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Skirball Cultural Center P1 Signature Image - Trees, Time, and Technology

Skirball Cultural Center Location Image

Skirball Cultural Center

The Environment

SoCal

Ancient Wisdom for a Future Ecology: Trees, Time, and Technology

Curator Tour: Lauren Bash Portrait

Lauren Bash

Lauren Bash Tour - Portrait 2

Lauren Bash: Kobe Mural

<ul><li dir="ltr">Favorite place to eat in SoCal: Honestly, probably a picnic on the beach or in a park. We’re so lucky to have so many amazing farmers markets here, you can’t go wrong. </li><li dir="ltr">Best kept SoCal secret: The weather is perfect in October and November, after all of the tourists leave. </li><li dir="ltr">I love SoCal because... I freaking love the pride of Angelenos. Like don’t mess with a Dodgers Fan. And when Kobe passed away it was dark in LA for MONTHS. No size fits all here. It’s our diversity that makes us so unique, but we all have pride for this city. </li><li dir="ltr">Follow Lauren on Instagram at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/relauren/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@relauren </a></li><li dir="ltr">Listen to Lauren's playlist on <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0cYUpm5nkIVKv1EajUjvGi?si=feb98ca4df044e75" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Spotify </a></li></ul>

Lauren's Quick Fire SoCal Questions

Skirball - Ancient Wisdom Image 2

START THE DAY AT THE SKIRBALL
The PST ART exhibition <a href="https://pst.art/en/exhibitions/ancient-wisdom-for-a-future-ecology" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ancient Wisdom for a Future Ecology: Trees, Time, and Technology</a> at the Skirball Cultural Center helps us find inspiration from one of nature’s most noble sources: trees. The exhibition honors the symbolic importance of trees across cultures and history. It also, via a variety of artwork including tree-ring sculptures and interactive AI software, considers LA’s complex past and how together we might build a sustainable, inclusive future.

Lauren Bash Tour - Santa Monica Mountains

TAKE A HIKE
Meditate on the exhibition’s messages as you head up into the nearby <a href="https://www.nps.gov/samo/index.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Santa Monica Mountains</a> for a hike. “They have really cool programs where you can participate in nature restoration,” explains Bash, “helping plant native species and weeding out invasive or non-native ones.” Bash also likes the <a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/kenter-fire-road-whoop-de-doos-trail#" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kenter Trail hike</a> not far from UCLA. “It’s dog friendly, so a lot of doggie daycare places take their dogs there. You might see a walker with, like, 40 dogs.” Now you're ready to check out some more exhibitions.

Santa Monica Mountains

Atmosphere of Sound: Sonic Art in Times of Climate Disruption

UCLA ART SCI Higher Ed Resource Image 1

In the <a href="https://pst.art/en/exhibitions/atmosphere-of-sound-sonic-art-in-times-of-climate-disruption" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Atmosphere of Sound</a> exhibit at CAP UCLA, a mix of contemporary artists interpret climate change through the medium of sound. The immersive experiences include sound sculptures, sound walks, videos, and live performances. Next, head over to the Hammer Museum where you’ll find PST ART’s <a href="https://pst.art/en/exhibitions/breathe-towards-climate-and-social-justice" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Breath(e</a>).

Breath(e): Toward Climate and Social Justice

Hammer Museum Garnett Puett Image

Hammer Museum Higher Ed Module Image Ron Finley

“This exhibit is right up my alley,” says Bash. Breath(e) considers the connections between climate change and environmental and social justice through the lens of contemporary art. Visitors can check out a sculpture built by honey bees by Garrett Pruitt, an installation by contemporary artist Cannupa Hanska Luger, and Ron Finley, aka the Gangsta Gardener, will be rebuilding his South Central community garden in one of the galleries. “You have to watch <a href="https://www.ted.com/speakers/ron_finley" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ron Finley’s TED Talks</a> if you haven’t,” encourages Bash. “He knows my mom. He’ll say things like, ‘ I don't want to sit down in a comfy armchair with you. Bring your shovel and let's get to work.’ That’s what the city needs.”

