaktown

WILDCARD

No. 56

Next Entrée ARI TAYMOR’S BEEN IN THE KITCHEN

text

JESY ODIO TRISHA ANGELES

photography

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hef Ari Taymor of Alma restaurant is done talking about food.

To Taymor, cooking is beyond the flavors served on a plate; he’s more concerned about the conversation happening over dinner, the labor practices behind the kitchen, and the zeitgeist of the restaurant industry. Jonathan Gold says Taymor “is cooking like no one else in LA,” and maybe this is because Taymor is more like a craftsman than an artisan. “I’m like a watchmaker or a carpenter,” he says. “It’s more important than just ideas and aesthetics. Like a piece of furniture, food needs to work.” And so does a restaurant.

The story of a little eatery in Downtown LA is already becoming a tragic legend in this metropolis’ culinary history: it started as a popup, then evolved into a brick-and-mortar sans any investors, and just as its greatness and acclaim began to reach heroic proportions, Alma disappeared. Bon Appetit named it Best New Restaurant in 2013, and the following year Food and Wine picked Taymor as Best New Chef. He received some of the most prestigious gastronomic accolades imaginable, but that was the moment that he felt the most

hollow. “People just kept coming to the restaurant to check it off their list and take pictures of the food.”

After a business relationship soured, Taymor and co-owner Ashleigh Parsons launched a crowdfunding campaign to pay for legal fees and keep the doors open. The drive raised over 48 thousand dollars, but Alma still had to close its doors in October of 2015. As a result of this confrontation, Ari has become battlehardened. “It’s time to ask some challenging questions about the price of food,” he says. “Chefs are the new rock stars,” but the benefits aren’t trickling down to the cooks, busboys, and waiters.

Taymor and Parsons have now returned to their roots, opening a pop-up restaurant inside the Standard Hotel in Hollywood, running until February. They’ll be picking some faves from the old menu and trying out some new ones. Out of Alma’s ashes, a tiny sprout has just emerged.

ARI TAYMOR

grooming

BARBARA YNIGUEZ SAGE

special thanks to

RESTAURANT

No. 58

OTIUM

An Auspicious Arrival AT OTIUM, THE BROAD MUSEUM’S NEW RESTAURANT COUNTERPART, THE HYPE IS WELL DESERVED

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VI NGUYEN SIERRA PRESCOTT

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When the much-anticipated Broad Museum was opened this past September, who knew that only months later, its adjacent restaurant would arrive with just as much fanfare? While museum restaurants often feel like an afterthought, Otium, which began serving in November, is quickly carving out a place as a worthy destination of its own. It’s where Chef Tim Hollingsworth is the artist in residence— the kitchen his studio, and the restaurant floor his exhibition. With 13 years at French Laundry under his belt, Hollingsworth’s pedigree is prestigious, having also represented the US in the culinary world’s most esteemed gastronomic competition, the Bocuse d’Or. Though his background is dominated by higher-end cooking, he grew up on his parents’ Texas cooking, and came to LA from NorCal to start Barrel & Ashes, the Studio City barbeque joint he opened in partnership with prolific restaurateur Bill Chait (Bestia, Republique, et al). The combination of fine dining technique and down-home sentiment is one that plays out fantastically at Otium.

Though the rest of the Bunker Hill neighborhood leaves much to be desired in terms of aesthetics, Otium, much like its museum counterpart, is gorgeous. As you enter, you’re greeted with a large

Damien Hirst mural, crawling with greenery. Expansive windows take in an abundance of sunshine, and modern light fixtures extend throughout the restaurant with a crossword-like layout, accenting a wood-and-metal lined interior. It all lends to a distinctly Californian aesthetic, that mix of modern with a nod to the rustic-but-timeless idea of a meal well enjoyed. It’s fitting, then, that the restaurant’s name is Latin, meaning “a leisurely pace.”

A large space, the kitchen (complete with wood-burning stove) is in full view for all to admire, but one soon forgets the beauty and layout of the interior once the food is presented. The first dish, a hamachi crudo, is a sight to behold. Svelte slices crusted with nori are nestled in a bowl, given a generous smear of avocado, with spices sprinkled atop, and juicy sweet-and-sour blistered cherry tomatoes accompanying. It’s a dish that is gorgeous in presentation and tastes as good as it looks—the nori’s umami quality allowing the hamachi to meld together wonderfully with the bright, sweet tomatoes and creamy avocado. Next up: housemade bucatini, a decadent carbonaralike dish topped with an egg yolk glistening against the jade-tinted pasta noodles. The bowl is very hot, allowing the yolk to continue cooking as you mix it with the clam and bacon-dotted cream sauce.

