Music Center Plaza transforms into “Garvey Gardens” for the summer. (Photo courtesy of Music Center)
The Music Center is pleased to present renowned Los Angeles artist and filmmaker Khalil Joseph for its inaugural summer residency program, “BLKNWS in Residence,” spearheaded by the Music Center’s Digital Innovation Initiative, which concludes on August 11th.
Blurring the boundaries between art, journalism, entrepreneurship and cultural criticism, highlights of Joseph’s ambitious, multi-component project include the transformation of the Music Center’s Jerry Moss Plaza into The Gerber Garden, a spacious, garden-themed lounge area adorned with artificial turf and outdoor furniture; a pop-up BLKNWS Library Café creating a vibrant atmosphere of socialization and learning, with beverages available for purchase from Ship & Sonder and a specially curated collection of books for sale to read on-site while lounging in The Gerber Garden; and daily screenings of never-before-seen broadcasts of Joseph’s groundbreaking BLKNWS “conceptual news program” to challenge, inspire and redefine Los Angeles’ historical and current understanding of culture from a Black perspective.
“BLKNWS in Residence” is free and open to the public, with the exception of retail and beverage purchases.
“This unique residency furthers The Music Center's mission to be a 21st-century multidisciplinary arts center that is both a home for classical arts and a dynamic hub for ever-evolving creativity and rich community engagement,” said Music Center President and CEO Rachel S. Moore. “By immersing visitors in the world of BLKNWS, Khalil Joseph is redefining the Black story through his lens. Angelenos of all backgrounds and identities who spend time at Garvey Gardens will discover the joyful and simple art of coexisting, sharing stories and making connections. This unparalleled blend of art, culture and innovation in a reimagined summer oasis in the heart of downtown Los Angeles will be an unforgettable experience.”
“BLKNWS in Residence” is the latest public art installation unveiled by The Music Center's Digital Innovation Initiative, an exciting 10-year pilot program launched in 2022 designed to explore and create free digital and virtual reality experiences throughout Los Angeles. DII launched its first public exhibit, “We ARe Here: A Celebration of Legacy,” offering Angelenos the opportunity to learn about the legacy of Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities and individuals who have contributed to the rich diversity of Los Angeles County through augmented reality and a hands-on art experience in Gloria Molina Grand Park. Other DII exhibits include Our Common Home, which addressed the issue of climate change by integrating participants' live facial expressions and body movements into a digital artwork created in real time and projected onto an LED screen at Jerry Moss Plaza, and Cosmogony, a visionary digital performance broadcast live from a dance studio in Geneva, Switzerland, 6,000 miles away.
To learn more about The Music Center’s “BLKNWS in Residence,” visit musiccenter.org/BLKNWS. To learn more about The Music Center’s Digital Innovation Initiative, visit musiccenter.org/dii.
