a month ago, i was invited to experience the opening of XAVIER VEILHAN’s architectones series with music by NICOLAS GODIN of the band AIR, all of which took place at the legendary SHEATS-GOLDSTEIN residence, originally built by master architect JOHN LAUTNER. some may recognize this house from the film the big lebowski. that evening, VEILHAN released his first series of site-specific sculptures, strategically placed about the home as the accompanying music played to complement the experience. the structure itself is magical, as is the décor, but VEILHAN + GODIN’s unique additions made the experience sublime. additionally, there exists the only standalone JAMES TURRELL piece in the acreage below the home, another experiential wonder.

a photo of the architect JOHN LAUTNER looking out over LOS ANGELES from the home that he built. the first photo above, of the green statue of a man, is VEILHAN’s tribute to LAUTNER.

a RUSCHA hanging in one of the viewing rooms of the home.

the majority of the structure is built of poured concrete and made to fit in the hillside on which it rests, seamlessly blending into the exterior like a cave dwelling.

today marked the last day of the first annual LA ART BOOK FAIR (little sister to the NY event of the same name) held at the GEFFEN CONTEMPORARY MOCA. the fair brought together publishers + artists from all over the world to share + sell their prints, posters, books, zines + whatever else they could get away with. limited editions were part for the course + prices ranged from $2 to youcan’taffordit. MIKE MILLS, JEAN PHILLIPE DELHOME, + tag-team HARMONY KORINE + DAN COLEN were all doing signings, + ED TEMPLETON was wandering. i came up on my copy of KORINE + COLEN’s 1/500 edition “train yourself to lose” bound collection of watercolor + type-written mixed media prints, customized with doodles + signatures.

i almost bought this 1/10 PETER SUTHERLAND blanket:

definitely kicking myself for not walking out with that purchase under my arm.

the best + most original booth concept came from newcomers SPA (friends of COMMONWEALTH PROJECTS), promoting their all white everything theme. a fair like this was long overdue in LA, + with the successful turnout over the last 4 days, i wouldn’t be surprised if this iteration eventually eclipses the NY, BERLIN, or BASEL versions.