Delicious and perfectly al dente. Pastas and crudos are not uncommon offerings in LA’s restaurants, but Hollingsworth astute cooking elevates them with subtle tweaks in delivery that make the dishes even tastier for their refreshingly contemporary takes on the familiar.

As Hollingsworth tells us, “When I cook a dish, I want to base it off of a memory or a previous experience. Once I have that reference point, I try to be creative based on how I serve or prepare the dish.”

Case in point, the next dish is a riff on a pastrami sandwich. Hiramasa “Pastrami,” served with beet, potato, rye, and Thousand Island, is a rainbow concoction of root vegetables—thin slices of magenta pickled onion, and slices of tender fish smoked atop a donabe, a Japanese clay pot that arrives with many pairs of eyes following it, wisps of smoke lingering in the air.

We’re not sure what to expect as we pick gingerly at the dish, but we find that it’s comforting and newfangled all at once, the vegetables perfectly tender, the Hiramasa fish delivering on its pastrami promise.

It’s a tasty dish, and it’s here Hollingsworth really shines in his undeniable talent.

“It’s something that someone is going to remember because they've had it a thousand times, but then they’ll remember the donabe because it presents a memory in a different way.” A much-needed addition to DTLA’s dining scene, it’s no doubt Otium and Hollingsworth will be serving up many more memories to come.

OTIUM 222 S. HOPE STREET, LOS ANGELES, CA otiumla . com

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LA CANVAS CARES

LOCAL NONPROFITS

No. 60

LA CANVAS Cares A SPOTLIGHT ON LOCAL NONPROFITS

@generosityorg

Generosity Water

generosity.org 818.436.0762

@DWCweb

Downtown Women’s Center

downtownwomenscenter.org 442 S San Pedro St Los Angeles, CA 90013 213.680.0600

Many of us roll our eyes at having to drink “8 glasses a day,” without realizing that having the option to do so is a luxury.

Fact: 663 million people do not have access to clean drinking water—nope, not a typo. Millions of people.

Lack of water leads to 80 percent of sicknesses and diseases in the developing world, a crisis that demands our attention.

Generosity.org is on a mission to bring clean water to communities that are beyond thirsty, in dire need. By means of fundraising projects, collaborations with local governments, and sanitation and hygiene education, the organization is saving and freeing people around the world, one community at a time.

So far, they raised more than 4 million dollars, helping almost 400,000 people in 19 countries through 637 projects. The impact is growing, and can skyrocket with your support. You can fundraise, start an “Us For Us” campaign, fund a well, or volunteer. The best part about it? Generosity stays with you every step of the way, with updates on the community’s progress, complete with photos, and reports to connect you directly to the people you’re helping.

Feeling curious? Generous? Visit their site to find out more at generosity.org.

If home is really where the heart is, the Downtown Women’s Center is the veins, the blood, and the beat that brings life to the homeless.

There are an estimated 13,643 homeless women in LA County. These women are real, valuable people, with faces, names, stories, and most importantly—hope.

DWC provides permanent supportive housing and a safe community, fostering dignity and respect for each individual. The Center connects residents to wraparound, on-site services like healthcare, education, job readiness, and community-building activities to transition into a healthy, successful life.

Ninety-five percent of the women from DWC are housed permanently, an impressive success rate and indicator of hope for their mission of ending homelessness. Not only do they provide shelter, they help find each woman a sense of purpose: a place to live and a cause to live for.

Get involved in the community by donating money, goods, volunteering, or advocating for the cause. There are a ton of ways to help, and they can all be found at downtownwomenscenter.org.

EVENTS

EL JIMADOR

No. 61

LA CANVAS

photography FORREST CORNWELL COMPANY: WITE RAVEN PHOTOGRAPHY

On October 31st, we linked with our pals at El Jimador Tequila to throw a little party in Hollywood. But this wasn’t your typical Halloween rager—for Art Brawl, we invited six local artists to paint live for a chance to be crowned Art Brawl Champion and have their work displayed at El Jimador-sponsored happy hours around LA. The winner? LA-based Edward “Poncho the Artist” Davila, a celebrity tattoo artist, body painter, and fine artist whose work has been featured in LA Weekly and Inked Magazine as “ LA’s Top 20 Tattoo Artists.” He won bragging rights, a $150 gift certificate from Palladium Boots, $50 gift card from Blick, a $400 cash prize, and an opportunity to work with the brand on a few other projects in the coming year.

