When Life Gives You Creative Ruts, Go See Some Art
Everything I’ll be soaking in for stimulation, inspiration, and motivation this fall.
Fall is here, and I couldn’t be happier, as I’ve been in a creative rut lately. I’m not sure if it’s the 5 AM gym sessions depleting me of life or the freakouts I’ve been having about my career, but I’m hoping this season awakens something in me. Gone are the days of drinking like there’s no tomorrow, spending like my life depends on it, and slacking on personal goals. It’s time to get serious. The kids are back at school, corporations are finalizing their 2025 budgets, and new relationships are forming. (Y’all still participate in cuffing season?) Though I don’t have any major plans, I’ll spend the season focusing on personal development, creative expression, and wellness while indulging in LA’s culture.
From Solange Knowles curating a program at the Los Angeles Philharmonic to must-see gallery shows, below is everything I’ll be soaking in for stimulation, inspiration, and motivation.
“Thinking Out Loud” by Genevieve Gaignard
On view until November 9 at Vielmetter Gallery
Vielmetter describes Genevieve Gaignard’s “Thinking Out Loud” as her most intimate body of work to date, as it overlaps her practice with her most recent experience of living in New York, unveiling the intricacies and struggles of everyday life. Gaignard’s ability to convey her thoughts through art is admirable, so I’m excited to see how her time in the Bronx has influenced her work. Like any good artist, Gaignard challenges her audience, as this body of work invites viewers to ask open-ended questions about their perceptions of themselves and the complexities of their personal relationships.
“The Open Window” by Brooklin A. Soumahoro
On view until October 12 at François Ghebaly Gallery
I developed an appreciation of abstract art after familiarizing myself with the late abstract expressionist painter Ed Clark. So when I discovered Brooklin A. Soumahor interpreted Henri Matisse‘s Open Window, Collioure, 1905, in 10 new abstract paintings, my interest piqued. Matisse’s fauvist painting depicts his love of the landscape of southern France through the artist’s gaze behind an open window, while Soumahoro uses colors, gradation, and shapes to challenge viewers to “open the window” to their minds and the world around them.
Eldorado Ballroom, created and curated by Solange Knowles for Saint Heron
October 10, 12, and 13 at the LA Philharmonic
Solange is bringing her curated Eldorado Ballroom music series to Los Angeles after a week-long run at the Brooklyn Academy of Music last year. The LA lineup is shorter—only three days—and only features two shows from the original programming and a new show not performed in Brooklyn. I’m attending an orchestra performance titled “On Dissonance (An Evening of Classical, Symphonic and Opera Works),” which pays tribute to Black women in classical and opera music. The performance will honor composer Julia Perry, the first Black woman to have her work performed by the New York Philharmonic in 1965.
“Souled Out” by Reginald O’Neal
On view until November 2 at Vielmetter Gallery
I’m usually not a fan of figurine art, but Reginal O’Neal’s recent paintings of porcelain souvenirs he bought at a New Orleans gift shop challenge a new perspective. By focusing on Black musicians, he is questioning the way Black creativity is objectified and turned into a commodity and emphasizing the exploitation of Black culture.
“Signifying the Impossible Song” Group Exhibition
On view until November 14 at Southern Guild Gallery
Since opening its Los Angeles gallery in February, Southern Guild has been on fire. Discovering African art created by Black artists has reminded me that even though we live on different sides of the world, we are still connected through our shared Black experiences. The exhibition “Signifying the Impossible Song” showcases the work of 17 artists across different mediums, delving into the material culture of objects such as flags, brooms, and quilts and the protected knowledge they hold.
Kill Move Paradise by James Ijames
Performances through November 3 at Odyessy Theatre Ensemble
Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright James Ijames’s Kill Move Paradise tells the story of four Black men stuck in a cosmic waiting room in the afterlife forced to confront their past lives and make sense of their new world. I enjoyed Ijames’s Fat Ham, so I’m looking forward to experiencing more of his work.
“Exhibiting Forgiveness” by Titus Kaphar
On view until November 2 at Gagosian Gallery
Titus Kaphar’s ”Exhibiting Forgiveness” features new paintings that are featured in his debut narrative feature film, Exhibiting Forgiveness. The film, which premiered at Sundance and will be released theatrically nationwide on October 18, is a semi-autobiographical tale about a recovering addict hoping to rebuild a relationship with his estranged artist son.
“Post Human” Group Exhibition
On view until December 21 at Jeffery Deitch Gallery
In 1992, Jeffrey Deitch curated “Post Human,” an exhibition that featured the works of 36 artists who were interested in technological advancement, social pluralism, and body and identity transformation. His new exhibition, also titled “Post Human” and part of the Participating Gallery Program for Getty’s PST Art: “Art & Science Collide,” revisits the same theme and includes works from artists who participated in the 1992 show, as well as new participants such as Wangechi Mutu, Arthur Jafa, Jeff Koons, and Takashi Murakami.
A.I.M by Kyle Abraham presents Shell of a Shell of the Shell
October 12 at Carpenter Performing Arts Center
In Shell of a Shell of the Shell, choreographer Rena Butler explores the impact of the environment on individuals, asking, “How does an environment force the configuration of the individual?” The 21-minute show examines the idea of feeling confined in limited spaces while reimaging the story of the character King Kong to prompt audiences to open their minds to cultural differences and the challenges one may face when operating under, building, and dismantling perpetuated systems.
“If You Don’t Get Yo Sorry Ass Up” by Oshay Green
On view until October 26 at Clearing Gallery
The title of this exhibition has me crying real tears because I indeed need to get up and get my life. Though I’m unfamiliar with Oshay Green’s work and am clueless as to what this exhibition is about due to a lack of a press release, the title is enough to make me get my ass up and go see it. If that was the artist’s intention when choosing the show’s title, it works.
Whew ch, #felt. Def time to get serious. This list makes me want to visit LA because you've essentially built the itinerary. I'm sure you'll be inspired after taking all of that in.