hustler of culture

LA - Hammer Lecture: Hitoshi Abe (06.30.09)

LA - Dwell on Design (06.26.09 - 06.28.09)

Hey LA posse -

Dwell on Design at the Los Angeles Convention Center is this weekend, June 26-28! And it's going to be a jam-packed weekend of design, architecture, green activities, fun, and food! Following are some of this weekend's highlights:

Saturday, June 27
Movie Night - Featuring a screening of the Julius Shulman documentary Visual Acoustics and a  Q&A with director, Eric Bricker.

There will be a Mobile Restaurant Row with tacos, BBQ, hot dogs, shaved ice, and architectural ice cream sandwiches by Coolhaus. Are you good with sweet treats and tasty names? If so, enter the contest to invent their next flavor!

Sunday, June 28
Square Meal Sunday - Event devoted to design and food.

If you are interested in attending Saturday night's Movie Night, I have one pair of tickets to give away to a lucky reader. The tickets will get you into the movie and gain you entrance to dinner, but you'll still have to pay for your own food. Enter by leaving a comment telling us what neighborhood you live in. Remember to enter your email address. A randomly selected winner will be notified by Thursday at 6:00 p.m. PST. If you want to guarantee entrance, purchase a ticket with a special discount code for HOC readers:

Hustler of Culture
Exhibition Plus (Weekend Pass) only $10 with this special code: DWELL25C
Conference Plus (3 Day Pass) from $49 with this special code: DWELL976Y

Other links worth paying attention to:
Schedule-At-A-Glance
Conference Schedule
Mike Mills' Architecture of Reassurance
Alissa Walker's Q&A with Dan Pink, the DoD Keynote Speaker
Modern Family
Dwell on Design Twitter Feed

LA - 'The Sundown Salon Unfolding Archive' Book Event (06.20.09)

The MAK Center at the Schindler House, Evil Twin Publications, and Fritz Haeg are pleased to co-host a book release celebration for The Sundown Salon Unfolding Archive.

Saturday, June 20, 4-7 p.m.
Admission to this event is free.

Please join us for this very special event!

The Sundown Salon Unfolding Archive will be unveiled at the Schindler House on Saturday, June 20, 4-7 p.m. Published by Evil Twin Publications, The Sundown Salon Unfolding Archive is a comprehensive archive and account of the Sundown Salon series that ran from spring 2001 through fall 2006 in the home of Los Angeles artist Fritz Haeg.

This event at the MAK Center will be accompanied by performances and activities led by local artists.

NYC - "Reef" (06.02.09 - 07.25.09)

REEF, AN INTERACTIVE INSTALLATION BY ROB LEY & JOSHUA STEIN
JUNE 2 - JULY 25, 2009
OPENING: TUESDAY JUNE 2, 7-9.30pm

'Reef', an interactive installation at Storefront for Art and Architecture by LA-based architects Rob Ley and Joshua Stein, investigates the role emerging material technology can play in the sensitive reprogramming of architectural and public space. Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs), a category of metals that change shape according to temperature, offer the possibility of efficient, fluid movement without the mechanized motion of earlier technologies.

LA - "The Isle" (05.27.09 - 08.23.09)

The MAK Center Presents:

The Isle by Pages (Nasrin Tabatabai and Babak Afrassiabi)
Exhibition Explores Paradoxes of Iranian Luxury Island

Opening Reception: Wednesday, May 27, 7 - 9 pm

MAK Center for Art and Architecture, L.A.
Schindler House
835 North Kings Road
West Hollywood, CA 90069
323-651-1510
office@makcenter.org
www.makcenter.org

LA - Journey Into Kcymaerxthaere (05.20.09, 05.21.09, 05.27.09, 05.28.09)

LIC - "The University of Trash" (05.10.09)

THE UNIVERSITY OF TRASH
SUNDAY, MAY 10

The University of Trash, artists Nils Norman and Michael Cataldi "experiment in alternative architecture, urbanism, and pedagogy" opens today at SculptureCenter's main space. Norman and Cataldi will create a large installation of walkways and pavilions using only recycled and re-purposed materials. Throughout the summer, their structure will host a slew of workshops, screenings, and presentations with a focus on DIY architecture and grass roots, self-organized urbanism.

SculptureCenter, 44-19 Purves St., Long Island City, Queens, (718) 361-1750. Opening from 5-7 p.m. Free.