Lauren Bash Tour - Blueys

BIKE OR TAKE METRO MICRO TO BLUEYS FOR LUNCH
“<a href="https://www.metro.net/micro/#planner" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Metro Micro</a> is like a city-sponsored version of Uber,” explains Bash. “You order on your phone and you only pay, like, bus ticket-level fares. It’s amazing.” Catch a ride to <a href="https://blueyskitchen.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Blueys Kitchen</a> for lunch, a restaurant that’s part of the <a href="https://www.surfrider.org/programs/ocean-friendly-restaurants" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Surfrider Foundation’s Ocean Friendly</a> program. “We consult with restaurants to make them as close to zero waste as possible,” explains Bash. “So things like offering reusables on site, reducing plastics in takeaway bags, sourcing certified-sustainable fish. One of Surfrider’s big missions is to cut down on plastic pollution in our ocean waterways and on beaches, so the Ocean Friendly program helps to limit plastic at the source.” On Blueys menu, “I dream about the green falafel,” says Bash.

Blueys Kitchen

Chris McCaw: Marking Time

GALLERY HOP
Not far from Blueys is the art complex <a href="https://bergamotstation.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bergamot Station</a>, host to another PST ART exhibit, this one featuring innovative photographer <a href="https://www.chrismccaw.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chris McCaw</a> at <a href="https://marshallgallery.art/contact/">Marshall Gallery</a>.
McCaw first started taking photos as a Northern Californian skateboarder in the 80s; he was involved with zines and the punk scene. McCaw’s striking images feature dots and lines burned onto the page by sunlight concentrated through the camera’s lens.

Lauren Bash Tour - Venice Skate Park

SURF AND SKATE
“The surfing and skate culture are obviously part of the west side,” says Bash. “That's why people live here.” First timers who’d like to test out the waves can head from Bergamot Station to nearby Santa Monica beach. <a href="https://www.kapowui.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kapowui Surf School </a>teaches lessons near lifeguard tower 29. “They’re my old neighbors!” laughs Bash. 
In honor of Chris McCaw’s skater roots, take the opportunity to visit <a href="https://www.veniceskatepark.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Venice Skate Park</a>. “It’s so iconic,” says Bash. “It’s in movies; they had a scene from Barbie there. And it’s fun for people watching and to check out some of the local artisans selling their things.”

Venice Skate Park

Lauren Bash Tour - Gjusta

GET A SNACK AND TAKE A BREAK AT GJUSTA
“The best loaf of bread you can get in LA is from <a href="https://gjusta.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gjusta</a>,” raves Bash. “And their location in Venice has a huge outdoor patio, very Parisian vibes. They have this olive tapenade and my partner and I will get a big loaf of sourdough, eat olive tapenade, and play cards.”

Gjusta

Lauren Bash Tour - First Fridays

WANDER <a href="https://www.abbotkinneyblvd.com/firstfridays" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FIRST FRIDAYS AT ABBOT KINNEY</a>.
On the first Friday of every month starting at 5 p.m., the chic Venice street Abbot Kinney gives itself over to a festival of food trucks and merchant events. “There's always live music,” says Bash. “The stores might have special sales or they'll be jewelry makers or artists who will have a pop up. It’s cool, it’s a vibe.”

First Fridays at Abbot Kinney

Lauren Bash - Marvin Braude Bike Path

RIDE BIKES BACK UP TO SANTA MONICA
When you’ve shopped and sampled to your heart’s content, hop on a bike and pedal back to Santa Monica along the <a href="https://beaches.lacounty.gov/la-county-beach-bike-path/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marvin Braude bike path</a>. The 22-mile, paved oceanside path stretches from Torrance County Beach up to Will Rogers State Beach near the Pacific Palisades. “We used the bike path all the time when we were kids,” reminisces Bash. “My mom would drop us off and we’d ride around the South Bay up to Venice, and, like, get a henna tattoo and buy incense.”

Ride bikes

Lauren Bash Tour - Elephante 1

WATCH THE SUN SET OVER THE OCEAN The rooftop bar and restaurant <a href="https://www.elephanterestaurants.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Élephante</a> in Santa Monica serves up coastal Italian fare—grilled octopus, pastas, pizzas with artichokes and roasted mushrooms. “They have this eggplant dip that is divine,” says Bash. “And they have an amazing view of the ocean. If you go at sunset, it's the absolute best.”