Culture Club: LA’s New Galleries & Immersive Exhibitions

This spring, LA is blooming with more than just wildflowers – new galleries, interactive exhibitions, and immersive experiences are popping up like poppies all across the Southland. Discover dazzling VR  and interactive installations at the world’s first fully immersive entertainment art park. Food meets art at Audrey restaurant, which recently opened at the Hammer Museum, while The Egg House features some “eggcellent” treats to view and eat. Animal lovers will revel in awww-worthy displays devoted to our furry friends. Whatever your culture club, LA’s new galleries and immersive exhibitions are guaranteed to inspire, amuse, and entertain!

Brannan Mason

Brannon Mason Gallery 1923 S Santa Fe Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Recently opened this month, Brannon Mason Gallery is a new contemporary gallery for social impact situated in a 4,500 square foot commercial space in the LA Arts District. The inaugural exhibition, CORNERSTONE, presents the U.S. debut of French photographer Etienne Rougery-Herbaut and Haitian artist Samdi, showing new works from each artist, as well as an exuberant series of collaborations the two conceived specially for this occasion. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Southern California is the benefiting organization of the first show,  with donations supporting the Immigrants’ Rights Project.

Samskara

SAMSKARA Wisdome Immersive Art Park 1147 Palmetto St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Wisdome.LA, the world’s first fully immersive entertainment art park, presents SAMSKARA, an immersive art exhibition featuring works from transformational artist Android Jones. Visitors will experience a full dome mapping projection show, microdose VR, interactive photo display, and Android Jones art gallery. Samskara is Sanskrit for the scope of experiences which we collect through our life journeys. Good samskara is driven by positive experiences and deeds, while negative samskara is the result of evil or selfish thoughts and actions. Wisdome.LA is dedicated to presenting avant-garde transformational experiences and unforgettable events in a unique multiple projection domes setup, featuring VR and 360 immersive audio and visual experiences.

Audrey

Audrey at the Hammer 10899 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA  90024

Located within the Hammer Museum in Westwood, Audrey restaurant blends elevated and soulful cooking with a contemporary Southern California feel rooted in the region’s growing seasons. From restaurateur Soa Davies Forrest and chef Lisa Giffen, the dishes emphasize European flavors and techniques complemented by a full bar offering fresh, bright cocktails and a diverse wine list showcasing small production winemakers. The modern and inclusive space designed by architect Michael Maltzan and interiors by Fettle Design features a prominent tile installation from renowned Cuban-American artist Jorge Pardo.

The Other Art Fair

The Other Art Fair The Magic Box at The Reef 1933 S Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90007

Looking for some art for your home or office? The Other Art Fair is a leading artist fair for a new generation of art buyers. Presented by world-renowned online art gallery Saatchi Art, The Other Art Fair showcases work by 140 talented independent artists with artworks starting from $150, each hand picked by a Selection Committee of art world experts. Art lovers can visit the fair with the confidence that they are buying from the very best and most promising emerging artists in a unique and immersive experience. According to Telegraph Luxury, “The Other Art Fair’s got hipster credentials, but it’s serious about nurturing talent too.”

The Egg House

The Egg House 708 N Croft Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90069

The Egg House is the first egg-themed pop-up space offering a multi-sensory experience, led by founder Biubiu Xu and an eggcellent team of creators, designers, and artists. With multiple rooms of immersive installations and interactive experiences, The Egg House is a house full of dreams and fantasies that saves you from the busy concrete city, and brings you a shareable fun time to spend with friends and family. Visitors can explore Instagrammable installations, interactive design, vendors with “eggcellent” egg treats, a gift shop and more.

The Bunny Museum

The Bunny Museum 2605 Lake Ave. Altadena, CA 91001

Bunnies aren’t just for Easter! The Bunny Museum is a world record-holding museum dedicated to rabbits that opened to the public in 1998, Founded by Steve Lubanski and Candace Frazee, who as a couple are called Lubunnzee, The Bunny Museum tells the history of bunnies in advertising, art, entertainment, fashion, film, and everyday vernacular. Got dust bunnies in your home? Do you know what bunnies have to do with math? Have you ever heard of a rabbit plane? Have you ever eaten a Welsh Rabbit? Hop on over and find out. The Bunny Museum has 35,754 bunny objects to date.

ALERT: This museum is not recommended for pre-school children. Children are welcome, but they are not the target audience.

