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Delicate bamboo lighting and a collaboration between design studios Willon Perron and USM were among the collectible design projects shown at this year’s Los Angeles art week.
Based around prominent art fairs Frieze and Felix, LA art week is a city-wide activation, and though fine art is the focal point, several design galleries and studios also showcase work.
The week can be frustrating, with the massive geographic spread between the different events and the dearth of transportation options in the city. The result is a need to pick and choose between the various openings and events.
Regardless, the consensus among many is that the design scene in Los Angeles has been steadily growing, a trend evidenced by the recent announcement of an outpost for collectible design fair Design Miami kicking off in the city in May 2024.
Many of the galleries have had a strong presence in LA for years, such as Carpenters Workshop Gallery and Future Perfect, both of which also have outposts in New York and Europe.
However, there were a few relative newcomers to the city who showed up, and some impressive single-label collections, including the debut of designer Brett Robinson.
Read on for nine of this year’s standouts.
Marta
At Marta gallery in East LA, California-based designer Bennet Schlesinger presented In Tune With Itself, an exhibition of light fixtures and furniture. The light fixtures were delicate, with shades made of bamboo and paper and ceramic bases.
Schlesinger also worked with fashion designer Emily Dawn Long to create a series of stackable beanbag stools to complement the lights. He also created a series of wooden tables lined with tiles, which he handpainted to reference his work in fabric-and-fibreglass surfboard surface design.
BG Robinson Studio
LA-based designer Robinson opened his studio to showcase his debut collection, Halycon. The series of chairs and tables features sleek metal bases and toned-down fabrics.
The collection also included a chrome-backed mirror, placed up against the stark industrial walls of the designer’s studio. According to the studio, the exhibition was meant to show the “balance between industrial strength and sensual refinement”.
Southern Guild
South African design and art gallery Southern Guild put on an expansive show of works from Africa to celebrate the opening of its Los Angeles location, its first in the United States.
The show revolved around two exhibitions: one, a group show called Mother Tongues that featured the sculptural work of ceramicist Andile Dyalvane and the black, carved table and stone stools of Chuma Maweni. The other was a solo show by artist Zizipho Poswa featuring massive sculptures based on hair adornments.
The Future Perfect
At its mansion in the Hollywood Hills, The Future Perfect showcased works by a range of designers, including New York-based Minjae Kim and archival works from sculptor Isamu Noguchi and American artist JB Blunk.
Called Inner Space, the exhibition was spread throughout the massive house and interspersed with pieces from the gallery’s collections. Also included in the group show were artists Alana Burns and Ian Collings.
LA-based design studio Sized occupied the old headquarters of American business mogul Howard Hughs. The exhibition included tables designed collaboratively by Canadian designer Willo Perron and New York industrial design studio USM.
Under the moniker of the gallery’s travelling showcase, Sized Selects, the furniture pieces were arranged alongside classic cars, all black, including the rare Vector sportscar. Chrome functioned as the unifying factor between the furniture and the automobiles.
Find out more about Sized Selects ›
Rhett Baruch Gallery
LA-based gallerist Rhett Baruch showed work inside a French Gothic revival mansion in the city’s Los Feliz neighbourhood. Called Dream Fountain, the exhibition included sculptures by Shay Bredimus and furniture design by Jason Koharik.
The furniture included lighting and chairs informed by art nouveau, such as circular seats and a wall sconce with a corona of metal prongs.
Carpenters Workshop Gallery
The gallery showcased the work of Italian designer Vincenzo De Cotiis in its Hollywood Gallery. Called Crossing Over, the solo exhibition saw De Cotiis’ designs spread out over a large and minimalist space.
The size of the pieces ranged from small stools and chairs to a large-scale installation with two massive stone cabinets connected by a raised plinth in the middle of the exhibition.
London-based galley Fumi held its first major show in the United States. The exhibition featured the cardboard furniture of British designer Max Lamb, as well as plywood stools by Spanish artist Aparicio.
Dozens of other American and European designers were on show at the incredibly diverse exhibition.
Find out more about Gallery Fumi’s LA exhibition ›
Friedman Benda
Set in another gallery-occupied mansion, this exhibition showcased the work of Lithuanian designer Barbora Žilinskaitė. Called Chairs Don’t Cry, it featured a colourful series of Žilinskaitė’s work.
The furniture pieces were sculptural, often including shapes informed by body parts. They were crafted with the designer’s signature medium – a plaster made from reclaimed sawdust.
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