New Exhibit At The Broad Aims To 'Speak To The People' Who Live In LA

The Broad Museum has a new exhibit opening Nov. 18: Desire, Knowledge, and Hope (with Smog). The new show draws entirely from Broad’s collection and includes more than 60 works by 21 artists who have all lived and worked in Los Angeles.

LA as a 'center of cultural production'

"As you absorb this exhibition, I hope you'll take away a clear sense of the commitment to Los Angeles as a vital center of cultural production,” said Joanne Heyler, museum president and chief curator.

Artists range from more established names in the Broad’s collection like Ed Rusha, John Baldessari and Catherine Opie to new acquisitions from artists like Patrick Martinez, whose stunning neon signs immediately capture visitors’ eyes.

Martinez’s work, “Weeping Warrior,” is a mixed media piece that uses different materials to bring a corner of L.A. to life: paint, spray paint, ceramic tile, adhesive, engraved mirror and more. The aesthetic reminds one of La Cita Bar in downtown Los Angeles with a shout out to the “213” in the corner of the piece.

The exhibition really hits home for curatorial assistant Jennifer Vanegas Rocha.

“I witnessed this museum come to life as a student who attended high school less than a mile away from here,” she said. "I hope students who visit this exhibition walk away inspired like I have when encountering these important works."

For its opening celebration on Saturday, Nov. 18, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., enjoy Family Weekend Workshops: Craft, Create, Celebrate. There will be food vendors including Trap Kitchen, Tacos y Mariscos, El Samurai and Not So Instant Coffee, plus tunes and DJ sets by Chulita Vinyl Club.

John Baldessari. Buildings=Guns=People: Desire, Knowledge, and Hope (with Smog), 1985. Black-and-white and color photographs with vinyl paint and oil tint, mounted on five panels.

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Courtesy of the Broad/ Estate of John Baldessari

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One extra bonus: Unlike other special exhibitions in the museum, this one is completely free.

“We return to free admission for these first floor galleries so all of the Broad Museum will be accessible on the general admission ticket through the run of this show,” said Heyler.

Desire, Knowledge, and Hope (with Smog) is on display through April 7, 2024. In December, the Broad will begin hosting a performance series called “Smog Check Thursdays” — stay tuned for music and spoken word hosted in the museum’s galleries.