Latest news with #TheBroad
The Verge
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Verge
You can own a functional version of Jeff Koons' Balloon Dog sculptures for $750
Jeff Koons, best known for his Balloon Dog sculptures that have sold for as much as $58 million, has collaborated with Lexon Design and The Broad museum in Los Angeles to make his iconic artworks more functional and accessible. Available for preorder through Lexon's website starting June 17th are a new 11-inch tall Balloon Dog Speaker and Balloon Dog Lamp that are each made from (an unspecified) 'high-quality translucent material' that reveals the internal electronics that make each more than just a piece of art. Both are only being produced in a 'limited supply' and each one will set you back $750 with shipping expected to start sometime in October 2025. That is extremely expensive, and you're definitely paying a premium because this is an official collaboration with Koons. But to Lexon's credit, at least on paper, the company seems to have packed these with solid hardware. Inside the Balloon Dog Speaker are a total of 'six ultra-precise active drivers and four finely tuned passive radiators' designed to deliver 360-degrees of 'high-fidelity sound.' We haven't had a chance to test the sound quality of those drivers, but that's more than similarly-sized Bluetooth speakers that aren't shaped like a novelty dog often utilize. The speaker connects to mobile devices using Bluetooth 5.0, and with built-in microphones it can be used as a hands-free speakerphone. If you've got $1,500 burning a hole in your pocket, you can also pair two of the Balloon Dog Speakers to create a true stereo sound experience. Inside the Balloon Dog Lamp you'll find nearly 400 LEDs hidden in tubes that create the appearance of neon lighting. All combined, the LEDs can generate up to 200 lumens of brightness with color options that include warm and cool white light plus the full spectrum of color lighting. Although preorders are limited to just two of each piece, Lexon says its 'Easy Sync technology' allows the lighting intensity and color of an 'infinite number of Balloon Dog Lamps' to be synchronized so you can destroy your budget by filling a room, or your entire home, with matching illumination.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lexon and Jeff Koons Collaborate to Revolutionize Art with Technology
Introducing the Balloon Dog Speaker and the Balloon Dog Lamp: two innovative editions imagined with The Broad, designed to inflate iconic art into everyday life. PARIS, June 11, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Lexon is proud to announce a historic collaboration with Jeff Koons, unveiling the Balloon Dog Speaker and Balloon Dog Lamp: two reimagined, sculptural objects that merge art and technology in an unprecedented way. These official editions envisioned with The Broad in Los Angeles bring the playful spirit of Koons' iconic art into homes worldwide. Pre-orders for this collection will be available starting June 17, 2025, exclusively on with limited supply. A Transparent Fusion of Art and Function The Balloon Dog Speaker and Balloon Dog Lamp expand Jeff Koons' iconic Balloon Dog into new, everyday objects, using a high-quality translucent material that echoes its signature curves and captivating presence. Originally conceived in the 1990s, Koons' Balloon Dog is one of the most recognized symbols of contemporary art. Now, in partnership with Lexon, this masterpiece has been 'inflated' with technology, giving rise to functional and accessible objects. The transformation of Koons' Balloon Dog into a tech-powered object is a remarkable feat of engineering, with over 50,000 hours dedicated to perfecting every detail. Conceived as a true acoustic art piece equipped with Bluetooth 5.0 technology, the Balloon Dog speaker delivers 360° high-fidelity sound with exceptional richness and depth. Its enveloping soundscape is born from the harmonious alliance of six ultra-precise active drivers and four finely tuned passive radiators, meticulously crafted to elevate the low frequencies. Every note fills the space with rare sensory intensity, transforming each moment into a deeply immersive listening experience. Packed with built-in microphones, it supports hands-free calls through your connected device, offering a fun and practical way to enjoy your Balloon Dog Speaker. Thanks to True Wireless Stereo (TWS) technology, two Balloon Dog Speakers can be paired to create an expansive stereo soundstage, offering greater depth, and a more powerful audio presence. The Balloon Dog Lamp harnesses advanced multicolor lighting through nearly 400 integrated LEDs, delivering up to 200 lumens of brightness. It offers a wide selection of hues including warm and cold