Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/603573
A s Los Angeles experiences a heady explosion of new commercial art galleries, the city's nonprofit art scene is intensifying as well. In the last year and a half, four new spaces have opened in the city—all located off the beaten path of the city's traditional art enclaves, a signal of how the cultural footprint of the city continues to expand. "L.A. has always been nurturing of experimentation. It's only natural that nonprofit art spaces are proliferating here," says Thao Nguyen, an agent at CAA whose roster includes artists, architects and designers, and who also oversees the agency's art collection and sits on the board of The Mistake Room. "They make L.A. all the more dynamic and diverse." 214 CULTURED NOT FOR SALE A quartet of new art spaces in Los Angeles promotes experimentation over profits. BY DEGEN PENER FAHRENHEIT The French have arrived in downtown L.A., from MOCA's new director Philippe Vergne to the Francois Ghebaly Gallery and Please Do Not Enter, an adventurous menswear and design boutique owned by two Parisians. Also part of the flock is Fahrenheit, opened last year by the FLAX Foundation (French Los Angeles Exchange). Located in a 1942 textile factory, Fahrenheit is both a residency program for France-related artists, curators and critics, and an exhibition space. "Beyond exposing area audiences to French creative productions, we make it a point to integrate French and L.A. artists and thinkers," says Executive Director Elisabeth Forney. Case in point: last year, French artist Julien Previeux, while in residence at Fahrenheit, choreographed a work with an L.A.-based composer and six local dancers inspired by hand gestures that are patented by technology companies. The piece went on to win the prestigious Marcel Duchamp Award in Paris. THE MISTAKE ROOM This cavernous 4,500-square-foot space—located south of downtown inside a former Forever 21 warehouse—is the city's only nonprofit dedicated to a far-flung international program. It burst onto the scene in early 2014 with an exhibition by young art star Oscar Murillo and a high- profile board. This Fall, Chinese artist Cao Fei had her first solo show in L.A., which included what founder Cesar Garcia described as "a sort of zombie apocalyptic film that touches on urban life in China." Scheduled for 2016: new commissions by young artists working internationally, and projects by very established artists who've never shown in L.A. before. "Far and High" at Fahrenheit included works by Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Alicja Kwade, Vincent Ganivet and Tamara Henderson. Installation view of "Vivian Suter: Panajachel" at The Mistake Room. PHOTO BY KELLY BARRIE (MISTAKE ROOM); COURTESY OF CHRISTOPHER WORMALD (FAHRENHEIT)