This April, Los Angeles hosts a variety of exhibitions that focus on the evocative, the everyday, and the often ignored. Among the highlights is a 60-year retrospective of Gemini G.E.L., a pioneering print publisher in LA, and a comprehensive 500-year survey of the Gruenwald Center at the Hammer Museum, both emphasizing the vast array of works on paper. At ArtCenter, Dave Muller emphasizes the significance of social interaction and handcrafted art in his work. Additionally, iconic LA performance artists Rachel Rosenthal and King Moody, alongside Bob & Bob, are honored in exhibitions showcasing performance documentation and tangible artifacts. Furthermore, a newfound collection of matchbook miniatures by Joe Brainard reveals his talent for transforming mundane objects into compact, meaningful artworks.
Shuhūd (Witnesses)
Monte Vista Projects, 1206 Maple Avenue #523, Downtown, Los Angeles
Through April 19
Since October 7, 2023, over 250 journalists have been killed by the Israeli military in Gaza, marking it as the deadliest conflict zone for journalists. Curated by Seanna Latiff, ‘Shuhūd (Witnesses)’ presents portraits of approximately 150 Palestinian journalists, giving a personal face to these tragic figures. The exhibition commemorates those who risked their lives documenting the horrors of genocide and the immense devastation in their communities. Featuring contributions from more than 35 artists, including Rachid Bouhamidi, Molly Segal, Karim Shuquem, and Michael Hambouz, the show supports the Sameer Project’s ‘Rebuild Gaza’ initiative through an online fundraiser.
Impressions of Los Angeles: 60 Years of Printmaking at Gemini G.E.L.
Gemini G.E.L., 8365 Melrose Avenue, Beverly Grove, Los Angeles
Through May 1
Gemini G.E.L. has been a cornerstone of LA’s art scene since 1966, collaborating with renowned artists such as John Baldessari, Roy Lichtenstein, Julie Mehretu, and Vija Celmins. This retrospective, celebrating the first 60 years of the esteemed print publisher, explores the city’s natural and urban environments. Featured works include David Hockney’s ukiyo-e-inspired ‘Weather Series’ (1973), Tacita Dean’s lithographs, Ed Ruscha’s screenprint of Pico and Sepulveda, and Robert Rauschenberg’s ‘LA Uncovered’ series.
Bob & Bob: 50 Years of Art | lost and found
Craig Krull Gallery, Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Avenue #B3, Santa Monica, California
Through May 9
Emerging from the avant-garde performance art movement of the mid-1970s in Los Angeles, Bob & Bob, alongside figures like Chris Burden and Rachel Rosenthal, critiqued power structures with humor and a rebellious spirit. ‘lost and found’ exhibits their expressive drawings and mixed media collages alongside video documentation of performances. A discussion with Bob & Bob, moderated by Craig Krull, is scheduled for April 25 at 4pm.
David Alekhuogie
Commonwealth and Council, 3006 West 7th Street, Suite 220, Koreatown, Los Angeles
April 4–May 16
David Alekhuogie examines the power dynamics in representation, particularly those affecting Black individuals. His ‘Pull_UP’ series, part of the Hammer Museum’s Made in LA biennial, responds to Barack Obama’s 2008 remarks with vibrant, abstract waistbands. The current exhibition, ‘A Reprise,’ at Commonwealth and Council reinterprets Walker Evans’s 1935 photos of African art, raising questions about objectivity and the colonial perspective.
Five Centuries of Works on Paper: The Grunwald Center at 70
Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Boulevard, Westwood, Los Angeles
Through May 17
The UCLA Grunwald Center for the Graphic Arts, established in 1956 and housed at the Hammer Museum since 1994, holds a prestigious collection of over 45,000 works on paper. ‘The Grunwald Center at 70’ showcases nearly 100 pieces by over 90 artists, including Albrecht Dürer, Rembrandt, José Guadalupe Posada, Käthe Kollwitz, Ansel Adams, and more, reflecting the historical and artistic span of the collection.