white, blue, magenta, green, orange, and more, allowing users to tailor the lighting to any setting. More than illumination, it offers a dynamic play of light, empowering users to shape the atmosphere and mood of any space with precision and elegance. With Lexon's proprietary 'Easy Sync' technology, the Balloon Dog Lamp offers a next-level lighting experience, allowing you to connect and synchronize an infinite number of Balloon Dog Lamps in color and brightness effortlessly. Whether placed in different corners of a room or side by side for a striking visual effect, the Balloon Dog Lamps instantly sync together, creating a perfectly coordinated ambiance. Both objects share the same sculptural dimensions of 11 inches / 28cm height and 2 pounds / 900 gr of technology are crafted for durability and everyday use. This collaboration merges artistic heritage with technological innovation, transforming an iconic artwork into functional design with purpose, presence, and everyday relevance. "I'm excited about this new collaboration with Lexon, which has transformed Balloon Dog. The Balloon Dog Lamp has a wide range of vibrant colors, while the Balloon Dog Speaker surrounds us with immersive sound. The two objects are an exciting way for Balloon Dog to enter into our daily lives where art, design, and technology come together," says Jeff Koons. "Our creative alliance with Jeff Koons marks a historic moment for Lexon. It is both an honor and a milestone to bring together our passion for design and technology through a bold reimagining of Balloon Dog, one of the most iconic artworks of our time. This collaboration challenged us to go beyond form and function, crafting pieces that are not only innovative, but emotionally resonant; designed to be lived with, used daily, and cherished as true pieces of art. Through these two new Editions, we proudly reaffirm Lexon's mission as a Maison de Design Française: to make timeless, high-quality design accessible to all, offering everyday objects that elevate life through beauty and purpose," says Boris Brault, CEO of Lexon. Exclusive, Certified Authenticity Each piece is engraved with Jeff Koons' signature under its front paws and comes with a certificate of authenticity. To further solidify its exclusivity, both the certificate and the packaging feature a hologram, reinforcing authentication and enhancing its collectible value. The Balloon Dog Speaker and Balloon Dog Lamp are produced in a limited supply, with pre-orders starting exclusively on beginning June 17 2025. Shipping for pre-orders will start in October 2025. An Immersive Journey Through Augmented Reality To further elevate this artistic and technological experience, Lexon has unveiled an augmented reality (AR) feature that allows everyone to preview the Balloon Dog Lamp and Balloon Dog Speaker directly in their own space. This immersive tool enables users to visualize the pieces in real scale and context, bringing the essence of the collaboration into their homes and daily lives. By merging digital innovation with iconic design, the AR experience makes interacting with art more personal, accessible, and playful. A Historic Collaboration with The Broad and The Shop at The Broad As part of this collaboration, the Balloon Dog Speaker and Balloon Dog Lamp will be showcased for the first time at The Shop at The Broad on September 20, 2025, celebrating the museum's 10th anniversary. The Broad, home to the original Balloon Dog sculpture, continues its mission to democratize art, making it accessible and meaningful beyond gallery walls. This partnership with Lexon enables the fusion of cutting-edge technology with iconic art, providing the public with a tangible, everyday connection to Koons' creations. From September 20 to October 20 2025, the Balloon Dog Speaker and Balloon Dog Lamp will be available for an exclusive one-month sale at The Shop at The Broad, both in-store and online, offering visitors another unique opportunity to see and purchase these limited-edition pieces. First Pre-order Details Pre-order Launch: June 17, 2025, starting exclusively on Price: 750 $/€ per unit (Speaker or Lamp) Shipping Start: October 2025 Pre-order Limits: 2 units per product, per customer Worldwide Availability: Pre-orders available internationally About Lexon Since its foundation in 1991, Lexon has relentlessly pushed boundaries and created a difference in the world of design, all while staying true to its commitment of making small objects useful, beautiful, innovative, and affordable. Whether in home, office, leisure, or travel accessories, Lexon has established a unique relationship with creativity and partnered with the best designers around the world to create timeless collections of lifestyle products, sold at million pieces every year. Today, with