100 Tactile

100 Tactile 529 N La Cienega Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90048

100 Tactile is the first and only tactile interactive exhibition – featuring 100 boxes with unknown content inside! The audience will experience objects and symbols completely through the sense of touch, activating a different kind of awareness to the world. Complemented by supporting visual elements and music, the artwork consists of 100 individual pieces, divided into 3 sections: 1. Daily Objects 2. Materials and Texture 3. Text and Symbols. (Hand sanitizers are provided in every section).100 Tactile was conceived by Ceci M W, a conceptual artist based in New York. Ceci’s installation work frequently involves physical interactions with the audience in unexpected ways, examining psychological effects, physiological senses, or communication between humans through participation.

California Science Center

Dogs! A Science Tail  California Science Center 700 Exposition Park Dr. Los Angeles 90037

They’re cuddly. They’re smart. We treat them like part of the family. From lovable companions to loyal protectors, dogs live and work alongside us. They can rescue us from peril, sniff out danger, or provide help to people in need. Through engaging and fun hands-on exhibits, visitors can explore the science behind the bond between humans and dogs. Find out how humans and dogs are both wired for social connection, which made it possible for dogs to nuzzle their way into human society and into our hearts. Discover dogs’ amazing senses and grab the chance to see, hear, smell, and act like a dog.

ALERT: Please note: Humans only! Service dogs that have been individually trained to work or perform tasks for a guest with a disability are welcome, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Pets, comfort animals, emotional support animals, or therapy animals are not allowed, for the safety of the Science Center’s exhibit animals.

Super Power Dogs

Super Power Dogs 3D

Enhance your California Science Center experience with an immersive IMAX adventure to experience the life-saving superpowers and extraordinary bravery of some of the world’s most amazing dogs. Superpower Dogs 3D takes you on a journey around the globe to meet remarkable dogs who save lives and discover the powerful bond they share with their human partners.

2019 Interior Design Trends: Where to Get the Latest Looks in DTLA

Spring is in the air! Time to spruce up your space with a fresh new look! The top 2019 Interior Design Trends are hot off the presses at international design shows such as Paris’ Maison et Objet, Milan Design Week, and the UK’s CovetED magazine, so let’s get inspired!

If 2018 was all about neutral palettes, 2019 finds balance with provocative pops of color, such as Pantone’s 2019 color of the year–Living Coral–along with saturated moody hues like Hunter Green, digitally-inspired shades of violet and pink, soft terracottas, and optimistic yellow.

Pantone Living Coral

Pantone’s Color of the Year – Living Coral

Sleek mid-century modern styles continue to prevail, punctuated by gold, silver and black matter metallic accents; bold graphic area rugs, and sculptural lighting. Other major trends include Asian influences, bright and muted florals, plush velvets, and raw materials such as rattan and reclaimed wood. Ready to snap up a great deal? Secondhand and vintage stores are bursting at the seams with discarded furniture and home accessories, thanks to Marie Kondo’s popular decluttering craze.

However you choose to curate your home, DTLA is the ultimate destination for the best Interior Design Trends of 2019!

Hammer and Spear

Hammer and Spear 255 S Santa Fe Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Launched in 2013, Hammer and Spear is a showroom and full service multidisciplinary interior design studio, with a team of interior designers, architects, and product designers. Located in a historic brick building in the heart of the Arts District, this dual-functioning environment lends itself to a creative atmosphere, which permeates both the retail and design settings. Founders husband and wife Scott Jarrell and Kristan Cunningham present a carefully curated, sophisticated array of home furnishings, accessories, art objects, and lifestyle products.

A + R

A + R Row DTLA 777 S Alameda St #100 Los Angeles, CA 90021

A+R stands for Andy and Rose: British ex-pat Andy Griffith, a former film editor and self-avowed design junkie, and Rose Apodaca, a pop culture and style journalist and author. From sofas to stools, clocks to carafes, tables to lightning, A + R’s oeuvre is design that charms, functions and inspires. Need some style advice? A + R has a knowledgeable team in-store and behind the scenes who will share their enthusiasm for design, bound by the pursuit of aesthetics and innovative ideas.

The Good Liver

The Good Liver 705 Mateo St Los Angeles, CA 90021

The Good Liver is a modern day version of a general store that sets out to inform, inspire and ultimately suggest a better way of living through a conscientious collection of enduring, quality goods from around the world. Motivated by the simple things in life, The Good Liver strives to provide high quality, functional products with aesthetic appeal – the unification of design and quality! The store offers a carefully selected range of objects from international brands and makers, showcasing the history, philosophy and craftsmanship behind each item. Helpful staff share stories of the how and why behind each product’s creation, illustrating the thoughtful curation of The Good Liver and their dedication to the good life.

