This story is part of Image issue 12, “Commitment (The Woo Woo Issue),” where we explore why Los Angeles is the land of true believers. Read the whole issue here.)
On Aug.12, luxe jewelry and piercing company Maria Tash is opening its first store in L.A. on Melrose. Known for its “Curated Ear” — highly personalized constellations of piercings and jewelry corresponding to personal style and anatomy — the brand’s new space will be geared toward celebrity clients, with a private entrance, suite and stylist for VIPs. Maria Tash is also coming out with a L.A.-exclusive collection to coincide with the opening of the 6,000-square-foot space, featuring designs that utilize blue diamond designs “inspired by the sharply blue skies the West Coast has to offer.”
P.E. Nation and Asics have collaborated on two remixed styles of the GEL-1130 sneaker, blending the athletic brands’ aesthetics and comfort into retro-inspired designs perfect for summer and fall. The pairs, both done in the classic Asics silhouette, play with color, texture and add-ons in a way that’s both versatile and individualized. The first release in a new partnership, one of the unisex pairs features pops of highlighter pink, orange and green, while the other is more rooted in Earth tones. $140. Available now.
“200 Trunks, 200 Visionaries: The Exhibition,” a new exhibition by Louis Vuitton celebrating its eponymous founder’s birthday, is currently on Rodeo Drive. The brand tapped artists from across disciplines and time zones — many in L.A., including BeGoodStudios and Alexis Israel — to reimagine its iconic piece of luggage, the trunk, into distinctive works of art. What results is a colorful, stimulating journey through the many different worlds of everyone from streetwear godfather Nigo to astrologer Susan Miller (@astrologyzone). On view through Sept. 6.
Open through Sept. 10 at the Torrance Art Museum, “The L.A. Six and the Underground” celebrates the work of iconic L.A. photographers Merrick Morton, Estevan Oriol, Frankie Orozco, Anthony Friedkin, Suitcase Joe and Julia Dean, who have centered their careers on capturing the realest parts of the city for decades. The exhibition also includes hand-painted pieces by muralist Jacqueline Valenzuela, artist Tonantzin Reyes and more. 3320 Civic Center Drive Torrance, Calif. torranceartmuseum.com
More from the 'Commitment' issue
Lifting the 50-year curse Sun Ra cast on L.A. Inside the sacred ritual of burning incense What could a modern Christian pastor look like? A long afternoon with Mike Davis Dr. Sebi still lives in L.A.!
“Abstract Art Beyond the Frame,” the new exhibition at the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach, is all about pushing — and ultimately transcending — boundaries. Featuring 22 artworks by 15 artists from six countries, “Abstract Art Beyond the Frame” is meant to celebrate feats in geometric art abstraction — some three dimensional, others utilizing space and shape in untraditional ways. MOLAA says its one of their most important exhibitions of the year. “What is particularly interesting about this exhibition is anyone from any background can understand what the works are trying to do,” says Lourdes I. Ramos-Rivas, president and CEO of the museum. “Consequently, going beyond the frame is an exciting journey and we invite the public to come and share experience.” 628 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach. molaa.org
“In This Place,” artist Nery Gabriel Lemus’ fifth exhibition with Charlie James Gallery, is a window into Pico-Union/Westlake, the artist’s vibrant hometown. Inspired by — and taking its name from — Amanda Gorman’s landmark poem, “In This Place (An American Lyric),” the exhibition celebrates the immigrant experience in the L.A. central neighborhood through sculpture, watercolor and textile. Each piece serves as almost a secret map to a place, with references taken from the artist’s life and experience. On view through Sept. 3. 969 Chung King Rd., Los Angeles. cjamesgallery.com
Park on the Dancefloor is returning to Sunset Boulevard on August 13 from 7 to 11 p.m. Echo Park’s annual cruise night and art show is organized by Sal Preciado’s El Clasico Tattoo and artist Jesse Jaramillo, in partnership with concept shop Género Neutral, streetwear brand Paisaboys, musician Air Nandez, Bob Flowers Collection, local watering hole Lowboy, California Cowboys Collective and more. It will be a night of lowriders, art, family and friends, with 39 artists and counting confirmed to participate. Don’t miss it.