more than 30 years of existence, +250 awards, collaborations with some of the most renowned designers, a retail presence in 90 countries across the Globe, Lexon has truly established itself as an iconic French design brand. About Jeff Koons Jeff Koons is a leading contemporary artist known for transforming everyday objects into bold, reflective sculptures that engage with art history and modern culture. Born in 1955 in York, Pennsylvania, he studied at the Maryland Institute College of Art and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Since his first solo exhibition in 1980, his work has been showcased globally in major institutions like MoMA, the Guggenheim, and Tate and of course, The Broad. Koons' iconic pieces, including Balloon Dog, Rabbit, and Puppy, explore themes of self-acceptance and transcendence. His monumental floral sculptures and mirror-finished stainless steel works challenge perceptions of materiality and craftsmanship. Honored internationally, Koons has received the Légion d'Honneur from France and the U.S. Department of State's Medal of the Arts. He has also contributed to cultural diplomacy and child protection efforts through the Koons Family International Law and Policy Institute. About The Broad The Broad's mission is to make contemporary art accessible to the widest possible audience. Founded in 2015 on Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles by philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad, the museum offers free general admission and presents an active program of special exhibitions and innovative live events, all within a landmark building designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro. The Broad is home to the Broad collection, one of the world's leading collections of postwar and contemporary art, which continues to grow as new artists and artworks are added. The museum is the headquarters of The Broad Art Foundation's worldwide lending library, which has been loaning collection works to museums around the world since 1984. An expansion of the museum will open before the 2028 summer Olympics in Los Angeles, creating even greater public access. View source version on Contacts Annabel Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Wire
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Wire
Lexon and Jeff Koons Collaborate to Revolutionize Art with Technology
PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Lexon is proud to announce a historic collaboration with Jeff Koons, unveiling the Balloon Dog Speaker and Balloon Dog Lamp: two reimagined, sculptural objects that merge art and technology in an unprecedented way. These official editions envisioned with The Broad in Los Angeles bring the playful spirit of Koons' iconic art into homes worldwide. Pre-orders for this collection will be available starting June 17, 2025, exclusively on with limited supply. Lexon is proud to announce a historic collaboration with Jeff Koons, unveiling the Balloon Dog Speaker and Balloon Dog Lamp: two reimagined, sculptural objects that merge art and technology in an unprecedented way. Share A Transparent Fusion of Art and Function The Balloon Dog Speaker and Balloon Dog Lamp expand Jeff Koons' iconic Balloon Dog into new, everyday objects, using a high-quality translucent material that echoes its signature curves and captivating presence. Originally conceived in the 1990s, Koons' Balloon Dog is one of the most recognized symbols of contemporary art. Now, in partnership with Lexon, this masterpiece has been 'inflated' with technology, giving rise to functional and accessible objects. The transformation of Koons' Balloon Dog into a tech-powered object is a remarkable feat of engineering, with over 50,000 hours dedicated to perfecting every detail. Conceived as a true acoustic art piece equipped with Bluetooth 5.0 technology, the Balloon Dog speaker delivers 360° high-fidelity sound with exceptional richness and depth. Its enveloping soundscape is born from the harmonious alliance of six ultra-precise active drivers and four finely tuned passive radiators, meticulously crafted to elevate the low frequencies. Every note fills the space with rare sensory intensity, transforming each moment into a deeply immersive listening experience. Packed with built-in microphones, it supports hands-free calls through your connected device, offering a fun and practical way to enjoy your Balloon Dog Speaker. Thanks to True Wireless Stereo (TWS) technology, two Balloon Dog Speakers can be paired to create an expansive stereo soundstage, offering greater depth, and a more powerful audio presence. The Balloon Dog Lamp harnesses advanced multicolor lighting through nearly 400 integrated LEDs, delivering up to 200 lumens of brightness. It offers a wide selection of hues