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Pop artist Kii Arens made a reputation for himself in music through the years, creating live performance posters for bands and vocalists reminiscent of Radiohead, Elton John, Dolly Parton, the Weeknd, Sonic Youth, Tame Impala, Diana Ross and extra.
That work is taking heart stage at Arens’ new downtown Los Angeles gallery, FAB LA, in a present titled “And the Winner Is.” Curated by Arens and that includes poster artwork of Grammy winners, the exhibition is about to open Friday, two days earlier than the 2026 Grammys descend on town, and simply in time to welcome loads of visiting celeb faces to the gallery’s third-ever occasion.
A glittering get together scene is a part of each exhibition Arens hosts, relationship again to his earlier gallery, LA-LA Land, which he opened twenty years in the past on Santa Monica Boulevard in Hollywood and ran till its lease got here up final yr.
FAB LA formally launched in October with “XO, LA: A Love Letter to Los Angeles,” an exhibition that mirrored the eclectic voices and existential challenges that outline L.A. tradition with work, illustrations and combined media works by Shepard Fairey, Corita Kent, Anthony Ausgang, Ashley Dreyfus, Paul Frank and others.
Pop artist Kii Arens lays on his desk in his new gallery, FAB LA, contained in the historic High quality Arts Constructing on seventh Road in downtown Los Angeles. Posters from his new present, “And the Winner Is,” characteristic photos of Grammy winners simply in time for the massive awards present.
(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Occasions)
The flamboyant “Mick Rock’s Rocky Horror Artwork Present” adopted in December. The exhibition was among the many final occasions marking the well-known cult movie’s fiftieth anniversary, and featured Rock’s well-known images alongside items by pop star designer Michael Schmidt and digital portraitist Plasticgod. As with earlier occasions at LA-LA Land, the opening attracted rockers, drag queens and membership world cognoscenti.
DJs Sean Patrick (Simon Says) and Chris Holmes (Paul McCartney’s touring DJ, and inventive collaborator with Cosm) manned the decks, and “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” winner and podcaster, Alaska Thunderf—, carried out as Tim Curry’s Dr. Frank-N-Furter, dancing and prancing across the grand environs.
There are galleries throughout Los Angeles, however few might be described as artistic endeavors unto themselves. FAB LA is that and extra.
Its majestic headquarters are housed inside downtown’s historic High quality Arts Constructing — a panoramic palace-like construction with a 100-year historical past of workmanship and creativity.
Situated close to the intersection of seventh and Flower streets, the landmark constructing was featured within the 2009 movie “(500) Days of Summer time,” a hidden gem overshadowed lately by hectic avenue life, chain meals spots and bustling enterprise power. Used primarily as an workplace constructing, its ornate design, carvings and sculptures — together with a floor flooring fountain with frolicking bronze youths — hadn’t invited a lot public consideration or appreciation.
Pop artist Kii Arens catches some air in entrance of the historic High quality Arts Constructing the place he has opened his new gallery, FAB LA. The constructing was designated a Historic-Cultural Monument in 1974 and restored in 1983.
(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Occasions)
That modified late final yr when Arens took over the primary two flooring.
“Traditionally, artists lived and labored inside this constructing,” he mentioned throughout a latest opening. “This concept actually resonated with me.”
Initially from St. Paul, Minn., Arens moved to L.A. in 2004 and promptly opened LA-LA Land. The Hollywood showroom debuted on election night time 2004 with a gaggle exhibition known as “Pleased Warfare,” that includes anti-war works and Fairey as DJ. Wild and kitschy reveals adopted with opening fetes devoted to colourful topics together with Andy Warhol, circus clowns, and Canadian tv creators and puppeteers Sid and Marty Krofft.
Along with creating artwork and DJing, Arens can also be a musician, and his eclectic music tasks replicate his nostalgic proclivities. They embody a rock outfit known as FLIPP, which he describes as, “the Intercourse Pistols meets the Spice Women,” in addition to a pop-duo known as Jinx, and solo work that counts 4 Non Blondes’ Linda Perry as a collaborator.
Arens is a largely self-taught visible artist. His work has at all times leaned towards leisure figures and musical subject material, which led to main commissions for album covers and tour poster artwork — a few of which shall be featured within the upcoming exhibition at FAB LA.
Poster prints of Elton John, left, and Jim Morrison, by Pop artist Kii Arens are a part of his newest present, “And the Winner Is,” which options poster artwork of Grammy winners and is on show in Aren’s new gallery, FAB LA, which opened late final yr.