Matter & Bone

Matter & Bone 548 S Spring St. Ste 113 Los Angeles, CA 90013

Formerly Hayes Gallery, Matter & Bone is a chic furniture and home accessories boutique located in downtown LA. In 2017, owner Tracy Hayes made the transition from gallery to boutique, diversifying her inventory to include carefully curated artisan goods, with a strong focus on local LA artists. Inspired by your own unique aesthetic, Matter & Bone can arrange for custom upholstery or refinishing for nearly every piece in their collection, to create a look that fits perfectly in your home.

Buttercup

HD Buttercup DTLA 2118 E 7th Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Since opening their doors in 2005, HD Buttercup has become a favorite resource for home furnishings and décor. Defined by bold and imaginative pieces from around the world, HD Buttercup has become the destination for distinctive collections, from sleek mid-century designs to vintage accent pieces. Eliminating the middleman, they work directly with factories and iconic designers to provide a wide variety of high quality, well-priced pieces. HD Buttercup also offers complimentary interior design and personal shopping services.

RAFU Bussan

Rafu Bussan 414 East Second Street Los Angeles, CA 90012

Located inside the Honda Plaza, Rafu Bussan offers a slice of Little Tokyo history and tradition. The store dates to before World War II, when Yuko Tanaka and Junichi Onishi founded Rafu Bussan in Gardena, California. During World War II, Mr. Tanaka was sent to an internment camp and after the war, they started up the business again, delivering items such as rice, tea, rice bowls and chopsticks to the Japanese in Orange County and the South Bay communities. In 1958, the late Kiyoshi “Skip” Kawaratani and his wife purchased Mr. Onishi’s share of the business and later, Mr. Tanaka’s interest as well. Today, Rafu Bussan carries a huge selection of Japanese dinnerware, vases and accessories, traditional iron and metal ornaments, classical Japanese dolls, lacquerware, kitchenware, origami papers and books, cookbooks, and Japanese foods.

LA Trim & Rug

LA Trim & Rugs 831 S Wall St Los Angeles, CA 90014

This insider’s secret offers luxurious rugs made with the highest quality yarn possible, designed by today’s traditional and modern fashion experts, with durability, artistic palette, comfort, and affordability in mind. Each rug goes through a special preparation process to produce a unique and beautiful product. The rug yarn is first dyed to custom color specifications, and then is tufted individually by the hands of talented artisans. New stain and soil resistant advanced technology is then added to ensure durability, quality, and performance. Choose from countless styles including shag, flokati, faux fur, Persian, contemporary, and even fluffy 3D models.

Silverado Salvage & Design

Silverado Salvage & Design 2401 E 27th St, Vernon, CA 90058

Silverado Salvage & Design is the original salvage and reclaimed wood destination where you’ll find a huge selection of architectural salvage, antiques, pre-made, repurposed and reclaimed wood furniture, and thousands of feet of beautiful reclaimed wood. The cavernous 16,000 square-foot warehouse is popular with studios, commercial and residential designers, architects, artists, craftspeople, builders, as well as the general public. The team will create custom designs, including tables, desks, credenzas, kitchen islands, cabinets, shelving, sliding doors, wall installations, and objet d’art, just to name a few.

Loveseat Vintage Furniture

Loveseat Vintage Furniture 2445 E 12th St Unit C, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Loveseat is the creation of husband and wife duo Jenny & Chris Stanchak–dubbed ‘Team Awesome.’ While preparing for their cross country move from Philadelphia to San Diego, the couple realized just how hard it is to sell furniture, and even worse, how amazingly challenging and time consuming it is to find nice furniture you can afford. From this frustration, Loveseat was born. You can buy and sell vintage furniture on the Loveseat online platform, or swing by their warehouse in DTLA to take an in-person look at their fun and affordable inventory. Order your low-cost home delivery during checkout.

Comfort & Joy: DTLA’s Best Wine & Spirits Shops

It’s time to celebrate! You’ve decked the halls, your shopping is nearly finished, and everything is coming together at last! Now it’s time to party! And no festivity would be complete without an effervescent bubbly, aromatic wine, or a well-chilled brew. Whether you’re stocking up for a holiday soirée, ready for a tasting adventure, or looking for the perfect gift, LA’s the place for keeping spirits bright!

Gourmet Wine & Spirits

Gourmet Wines & Spirits 300 S Grand Ave LP110, Los Angeles, CA 90071

Located in the heart of DTLA at the corner of Grand Avenue and 3rd Street, Gourmet Wines & Spirits offers a large selection of fine wines, beers, and liquors from around the world, including many rare and hard to find items. A “one-stop” shop for personal and business gift entertaining, they offer free delivery to anywhere downtown. Choose from custom made baskets such as Wine/Liquor Baskets, Cheese/Cracker, and Chocolate Baskets. The deli department is staffed with creative, knowledgeable people prepared to meet your needs, from made-to-order sandwiches and salads to spectacular Cheese, Meats and Fruit Platters delivered to your office. Many wines, champagnes, beer, and soft drinks are already chilled, and their “Emergency Platters” can be prepared on short notice.