including warm and cold white, blue, magenta, green, orange, and more, allowing users to tailor the lighting to any setting. More than illumination, it offers a dynamic play of light, empowering users to shape the atmosphere and mood of any space with precision and elegance. With Lexon's proprietary 'Easy Sync' technology, the Balloon Dog Lamp offers a next-level lighting experience, allowing you to connect and synchronize an infinite number of Balloon Dog Lamps in color and brightness effortlessly. Whether placed in different corners of a room or side by side for a striking visual effect, the Balloon Dog Lamps instantly sync together, creating a perfectly coordinated ambiance. Both objects share the same sculptural dimensions of 11 inches / 28cm height and 2 pounds / 900 gr of technology are crafted for durability and everyday use. This collaboration merges artistic heritage with technological innovation, transforming an iconic artwork into functional design with purpose, presence, and everyday relevance. ' I'm excited about this new collaboration with Lexon, which has transformed Balloon Dog. The Balloon Dog Lamp has a wide range of vibrant colors, while the Balloon Dog Speaker surrounds us with immersive sound. The two objects are an exciting way for Balloon Dog to enter into our daily lives where art, design, and technology come together,' says Jeff Koons. 'Our creative alliance with Jeff Koons marks a historic moment for Lexon. It is both an honor and a milestone to bring together our passion for design and technology through a bold reimagining of Balloon Dog, one of the most iconic artworks of our time. This collaboration challenged us to go beyond form and function, crafting pieces that are not only innovative, but emotionally resonant; designed to be lived with, used daily, and cherished as true pieces of art. Through these two new Editions, we proudly reaffirm Lexon's mission as a Maison de Design Française: to make timeless, high-quality design accessible to all, offering everyday objects that elevate life through beauty and purpose," says Boris Brault, CEO of Lexon. Exclusive, Certified Authenticity Each piece is engraved with Jeff Koons' signature under its front paws and comes with a certificate of authenticity. To further solidify its exclusivity, both the certificate and the packaging feature a hologram, reinforcing authentication and enhancing its collectible value. The Balloon Dog Speaker and Balloon Dog Lamp are produced in a limited supply, with pre-orders starting exclusively on beginning June 17 2025. Shipping for pre-orders will start in October 2025. An Immersive Journey Through Augmented Reality To further elevate this artistic and technological experience, Lexon has unveiled an augmented reality (AR) feature that allows everyone to preview the Balloon Dog Lamp and Balloon Dog Speaker directly in their own space. This immersive tool enables users to visualize the pieces in real scale and context, bringing the essence of the collaboration into their homes and daily lives. By merging digital innovation with iconic design, the AR experience makes interacting with art more personal, accessible, and playful. A Historic Collaboration with The Broad and The Shop at The Broad As part of this collaboration, the Balloon Dog Speaker and Balloon Dog Lamp will be showcased for the first time at The Shop at The Broad on September 20, 2025, celebrating the museum's 10th anniversary. The Broad, home to the original Balloon Dog sculpture, continues its mission to democratize art, making it accessible and meaningful beyond gallery walls. This partnership with Lexon enables the fusion of cutting-edge technology with iconic art, providing the public with a tangible, everyday connection to Koons' creations. From September 20 to October 20 2025, the Balloon Dog Speaker and Balloon Dog Lamp will be available for an exclusive one-month sale at The Shop at The Broad, both in-store and online, offering visitors another unique opportunity to see and purchase these limited-edition pieces. First Pre-order Details Pre-order Launch: June 17, 2025, starting exclusively on Price: 750 $/€ per unit (Speaker or Lamp) Shipping Start: October 2025 Pre-order Limits: 2 units per product, per customer Worldwide Availability: Pre-orders available internationally About Lexon Since its foundation in 1991, Lexon has relentlessly pushed boundaries and created a difference in the world of design, all while staying true to its commitment of making small objects useful, beautiful, innovative, and affordable. Whether in home, office, leisure, or travel accessories, Lexon has established a unique relationship with creativity and partnered with the best designers around the world to create timeless collections of lifestyle products, sold at million