W W W.ELJIM A DOR.COM @ELJIMADORTEQUILA

EL JIMADOR

PRESENT: ART BRAWL

A Place to Bury Strangers @ The Viper Room

Midnight Madness @ Laugh Factory

9

EVENT

2nd Saturday Art Walk @ Long Beach

CONCERT

Patti Smith @ The Wiltern

Frankie Grande @ Rockwell

8

CONCERT

Room Screening @ Hammer Museum

Surfer Blood & Cayucas @ The Observatory

CONCERT

10

Pasadena Cheeseburger Week @ Various Locations

FOOD

10

Rock ‘N’ Roll Flea Market @ The Regent Theater

9

EVENT

Benny Banassi @ Create Nightclub

3

An Unauthorized Parody of Home Alone @ Rockwell

THEATRE

3

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CONCERT

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FILM

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EVENTFirst Fridays @ Abbot Kinney

1

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NERO @ AVALON Hollywood

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An Evening w/ Neil Degrasse Tyson @ Pantages Theatre

EVENT

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Omar Velasco Residency @ Bootleg Theater

CONCERT

4

Open Mic Night w/ Ted Quinn @ Pappy & Harriet’s

COMEDY

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January

Carol Screening @ Hammer Museum

FILM

12

A Wonderland of Glowing Displays @ LA Zoo

EVENT

12

Puddle’s Pity Party @ The Roxy Theatre

CONCERT

5

Goodnight, Texas & Whiskey Shivers @ Bootleg Theater

CONCERT

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UCLA Men’s Basketball vs USC @ Pauley Pavilion

SPORTS

13

Oh Wonder @ El Rey Theatre

CONCERT

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Haunted Summer @ Troubadour

CONCERT

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Lunchtime Yoga & Food Trucks @ Grand Park

EVENT

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Erykah Badu @ San Manuel Indian Casino

CONCERT

14

An Evening w/ Sun Kil Moon @ Regent Theater

EVENT

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Nick Offerman & Megan Mullally @ Largo at the Coronet

COMEDY

7

Steel Panther @ The Fonda Theatre

CONCERT

7

TH

CONCERT

STS9 @ The Wiltern

CONCERT

Dr. Dog @ The Observatory

Riot LA Comedy Fest @ DTLA

COMEDY

31

LA River Night Run @ Bowtie Parcel

Uncorked Wine Festival @ Union Station

30

EVENT

EVENT

Madeon @Club Nokia

24 25

Half-Marathon & 5k @ Griffith Park

EVENT

Shigeto | Groundislava @ The Echoplex

CONCERT

THEATRE Mamma Mia! @ Pantages Theater

Matt Corby @ Teragram Ballroom

26

Half Moon Run @ Troubadour

CONCERT

CONCERT

25

What Can We Learn From A Severed Head @ Aresty Auditorium

EVENT

25

KYWO @ The Ace Hotel

24

CONCERT

Lupe Fiasco @ House of Blues - Anaheim

19

Startup Art Fair LA @ Highlands Gardens Hotel

EVENT

28

LA Art Show @ LA Convention Center

EVENT

28

The Bright Light Social Hour @ The Echo

CONCERT

21

Beth Wald: Immersions @ Skylight Studios

ART

21

For more events in real time • lacanvas.com

The Money Shot @ James Bridges Theatre

THEATRE

27

Futurebirds @ The Echo

CONCERT

27

The Kickback | Quiet Company @ The Satellite

CONCERT

20

Lakers vs Sacramento Kings @ Staples Center

Panic! At the Disco @ Tower Theatre

18

SPORTS

CONCERT

20

Mayer Hawthorne Revue @ Teragram Ballroom

16 19

CONCERT

18

CONCERT

17

CONCERT

29

Photo LA @ The Reef

EVENT

23

Movie Night: Fast Times Fest @ The Wiltern

Chrome Sparks @ The Echo

22 22

EVENT

CONCERT

23

Ty Segall @ Teragram Ballroom

Van Morrison @ Shrine Expo Hall

22

CONCERT

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Warren G @ The Canyon

Tokio Hotel @ The Viper Room

16

CONCERT

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Dirty Birdie Story Hour @ Three Clubs

