This summer, a wide range of shows from historical surveys to contemporary installations by up-and-coming artists may be seen in Los Angeles’s museums and art institutions. Among these are the Getty’s survey of Camille Claudel, which turns the attention from her turbulent life to her creative accomplishments, and the Huntington’s exhibition of Albrecht Dürer, which emphasizes his blending of Italian art influences.
Historical Surveys: Camille Claudel and Albrecht Dürer
The Getty Center is home to a sizable collection of sculptures by Camille Claudel, including about sixty pieces made of marble, plaster, and bronze. The goal of this show is to distance Claudel’s legacy from her personal hardships and tumultuous connection with Auguste Rodin while reiterating her standing as a significant influence in modernist figurative sculpture.
“Albrecht Dürer: Wanderlust,” a series of 24 paintings produced during and after his journeys through Italy, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, is on display at the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. These works show how Dürer, who was influenced by interactions with painters like Raphael and Bellini, incorporated a variety of creative concepts and techniques into his practice.
Contemporary Installations: Emerging Artists
The East Los Streetscapers’ artwork “Hacia al Norte” is on exhibit in the Los Angeles Public Library for the first time in 25 years, marking a huge cultural renaissance. The vibrant 65-foot mural, created by David Botello, Wayne Healy, and Rich Raya, weaves together tales of migration from Latin America, Asia, and Europe.
The Japanese American National Museum features sixty images taken by James Tadanao Sata, showcasing his modernist approach to photographing the landscapes of Southern California and Little Tokyo. His World War II internment camp artwork is also on display, providing a moving look into his life as an immigrant and prisoner.
“The Wreck and not the Story of the Wreck,” Sofía Córdova’s show at JOAN, explores themes of resistance and emancipation. Her 2019–2022 GUILLOTINÆ WannaCry series, which incorporates poems and a variety of musical genres, examines revolutionary politics and historical instances of resistance.
“Winfred Rembert: Hard Times,” the first solo exhibition of the late artist’s painted and carved leather creations in Los Angeles, is being shown at Hauser & Wirth. Rembert’s paintings combine figuration and abstraction to show situations from his life with vibrant color fields and patterns, reflecting his experiences with sharecropping and jail.
“Things Well Worth Waiting For” at the Alyce de Roulet Williamson Gallery is an homage to the late photographer Kwame Brathwaite. It has fifty images that document African-American fashion, music, and daily life throughout the Black Power and Civil Rights movements. Brathwaite’s impact on the “Black is Beautiful” movement is evident in his renowned photographs of musicians and the Grandassa Models.
Exploring Identity and Social Issues
The Brick, formerly known as LAXART, reopens with “Gregg Bordowitz: This Is Not a Love Song.” This show explores HIV/AIDS, queerness, and Jewish identity through film, performance, poetry, and prints. In her works, Bordowitz uses historical material and autobiographical thoughts to face the difficulties of living with HIV.
Rising sea levels in the future are the subject of Josh Kline’s “Climate Change” exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art. This extensive project creates a compelling depiction of environmental disaster and human relocation by integrating photography, video, sculpture, and ephemeral materials.
“Sangre de Nopal/Blood of the Nopal” at the Fowler Museum delves into Indigenous ecological practices and migration within the Oaxacan diaspora, starring Tanya Aguiñiga and Porfirio Gutiérrez in the lead roles. The show highlights the cultural relevance of cochineal dye via textiles, performance, and video pieces.
These diverse exhibitions offer a rich tapestry of artistic expression, blending historical significance with contemporary relevance. They not only celebrate the achievements of individual artists but also provoke thoughtful dialogue on issues such as identity, migration, resistance, and environmental change. Whether through the lens of classical art or modern installations, Los Angeles’s summer art scene promises to engage, inspire, and challenge its audience, making it a must-visit for art enthusiasts and cultural explorers alike.