pieces every year. Today, with more than 30 years of existence, +250 awards, collaborations with some of the most renowned designers, a retail presence in 90 countries across the Globe, Lexon has truly established itself as an iconic French design brand. About Jeff Koons Jeff Koons is a leading contemporary artist known for transforming everyday objects into bold, reflective sculptures that engage with art history and modern culture. Born in 1955 in York, Pennsylvania, he studied at the Maryland Institute College of Art and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Since his first solo exhibition in 1980, his work has been showcased globally in major institutions like MoMA, the Guggenheim, and Tate and of course, The Broad. Koons' iconic pieces, including Balloon Dog, Rabbit, and Puppy, explore themes of self-acceptance and transcendence. His monumental floral sculptures and mirror-finished stainless steel works challenge perceptions of materiality and craftsmanship. Honored internationally, Koons has received the Légion d'Honneur from France and the U.S. Department of State's Medal of the Arts. He has also contributed to cultural diplomacy and child protection efforts through the Koons Family International Law and Policy Institute. About The Broad The Broad's mission is to make contemporary art accessible to the widest possible audience. Founded in 2015 on Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles by philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad, the museum offers free general admission and presents an active program of special exhibitions and innovative live events, all within a landmark building designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro. The Broad is home to the Broad collection, one of the world's leading collections of postwar and contemporary art, which continues to grow as new artists and artworks are added. The museum is the headquarters of The Broad Art Foundation's worldwide lending library, which has been loaning collection works to museums around the world since 1984. An expansion of the museum will open before the 2028 summer Olympics in Los Angeles, creating even greater public access.
Forbes
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Jeffrey Gibson At The Broad: The Mix That Is His Art And His Life
Installation view of entrance to Jeffrey Gibson: the space in which to place me, at The Broad Museum, Los Angeles, May 10 to September 28, 2025. Photo by Joshua White/ courtesy of The Broad Jeffrey Gibson: the space in which to place at me at The Broad Museum through September 28, 2025. is the culmination of many firsts: In 2024, Gibson was the first indigenous American to represent the U.S. as a solo artist at the Venice Biennale. The Broad exhibition, which brings the Venice exhibition to Los Angeles, reconfiguring and adding to it, is also Gibson's first solo Southern California museum exhibition. Gibson's work offers up a joyous explosion of color mixed in masterful patterns that incorporate indigenous craftwork and traditions as well as text and titles resonant of US history and American pop culture. More specifically, Gibson's wild mix of colors in bold repeating geometric patterns recalls Vasarely-like OpArt, while the distinctive text in his works appear like the font from 1960s psychedelic rock posters. The works appear in a multiplicity of forms: From large paintings, which have hand sewn elements and elaborate beaded frames, to beaded multi-media busts and full length figures, as well as beaded multicolored birds. An existing sculpture by another artist has been recontextualized for this exhibition. There is even a multi-media video and music installation that brings the club to the museum and is sure to make you want to dance. Installation view of Jeffrey Gibson: the space in which to place me at The Broad, Los Angeles, May 10 to September 28, 2025. Photo by Joshua White/ courtesy of The Broad Gibson takes his titles from resonant pop cultural phrases, such as the lyric, 'Birds Flying High You Know How I Feel,' from the Newman/Bricusse song Feeling Good, made famous by Nina Simone. Some of the titles have a resonance with American history, from the iconic 'We Hold These Truths to Be Self-Evident,' to Congressman' Emmanuel's Celler's invocation to his colleagues about the Civil Rights Act, 'Action Now. Action Is Eloquence,' and a quote from a letter: 'The Returned Male Student Far Too Frequently Goes Back To The Reservation and Falls Into The Old Custom of Letting His Hair Grow Long,' regarding those schools to which Indigenous children were sent to erase their culture, and assimilate in ways that, 'Kill the Indian to Save the Man.' Jeffrey Gibson Image by Brian Barlow Courtesy of Jeffrey Gibson Studio Gibson sees himself primarily