Museums may be starting to open their doors again, but one of April’s most exciting art exhibitions is taking place entirely outside of gallery walls—and, in fact, on building walls.
For one night only, LUMINEX: Dialogues of Light will turn five blocks of Downtown L.A. into a walkable exhibition of digital artwork. Curated by the NOW Art Foundation, the April 10 event features site-specific works from six artists, including Refik Anadol, who designed the Walt Disney Concert Hall’s centennial celebration projections.
You’ll find the installations in South Park tucked into the blocks just east of the Staples Center. Each piece reflects on a different of-the-moment theme, from the environment to inclusivity to voids, via a different digital medium, including augmented reality and multi-channel video art.
Here’s the rundown of everything that’ll be on display. Note that some locations will host two pieces; which one is on display depends on what time you visit. Check the LUMINEX site for a map as well as audio accompaniments to each piece (the curators recommend you bring headphones with you to listen while you’re there).
The original version of this story included an installation from the Art Department, the anonymous collective behind the short-lived Griffith Park Teahouse. However, we’ve been informed that the group are not a part of the event.
Refik Anadol, Wind of Los Angeles
1066 S Hope St
7:30–11:30pm
The data-driven projection whiz will interpret the invisible patterns of wind into sculptures projected onto the facade of the Desmond building.
Nancy Baker Cahill, Hollow Point 101
420 W 11th St
7:30–11:30pm
The founder of AR platform 4th Wall has crafted a piece that encapsulates our current moment of high-impact shattering in terms of culture, politics and the environment.
Sarah Rara, Perfect Touch 2021
1154 S Olive St
7:30–9:30pm
The multi-disciplinary artist will span the north and south walls of a building with an installation that speaks to connecting divisions.
Carole Kim, A VOID A VOID
421 W Pico Blvd
9:30–11:30pm
The video projection artist will use the two inlets of the old Morrison Hotel to explore loss, isolation and communication.
Luciana Abait, Agua
1025 Flower St
7:30–11:30pm
The climate change-focused mixed-media artist is adapting the flood-myth motif into a healing video piece that combines clips of water from around the world.
Akiko Yamashita, Forest Perception
1154 S Olive St
9:30–11:30pm
The projection mapping specialist will create a life-size forest on the north and south walls of a building: one side focused on the roots, the other looking down from the canopy.
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