Beach=Culture Art Series at the Beach House

June 16, 2017 1:55 PM
by Naomi Okuyama

Step behind the scenes into a string quartet rehearsal. Witness (and help out with) an alien invasion. Stop by to construct an historical cardboard yacht with a working artist.

The “Out of the Blue” projects are part of Beach=Culture, the ongoing free series of talks, exhibits, artist residencies, concerts and other art events at the Beach House. Each month this summer a different artist will practice their art form in plain view, while making space for Beach House visitors to get involved. Details about each of these projects are posted on Beach House's Facebook.

Kaleidoscope (June 20-22, 10am-1pm): During three days of open rehearsals by members of Kaleidoscope, the conductorless chamber orchestra, a string quartet will be sight-reading, discussing interpretations, practicing their parts, and preparing for a concert at a local homeless shelter. Listen in while music is being built by Chiai Tajima and Ben Hoffman (violins), Alex Granger (viola), and Mia Barcia-Colombo (cello.)

 More about Kaleidoscope at kco.la.

Beck + Col (July 17-21, various times): The Beach House hosts an alien invasion/vacation with the artists Beck + Col, who are creating a film titled Rainbow Face! on Vacation. Throughout the week, colorful monsters can be found cavorting on the grounds of the Beach House, their stay punctuated by shared activities such as color-coordinated fruit gifting and papier-mache mask making (Monday June 17) monster life drawing (Wednesday June 19), and instrument-making + a dance jam (Friday June 21). In between, the monsters will be taking a home movie of themselves attempting quintessential seaside activities like beach volleyball, picnics and more. Read as a vibrantly colored social commentary on the nature of otherness, or as childlike summer fun. More about Beck + Col at beckandcol.com.

Photo of “Rainbow Face! and other monsters by Hailey Magoon

Kiel Johnson (August 11-18): Embark on a glorious sea voyage without ever leaving the sand during sculptor Kiel Johnson’s August project: an all-cardboard rendition of W.R. Hearst’s notorious 1920s steam-powered yacht, the Oneida. Visitors can help assemble the sculpture, which will remain on display through the Beach House annual Cardboard Yacht Regatta (August 26.) Kiel’s projects infuse serious building with a sense of whimsy and invitation. From insanely detailed cameras and telescopes to fanciful armadas and cities, he crafts worlds out of the most humble of materials. More about Kiel Johnson at kieljohnson.com.

Solo Squadron by Kiel Johnson

Although “Out of the Blue” projects are all drop-in, other Beach=Culture programs this summer are seated events with reservations available at annenbergbeachhouse.com/beachculture. 

See you at the Beach!


Naomi Okuyama, Cultural Affairs Supervisor 

Authored By

Naomi Okuyama
Cultural Affairs Supervisor