March 9 > MexiCali Biennial at the Vincent Price Art Museum > Monterey Park

Join de LaB for a morning of contemporary art, architecture and... cannibalism? We're headed to Monterey Park for a private tour of the MexiCali Biennial, an ambitious exhibition featuring 33 artists from Mexico and California. The theme of this biennial is—yes—cannibalism, resulting in provocative pieces exploring issues of consumption and culture from emerging voices on both sides of the border. And the show itself is housed in the Vincent Price Art Museum (yes, that Vincent Price), a stunning new building designed by Arquitectonica.

We'll take a private tour of the MexiCali Biennial with co-curator Ed Gomez, see the building that's become a landmark for this community, and hear from the museum staff about why the legendary actor decided to bring his vast collection of art to East Los Angeles College. Read about the show at the LA Weekly and see more photos at C-Monster.

MexiCali Biennial Tour at Vincent Price Art Museum
Saturday, March 9
11:00 a.m.

Vincent Price Art Museum
1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez
Monterey Park, CA 91754

Free, but space is limited, RSVP to secure your spot.

Parking is plentiful or it's a 20 minute walk from the Atlantic Gold Line station.

Lunch afterwards is on your own, but we'd be crazy not head to Moles la Tia down the street, featuring dozens of delicious technicolor moles.


View Larger Map

Top image: Cindy Santos Bravo's "Pointy Boots" sculpture at the MexiCali Biennial, photo by Carolina Miranda; Bottom image: The Vincent Price Art Museum, photo via VPAM

February 25 > Spring Street Parklets Tour > Downtown

Over the past few weeks, we've seen four exciting new additions to LA's public space: The city's first parklets—yes, tiny, community-designed parks—have been popping up on city streets. We'll be visiting two of the parklets on Spring Street in downtown, hearing from the planners, designers, local business owners and neighbors who made these parklets possible. Learn how this team worked together, see how the city is now officially supporting these efforts, and find out how you can bring a parklet to your block! For more information about these particular parklets, check out the Spring Street Parklets page at the DLANC website.

Spring Street Parklets Tour
Monday, February 25
7:00 p.m.

Meet at the first parklet:
615 S. Spring Street (out in front of Syrup Desserts)
Los Angeles, CA 90014

Then we'll head to the second parklet, which is located at 639 S. Spring Street.

Afterwards we'll head to Spring Street Bar across the street for drinks, snacks and more conversation.

Free, RSVP here

See you then!


View Larger Map





Photos courtesy Christine Kim/Secret Agent PR

February 15 - 17 > Palm Springs Modernism Week Field Trip > Book Signing, Hotel Lautner Tour and WORKSHOP Happy Hour

Martinis anyone? It's time once again for our annual field trip far east of La Brea to sunny Palm Springs for Modernism Week 2013, the annual 11-day celebration of midcentury architecture, design and culture.  As always, the jam-packed schedule features an incredible array of programs including iconic home tours, architectural bus tours, cocktail parties, gallery openings, special exhibitions, fashion shows, design showcases and expos, and lectures and film screenings, not to mention live music.

Join de LaB as we go on design walkabout in Palm Springs. The weekend begins with a book signing and celebration with Stamberg Aferiat and Modernism Week's team of investigative Instagrammers, the PS ModSquad, at the colorful Saguaro Hotel. Next up, a fundraiser for Never Built at a Joshua Tree prefab and a tour of the Hotel Lautner. And we end the weekend with happy hour and some nosh at WORKSHOP Kitchen + Bar, one of the newest eateries in Palm Springs, designed by SOMA Architects.

Pick and choose which events you'd like to join us for during the course of the weekend. And of course we have a block of rooms reserved just for de LaB at the Saguaro Hotel... read on for more details about what to do and where to stay!

Events

Friday, February 15
5pm to 7pm
Stamberg Aferiat Book Signing & Reception
Saguaro Hotel
1800 East Palm Canyon Drive
Palm Springs, CA 92264

Modernism Week welcomes Stamberg Aferiat, the first-ever PS Mod Squad, and de LaB to Palm Springs with special little happy hour. The architects will be on hand signing copies of their brand new Rizzoli book and giving informal tours of the grounds.

Open to the public. Free.  No RSVP required.



Saturday, February 16
2:30 p.m. to sunset
Never Built Fundraiser
Blu Homes' Los Angeles Disney Desert Oasis
Shuttles provided, details will be sent to ticket holders

Kick off Modernism Week with a celebration at Tim Disney's gorgeous prefab home. Never Built curator, The Architect's Newspaper editor, and longtime de LaB supporter Sam Lubell will be on hand with co-curator Greg Goldin to discuss their upcoming exhibition which is a rare compendium of unbuilt LA projects. Blu Homes creative director Karl Daubman will moderate the discussion.