EVENT

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Dirty Dancing @ Pantages Theatre

THEATRE

9

Madri Gras Bhangra @ Royce Hall

8

CONCERT

Nothing But Thieves @ The Troubadour

9

Cirque Du Soleil @ Dodger Stadium

EVENT

2

CONCERT

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SilverSnakes @ The Silverlake Lounge

CONCERT

1

The Cherry After School Special @ IO West Theatre

THEATRE

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CONCERT Jess Glynne @ El Rey Theatre

G-Eazy @ Shrine Expo Hall

11

Super Furry Animals @ The Roxy

CONCERT

CONCERT

CONCERT Los Angeles Philharmonic @Walt Dinsey Concert Hall

Michael Govan & Frank Gehry @ Bing Theatre

Beats Antique & Lettuce @ Club Nokia

EVENT

12

METRIC @ House of Blues

CONCERT

Masters of the American West @ Autry Museum

THEATRE

The Knocks @ El Rey Theatre

CONCERT

13

John Waters @ Luckman Fine Arts Complex

THEATRE

13

WATERS @ Troubadour

12

CONCERT

Snails @ El Rey Theatre

6

CONCERT

11

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Fall Concert Series: Beach Party @ One Sante Fe

CONCERT

6

USC vs UCLA Men’s Basketball @ The Galen Center

5

Sleepless: The Music Center After Hours @ The Music Center

EVENT

5

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SPORTS

4

BAIO (Vampire Weekend) @ El Rey Theatre

CONCERT

4

CONCERT

10

Laguna Beach Music Festival @ Laguna Canyon Road

EVENT

10

Santa Barbara International Film Fest @ Santa Barbara

FILM

3

Unknown Mortal Orchestra @ The Fonda Theater

ART

3

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February

CONCERT Harlem Globetrotters 90th Anniversary @ Honda Center

THEATRE The Mystery of Love & Sex @ Mark Taper Forum

14

West Side Story @ Carpenter Performing Arts Center

THEATRE

14

Fly @ The Pasadena Playhouse

THEATRE

7

Red Bull Sound Select Presents: Soulection @ The Regent Theater

CONCERT

7

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Daley @ El Rey Theatre

CONCERT

29

Pizza Friday @ The Silverlake Lounge

EVENT

15

22

Chamber Music Nights & Wine Tasting @ Walt Disney Concert Hall

EVENT

23

UCLA Men’s Baseball vs CSULB @ Jackie Robinson Stadium

SPORTS

23

Brian Fallon & The Crowes @ The Troubadour

15

COMEDY Food For Thought Open Mic @ Angel City Brewrey

CONCERT House of Vibe @ Harvelle’s

25

@ Segerstrom Center for the Arts

THEATREWICKED

18

Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird @ La Mirada Theatre

THEATRE

18

24

@ David Henry Hwang Theatre

THEATRECriers for Hire

24

Emily Wells @ El Rey Theatre

CONCERT

CONCERT

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The 58th Annual Grammy Awards @ The Staples Center

Radiation City | Deep Sea Diver @ The Echo

Daniel Sloss @ M.I Westside Comedy Center

EVENT

CONCERT

COMEDY

17 16

17

16 16

16 16

15 15

Grizfolk @ The Troubadour

CONCERT

26

Regina Carter w/ Sam Amidon @ Culina

CONCERT

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The Donkeys @ The Bootleg Theatre

CONCERT

19

Dr. Dog @ The Wiltern

CONCERT

16 19

Hito Steyerl: Factory of the Sun @ MOCA

EVENT

There’s A Stooge In My Soup! @ Alex Theatre

FILM

28

@ Bing Theatre (LACMA)

CONCERTThe Dublin Guitar Quartet

28

116th Golden Dragon Parade @ DTLA

EVENT

21

Air + Style @ Exposition Park

EVENT

21

For more events in real time • lacanvas.com

LA Travel & Adventure Show @ Long Beach Convention Center

EVENT

27

SPORTSLA Kings vss Buffalo Sabres @ The Staples Center

27

LA Weekly: The Essentials @ The California Market Center

FOOD

20

SPORTSLA Clippers vs Golden State Warriors @ The Staples Center

20

LAST LOOK

No. 66

Adi Goodrich THE MAESTRO

Describe what it’s like to collaborate with photographers—what does that process look like?

