'Farewell, Work Holiday Parties': Alex Prager's All-Too-Real Art Installation at LACMA

While on the Great Los Angeles Walk last month, my colleague Pat Saperstein posted a few photos on Instagram from what looked like a staged event happening at LACMA: "Farewell, Work Holiday Parties" appeared to be a live, immersive event featuring actors portraying an out-of-control work holiday party. I was a mile or two behind her, and hoped it would still be going on by the time I got to the museum.

And indeed, when I got to the museum an hour or so later, the party was going on. Because here's the amazing part: Artist Alex Prager had not hired actors to re-enact an awful office Christmas. These are all incredibly real-life mannequins, in the most amazing fashion. The exhibit is outdoors, and free to see, making it COVID-safe.
 

I mean, wow. Here's how LACMA describes the work: "Approaching the work from any direction, the visitor gets the distinct sense that there are a lot of people around. It is strange to see a group gathered without masks, standing very close to one another and even touching as they pose for a picture. You quickly realize the plaza before you is not full of people; it is a tableau made of lifelike sculptures and props depicting an office party bordering on absurdity. Like Alex Prager's photographs, the characters are frozen into detailed, fantastical (pre-pandemic) scenarios. The most absurd thing of all is the eerily real feeling about the sculptures. They are so lifelike that it seems as if one might move at any moment—or that they are looking directly at you."

More from LACMA: "This new world has necessitated new approaches to making art and engaging audiences, and this type of life sculptural work is a new element in Prager's practice. Based in Los Angeles, the artist has been working in performance, photography, and film for years (and a keen eye may even notice a nod to one of her past works under the Christmas tree). This piece came about when Miller Lite approached Prager to make artwork that could be featured in a holiday commercial. Speaking about the inception of the work, Prager said, "It's rare that a project like this comes my way. I have been experimenting with sculpture in my work for years. Miller Lite and DDB trusted me to make 15 life sculptures with complete creative autonomy." The result of this collaboration with Miller Lite is a piece that enlisted Hollywood special effects, techniques of photography, and Prager's signature way of blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. The curators welcomed the opportunity to recontextualize these impressive new works by Prager and the hyperreal sculptures now have a new life beyond the advertisement as artworks for this outdoor installation."

All of these characters have names and even motivations. Read here for more.

If you can't make it to LACMA, here's a 3D rendering and tour to get a closer look.

For Kids, Donald Trump is the Bogeyman

The Blogger Kid 2.0's summer art camp asked the kids to design a "scary monster" with clay. Unprompted, several chose to depict Donald Trump. (Our guy made a ghost. But still, Trump fear is real.)

The Southern Poverty Law Center lays it out:

It’s producing an alarming level of fear and anxiety among children of color and inflaming racial and ethnic tensions in the classroom. Many students worry about being deported.

Other students have been emboldened by the divisive, often juvenile rhetoric in the campaign. Teachers have noted an increase in bullying, harassment and intimidation of students whose races, religions or nationalities have been the verbal targets of candidates on the campaign trail.

Educators are perplexed and conflicted about what to do. They report being stymied by the need to remain nonpartisan but disturbed by the anxiety in their classrooms and the lessons that children may be absorbing from this campaign.

Anecdotally, I know the 11 year olds that Blogger Kid 1.0 hangs around with now bring up Trump when they want to invoke something scary. But they're honestly nervous about this. This presidential campaign is causing real distress among kids.

Free L.A.: The Alley Project Turns "Blight into Bright"

If you can find parking (and it's not easy -- we had to stop in a 7-11 lot and basically take turns looking), Jason Ostro's Alley Project, is a great way to (in his words) see how artists have turned "blight into bright."

The L.A. Times has covered the Alley Project, located in Historic Filipinotown, several times; here's a dispatch from last fall:

Ostro’s the Alley Project has produced more than 75 murals by more than 50 artists, some local and some international. The side-by-side works, a mishmash of colors and styles, cover nearly every vertical surface, including garage doors, window bars, even dumpsters. Three alleys have been completed since April; production on a fourth is planned to start in about a month.

“When we first moved into the neighborhood three years ago, there was so much garbage and graffiti around here,” says Ostro, owner of the nearby Gabba Gallery. "The whole idea was: 'Turn blight into bright.'"

Some pics we managed to shoot around the 7-11 (and hopefully we'll be back soon -- and find a parking spot -- to explore more):

Free Public Art: The Spheres at MacArthur Park

While visiting Langer's (of course!) for some pastrami this weekend, we walked by MacArthur Park to check out the striking The Spheres at MacArthur Park display.