Buzz Wine & Beer Pub Interior

Buzz Wine Beer Bottle Shop 460 S.Spring St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

The folks at Buzz Wine Beer Bottle Shop are self-proclaimed beer geeks, offering more than 800 curated beers that rotate every day. Inventory includes the latest market entries, hottest releases, and regional favorites. The Buzz team tastes 100-200 wines a week from more than 160 sources, including small producers, bottles made by non-traditional winemakers, geek wines, and natural, sustainable, organic, biodynamic, unfined & unfiltered products. The store professes a unique alternative experience without the typical “wine speak” intimidation and silly “nose-in-the-air” formalities, to give customers great options and empower them to make their own decisions. The Bar is open from 12 noon till 1:30am daily for those who buy a bottle in the store and choose to drink on-site, at no extra fee!

538 Wine and Spirits interior

538 Wine & Spirits  538 South Flower St. Los Angeles, CA 90071

Ensconced in the ground floor of the California Club, 538 Wine & Spirits is open to both club members and non members. This swanky store is a premier source for world class wines and spirits, with an in-depth inventory of wines from the West Coast and Europe’s great winemaking traditions. 538 also sources rare and old vintages by legendary vintners, specializing in cult California, Bordeaux and Burgundy wines. They also feature a selection of Petrossian caviar and Padrón cigars. If you’re looking for something in particular or truly special, including hard to find bottles, the expert staff will source it for you.

Lost Spirits

Lost Spirits Distillery 1235 E 6th St. Los Angeles, CA 90021

Originating in Monterey Country and Silicon Valley, Lost Spirits Distillery is a creative design house and laboratory producing some of the world’s most extreme and unique spirits, including high-ester rums and peated single malts. Set in the DTLA Arts District, the new re-imagined Los Angeles distillery is open to the public by reservation only. Tours typically last 90 min-2 hours and include a journey through every step of the spirits-making process, from inception and raw ingredients to the finished product. You’ll also be guided through the lab to see current experiments and upcoming releases, and enjoy a 4-6 “course” tasting menu with the people who make it. Book reservations here.

flaskandfield

Jason's Wine & Spirits

Jason’s Wine & Spirits California Market Center 110 E 9th St. Suite A2 Los Angeles 90079

Nestled in the Downtown Los Angeles Fashion District for over 40 years, Jason’s Wine & Spirits offers a wide range of beer, wine, champagne, whiskey, vodka, cognac and rum, including unique and hard to find bottles. Jason’s boasts LA’s fastest local alcohol delivery with under-an-hour free service from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m daily. They also offer event catering throughout the greater Los Angeles area, and can send a gift delivery for that special person in your life. Check their website to find out if you are in their delivery zone.

Wine Stop

Wine Stop 1025 S Santa Fe Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Wine Stop is revolutionizing wine retailing with their ‘vineyard-to-shelf’ concept, which allows them to provide top-quality natural, low-intervention, organic, and biodynamic wines at incredible quality/price ratios. No other retailer in the city carries their inventory of domestic and imported selections, thus giving LA wine lovers a great new source for hand-selected wines. All imports are shipped in refrigerated containers (reefers) for maximum integrity. Wine Stop hosts Thursday Night Wine & Cheese Tastings and Bubble Flight (Fridays only).

Flask & Field

Flask & Field Row DTLA 767 S Alameda St. Ste 180 Los Angeles, CA 90021

Flask & Field is a modern destination for the discovery of wine, spirits, art and design, offering a selection of quality goods for house, home and adventure. The eclectic establishment was founded by entertainment attorney Miriam Yoo, who was inspired by her husband’s lack of places to shop for spirits and supplies. Driven by her lifelong passion for wine, hospitality and design, she set out to create a new kind of shop that would address a range of lifestyle needs. Flask & Field hosts private events and tastings in their 1200 square-foot space, and pop-up classes on a range of useful skills.  Join the F&F Wine Club or get on their mailing list for more information.

Holiday Art Exhibitions, Pop-Ups & Kunsthalles in DTLA

Art exhibitions don’t have to be traditional, and the eclectic DTLA scene proves that point in spades, with festive holiday pop-ups, unique immersive experiences, and the popular Downtown Los Angeles Art Walk, held on the second Thursday of every month. LA is also embracing the European kunsthalle concept. Roughly translated as “art hall,” kunsthalles activate their neighborhoods with provocative programming, are frequently quartered in renovated industrial or historic locations, and offer free admission. The Main Museum, ICA LA, and The Mistake Room are dynamic examples of this exciting new LA trend.

