Gemini G.E.L., founded in 1966 and celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, is a gallery space, artists’ workshop, and publisher of limited edition prints, lithographs, and sculptures. It seems like every household name artist has worked with Gemini G.E.L., which stands for Graphics Editions Limited—there is a current exhibition dedicated to Robert Rauschenberg, and other collaborators include Sophie Calle, Frank Gehry, Ross Bleckner, Man Ray, Ellsworth Kelly, David Hockney, Philip Guston, Jasper Johns, Ed Ruscha, and Willem de Kooning, among many, many more.
West Hollywood Park
Within the West Hollywood Park, you can find the gorgeous Johnson Favaro-designed West Hollywood Library, which combines mid-century modernism with a hint of the Spanish baroque; the popular West Hollywood Park Tennis and Pickleball courts; and the West Hollywood Aquatic and Recreation Center, which boasts a public rooftop pool with views of the Hollywood Hills.
Partying
West Hollywood offers a lot, but it might be best known for its many gay bars (and establishments owned by reality star Lisa Vanderpump). According to lifelong Angeleno and journalist Daniel Spielberger, “if you want top 40 pop, solid beer, and an amazing ahi tuna burger, start the night at Hi Tops. It’s also great if you like sports for some reason. Their trivia night is quite popular (the Heated Rivalry boys may even make a steamy cameo!).”
He adds, “Beaches has a fantastic slushy and good hip hop music. Boys Town isn’t for everyone, so if you’re in the area and want a glamorous retro queer vibe with a decadent martini, go to Or Bar. Across the street is Circus of Books, which has some unique gadgets and interesting literary selections. West Hollywood is a lot more than Vanderpump.”
MAK Center for Art and Architecture at the Schindler House
Photo: Tag Christof
The MAK Center for Art and Architecture is housed within buildings by legendary Austrian-American architect Rudolph Schindler, whose radical early 20th-century buildings changed the face of L.A. The Schindler House, as it’s casually known, is a Japanese-inspired structure consisting of concrete panels, redwood, and glass. Built in 1922 as a home and studio for Schindler, his wife Pauline, and friends, the house alone is worth a visit, but there are also rotating exhibitions by other artists that regularly take place there.
Pacific Design Center
The Pacific Design Center, also known as the Blue Whale, is an enormous building featuring over 80 design showrooms, open both to design professionals and the public. Check out its website for the latest listings, as well as its schedule of events and film screenings.