Three Questions for Los Angeles: Part 2
Andrea Bowers, Dominique Clayton, David Kordansky and Gary Tyler describe what’s special about their city in the wake of the fires
Andrea Bowers, Dominique Clayton, David Kordansky and Gary Tyler describe what’s special about their city in the wake of the fires

1. What’s special about the Los Angeles art community?
Andrea Bowers, artist and co-founder of Grief + Hope, Los Angeles:
When I moved to Los Angeles, there wasn’t an art world; there was an art community. I was embraced by generations of artists. I moved to Highland Park, and it was a bunch of different folks from all over and I felt welcomed by more successful, much older artists. I feel like we’re still seeing that tradition play out today through Grief + Hope. The acts of generosity in Los Angeles right now are not just financial: they are people putting people in their houses, offering time, insurance, legal assistance. So many volunteers are helping with this. I think that response is inspiring.
Dominique Clayton, founder and director, Dominique Gallery, Los Angeles:
It’s cliché but it’s really the diversity. There are so many different cultural groups, and smaller groups within those groups, so there’s an incredible amount of niche perspectives and executions. Some of it’s super-tacky and cheap; other stuff is insanely unique and out of this world. And each neighbourhood and community has its own independent art scene, like the Black artists in Crenshaw and Leimert Park; the craft community out in Altadena and Pasadena; the ceramic communities of East LA and Mid-City; the photographers around Hollywood. There’s really something for everyone.
The acts of generosity in Los Angeles right now are not just financial.
David Kordansky, founder and director, David Kordansky Gallery, Los Angeles:
It’s been truly remarkable to witness how people in LA have come together to support one another. The collective efforts that sprang up almost immediately after the fires broke out are a testament to the vision, innovation and care that defines our community.
Gary Tyler, artist and winner of the Frieze Impact Prize 2024, Los Angeles:
Altadena and Pasadena are communities tremendously impacted by the raging fires that figuratively destroyed our community. Lives unfortunately lost and family property destroyed by the fire. The neighbourhood historically played a significant role as a hub of great cultural, entertainment, education and political significance to LA County and California as a whole. Despite the loss of lives, homes and businesses, the surrounding communities are resilient and strong and will rebuild our neighbourhood in memories of families, friends and businesses that served our community. I encourage everyone to come together to support our great community. Let’s not forget the families in the Palisades, Malibu and surrounding neighbourhoods who also suffered catastrophic losses.
2. What does the future of the LA art world look like?
Andrea Bowers:
The reason people are in LA is because it’s been such a great city for art. It had affordable housing, but it became too popular and got too expensive: like Berlin, like London, like every other city. I think that this could be an opportunity. A lot of institutions are looking at residencies, studio spaces. Everyone needs studio space and housing, and it needs to be affordable. Maybe the infrastructure can create new models to make being an artist in such a successful city more sustainable.
We have to change. Climate change is the hugest problem. We have to change the way we live our lives. I would like to stop using fossil fuels. I want a world where they bury the electrical wires underground. That would really help the art ecosystem.
Dominique Clayton:
I see more gallery expansion and collaboration. I envision some of the blue-chip galleries partnering more with smaller galleries or indie curators to do more curatorial and gallery residencies. I also see a deeper dive into specific programming and hopefully see fewer artists gallery-hopping. I can’t keep track of who shows where. I want to see artists find their ‘gallery home’ and watch that grow over time. This seems backwards, since so many artists in LA are independent and successful in that capacity, but I think its important to have your gallery ‘gang’. I’m not opposed to gang culture in the art world. We all need to ‘rep our set’. It makes for healthy competition and an increase in loyalty and support. I also hope to see more of the art world translated on screen.
David Kordansky:
Cultural production – art, design, architecture, film production, music, performance – is embedded in the marrow of Los Angeles. You can’t think of LA without thinking of its cultural production, and it is home to some of the world’s most visionary minds. We’re going to keep making art of all kinds, and we’re going to use our talents to help LA rebuild. The road to rebuilding will be long, and it won’t be easy, but with the extraordinary strength, resilience and creativity we’ve shown in responding to this crisis, I have faith that together we’ll fully recover.
3. What role does art play in the rebuilding of Los Angeles?
Andrea Bowers:
First of all, you have to realize that these are two cities that are devastated within this massive larger metropolis. It’s really devastated our community: Palisades and Altadena are where art folks lived. Altadena is an art bastion – this utopian city with beautiful native plants at the base of the mountains. And it was affordable for so many years. Artists have settled on the east side of Los Angeles because it’s cheaper, and there are really important Black and Latinx communities there.
Our art infrastructure is so strong that we will have a huge role in the rebuild. Artists have come here to go to school generation after generation and have stayed. And we have major institutions: LACMA, MOCA, the Hammer, and art institutions like the Brick, ICA LA, LACE: they’ve all jumped in to help in different ways. I’m the co-chair the Environmental Council of MOCA. The whole organization right now is just discussing the rebuild of Los Angeles and how we can play a role in that and have a voice.
David Kordansky:
Art plays a role in rethinking the possibilities for our communities to emerge stronger and more vibrant, and it is a vital ecosystem that supports our local economies and the livelihoods of thousands of people.
Dominique Clayton:
Art is a drug and Angelenos love drugs! But seriously, art can be prescriptive. It can spark joy, clarity, inspiration, lust, competition and energy. These are all essential ingredients for rebuilding.
Three Questions for Los Angeles Part 1: Kathryn Andrews, Tim Blum and Janelle Zara
Further Information
Frieze Los Angeles, 20 – 23 February 2025, Santa Monica Airport.
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Main image: Santa Monica, CA 2008. Photo: cmonville, CC by 2.0 via Flickr