(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Occasions)
When LA-LA Land’s lease expired, Arens sought a brand new place that will embrace his experimental power. He additionally needed a novel backdrop for showcasing imagery that “treats popular culture as a shared reminiscence for all to absorb,” he mentioned. “One thing worthy of being preserved, not simply consumed.”
The High quality Arts Constructing’s longtime actual property consultant, Gibran Begum, was searching for the identical factor. Preservation was a part of the dialog when the 2 related, however each have been additionally targeted on revitalization and augmenting the construction’s old-world charms with one thing contemporary and fashionable. The aim was to as soon as once more carry artwork lovers to the neighborhood.
A cohesive arts occasion had been missing within the space for the reason that month-to-month Downtown Los Angeles Artwork Stroll scaled down within the face of site visitors and allow points, and extra just lately COVID closures. The occasion just lately resumed, and although it’s a lot smaller Arens mentioned he has excessive hopes for its development, and for FAB LA’s place in its future.
As does Begum, who calls the High quality Arts Constructing “a uncommon and particular area.”
“The second you enter, you’re some place else, it’s virtually like strolling into one thing in Florence, Italy,” Begum mentioned. “We have been searching for somebody to assist rejuvenate and reenergize it and who understood the tradition of it.”
Pop artist Kii Arens strikes a pose contained in the historic High quality Arts Constructing the place he has opened his new gallery, FAB LA. The constructing was designed within the Romanesque revival model by architects Albert R. Walker and Percy A. Eisen, who additionally created the Beverly Wilshire Resort in Beverly Hills.
(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Occasions)
Designed within the Romanesque revival model by revered architects Albert R. Walker and Percy A. Eisen, who additionally created the close by Oviatt Constructing in addition to the Beverly Wilshire Resort in Beverly Hills, the constructing’s exterior is embellished with dramatic columns and arches. Its inside options gargoyles, griffins and different mystical figures by sculptor Burt W. Johnson, in addition to hand-crafted tiles by Ernest Batchelder and murals by Anthony B. Heinsbergen. A classic elevator ferries visitors between flooring.
The opulent constructing opened on Dec. 8, 1926, attracting an estimated crowd of 27,000, and was named a Historic-Cultural Monument in 1974.
Although numerous artists have proven within the constructing over its 100-year historical past, FAB’s vibrant imaginative and prescient, targeted on the intersection of design and high quality artwork media, seems like the precise match for the present second.
“I virtually really feel just like the ghosts of among the artists are trying down at me and smiling, realizing that what they liked is going on right here once more,” Arens mentioned.
This contains immersive gatherings, that are an enormous a part of Arens’ plans for FAB. “We’ll have film premieres, dwell music occasions, poetry and I positively wish to have vogue,” Arens mentioned. “The room would make an ideal runway!”
Charity can also be a part of the image.
“And the Winner Is,” serves as a fundraiser for Oxfam, which works to alleviate international poverty. Arens mentioned he’s been internet hosting charity occasions for the group for the final 5 years — at all times proper across the Grammys.
“We’ll have a bunch of wonderful vinyl data donated by Rhino, and we’ll have clothes donated from well-known musicians. Matt Pinfield is DJing and so is Jeffrey Ross,” Arens mentioned.
A poster of Liza Minnelli by Pop artist Kii Arens is a part of his newest present, “And the Winner Is” which options poster artwork of Grammy winners and opens over Grammy weekend.
(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Occasions)
The exhibition, which closes March 8, will characteristic a few of what Arens calls his “biggest hits,” together with an ebullient Liza Minnelli portrait, and different vital prints reminiscent of a black-light poster design of Dolly Parton, and a Van Halen print representing Eddie Van Halen’s famed red-, black- and white-splattered “Frankenstein” guitar design on a pocket book.
“I’m into simplifying photos till they change into acquainted, speedy and emotional,” Arens mentioned of his work. “I wish to strip photos all the way down to what folks acknowledge immediately. The sensation comes first, then I’m targeted on evoking optimism, coloration and pleasure.”
Up subsequent: A present in April in affiliation with the animation studio Titmouse and devoted to the artwork of animation.
“On this second the place every little thing feels disposable, I wish to make one thing that’s strong, one thing you stand in entrance of, not scroll previous,” Arens mentioned.
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