LACMA’s “California Design, 1930-1965″ is part of the Pacific Standard Time, a collaboration of museums and galleries across Southern California coming together to celebrate the birth of the L.A. art scene. There are 46 exhibitions all over Southern California, this one at LACMA showcases designers, architects, architecture, and everyday objects that shaped the California aesthetic that is so prevalent today.

The exhibition is divided into four categories: shaping, making, living and selling. The Selling of the California Dream- its grandness and optimism- was the most interesting to me. The California lifestyle was represented in the design of furniture, clothes, publications, toys for kids, and more- Not much different than it is today. Quoting photographer Julius Shulman, “Good design is seldom accepted, it has to be sold”.

California played a key role in defense and aerospace during WWII. Breakthroughs in fiberglass, molded plywood, and other materials were key to modernism, post-war. These materials for the first time were being used inexpensively for the home and lifestyle products.

Art & Architecture, 1946.

The Barbie Dream House, propogating the California dream at a young age.

These wooden blocks intended for kids back then, reminds me of the Balancing Blocks for the kid in us now.

A highly anticipated Los Angeles show and Jeffrey Deitch’s first as museum director of MOCA, we were excited to check out Art In The Streets. That, and it was exhibiting some of the most talked about street artists today. We took a little field trip with the Poketo crew, it’s awesome to be able to step out the front door after work and be stones throw from museums, restaurants, nightlife… Downtown Los Angeles is amazing that way.

Art In The Streets was insane, a huge inspiration to say the least. There was so much work, too much to take in at one time… we need to go back for a second, third visit to appreciate everything. What definitely stole the show this time around is a re-creation of Street Market by Barry McGee, Steve Powers, and Todd James. A mini city they built for the show, complete with stores, tattoo parlor, video games, flashing signs, and of course McGee’s signature robotic taggers in the mix. Pics below, enjoy.

RETNA

Margaret Kilgallen

Keith Haring

Os Gemeos

Banksy

Space Invader

We are ready for round 2. The show is up until August 8, 2011.