With its countless cultural landmarks and artistic hot spots, America’s second-largest city delivers on its reputation as the creative capital of the world. This week’s shows are all about photography, so if you find yourself in sunny LA during the month of August, and want to swap the selfies for some seriously powerful pictures, don’t miss these must-see events. Japan is in the spotlight, with curated exhibitions at Fahey/Klein Gallery and the Getty, each exploring the aesthetics of modern Japan. In addition, the Japanese American National Museum has a special show focusing on the life of Japanese Americans during World War II. You can also keep it local with Made in L.A. 2014 at the Hammer Museum, or Driving L.A. at Craig Krull Gallery, a show whose theme will feel very familiar to anyone who has navigated the city’s infamously congested freeways. There is also The Faces of America at dnj Gallery, a survey of the cultural and environmental elements that shape national identity. Or Allan Sekula: Ship of Fools at Christopher Grimes Gallery, which documents the process of adapting a cargo vessel for a multimedia exhibition site. A more experimental experience can be had at Wild Nights at Boîte Noire Gallery and Soft Target at M+B, Whatever your artistic inclinations, be sure to check out these exciting exhibitions.
Exhibition: Driving L.A.
When: July 12–August 23, 2014
Where: Craig Krull Gallery, Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Avenue, Building B-3, Santa Monica, CA 90404
Exhibition: Ramona Rosales: Outside the Lines
When: July 10–August 24, 2014
Where: De Soto Gallery, 1350 Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice, California 90291
Exhibition: Wild Nights
When: April 23–August 29, 2014
Where: Boîte Noire Gallery, Pacific Design Center, 8687 Melrose Avenue, Space B222, West Hollywood, California 90069
Exhibition: Soft Target
When: June 26–August 30, 2014
Where: M+B, 612 N. Almont Drive, Los Angeles, California 90069
Exhibition: The Faces of America
When: June 28–August 30, 2014
Where: dnj Gallery, 2525 Michigan Avenue, Suite J-1, Santa Monica, California 90404
Exhibition: Formento & Formento: Japan Diaries
When: July 24–August 30, 2014
Where: Fahey/Klein Gallery, 148 N. La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90036
Exhibition: Colors of Confinement: Rare Kodachrome Photographs of Japanese American Incarceration in World War II
When: May 3–August 31, 2014
Where: Japanese American National Museum, 100 North Central Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90012
Exhibition: Allan Sekula: Ship of Fools
When: July 3–September 6, 2014
Where: Christopher Grimes Gallery, 916 Colorado Avenue, Santa Monica, California 90401
Exhibition: Made in L.A. 2014
When: June 15–September 7, 2014 (with special events on August 15, 20, and 27)
Where: Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90024
Exhibition: In Focus: Tokyo
When: August 5–December 14, 2014
Where: J. Paul Getty Museum, 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles, California 90049