It depends on who it is, but I’ve been SUPER fortunate to work with some great collaborators. We start collaborating the moment the project comes to the table. We talk about what’s been inspiring us lately, and from there we start drawing and concepting; I spend a lot of time designing and drawing things by hand. Finally, we settle on something we all feel excited about.

What made you pivot from set design to creative direction? How’s it going so far?

You could say Adi Goodrich has a good eye. Our Design Issue cover star got her start at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where she tried her hand at just about everything under the curriculum’s vast umbrella—drawing, painting, architecture, printmaking, art history, and animation. But it wasn’t until Goodrich began merchandising windows at Barney’s post-college that she discovered she had a knack for bringing imaginary worlds to life.

Armed with a well-rounded skillset, curious imagination, great attitude, and a substantial hustle, Goodrich was able to turn her visionary eye and her love of building into a lucrative career in set design.

Adi’s body of work strikes an agile balance of creative projects and notable commercial commissions from the likes of Michel Gondry, Wieden+Kennedy, Nasty Gal, Apple, Adult Swim, Pizza Hut, Toyota, The Standard Hotel, and Target. Her always bold, often optimistic, and sometimes cheeky signature style has garnered her a collection of coveted cosigns from It’s Nice That, Booooooom.com, and Complex.

These days, Adi’ s switched gears—the master builder is focusing on creative direction where her and her better half, Sean Pecknold, are joining forces under the moniker Sing Sing. We caught her on a rare day off to get the scoop.

You’ve been known to use some pretty wild color. What is it about a bright color palette that resonates with you?

As far back as I remember, I’ve been drawn to textiles from the ‘60s and ‘70s. In junior high, I’d make dresses from old graphic towels and would collect cool old labels to cover my folders with. My dad had an antique store and we were always digging for treasures in barns, old houses, and closed businesses. As a kid, I had a tiny allowance and could afford the scraps—so I collected these tiny colorful printed things.

How did you learn how to build things?

My dad. I’ve been tearing apart houses and putting them back together for as long as I can remember. He was a truck driver/mechanic, and I was his sidekick.

I’m still doing set design but I’ve just realized I should be labeling myself as something more than just a “set designer.” I work on many different projects including interior design, animation, direction, illustration, fine art, and commercial art direction/set design. I felt like I was getting a bit bored JUST doing sets, so I’ve been spending the year pushing myself to do more. Current projects are co-directing a music video for Beach House with Sean Pecknold, creating a 9’ x 11’ wood carving for an exterior of an ice cream shop in Venice called Salt & Straw, painting a mural for Town Pizza, doing the Holiday Artist Takeover at the Ace Hotel, self-publishing a children’s book, and doing set design for Target.

In terms of set design, can you walk us through your process? Creative direction? What’s the principle difference here?

Set design has been very hands-on for me. I work with a crew and we make everything in-house. I’m covered in saw dust and have to manage a team of (sometimes very grumpy and sometimes very funny) guys building large sets in the hot hot sun. Creative direction is just beyond that: concepting more and doing less of the heavy lifting. Both are great, it’s just the balance of the two. I’ll never be the creative who sits at a computer all day or a lady who can walk around all day in fancy shoes.

Can you talk about your favorite project so far? What made it so fun?

One of my favorite projects was the first interior I did—a 70-foot mural at Town Pizza, painted with Sean Pecknold and our super-dude, Dustin Ruegger. I brought my use of color and shape to the walls of a public place! The sets I design are so cool and only about 15 people experience them in real life before we tear it all down. So, it was such a great feeling to see people in the neighborhood with their faces pushed against the window, looking at us painting with huge smiles.

How do you see your work evolving? What would you like to be doing in five years?

I want to have a calm, beautiful studio that knows no boundaries—I want to make films, books, photos, design sets, interiors, and furniture.

I want to do it all, but the most important thing is that I want to work with people who respect me and inspire me. That’s something I’ve learned from the process of it all: we all need to surround ourselves with people who inspire us and make us feel super, super special.

Because, if you’re feeling bad in your heart, you’ll look bad in your art.

(Cool rhyme I just made up).

ADI GOODRICH