The ethos of Supervsn Studios is functionality, purpose and style. It’s always been about connecting the dots — the brand knows how to transfer energy. Enter STUDIO, Supervsn Studios’ new collaboration with PacSun. Style meets philanthropy meets fashion meets community. The endeavor will produce four collections a year, proceeds of which will fund mentorship programs for the next wave of creative entrepreneurs through the Studio Foundation. The first line — blending Supervsn’s usual focus on functionality, style and intent — dropped on Aug. 3. Pieces are meant to transition from day to night, from the studio to a buzzy opening at an L.A. gallery. “This first STUDIO collection is just an introduction of what to expect from a product standpoint, but there will be four collections a year — all designed with the creator in mind,” says Supervsn’s founder and creative director, Gavin Mathieu. “The ultimate mission is in STUDIO’s ability to empower other creatives that may not have a voice yet.” The Studio Foundation is working with companies like Sean Wotherspoon’s vintage and sneaker mecca Round Two and talent management company 10 Summers, co-founded by L.A. DJ and producer Mustard.
The Kinsey African American Art & History Collection has joined forces with Inglewood’s Residency Art Gallery for “Continuum,” a group exhibition at SoFi Stadium. The show, co-curated by friends and colleagues Khalil Kinsey and Rick Garzon — chief curator of the Kinsey Collection and founder-director of Residency Art Gallery, respectively — “explores the notion of a propelling energy that gains momentum and builds in magnitude as it moves forward.” An addition to the current Kinsey Collection at SoFi Stadium, the contemporary artists participating in “Continuum” include Texas Isaiah, Jaimie Milner, Lyndon Barrois Sr., Genevieve Gaignard, Yasmine Nasser Diaz, Patrick Martinez and Samuel Levi Jones. Residencyart.com; thekinseycollection.com; sofistadium.com. 1001 Stadium Drive, Inglewood.
Estevan Oriol x Dickies? A match made in L.A. heaven. Paying homage to the West Coast and lowrider culture, the 12-piece capsule collection uses Dickies’ workwear silhouettes as a canvas for the iconic L.A. photographer’s sensibility. The pieces, ranging from $80 to $150, include overalls, twill work pants, an Eisenhower jacket and more. Available now at dickies.com.
We’re already in the thick of summer, but just in time to lock in the season’s perfect swimsuit. Swimwear company Onia has collaborated with the Standard for a collection inspired by long sunny days chillin’ by the pool at the hotels — and for Angelenos, it will inspire warm, fuzzy memories of endless afternoons on the Standard’s DTLA rooftop (#RIP). The collection, utilizing the Standard’s classic yellow, includes trunks, one pieces and bikinis and more. onia.com
The Perez Bros open their third solo show — their biggest one yet, they say — at Thinkspace in Jefferson Park. Dubbed “Cruise Night 2,” the show includes six works on canvas and seven on paper that serve as the brothers’ latest dedication to Southern California and Los Angeles. The exhibition is on view through Aug. 27. 4217 W. Jefferson Blvd., Los Angeles. Thinkspaceprojects.com
On Sept. 4, LACMA opens its new exhibition “Objects of Desire: Photography and the Language of Advertising,” which draws the connection between photography-based artists and their manipulation, or “artistic appropriation,” of advertising techniques for the sake of creativity. Featuring striking photographs, sculpture, video and more from 34 artists including Barbara Kruger, Sandy Skoglund, Hank Willis Thomas and Sanja Iveković, the exhibition will also include an actual billboard by Larry Sultan and Mike Mandel, among other IRL aspects. On view through June 2023. lacma.org
Alice Coltrane was a Virgo. In celebration of the artist’s 85th birthday, dublab has teamed up with the John & Alice Coltrane Home for Alice Coltrane: An Expansive Spirit. The free concert features performances of Coltrane’s music by the Universal Consciousness Orchestra led by composer Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Surya Botofasina of the Sai Anantam Ashram and vocalist Michelle Coltrane, in addition to special guest artists and dublab DJs. The event is supported by skincare brand Ceylon, P.F. Candle Co. and more. Organizers encourage guests to bring flowers for Coltrane’s altar. August. 27 from 6 to 10 p.m. at Grand Performances. California Plaza, 350 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles.