Sep 2, 2020 • View in browser

Hello, September. This week we share highlights from the fourth edition of MAIDEN LA, the shuttered Marciano Foundation appears to be joining forces with Gagosian, and CalArts and the Otis College of Art and Design receive millions of dollars to fund Black students and faculty.

Plus, read two fascinating interviews with Pasadena-based artist Dan Douke and another with Juan Devis, who is the mind behind KCET’s newest series spotlighting LA artists during COVID-19.

—Elisa Wouk Almino, Senior Editor, Los Angeles

What's Going on at the Marciano?

Marciano Art Foundation, May 18, 2017 (photo by Matt Stromberg)

The Marciano Art Foundation (MAF) abruptly shuttered last year after employees made an effort to unionize. The private museum attributed its decision to close due to “low attendance,” even if many found the excuse peculiar.

In July, the museum reached a settlement with the former employees, who argued that the MAF had violated the law when it laid them off. One week later, news came that Gagosian would be taking over a part of the MAF’s old building. Matt Stromberg writes:

Although unexpected, the announcement was not exactly surprising, given the fact that the Marcianos have been long-time clients of Gagosian. Several of the artists on view at the MAF are on the gallery’s roster […] leading to speculation that when the building reopens, it might offer much of the same, just under a different name.

Stromberg digs deeper into Marciano’s decision. After all, it only has two more months to forge a new direction before its tax-exempt status could be revoked.

An Epic LA Art Event Kicks off September

The Union Square Florist Shop at Velaslavasay Panorama for MAIDEN LA 2020 (image courtesy Velaslavasay Panorama)

Starved for art that isn’t in the form of an “online gallery”? Me too. The month-log art event MAIDEN LAhas plenty of artists hosting outdoor, socially distanced projects, as well as interactive virtual presentations and workshops.

I’ve shared a few of my highlights, including a gorgeous display of flowers in an old theater and a public hand-washing station that serves as a memorial to front-line workers who passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In Other News

Charles Gaines at the exhibition Charles Gaines: Gridwork, 1974-1989 at the Hammer Museum (photo by Steve Gunther, courtesy CalArts)

The California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) received $5 million to hire Black artists on faculty. “Students have been vocal about wanting to see that the faculty body is diverse. They want to see viewpoints that are culturally similar to their own,” CalArts President Ravi Rajan told Hyperallergic. In the fall of 2019, only 6% of faculty identified as Black.

The Otis College of Art and Design also announced a grant of $1 million toward “additional scholarships and the hiring of a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) executive role.”

Dean of Student Affairs Nicholas Negrete said:

We made a point to say we’re focusing on Black students now. We want to make sure we’re focused on student body populations that we haven’t served well historically.

And if you want to support Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions (LACE), the nonprofit exhibition space is currently auctioning works by 60 artists (many of them LA-based). Profits from the sales will be shared among the artists and the organization.

Latest Interviews

Juan Devis Is Spotlighting Local Artists During the COVID-19 Pandemic at KCET

An interview series spotlighting some of the great work coming out of Los Angeles. Hear directly from artists, curators, and art workers about their current projects and personal quirks.

Elisa Wouk Almino

Beer with a Painter: Dan Douke

“I was always good at drawing and I would get attention for it. But I wanted to be a rock star.”

Jennifer Samet

From Our Partners at KCET

Musical Expansions

Witness the creativity of L.A. music in this episode made in collaboration with dublab.

For Danza Azteca Groups, Dancing is Prayer and Protest in Motion

With ancient Mexican roots, danza Azteca is a movement that inspired Chicanos to embrace their ethnic heritage and question the Eurocentric norms forced upon them.

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