La Reina de Los Ángeles
September 17, 2018–January 13, 2019
Without the Los Angeles River, there would quite simply be no Los Angeles. While the precise geography is unknown, historians have estimated it’s changed course at least nine times in the first half of the nineteenth century alone. Today, less than 150 years into the life of our young city, a complex infrastructure delivers water not just to our community, but to crops, farms, and manicured lawns.
La Reina de Los Ángeles presented a discussion of our current relationship with water, using the Los Angeles River as an entry point. Through contemporary art works, documentary films, historic materials, and special programming; La Reina de Los Ángeles explored the history, infrastructure, and community around this critical resource.
As part of the exhibition there were artworks throughout the Gardens. Michael Parker’s Endless Column, a large-scale outdoor sculpture exploring the movement and storage of water was on display in the Center Circle. Organic earthen-forms created by Galia Linn were on view in the Camellia Forest. Musician Andrew Bird’s Echolocations: River was featured on the gallery’s living roof.
La Reina de Los Ángeles was curated by Debra Scacco and funded in part by Heather and Paul Haaga.
Growing Habitat: LA’s Wildlife & Descanso
May 21–August 19, 2018
Descanso Gardens is a habitat for many living things: From heritage oaks, to native gray squirrels, to the vast network of mycorrhizal fungi in the soil underfoot. Descanso’s location, so close to an urban center, yet nestled in the foothills and connected to more “wild” areas, creates a prime opportunity to explore how humans and nature interact.
Growing Habitat: LA’s Wildlife and Descanso examined the idea that a healthy habitat is more than just a space with food, shelter, and water. A vibrant and resilient habitat is full of movement and connection and wildlife — both seen and unseen. Growing Habitat: LA’s Wildlife and Descanso looked at the “wild side” of our urban green space and introduced us to the “habitat heroes” who work to improve the health and strength of our ecosystems.
Growing Habitat: LA’s Wildlife and Descanso was funded in part by Heather and Paul Haaga.
Beyond the Bouquet
January 22–April 22, 2018
For millennia, people have brought plants and flowers indoors for their pleasure, tradition, and even health. When flowers are removed from their natural surroundings and repurposed into bouquets and flower arrangements, gardening evolves beyond a practical skill into the realm of art-making. Beyond the Bouquet highlighted this art-making tradition and explored the newest trends.
In this exhibition, both local and international artists experimented with concepts of nature, two and three-dimensional creations, an “alternative concept of beauty,” and the blurred line between art and craft using a wide variety of media.
Beyond the Bouquet was funded in part by Heather and Paul Haaga.
Featured artists and curator
Featured artists included: Alison Franchi, Justina Freel, Felisa Funes, Cherrie Hoa Mai, Karen Kimmel, Kaz Yokou Kitajima, Rebecca Louise Law, Britton Neubacher, Helen Rae, Natalia Stuyk, Joy Taylor, and Tiffanie Turner.
Curated by Cristeen Martinez.