as 'a collage artist,' which, while not doing justice to the power of his paintings, sculptures and installations, is a fair way of describing Gibson's life and the mix that is his art. Gibson was born in Colorado Springs, of parents of Cherokee and Choctaw heritage who themselves were separated from their families and sent to the boarding schools that sought to 'normalize' indigenous children. His father was a civil engineer for the US Department of Defense, and the family lived for periods in West Germany, South Korea, as well as in North Carolina and New Jersey. Gibson reflected that he was raised 'in a very racially mixed culture.' It was in Germany on school field trips that he first visited Dachau and learned about the Holocaust. And then moved to New Jersey where he lived in primarily an Italian and Jewish neighborhood. Gibson felt that he understood that 'my story, my family and myself, wasn't actually as different from these other stories as we might learn them in school.' In the 1990s, Gibson attended the School of Art Institute of Chicago, from which he received his BFA in 1995. Gibson was interested in studying the work and legacies of Indigenous American Artists, but his teachers did not have many such artists to recommend to him. Gibson admits that he 'felt very unsatisfied' by his art education. Installation view of Jeffrey Gibson: the space in which to place me at The Broad, Los Angeles, May 10 to September 28, 2025. Photo by Joshua White/ courtesy of The Broad Gibson met artist Jaune Quick-to-See Smith and worked at the Field Museum on the very beginnings of The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), which introduced Gibson to an expansive way of looking at objects that included spirituality, history, ancestry, and even ideas of what was animate versus inanimate. 'That made it difficult to go back and just make art in the way that we might know it,' Gibson said. In 1998, he received his Master of Fine Arts from the Royal College of Art in London. For many years early in his career, Gibson struggled to find his voice and mode of expression. The turning point was when Gibson learned about the Museum of Modern Art's 1941 exhibition, Indian Art of the United States, curated by Frederic Huntington Douglas of the Denver Art Museum and Rene d 'Harnoncourt, director of the Indian Crafts Board. Gibson researched the exhibition in the archives of the Denver Art Museum and MoMA. To Gibson, that exhibition became a challenge 'to pick up that unfinished thread and try to continue making something from it.' At the press preview, Gibson said, 'I realized, wow, I get to be the steward to make people aware of the diversity of Native America. And that became a responsibility to do it with a degree of ethics, but also in, in conversation with native communities. But, really, we still have yet to scratch the surface of how diverse Native American [Art] really is. ' Other artists have found the burden of representation crushing or limiting but Gibson saw it as artistic real estate that wasn't being used, and that was his to claim. Gibson's work is a vibrant expression whose subject matter is less about how the Native American population was murdered and their culture disappeared, but more a celebration of how they lived, their knowledge, their traditions, their crafts. In this way, Indigenous knowledge remains a living thing. 'I think what I do attempts to be more reflective of the world we live in' Gibson said. 'I'm continually surprised why that's even a challenge for people to understand.' However, Gibson very much believes that in depicting the specific, one arrives at the universal. 'I'm telling my story, which is kind of a collaged hybrid narrative of how I became who I'm today. But I truly believe that [everyone] has their own version of that…What I know best is my story, but I also have to trust that my story is reflective of some version of everyone else's story.' In her opening comments at the press preview, Joanne Heyler, founding director and president of the Broad, said, 'The works in the show resist the erasure and marginalization of indigenous and many other communities by being irresistibly joyous [in ways that] I would argue induce endorphins.' Some critics have rejected Gibson's work as too colorful or his mix of colors as being too garish. I can only analogize this wrongheaded critique to calling any individual Gay person too flamboyant. It misses the point (and is besides the point). The colors are Gibson's alphabet, his language, his culture (as a gay, indigenous, American artist), and his mix requires mastery to work. Gibson shared with me that he has learned so much about color over his decades of experience that in his studio, he has to create a system of painted pieces of paper to