Must-See: Los Angeles Launches City-Wide Exhibits on Water

Los Angeles (and greater California) has a complicated relationship with water. Diminishing sources, droughts, and overuse have troubled the city since its inception. "Current: LA Water" seeks to address these issues through public art installations.

The project was born from a $1 million dollar grant from the Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge, which, in June 2015, challenged cities across the country to create temporary public art projects that celebrated creativity, enhanced urban identity, encouraged public-private partnerships, and drove economic development. "Current LA: Water" was one of the projects selected.

Mayor Eric Garcetti and the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs unveiled the roster of artists and artist teams selected for the inaugural, citywide public art biennial.

Refik Anadol + Peggy Weil (team)
Edgar Arceneaux
Josh Callaghan + Daveed Kapoor (team)
Mel Chin
Chris Kallmyer
Candice Lin
Lucky Dragons (Luke Fischbeck + Sarah Rara); Teresa Margolles
Kori Newkirk
Michael Parker
Gala Porras-Kim
Rirkrit Tiravanija
Kerry Tribe

"Los Angeles is the creative capital of the world, a place where we appreciate how art inspires us to see the world through new eyes," said Mayor Eric Garcetti. "'Current: LA' will make Angelenos rethink our relationship with water, and better understand how the L.A. River connects the diverse communities and cultures that make our city great."

Work will be available to view for one-month at 14 different sites throughout the city. "A narrative about our relationship to water and its allied systems will be demonstrated through the voice and visions of the 'Current: LA' artists, an exciting group of internationally recognized and emerging talents that are as culturally diverse as the inhabitants of Los Angeles themselves," said Felicia Filer, DCA's Public Art Division Director.

"Current: LA" Water begins July 16 through August 14. Find more information here.