It’s going to be a sweetheart of a Valentine’s Day for art lovers, as the LA Art Show, LA’s largest and longest-running fair, returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center February 14-18, 2024.
The 29th edition will be produced and directed by Kassandra Voyagis, who promises a strong 2024 exhibition. According to Voyagis, the LA Art Show’s mission “is always to deliver the most comprehensive international contemporary art experience imaginable. The 2023 iteration welcomed over 60,000 visitors and 2024 promises another spectacular lineup of exhibiting galleries from around the world…we keep building a bigger and better version every year.”
This year, the show will include many international exhibitors, including those from the Philippines, Italy, Israel, Peru and South Korea, with the shows largest section featuring contemporary artworks from galleries located in LA, the Pacific Rim and around the world.
Among returning presenters, Voyagis cites Arcadia Contemporary, in their 17th year at the LA Art Show, K+Y Contemporary, Licht Feld Gallery, and Markowicz Fine Art along with the gallery’s European partner, Bel Air Fine Art, participating in the show for the first time. She notes other new exhibitors including Cube Gallery and Cynthia Corbett Gallery, and the exhibition’s penchant for women-owned and directed galleries, including the Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery, Daphne Alazraki Fine Art and Cynthia Corbett as well as Melissa Morgan Gallery.
And of course, a major focal point of the show is DIVERSEArtLA, about which Voyagis says “We are excited to continue facilitating this pioneering program…It ignites important dialogue through art and helps to deepen our understanding of what it means to be human.”
Curated by Marisa Caichiolo, DIVERSEartLA connects local and international art institutions to generate thoughtful dialogue through art while also honoring the unique biodiversity of Los Angeles.
Caichiolo says the inspiration behind this year’s DIVERSEartLA platform “explores the complex and evolving relationship between memory, humanity, and AI, and is inspired by the ever-evolving relationship between human cognition and artificial intelligence. As we enter an era of rapid technological change and increasing reliance on artificial intelligence, it is important to consider the role that AI can play in shaping our memory and our sense of humanity.” She adds that “We aim to explore the intersection of these two domains and how they influence contemporary artistic movements and expressions. The theme reflects our commitment to engaging with the profound impact of technology on human memory, identity, experiences, and of course, creativity.”
She wants those interested in attending to note that this year’s exhibition will offer a “thought-provoking exploration of the complex interplay between human memory and artificial intelligence, as interpreted by a diverse group of arts institutions, museums and artists.”
Their work will include installation, immersive video, and large-scale sculptural pieces and textiles. Through it, Caichiolo says, “We seek to prompt reflection on the ways in which AI and human memory intersect and influence one another, offering new perspectives on the nature of creativity, identity, and the evolving human experience in the digital age. From AI-generated artworks to immersive virtual reality experiences that challenge our sense of self, the works in this edition invite us to consider the opportunities and challenges presented by AI and memory. What does it mean to remember in an age of digital memory? How can AI be used to enhance our memory and our understanding of the world? And what are the ethical and social implications of relying on AI as a tool for memory and identity?”
These questions will lead viewers in a new direction from previous DIVERSEartLA iterations. Last year’s featured nine interdisciplinary projects examining the climate crisis, including inspiring works by artist and ecofeminist Judy Baca and renowned Korean artist Han Ho.
This year will be quite different from the focus of the last two years on climate change. The 2024 experience will be a “distinct departure in thematic focus,” according to Caichiolo. “We have intentionally shifted our attention to the dynamic relationship between human memory and AI, presenting an entirely new direction that reflects the evolving landscape of contemporary art and technological influence. We are excited to present this fresh perspective and welcome visitors to engage with the innovative and compelling installations.”
Eight of the world’s top art museums, nonprofits and institutions will present solo projects in DIVERSEartLA, including The Nevada Museum of Art presenting “The Journey” by contemporary artist Guillermo Bert and curated by Vivian Zavataro, an installation featuring a series of 20 highly-detailed, life-sized wood sculptures of actual immigrants employed as frontline workers. Among the other institutions presenting solo projects, The Museum of Contemporary Art in Bogotá will offer “Mythstories” by multimedia artist Carlos Castro Arias and curated by Gustavo Adolfo Ortiz Serrano. Appropriating the style and iconography of medieval tapestry, Castro uses anachronisms and the re-contextualization of found objects to create connections across times and cultures, while experimenting with themes of myth, history, and AI, exploring individual and collective identity.
DIVERSEartLA 2024 is also proud to announce the second edition of the Museum Acquisition Award for Emerging and Mid-Career Artists. The Museum Collection AAL from Santiago, Chile, will select an artist from the LA Art Show to add work to the permanent museum collection.
If all of this isn’t enough to plan your Valentine’s Day weekend around, the LA Art Show is donating 15% of proceeds from every ticket to the life-saving mission of the American Heart Association’s Life is Why™ campaign. The organization is LA Art Show’s new charity beneficiary this year.
You can find more information about attending the LA Art Show here.
- Genie Davis; photos provided by LA Art Show