catalogue the colors for which there is no name. Installation view of "The Dying Indian," at Jeffrey Gibson: the space in which to place me at the Broad Museum, Los Angeles, May 10 to September 28, 2025. Photo by Joshua White/ courtesy of The Broad Beyond the paintings and beaded busts and birds, I want to single out two works. The first, which was not part of the Venice installation, is a monumental bronze sculpture made at the turn of the 20th century by Charles Carey Ramsey, titled The Dying Indian, which belongs to a tradition of works that seemed to speak to a level of nobility among the vanquished Native Americans. With the emphasis of vanquished, or as the title indicates, dying. Gibson's simple yet moving intervention was to commission beaded moccasins by the Nee Cree artist, John Little Sun, which bear the words of Roberta Flack's lyric, 'I'm Gonna Run with Every Minute I Can Borrow' which when placed on Indigenous warrior's of the sculptures feet, add a whole new dimension of compassion and caring to the work. To that point, at the opening press preview Joan Hyler commented: 'Jeffrey's work tells us how beauty and cultural traditions comprise some of the strongest survival tools for combating oppression.' Installation view of Jeffrey Gibson: the space in which to place me at The Broad, Los Angeles, May 10 to September 28, 2025. Photo by Joshua White/ courtesy of The Broad The other work that stands very much as a statement of Gibson's world view is his work, We Hold These Truths to be Self-Evident, in which Gibson has transformed a punching bag that hangs from the ceiling, whose top half has beaded color patterns and the famous words from the Declaration of Independence while the bottom half has s series of skirts that go the floor and splay out in a circle. This works speaks very much to Gibson's worldview that while we may live through difficult times (and be a punching bag during them), we absorb those blows, and continue living our lives in all their collaged beauty. Or as Gibson told me, 'Times of war, times of extreme violence and inequity have happened throughout history. Even before there were non-North American indigenous people on this land, there was violence on this continent. In many ways it's a part of human nature and it is painful.' 'The more I ponder those moments in history and the moments that we're currently in,' Gibson said, 'What I think about is our fear and how we handle fear and looking at the circumstances that cause that fear. Even before this moment, we have manufactured a culture that produces anxiety… [and] a sense of instability. And in moments like this, that instability can be amplified through the media in a very easy way. ' Let me give the last word to Gibson, who told me, 'If we forget how phenomenal we are as living, engaged, imperfect beings, — that's what really marries me to craft in the way that we make things in the studio. '
Los Angeles Times
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
The Broad to open the largest-ever Robert Therrien show: L.A. arts and culture this weekend
The sculptor Robert Therrien had a deep connection with the Broad museum. He was among the first L.A. artists that founders Eli and Edythe Broad began collecting almost half a century ago, and the museum holds 18 of his works in its collection. Those pieces, along with more than 100 others, will go on view at the Broad beginning in November in 'Robert Therrien: This Is a Story,' the largest-ever solo museum show of the artist's work. Therrien, who died of complications from cancer in 2019, is best-known for his monumental sculptures of everyday objects. His sculpture of a giant table and chairs, 'Under the Table,' is among the Broad's most photographed — and Instagrammed — pieces. Intimate work — drawings of birds, snowmen and chapels — will be on view, as will a reconstruction of Therrien's downtown L.A. studio. The Broad's founding director Joanne Heyler once told The Times that Therrien's studio was among the most fascinating she had ever visited. In an email shortly after Therrien's death, she described the ground floor as 'the ultimate tinkerer's den, with endless tools, parts and found objects awaiting their role in his work, while upstairs were these perfectly composed galleries, every surface painted a warm, creamy white, including the floor, which charged the sculptures, paintings and drawings he'd install there with a dreamy, floating, hallucinogenic effect. That studio was his dreamland.' Like his studio, Therrien's work exists in a liminal space — where memory fades into time. Standing beneath one of his giant tables evokes vague recollections of what it feels like to be a very small child in a world of legs and muffled adult activity above. A ruminative melancholy arises when viewing a precarious stack of white enamel plates. Therrien's artistic voice is at once singular and universal — and specific to art history in L.A. Exhibition curator Ed Schad summed up Therrien's importance to this city in an email. 