So take a break from your busy holiday prep and explore DTLA’s burgeoning exhibitions, art halls, and pop up museums!

Fa La Land logo design

Fa La Land Holiday Pop-Up Museum  Row DTLA 787 S. Alameda St. Los Angeles 90021

The most wonderful time of the year deserves a massive celebration! Experience the dazzling lights, jolly sounds and comforting scents of the holiday season like never before at Fa La Land, the world’s most festive pop-up museum! Everything sparkles brighter in this immersive and interactive environment that is crafted to delight both the young and young at heart. Step into an old-fashioned North Pole, help make toys at “Jingle Bell Toy Factory”, get lost in light in a fluorescent “Fa La Forest”, jump in on the action at “Fa La Fest” and get your Christmas list ready for your private audience with the Big Man himself. Choose your preferred dates and purchase tickets here.

Interior photo of The Main Museum

The Main Museum 114 W 4th St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Housed within the historic Hellman Building, The Main Museum is a new art hall dedicated to engaging the public with some of the most important ideas of our time, through the lense of Los Angeles artists. The expansive space features high ceilings, original columns and tile-work, and windows looking out to 4th Street. With a residency program at its center rather than a collection, The Main forefronts artists in its work and supports wide-ranging practices from artists at all stages in their careers. Open to the public Wednesday through Sunday from 12 to 7pm when exhibitions are on view. Free admission always.

Couple playing in ball pit at Cheat Day Land

Cheat Day Land 2018 E 7th St. Los Angeles, CA 90021

The only pop-up musuem dedicated to your favorite cheat meals, Cheat Day Land is a celebration of the foods we all dream about and deserve after a hard week’s workout. This immersive museum lends its energy to the idea of treating yourself with a cheat day-because you deserve it. Cheat Day Land hosts 17 fully immersive, imaginative environments in themes of all your “forbidden” foods-a journey through space and time with the vehicle being your favorite cheat day meals. Your guided tour will be lead by a Cheat Day specialist, who will walk you through all of the exhibits and installations. The museum also offers ideas for balancing a healthy lifestyle which still allows for snacking and occasional guilt-free cheating. Cheat Day Land is partnering with St. Anne’s Org in giving to those in need this holiday season. Bring a new unwrapped toy and receive a 50% discount off regular ticket pricing through December 18th. Buy tickets here.

ICA

ICA LA 1717 E 7th St. Los Angeles, CA 90021

The Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (ICA LA) is a new museum located in Downtown Los Angeles. ICA LA’s revelatory exhibitions of works by international artists, dynamic public programs, and inclusive community partnerships reflect the diversity of Los Angeles and the world, fostering critique of the familiar and empathy with the different.  Founded in 1984 as the Santa Monica Museum of Art (SMMoA), ICA LA builds upon a distinguished history of fostering artistic experimentation with bold curatorial choices, and connecting with various communities via timely, meaningful, and engaging public programs. Admission is free.

The Mistake Room Interior Photo

The Mistake Room 1811 E 20th St. Los Angeles, CA 90058

Established in 2014, The Mistake Room (TMR) operates from a renovated industrial warehouse along the Alameda Corridor at the southernmost edge of Downtown LA’s Arts District. A platform for art, ideas, and practices fueled by radical imagination, TMR works with artists, thinkers and makers from around the world, TMR strives to instigate new ways of being and knowing while transforming how people access, experience, and engage with culture. TMR’s program is organized in rotating curatorial cycles that vary in structure, duration, and thematic focus. Each cycle is conceived as a world in its own right and as such is given shape by unique exhibitionary, experiential, and discursive forms and moments.

Invader

Invader Into the White Cube Over the Influence 833 E 3rd St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Over the Influence is thrilled to announce “Into the White Cube,” a survey exhibition celebrating the internationally-renowned French artist known as Invader. Offering an overview of the artist’s achievements from the past two decades, the exhibition features feature his iconic mosaics along side a completely new series and media. One of the most enigmatic and radical living artists of our time, since 1998 he has “invaded” cities and landmarks worldwide, adroitly placing his tiled pieces in the most ubiquitous locations.  By highlighting the growing role of technology in our everyday life, Invader forces people to think about the implications of this digital invasion. Marking Invader’s first solo show in Los Angeles since 2005, the exhibition will remain on view through December 23, 2018.