Art Galleries -- free booze and culture!

 

I recently discovered that art galleries in Los Angeles often hold their show openings on the same evening. Because this is Los Angeles, the galleries are spread all over the place and this could pose a problem for one who likes to gallery hop. However, these geographical limitations are mitigated by the fact that there are many gallery complexes with clusters of art spaces in a contained location (such as Bergamot Station in Santa Monica, Blum & Poe et al in Culver City, and the little gem just west of Fairfax on the south side of Wilshire Boulevard). There, you can park and do a gallery 'crawl'. Better yet, while you learn superficial things about ART (much of which will be mediocre) you can also get free drinks. A lot of them.

Indeed, the galleries always provide beverages for these openings, and while the wine is not premier cru it is drinkable (if you consider Charles Shaw, or Columbia Crest on a good day, drinkable). Sometimes there are kegs. Apparently galleries are the new fraternities.

And did I mention that the openings are the anti-Tropicana, which is to say there are NO LISTS?! Anybody can attend. No carding. Nothing.

So, learn about art, free booze, no list. A pretty good deal (impress your date before he/she realizes you are just cheap) and a nice change of pace for people who think there is no culture in Los Angeles.

Next set of openings, October 15th.

Some favorite galleries:

Paul Kopeikin Gallery (Wilshire complex - Weegee will be next show)
Blum and Poe (Culver City cluster - up next are George Condo and Nigel Cooke)
Richard Heller Gallery (Bergamot Station - Neil Farber of Royal Art Lodge group is next show)