'Los Angeles is one of the most dynamic places in the world to make sculpture, and for 40 years, Robert Therrien was vital to that story while also hiding in plain sight,' Schad wrote. 'From the spirit of experimentation and freedom in the 1970s, to the rise of fabrication and the expansion of scale in the 1980s and 1990, to Los Angeles's ascendant presence on the global stage of contemporary art in recent decades, Therrien's work has not only mirrored every shift but also has maintained a singular, unmistakable voice. This exhibition aims to show both the Therrien people know and love — his outsize sculptures, tables and chairs, and pots and pans, rooted in memory — and the Therrien that is less often seen: the brilliant draftsman, photographer, and thinker, whose work in these quieter forms is just as enchanting.' I'm arts and culture writer Jessica Gelt, remembering the time I spent an entire meal hiding under a table in Nogales, Ariz., when I was five. Or was that a dream? Here's this weekend's arts headlines. Times theater critic Charles McNulty sat down in New York City with the directing powerhouse Michael Arden, 42. In a wide-ranging profile, McNulty discusses Arden's path to becoming among the most sought-after directors on Broadway — and why his latest Tony-nominated musical, 'Maybe Happy Ending,' is the season's 'most surprising and heartwarming.' He also writes about Arden's new company, At Rise Creative, which he founded with scenic designer Dane Laffrey. Their production of 'Parade' begins performances at the Ahmanson Theatre on June 17. McNulty also checks in with L.A. Theatre Works, which celebrated its 50th anniversary and has found fresh opportunities for its radio plays through the rise of podcasts and on-demand streaming. 'Currently, LATW's program airs weekly on KPFK 90.7 in Southern California and on station affiliates serving over 50 markets nationwide. But the heart and soul of the operation is the archive of play recordings,' writes McNulty. This archive has almost 600 titles that can be accessed via a recently launched monthly subscription service. Times art critic Christopher Knight examines the curious case of the art museum that wasn't. Despite having a social media presence and a webpage, the Joshua Tree Art Museum has not manifested as an actual space for art. This is because, writes Knight, 'the charitable foundation sponsoring the project was issued a cease and desist order two years ago by the California attorney general's office. All charitable activity was halted, a prohibition that has not been lifted.' Along with other organizations across the country, the Huntington recently lost its National Endowment for the Humanities grants. The money funded the Huntington's research programs, and the institution is nonetheless determined to honor its awards to this year's recipients. The Huntington will welcome more than 150 scholars from around the world this year and next, granting nearly $1.8 million in fellowships — a notable achievement in a climate of shrinking opportunity for research and innovation. 'Supporting humanities scholars is central to the Huntington's research mission. Here, scholars find the time, space, and resources to pursue ambitious questions across disciplines. The work that begins here continues to shape conversations in classrooms, publications, and public discourse for years to come,' Huntington President Karen R. Lawrence said in a statement. Skirball Cultural Center has announced its 2025 season of Sunset Concerts. The popular series began in 1997 and takes place at the Skirball's Taper Courtyard. This summer will feature two acts each night, including Brazilian singer-songwriter Rodrigo Amarante, the Colombia-based all-female trio La Perla and the Dominican band MULA. Click here for the full lineup and schedule. The Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles announced that it has acquired Cynthia Daignault's 'Twenty-Six Seconds.' The artwork is a series of frame-by-frame paintings based on Abraham Zapruder's famous 26-second 8mm color film capturing the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Through 486 painted frames, Daignault's work further interrogates the tragedy, imbuing it with modern context. This past weekend I took my daughter to the Summer Corgi Nationals at Santa Anita Park. It was more adorable and more ridiculous than you could imagine — with the short-legged dogs racing for the finish line in a chaotic competition that sometimes found contenders chasing one another back to the starting line.