MacArthur Park has always been a study in contrasts: A gritty urban landscape, where illegal activity abounds, yet a vibrant and exciting spot at the same time. "The Spheres at MacArthur Park" has added a big dose of color and depth to the historic park and lake.

Some details:

The Spheres at MacArthur Park is the largest public art and civic project in the U.S. More than 10,000 children and adults throughout Los Angeles have participated in visually transforming and revitalizing MacArthur Park as part ofPortraits of Hope’s latest project.

The majority of the floating spheres were painted by 7,000 children who took part in Portraits of Hope creative therapy and civic leadership sessions in schools and hospitals. Social service and community groups also participated highlighting the projects integrated themes of public art, civic education, community engagement, creative therapy, and teamwork.

This Portraits of Hope initiative is a continuation of the program’s large-scale, national projects which have visually transformed and brightened public settings and symbols ranging from the NYC taxi fleet, blimps, planes, and buildings to LA’s coastal lifeguard towers, NASCAR race cars, and frontline fire and rescue vehicles – providing youth in hospitals, schools and the community a chance to achieve in the public arena.

Founded by brothers Ed Massey and Bernie Massey, Portraits of Hope has involved tens of thousands of children and adults and more than 1,000 schools, hospitals, and social service programs in its large-scale collaborations and initiatives. At the conclusion of the exhibition in late October, the art spheres will be donated to social service institutions throughout the U.S. including senior centers, women’s shelters, schools and hospitals to beautify their interior and exterior setting.

A few more pics:

Star Wars, Mickey Mouse and More: Scenes from the Pasadena Chalk Festival

Last weekend we strolled through Pasadena's Paseo Colorado open-air mall to check out the participants from this year's Pasadena Chalk Festival in mid-creation. Billed as the world's largest chalk art competition, more than 600 artists created some really great, colorful chalk art. (And as a weird bonus, we ran into Marc Maron, a day after he interviewed President Obama in his Highland Park garage!) Check out the winning murals here. Some highlights:

FREE L.A.: "Revolutions 2" Music Art Exhibit at the Forest Lawn Museum

Just open at Glendale's Forest Lawn Museum, the new exhibit "Revolutions 2" (a sequel to the Museum's "Revolutions" exhibit from a few years ago) celebrates "the stunning world of art that revolves around music, with a dazzling array of art, album cover originals and more."

It's a cool exhibit, and best of all, free! A quick note about the Forest Lawn Museum: It's truly one of the best-kept secret attractions in Glendale. Get over the idea that it's a museum within a cemetery -- Glendale's Forest Lawn is a beautiful, well-maintained site (with countless statues, monuments and chapels), even if you have no particular reason to visit. Perched high above the city, the museum boasts incredible views -- and its entrance is always free. The permanent collection is interesting enough, but the museum's rotating exhibitions are almost always unique and well-curated.

The Forest Lawn Museum's past exhibits include ones devoted to tiki art, the art of the motorcycle and the Art of Lego.

We attended the opening reception on Saturday night. Some pics we sneaked:








The Forest Lawn museum


The Glendale city view, from high above.

The "Revolutions 2" exhibit continues until August 2. Forest Lawn Museum is open Tuesday – Sunday, 10am to 5pm (closed Mondays).

Re-Animated: Mickey Mouse, Miss Piggy, "Gravity Falls" and More Get Zombie-fied

The creative minds at Disney TV Animation -- now celebrating its 30th anniversary -- do great work. "Phineas and Ferb," "Gravity Falls," "Fish Hooks" and so many more, have been favorites of the Blogger Kids for years. But in their down time, the animators are just as creative, and every once in a while they showcase their talents via a gallery inside their Glendale headquarters.

On Tuesday night, the Disney Television Animation crew unveiled their latest display: "Re-Animated: The Zombie Show." A mix of beloved Disney characters zombified, and some original creations (and mashups) as well. Disney TV Animation opened the event -- doubling as a celebration of their 30th anniversary -- with a cocktail reception. Here are some highlights from the show:


(It's hard to tell in this photo, but Zombie Mickey is devouring another Mickey.)


(Oh, Miss Piggy, what happened?)


(The "Gravity Falls" kids do the "Thriller" with a new friend!)


("Gravity Falls" has tackled zombies on the show, so it only makes sense it would be a popular subject at this display.)


(You always knew this was how Scrooge McDuck would end up.)


(Zombie-fied "Phineas & Ferb" characters, as drawn on sandwich napkins!)


(This may be my favorite of all, and I hope they turn it into a real book. A twisted take on "Winnie the Pooh.")