Angeleno booklovers, this Saturday there is a very neat event in our city’s best new public space and it is free: Grand Park’s Downtown Bookfest. There are so many cool things for bookworms, young and old, to do. Check it out!
Jackson Pollock at the Getty
Jackson Pollock is a giant of American painting and one of his largest and most important pieces has been restored and is now on display here in Los Angeles through June 1st. From the Getty website:
“Commissioned by art collector and dealer Peggy Guggenheim for the entry to her New York City apartment in 1943, Mural by Jackson Pollock (American, 1912–1956) is considered one of the iconic paintings of the twentieth century. Now in the collection of the University of Iowa Museum of Art, it represents a transitional moment in Pollock’s career, as he moved toward an experimental application of paint. Following extensive study and treatment at the J. Paul Getty Museum and the Getty Conservation Institute, this exhibition presents the newly conserved work alongside findings from the Getty’s research.”
This is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to see a part of our American heritage as it was meant to be seen, not on a computer monitor or the page of a book, but in person with one’s own eyes.
And if you go, consider supplementing your weekend of visual arts with one of two excellent films about fine art we are currently showing as Saturday/Sunday morning screenings– THE RAPE OF EUROPA and TIM’S VERMEER.
Movie and a Meal: Follow THE LUNCHBOX with a Visit to an Indian Restaurant
This scene from THE GODFATHER always makes me want Italian food. And that’s just one scene. Films in which food is a major part of the plot are a beloved genre all their own. Time will tell, but the new Indian movie THE LUNCHBOX may join the ranks of other great foodie movies like BABETTE’S FEAST, BIG NIGHT and LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE. We at Laemmle Theatres humbly recommend you try preceding lunch or dinner at one of the many Indian restaurants near our theaters by taking in THE LUNCHBOX to whet your appetite. Here are some close by:
Fourteen minute walk west down Santa Monica Blvd. from the Royal: All India Cafe
Across the street from the Playhouse (where we open THE LUNCHBOX this Friday): Sitar Indian Cuisine
Two minute walk west down Ventura Blvd. from the Town Center (where we open THE LUNCHBOX this Friday): Anarbagh
Or choose one of your personal favorites. Bon appetit!
BEA HUSMAN: BEATIFICA Comes to NoHo 7
Join us for the NoHo 7’s first art gallery opening and the second installment of Laemmle’s ART IN THE ARTHOUSE program! At select Laemmle Theatre locations, you’ll soon be enjoying fine works by visual artists in our lobbies and on your way to the auditorium.
BEA HUSMAN: BEATIFICA opens this coming Wednesday, February 26, 6-9pm. To join us for the opening celebration, RSVP HERE.
This extraordinary exhibit uncovers the work of BEA HUSMAN (1915-2011), an iconoclast who translated her world travels into inspired artworks in a variety of media. Rarely exhibited during her lifetime, Husman produced art for the sheer pleasure of it, resulting in a legacy unsullied by the marketplace and a body of work that exudes joy and lyricism.
Husman, a fashion designer turned artist, discovered the Intaglio process in the 1970s and soon a printing press and metal plates for etching and engraving became part of her studio, alongside large easel, oil, and acrylic paints. In turn, this led to an interest in paper-making, and, circa 1980, Husman made her way to Kyoto, Japan for a paper-making class with DAVID HOCKNEY. Upon her return, she began utilizing both paper and print making disciplines to create breathtaking collage pieces that incorporated fabrics, string, torn sections of prints, found objects, and coarse, handmade papers.
As she matured as an artist, Husman exhibited an uncanny ability to weave together her myriad influences, including explorations of remote cultures, to create pieces of increasing sophistication. She died in 2011 at 96. leaving a treasure trove of never-before-seen work for the public to discover.
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About ART IN THE ARTHOUSE:
Art in the Arthouse is the brainchild of Laemmle president, Greg Laemmle. Switching to digital poster frames conserves both paper and wall space, creating the opportunity to extend the cultural scope of our theaters to include the visual fine arts.
By reclaiming wall space throughout our theaters for the display of fine art, patrons will have a chance to bond with notable and emerging L.A. based visual artists and their work. Proceeds from the sale of art benefit the activities of the Laemmle Charitable Foundation.
GIRL RISING screening at the NoHo February 26
In case you missed the excellent documentary GIRL RISING when we played it last year, several local filmmakers are hosting a screening at the NoHo 7 on February 26, 2014. Chrissy Dodson and Mandi Moss aim to bring a global movement to educate girls and create meaningful media with a special community screening of GIRL RISING that night at 7:30. This is a crowd-funded event, requiring 65 pre-sale tickets purchased by Monday, February 17 in order to take place. Pre-Sale Tickets Available for $11 http://bit.ly/GIRLRISING
GIRL RISING is a groundbreaking feature film that spotlights the stories of nine unforgettable girls born into unforgiving circumstances. The film captures their dreams, their voices and their remarkable lives with narration by notable performers, including Meryl Streep and Alicia Keys. The event is part of a larger movement dedicated to empowering and achieving educational equality for girls around the world. This International Women’s Day pre-celebration will bring entertainment industry professionals, Girl Scout leaders, students, educators, artists and community members together to raise awareness about the importance of girls’ education in developing nations and to create meaningful media. It is a fundraising event with a percentage of ticket sales and all donations supporting the Girl Rising Fund. “We believe in the power of education and media to change not only a girl, but the world,” said host Chrissy Dodson. “By hosting a community event featuring Girl Rising, we are demonstrating our commitment to breaking down the barriers that prevent girls around the world from going to school. We are proud to be part of this movement in Los Angeles. We hope all community members, artists and entertainment professionals will join us to collaborate, inspire and affect positive change.”
