'Eye on L.A.': The artsy side of Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Los Angeles is a city overflowing with creativity, so "Eye on L.A." decided to explore its more artsy side! From downtown's must-experience art walks, like Chung King Road, to the Hello Kitty exhibit at the Japanese American National Museum, and HexLab, the maker's space that allows your imagination come to life! Whether paint, candy or black velvet, we found some of the coolest art in the city!
"Eye on L.A." host Tina Malave visits a few of L.A.'s more fun exhibits, including the Hello Kitty exhibit at the Japanese American National Museum, and the utterly amazing Velveteria, museum of velvet paintings and other unique items.
HELLO KITTY EXHIBIT
Step into the world of Hello Kitty as she travels across the world from her home in Japan to her temporary home in Los Angeles, from now until April 26, 2015. Celebrating the icon's 40th anniversary, The Japanese American National Museum presents Hello! Exploring the Supercute World of Hello Kitty.
VELVETERIA MUSEUM
A visit to Velveteria is a life-changing experience! This velvet painting museum curated by owners Caren Anderson and Carl Baldwin, features over 420 paintings out of the couple's 3,000-piece collection. Located in Chinatown, it's the only museum where you can see a black velvet Dallas Raines!
If you can dream it, you can create it! We found one very sweet artist who makes pop culture masterpieces out of candy, and a futuristic maker's space where you can print your imaginative creations in 3D! Plus pop star Jordin Sparks lets us in on her favorite place to hang in L.A.!
CANDY ARTIST- JASON MECIER
Who doesn't love candy and pop culture? Stop by Sweet!, the greatest candy store in the world at Hollywood and Highland and check out "candy artist" Jason Mecier's incredible candy portraits of pop culture icons. From reality stars like Lisa Vanderpump and Big Ang, to a gummy bear creation of Zach Galifianakis! Yes, you can buy the portraits, but no, you can't eat 'em!
HEXLAB
If you're a creative type with artistic ideas in your mind that you just can't figure out how to make, you might want to check out a maker's space. We found an awesome one in Tarzana that can print your ideas into 3D works of art!
MERCEDES BENZ STAR SPOTLIGHT - JORDIN SPARKS' FAVORITE SPOT... KATANA
When Tina Malave asked pop star and new L.A. resident Jordin Sparks about her favorite place to go in L.A., she didn't hesitate in naming Katana restaurant in West Hollywood. Katana has introduced the robatayaki style of Japanese comfort cuisine. Featuring an array of robata style skewers, a grand sushi bar, and special hot and cold dishes from the kitchen. You might just bump into one of your favorite artists.
www.innovativedining.com/restaurants/katana
Some of the greatest museums in the world are right here in L.A., including the Hammer, The California African American Museum and the Hollywood Bowl!
FREE MUSEUMS - Here are just a few must-visit museums we found that are absolutely free!
THE HAMMER MUSEUM - Head on over to the UCLA's Hammer Museum where you can see the works of some of the "Great Masters" like Monet, Van Gogh and Rembrandt.
THE CALIFORNIA AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM - Situated in Exposition Park, you can find art reflecting the heritage and culture of African Americans in California and other parts of the United States. With pieces that once belonged to the legendary Ella Fitzgerald and L.A.'s first and only African Mayor, Tom Bradley.
THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL MUSEUM - If music is your thing, hit up the Hollywood Bowl Museum for live recordings of some of the greatest bowl performances. And check out their special exhibit celebrating the 50th anniversary of "The Beatles at the Bowl."
L.A. ART WALKS
CHUNG KING ROAD - Chung King Road is a celebration of art galleries, shops and restaurants located in the West Plaza area of Chinatown. This array of galleries will bring out the artist in you.
FIFTH FLOOR GALLERY - Located on Chung King Road, at Fifth Floor Gallery you'll find some great handmade art that you can try yourself with a little interactive carving!
THE GOOD LUCK GALLERY - Never taken an art-class? Neither have the featured artists at Chung King Road's, "Good Luck Gallery," like 104 year old artist Harry Steinberg.
THE DOWNTOWN LA ART WALK - Once a month get your fill of all your local artists in downtown L.A. with this free self-guided art walk.
The art world and the music scene have always had a little thing for each other, and that's quite obvious in the Sunset Strip's Gibson GuitarTown art sculptures, and a musical instrument at the Walt Disney Concert Hall designed by one of the world's most famous architects!
GIBSON GUITARTOWN
What do you get when you mix Rock 'N' Roll and local artists? The Rocking Public Arts Project's "Gibson GuitarTown." Check out these oversized guitars on the Sunset Strip, designed by local artists and the rock icons who inspired them.
WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL ORGAN "HURRICANE MAMA"
Designed by legendary architect Frank Gehry and built by Manuel Rosales, the Disney Concert Hall Organ, nicknamed Hurricane Mama, is just as spectacular to the eye as she is to the ear!
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