29 Stories
Poetry in motion “Fashioning Chinese Women: Empire to Modernity” at LACMA by Bondo Wyszpolski The lavish dresses and ensembles in this elegant but austere exhibition are largely from the collection of Chere Lai Mah. For over 45 years she safeguarded the 19th and 20th century wardrobes that had belonged to her mother and mother-in-law, supplementing […]
Books to lead young minds astray! “Reading Lolita in Tehran” – July 1 at the Gardena Cinema by Bondo Wyszpolski It’s an evocative title, isn’t it? A couple of days ago Randy Berler’s South Bay Film Society enjoyed watching this film, directed by Eran Riklis, and based on the memoir (published in 2003) by Azar […]
Where “dazzling” pretty much sums it up “The Magic Flute” at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion by Bondo Wyszpolski I’m a latecomer, but from today a convert, to the Suzanne Andrade, Paul Barritt, and Barrie Kosky-inspired production of Mozart’s “The Magic Flute,” which has now circled back for the fourth or fifth time to LA Opera. […]
Man overboard “Primary Trust” at the Mark Taper Forum by Bondo Wyszpolski The intimacy that takes place between characters onstage is one thing, but the intimacy between the characters and the audience is another, and no less important. I want to start with that, because the superb and well-polished “Primary Trust” play by Eboni Booth, […]
by Will Watson SB Boardriders club The South Bay Boardriders Club (SBBC) team travelled South to San Clemente over the May 13 weekend to compete against 12 of the country’s top teams in the West Coast Boardriders Wheat Cup, and the U.S. Board Riders National Championships. Their third place finish in the Wheat Cup, and […]
Through a lens, darkly “Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955-1985” by Bondo Wyszpolski The ‘50s, the ‘60s! Turbulent times in America, especially for the African American community still repressed and largely segregated. But people had cameras, and they were taking pictures. In this wide-ranging show at the Getty Center, through June 14, there are […]
The poisoned wife, and the mechanical bull The courage to create art and the courage to display it by Bondo Wyszpolski Sure, there are artists I admire, but San Pedro-based Peggy Reavey is, let’s just say, in the upper echelon of my favorites. Her latest exhibition was held at Solo, an art gallery on 7th […]
South Bay Film Society ventures across town Randy Berler presents “Colors of Time” at the Gardena Cinema by Bondo Wyszpolski The South Bay Film Society has been screening independent, alternative, and foreign films since 2012 at the AMC Rolling Hills 20 in Torrance, and tickets often sell out within hours of being offered online. Which […]
A change in the weather Marie Thibeault’s “Radiant Rupture” solo show is on view at the Palos Verdes Art Center by Bondo Wyszpolski If you’d welcomed a child into the world when I last interviewed Marie Thibeault, that young person would now be entering college. In other words, 17 years have elapsed, and when Marie […]
A leap of the imagination “Are You Seeing What I’m Seeing?” opens Friday at the Manhattan Beach Art Center by Bondo Wyszpolski I have mixed views about art, and often they fight one another. Which I encourage. And while I maintain a healthy respect for the Old Masters — Vermeer, Chardin, Rembrandt, Sargent, Manet, and […]
Vibrant and visually splendid The 2026 LA Art Show, Jan. 7 to Jan. 11 by Bondo Wyszpolski Sensory overload, yes, but in a good way. Addicting? Yes, and also in a good way. I’m referring to the LA Art Show, returning to the LA Convention Center. The cavernous venue awaits with avenues and boulevards, literally […]
The logic of dreams Bi Gan’s “Resurrection” (film review) by Bondo Wyszpolski There are movies, which entertain, and then there are films which engage and challenge, and Bi Gan sits high on my list in the latter category. There aren’t many current or recent directors that I’m impassioned about (Wong Kar-Wai, Bela Tarr, Paolo Sorrentino, […]