I’m sure I’m late in the discussion, but I had to mention my experience two weekends ago at the opening preview at BCAM. I went there primarily to see a new performance by the Los Angeles Contemporary Dance Company, choreographed by Michael Crotty and inspired by some of the artwork inside the BCAM. Often splayed and baking on the concrete, the company performed three times a day for three days [I believe]. While waiting in line, guests were treated to a very nice treat that began with the dancers slowly creeping through the lampposts. It was a very nice preview of how the company works, though I don’t think there was much improvisation [which was aplenty at the first show I saw of theirs, Pinky Swear]. Their next local performance is in April. Buy tickets.

Speaking of dance and fine art in town, Pharmaka has been exhibiting collaborative dance projects at its space that are complex and remind me of some of our upcoming projects.

Oh, and there was art in the buildings too, a survey that smacked of the 80s and art textbooks from high school. As I’m not as aware of what’s happening on the museum circuits, I was surprised to be thoroughly familiar with all the artists, which was more of a letdown. Here’s who was represented.

Old favorites: Robert Rauschenburg, Cy Twombly, Jasper Johns, David Salle, Andy Warhol, Basquiat, Jeff Koons, Leon Golub, Susan Rothenberg, Jenny Holzer, Chris Burden, Damien Hirst, Robert Therrien, Richard Serra, Ed Ruscha, John Baldessari, Mike Kelley, Barbara Kruger, Cindy Sherman, Roy Lichtenstein, Ellsworth Kelly

It seems, again, that LA is playing catch up. The Mike Kelley room was incredibly eerie to me, and the Serra pieces seem to be a big favorite. I’m sure children would enjoy this exhibit, but children also eat paste. Come on LA, where’s something as exciting as the New Museum here, where both the structure and art inside seem to be boldly going where leftovers from the 80s and early 90s cease to strive? I’m not sure.