Tickets are $50/person, $60 at the door. Purchase tickets HERE.




Sunday, February 17
3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Tour and Exhibition Viewing
Hotel Lautner
67710 San Antonio Street
Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240

Tracy Beckman and Ryan Trowbridge take us on a special tour of the gorgeous Hotel Lautner, the historic 1947 John Lautner structure which has been lovingly renovated and opened last year as a boutique hotel. We'll get a look at the gorgeously appointed suites and grounds, and a peek at the latest work by midcentury modern artist Danny Heller, who was recently featured on KCET's Artbound.

Tickets cost $35/person. Purchase tickets HERE. Space is extremely limited.





Sunday, February 17

4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Happy Hour

WORKSHOP Kitchen + Bar
800 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite G
Palm Springs, CA 92262

Dubbed as an editor's pick by Wallpaper magazine, WORKSHOP Kitchen + Bar is Palm Springs' hottest new dining destination. Located in the El Paseo Building, the industrial chic space features 27-foot cathedral ceiling trusses, black steel, concrete, and lighting by Beirut-based PS Lab. The vintage modern kitchen and bar serves up delicious dishes by Chef Owner Michael Beckman, like octopus carpaccio and duck fat fries...oh yeah. Duck fat. Cash bar happy hour.

No RSVP required, just show up!

Accommodations

We've reserved a block of rooms at The Saguaro at a rate of $169/night. Call the main reservation line at 877-808-2439 and say you're with the design east of la brea group. The cut-off date is January 31—after that we can't guarantee the rate or that there will be rooms available—so jump on it now if you want a room.

For more info about Modernism Week events:

While a lot of the hot-ticket items sold out months ago, there are still tons of programs that are open to the public.  Check out the Modernism Week blog for up-to-the minute updates or The Guide to see what else you should be doing while you're in Palm Springs.  Also, refer to this handy dandy cocktail party round-up.

For more information about design events in Palm Springs:

We would also suggest checking out some of the many design events that will be taking place at locations throughout the city.  Among the highlights:

• Kismet Tile Trunk Show - Tracey Reinberg, of LA-based Kismet Tile, will be in town hosting a pop-up trunk show at The Ace Hotel, showcasing her graphic and mid-century moroccan-inspired tiles and wallpaper.  This is a non-ticketed event. Just show up, browse, and hopefully go home with something really pretty!

January 27 > Expo Line Tour > Meet at 7th and Metro Station

The Expo Line opened last year, dramatically expanding LA's rail network, reaching into neighborhoods underserved by transit, and forming the first phase of what will eventually be a light-rail-to-the-sea (finally!). But the Expo Line's distinctive shimmering canopies also represent a turning point for the city's transit system—the Expo Line was the first Metro line to introduce a universal station design which highlights its impressive public art program.

On Sunday, January 27, we're climbing aboard the Expo Line with Roland Genick from Parsons, who will talk about the station design, Heidi Zeller, Metro's Senior Creative Services Officer, who will give an overview of the line's art program, plus two station artists, Jessica McCoy (Expo/Vermont Station) and Ronald Llanos (Expo/Western Station), who will share their experiences in creating neighborhood-appropriate art for the stations.

Expo Line Tour
Sunday, January 27
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Meet at the Expo Line platform at the 7th and Metro Station

12:45 p.m. Meet on the Expo Line platform of the 7th and Metro Station in downtown LA (map below)
1:00 p.m. Tour departs promptly at 1:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m. Tour ends at the Culver City Station, for those who would like to join us for post-tour snacks, we'll ride the Expo Line back to Mercado la Paloma (Expo Park/USC Station) where there are plenty of restaurants to choose from

Free, but please RSVP so we can get a headcount.

RSVP here!

If you don't have a TAP card, you'll need to buy a Metro Day Pass for $5, which you can do as you enter the 7th and Metro Station.


View Larger Map

We Want to Hear From You! Take Our Survey, Please!

We want to get to know you better! 

Once again, we're asking for your feedback so we can continue to plan bigger and better events that meet the needs of LA's design-minded community. We've put together this short survey to help us understand who are, what you want and how we can make de LaB even better in 2013. The survey shouldn't take more than five minutes, and by taking the survey you get a chance to win a pair of tickets to an upcoming home tour!

Go here to take our survey!

We'll always accept your ideas, but the deadline to be entered in the home tour drawing is February 15!

