Photograph: Courtesy Gregory Tuzin
Under the moniker A Common Name, Paige Smith creates her “urban geodes” out of paper or resin and tucks them into unobtrusive locations. Since 2011, these temporary-by-nature installations have found homes everywhere from
Columbus, Ohio to Syndey, as well as in nooks and crannies all over Los Angeles. Her latest project, a large-scale piece at LAX’s Tom Bradley International Terminal, introduces Smith’s work to the public in a whole new way.
Of course, because this is Los Angeles, Smith inhabits yet another creative world: She co-runs the covetable minimalist bag brand Vere Verto. (Solange is a fan.) We turned to the Michigan native and current Highland Park resident for her recommendations on L.A. spots to explore, where she’d want to have her last meal on Earth and what place feeds her inspiration.
Inspiration point: Switzer Falls
“I always go to nature to get inspired. One of my favorite hikes near me is Switzer Falls. It’s plenty long, with beautiful mountainous views, and it has a bonus mini waterfall at the end.”
Angeles National Forest
To blow away a tax refund: LCD
“They have a beautiful Venice store and a new one in the Arts District that has an amazing curation of high-end designers. This is definitely the place to spend money when I’m treating myself!”
Abbot Kinney • Arts District
Last meal on earth: Casablanca Restaurant
“One of my favorite kitschy restaurants, located in Venice. It’s margarita time all the time, and the whole place is dedicated to the movie Casablanca. I’d order a Cadillac Margarita and eat the best homemade tortillas in town, with their salsa verde and farmer cheese instead of typical chips and salsa. Humphrey Bogart is staring at you from every corner of the room, and there’s usually a live guitarist backed by music from a cassette tape. It’s magical!”
Venice
Hidden gem: The Museum of Jurassic Technology
“This is an awesome tiny museum that is completely unassuming from the outside. Located in Culver City, it has a tiny facade, but it’s filled with multiple stories of treasures and art. I don’t ever like to reveal too much about this place. I just say: Go!”
Culver City
To be blown away by Art: Hauser & Wirth
“They’re wonderful at curating site-specific installations, which are my favorite. They also have giant rooms of art and plenty of room to showcase over-the-top sculptures.”
Arts District
To satisfy book addictions: Hennessey + Ingalls
“I lose pockets of time and space looking at art books.”
Arts District