LA - "No Capri For Old Men" (05.07.09)

MAK Center Artist in Residence Bara Presents:
No Capri For Old Men at Venice Beach

Reception: Thursday, May 7, 4 pm - 7 pm

Venice Beach, where Venice Boulevard hits the ocean

Works by Los Angeles and Berlin-based Artists: Bara, Keith Boadwee, Véronique Bourgoin, André Butzer, Sebastian Dacey, Sibylla Dumke, Hedwig Eberle, Isabelle Fein, Manuela Gernedel, Chris Lipomi, Dennis Loesch, Brett Lund, Anna McCarthy, Jihae Meek, Wallace Meek, Pat Ngoho, Roberto Ohrt, Anna Parkina, Julia Pfaller, Katrin Rother, Juli Susin, Niklas Schechinger, Hank Schmidt in der Beek, Rouven Schmitt, Henry Vincent, Thomas Winkler, Shirley Wintsch, Ulrich Wulff

MAK Center for Art and Architecture, Los Angeles
at the Schindler House
835 North Kings Road
West Hollywood, CA 90069

LA - Conversations on Urban China: Jeffrey Kipnis and Thom Mayne (04.28.09)

Conversations on Urban China: Jeffrey Kipnis and Thom Mayne

Conversations on Urban China with Sylvia Lavin

Director of Critical Studies and MA/PhD programs in UCLA’s Department of Architecture and Urban Design, Sylvia Lavin engages artists, architects, and curators in a series of lively discussions on how cities are increasingly molded by images rather than buildings; on whether art and architecture are converging to form an integrated type of cultural consumption; and if the concept of the masterpiece has finally been destroyed by the sheer quantity of global design production.

NYC - Evan Douglis "Autogenic Structures" Book Event (04.06.09)

BOOKLAUNCH: MON APRIL 6, 6:30pm

EVAN DOUGLIS: AUTOGENIC STRUCTURES

"Autogenic Structures" offers an alternative vision for the future of architecture, a timely and invaluable contribution to the debate concerning emergent surfaces and the next generation of building membranes in this era of extreme computational control. An esteemed group of architects and educators discuss a range of cultural perspectives surrounding Evan Douglis' innovative pedagogical research.Topics considered include:the future relationship between structure and ornament; the value of mass customization for the next generation of modular building components; and, the role of smart materials in creating a sustainable universe.

Storefront for Art and Architecture
97 Kenmare Street
10012 New York, NY
Tel. 212.431.5795
Fax 212.431.5755

LA - The MAK Center and LA Forum Present: Transit And The City (04.02.09)

The MAK Center and LA Forum Present: Transit And The City

Discussion and Presentation

Thursday April 2, 7 pm
Free Event

MAK Center for Art and Architecture, L.A.
Schindler House
835 North Kings Road
West Hollywood, CA 90069

Please join us for a discussion, hosted by the LA Forum and the MAK Center, inspired by the visionary schemes created for the SCI-Arc/Architect's Newspaper competition, A New Infrastructure: Innovative Transit Solutions for Los Angeles. After a presentation of the winning schemes, panelists will discuss the future of LA's transit system, and the role that transit will play in the continuing development of the city.

LA - "Final Projects" Exhibition for Group XXVII of International Residents (03.13.09 - 03.15.09)

The MAK Center Presents: "Final Projects" Exhibition for Group XXVII of International Residents

Opening Reception: Friday, March 13, 7 pm - 9 pm, performance from Simon Fujiwara at 8 pm

MAK Center for Art and Architecture, L.A.
Schindler House
835 North Kings Road
West Hollywood, CA 90069
323-651-1510
office@makcenter.org

Please join us for the opening reception of the Final Projects exhibition of group XXVII of the MAK Center Artists and Architects in Residence Program.  Featuring  the work of artists Alan Cicmak, Simon Fujiwara and the team Hanakam & Schuller, and architect team Schinegger/Rutzinger, the exhibition will be on view March 14-15, 2009.  The reception features a performance from Simon Fujiwara at 8:00 p.m.

Big City Forum

March 3, 2009 - 5:12 p.m. - Echo Park, CA

I'm a member of Los Angeles do-good organization, Big City Forum, a "project designed to push forth a creative cities agenda." For the second gathering, we met at the Echo Park Film Center to meet and greet other members and to converse with LA-based architects, Stephanie Smith of Ecoshack, and Jenna Didier and Oliver Hess of Materials & Applications.  It was a pleasure for me to meet Stephanie offline and to catch up with Jenna after a near decade lapse of correspondence. The architects walked us through their life's work and shared their experiences of building and creating in the City of Angels. After the insightful presentations, the floor was open to everyone and the community shared their two cents. Discussions of how we could help one another moving forward seemed really sincere and exciting!

I'm proud to be a part of a community so invested in Los Angeles. And I'm grateful to Leonardo for the opportunity. Thanks, all!

Gelato With Gelatobaby, Alissa Walker

February 26, 2009 - 12:41 p.m. - Burbank, CA

A little while ago, I made a lunch date with fellow foodie, DnA: design and architecture associate producer, and culture writer, Alissa Walker of Gelatobaby.  Alissa's quite the bi-pedal adventurer and was game to explore my work neighborhood of Burbank. I knew I had to find a restaurant worthy of the culture maven's attention and commute so I suggested we eat at local fave, Pinocchio Italian Restaurant.

Upon entering the neighborhood landmark, Alissa walked straight into a freezer case of orange-sized scoops of gelato. Welcome to Monte Carlo Italian Deli & Market, the grocery portion of the restaurant! Alissa was smitten. And I instantly knew that we were going to have a good lunch. We caught up over lasagnas leaving just enough room to treat ourselves to five baby scoops of different flavored gelato -- all for $2.95. I couldn't have asked for more from an afternoon of conversation and comfort food. Except for maybe a repeat visit.

LA - Benjamin H. Bratton: The Program Is Not on the Floor: Stories about Projection, Planning, and Partition (02.18.09)

Benjamin H. Bratton: The Program Is Not on the Floor: Stories about Projection, Planning, and Partition

Principal, The Culture Industry + Associate Professor, UCSD
http://www.bratton.info/
http://www.cultureindustry.com/

Wednesday, February 18 at 7pm
Lecture • W. M. Keck Lecture Hall

SCI-Arc Lectures are broadcast live online at www.sciarc.edu/live • No reservations are required • Admission and parking are free • SCI-Arc is located at 960 East 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013 • The building entrance and parking lot are located at 350 Merrick St, between 4th Street and Traction Avenue • For additional programming information, please visit www.sciarc.edu or call 213.613.2200 x347 • Email public_programs@sciarc.edu for mailing list changes

LA - Neville Mars Event (02.16.09)

Neville Mars: From Book to Buildings - The Potential and Problems of a Practice in China
Founder + Director, Dynamic City Foundation, Beijing

http://www.sciarc.edu/lectures.php?id=1379

Monday, February 16 at 7pm
Lecture • W. M. Keck Lecture Hall

SCI-Arc Lectures are broadcast live online at www.sciarc.edu/live • No reservations are required • Admission and parking are free • SCI-Arc is located at 960 East 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013 • The building entrance and parking lot are located at 350 Merrick St, between 4th Street and Traction Avenue • For additional programming information, please visit www.sciarc.edu or call 213.613.2200 x347 • Email public_programs@sciarc.edu for mailing list changes

Universal Studios Private Tour

February 5, 2006 - 1:36 p.m. - Studio City, CA

It's nice to have friends in Hollywood. An old high school BFF of mine took me to her "office" which happens to be on the Universal Studio lot. Nevermind the rain, we grabbed a golf cart and zipped through a bunch of different worlds together for lunch. Thanks for the private tour, Cindy!

Cindy: Guess which set this is?
Me: Oh I know. I know! It's Lost!
Cindy: Uh, no. You know where we are right? Universal Studios. Steven Spielberg Way...
Me: Oh I know... Umm...
Cindy: The film's from a couple of years ago?! Loretta, you know right?
Loretta: I totally know.
Me: Oh I totally know! Umm... Umm...
Cindy: Aliens? Destruction? Tom Cruise!
Me: I know. I know!
Cindy, as we're driving off: War of the Worlds!
Me: War of the Worlds! I totally knew it!

LA - Atelier Bow-Wow: Small Case Study House (01.30.09 - 03.29.09)

January 31 - March 29, 2009

Atelier Bow-Wow
Small Case Study House
Opening reception: Friday, January 30, 6:00 - 9:00 pm
Artist talk: Saturday, January 31, 2 pm

Founded by Yoshiharu Tsukamoto and Momoyo Kaijima in 1992, Tokyo-based architecture studio Atelier Bow-Wow explores the use and function of space within urban environments. Bow-Wow developed the term "pet architecture"--a style of small, ad hoc, multifunctional structures that make the most of limited space. Using the framework of art galleries or museums to experiment with form and behavior, Bow-Wow's newly commissioned project for REDCAT is the culmination of an extended Los Angeles residency period, during which Tsukamoto and Kaijima researched the Case Study House program and made this postwar project a point of departure in thinking about domestic dwellings. Informed by the principles of the program--which enlisted architects to design low-cost homes for the masses with prefabricated materials--as well as the urban dynamics of contemporary Los Angeles, Bow-Wow's Small Case Study House responds to contemporary models for housing in L.A. as they relate to concepts of customization, re-use, and "architectural behaviorology." This is Atelier Bow-Wow's first solo exhibition in the United States.

Call For Submissions: A New Infrastructure - Innovative Transit Solutions For Los Angeles

A NEW INFRASTRUCTURE:
Innovative Transit Solutions for Los Angeles

An Open Ideas Competition
Sponsored by SCIFI at SCI-Arc and The Architect’s Newspaper

Entries Due March 13, 2009 at 5pm; Winners Announced March 21 at SCI-Arc.

The passage in November 2008 of Measure R, a half cent sales tax in Los Angeles County, will provide as much as $40 billion for transit-related projects across the City of Los Angeles over the next 30 years. Meanwhile, U.S. President Barack Obama has pledged to make the largest investment since the 1950s to rebuild our nation’s crumbling infrastructure.

In response to this historic opportunity, the SCIFI (Southern California Institute of Future Initiatives) program at the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) and The Architect’s Newspaper are sponsoring an open ideas competition for architects, engineers, urban planners and students to propose new ideas for LA County’s transit infrastructure.

NYC - Pidgin 6 Panel Event (01.23.09)