GIRL RISING was directed by Academy Award-nominee Richard E. Robbins and is narrated by Cate Blanchett, Priyanka Chopra, Selena Gomez, Anne Hathaway, Salma Hayek, Alicia Keys, Chloë Moretz, Liam Neeson, Freida Pinto, Meryl Streep, and Kerry Washington. “If to see it is to know it, this film delivers hope – reasonable, measurable, tangible hope that the world can be healed and helped to a better future,” said Meryl Streep. “It’s a powerful film that has the potential to inspire change in the world. If you’re not moved, you’re not breathing,” said Alicia Keys. Girl Rising is also a movement that embraces the words of activist Malala Yousafzai: “One child, one teacher, one pen and one book can change the world. Education is the only solution.” The movement was founded by award-winning journalists at The Documentary Group and Paul G. Allen’s Vulcan Productions, along with strategic partner, Intel Corporation. Girl Rising’s International Day of the Girl activities are sponsored by Intel. Girl Rising is built on a foundation of partnerships with NGOs, corporations, policy makers, and grassroots organizations — all working to change minds, lives, and policy. A portion of film ticket sales goes to support girl-focused programs through the Girl Rising Fund. The Fund is distributed to Girl Rising’s high-impact network of non-profit partners who are working on the ground: A New Day Cambodia, CARE, Girl Up/United Nations Foundation, Partners in Health, Plan International USA, Room to Read, and World Vision. GIRL RISING IS A FILM. GIRL RISING IS A MOVEMENT. GIRL RISING IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE THE FUTURE. girlrising.com Tickets http://bit.ly/GIRLRISING
The Beginning of Art in the Arthouse: You’re Invited
Outside of your home or office walls, how often do you really get the chance to get to know a work of art in person? Gallery openings and museum visits are often “drive by” affairs that typically limit your engagement. And, even assuming you still have an independent brewing house nearby, coffee house art is unpredictable in quality.
Enter Laemmle’s new Art in the Arthouse program. It promises to deliver a unique and alternative art-viewing experience. By reclaiming wall space throughout its theaters for the display of fine art, Laemmle will give its patrons a chance to bond with notable and emerging L.A. based visual artists and their work. Exhibits will last three to four months, affording regular movie-goers ample time to get to know a piece through repeat visits and exposure. Curatorial standards will be high, in keeping with the approach that has distinguished Laemmle as a film exhibitor over the years.
Art in the Arthouse is the brainchild of Laemmle president, Greg Laemmle. “Switching to digital poster frames conserves both paper and wall space,” says Laemmle. “This opened up the opportunity to extend the cultural scope of our theaters to include the visual fine arts.”
Our first two events feature artists Dave Lefner at the Royal and Bea Husman at the NoHo. The Lefner exhibit opening is February 19 — RSVP here — and the Husman exhibit opening is February 26 — RSVP here. Proceeds from the sale of art benefit the Laemmle Charitable Foundation.
L.A. Times: “At 75, Laemmle Family’s Theaters Look to the Future”
In case you missed it, on Saturday the L.A. Times published a piece about Laemmle Theatres as part of their “Company Town: The Business Behind the Show” column. Writer Richard Verrier interviews third generation company president Greg Laemmle about our business philosophy, charitable efforts, and plans for the future, including possible new theaters in Newhall, Glendale and Inglewood. Check it out!
GOD LOVES UGANDA Director on MSNBC: “Meet Roger Ross Williams, exposing America’s exported intolerance” + Q and A’s at the Royal
For hundreds of years, Africans suffered terribly from European colonialism and are, of course, still dealing with the consequences. So it is deeply troubling to learn from the documentary GOD LOVES UGANDA that some U.S. citizens — religious zealots — are perpetuating that tragic legacy with missionary work that leads to violent homophobia. The Oscar-winning filmmaker Roger Ross Williams was recently interviewed on MSNBC to talk about his important new movie. You can also meet him at the Royal this weekend. Here is the Q&A schedule:
Friday // 530pm – Q&A with director Roger Ross Williams and special guest, Los Angeles World Affairs Council President Terry McCarthy
Friday // 750pm – Q&A with director Roger Ross Williams
Saturday // 310pm – Q&A with director Roger Ross Williams and special guest
Saturday // 530pm – Q&A with director Roger Ross Williams and special guest Chris Freeman, ONE Archives
Saturday // 750pm Q&A with director Roger Ross Williams and special guest Samantha Curley, founder and executive co-director of Level Ground