See you in 2013!

Thank You for Another Amazing Year! Here's What We Did in 2012

We've already said goodbye to 2012, but wanted to take a few moments to say thank you for all your love and support. This was a pretty big year for us, as we officially became a non-profit! In 2012, we also continued our schedule of hosting about two events every month, seeking out the most interesting, innovative and inventive design across this great city. And we hosted our very first home tour in Echo Park and a tour of LA's old subway tunnels, events we hope to repeat this year. We're so grateful for this community and can't wait to see what 2013 brings! 

Here are some of our favorite people, places and things we saw this year...

• We started the year surrounded by the words and products of the Eames. We also toured the landmark Hollywood Tower and visited the historic Best Western across the street, after both had a little work done—just like any other Hollywood beauty. 
• In February we headed way east again, to Palm Springs for Modernism Week for a curator-led tour of Backyard Oasis at the Palm Springs Art Museum. 
• In March, we hosted our inaugural home tour, a look at four homes in Echo Park that exemplified efficient infill for the neighborhood. We also took a tour of Burbank's DWP EcoCampus to see innovative drylands design. 
• In April (due to high demand from 2011) we again visited George Ehling's amazing self-made Tile House in the Hollywood Hills for Obscura Day, and visited Sunset Triangle Park, LA's first street-to-plaza conversion, in Silver Lake. 
• In May we gathered in Little Tokyo's iconic Noguchi Plaza, which had been transformed for LA's Bloom Festival. We also ventured underground—literally!—for a tour of LA's abandoned subway tunnels. And yes, we'd like to host another tour but these things take time to plan...patience, friends! 
• In June we held our fourth annual Design-n-Dim Sum bike ride, this time with a stop at Caine's Arcade, and participated in LA's second annual Design Week.
• In July we partnered once again with the LA Forum to support the opening of Unfinished Business, (which features one of our projects, John Chase's West Hollywood Map) and also partnered with our friends at the Noun Project for an LA River-themed Iconathon. 
• In August we saw the future of LA's unused alleyways, in the remarkable transformation of East Cahuenga's alley in Hollywood and visited LA's first distillery since Prohibition in downtown LA at Greenbar Collective. 
• In September we once again celebrated Park[ing] Day, this time with the incredible park designed by recent Art Center grads The Rare Studio in front of LOCAL. We also were the first group to tour Highland Ave's recent transformation as it evolves beyond post-production and prostitution to becoming LA's next art epicenter with visits to Perry Rubenstein and Redling Fine Art. 
• We love planning Halloween-themed events! This year we learned the fine art of silkscreen printing at Frogtown's NOMAD Studio to make masks on old vinyl records. Did we also mention we attended the AIA|LA Awards (with fellow architecture enthusiast Moby) and were honored to present the Next LA Awards? 
• In November we hosted another workshop, this time at Lala Press for an exclusive letterpress class. 
• And in December we ventured into Skid Row for a tour with Michael Maltzan, Skid Row Housing Trust and several resident ambassadors of supportive housing project, New Carver Apartments. We also wrapped up the year with some holiday cheer, making our own lasercut snowflake mobiles with our friends at Knowhow Shop and 2ndwnd.  

And we can't wait to start planning 2013, starting with a tour of the newly opened Expo Line! Stay tuned for details on that and many other exciting events coming this year. 

Thank you again for a great 2012!

December Recap > Laser-Cut Snowflakes at KnowHow with 2ndwnd

On a seasonally appropriate grey Saturday in December, about 50 de LaBbers met at the KnowHow Shop in Highland Park to make holiday mobiles with real snow—that is, laser-cut chipboard snowflakes.

After getting an introduction to the space from the KnowHow team, we met Manny Torres of 2ndwnd, who led our mobile-making workshop.

Attendees gathered around the laser cutter as our man Manny supervised the cutting of hundreds of snowflakes.

Manny designed two snowflake patterns for us.

As the smell of burning chipboard filled the air, attendees got to work building their mobiles from dowels or branches they'd foraged from the forest.

Then we headed outside to spray paint our snowflakes in white or glittery silver.

Some couldn't resist adding even more sparkle. (KnowHow, we're very sorry that we covered your manly space with glitter.)

The finished products were stunning! We loved watching everyone carry their mobiles like marionettes, with graphic snowflakes dancing through space.

We hope the mobiles added a little DIY cheer to your homes during the holiday season.

Or at the very least they served as entertainment for the whole family! Thanks to KnowHow and 2ndwnd for hosting us and thanks to everyone who attended. You can see lots more images on our Facebook page.