Close to the Edge: The Birth of Hip-Hop Architecture
2023-08-11 12:00 - 18:00, 2023-08-12 12:00 - 18:00, 2023-08-13 12:00 - 18:00, 2023-08-17 12:00 - 18:00, 2023-08-18 12:00 - 18:00, 2023-08-19 12:00 - 18:00, 2023-08-20 12:00 - 18:00, 2023-08-24 12:00 - 18:00 (America/Los_Angeles) and 15 more dates | Close to the Edge Exhibition, 8707 Washington Boulevard, Culver City, CA, 90232
Close to the Edge: The Birth of Hip-Hop Architecture explores the multidimensional influence of hip-hop on our urban fabric.
Curated and designed by Sekou Cooke, and jointly presented by SoCalNOMA, the A+D Museum, and Helms Bakery District, this dynamic exhibition dives into the rich and vibrant world of hip-hop, from its fundamental elements of emceeing, b-boying, and graffiti, to its influence on the world of design and architecture.
The exhibition shows how hip-hop has been translated into the creation of innovative spaces and structures, effectively introducing a new narrative in architecture. The works on display include groundbreaking contributions from students, academics, and practitioners, ranging from experimental visualizations and innovative installations to façade studies and urban development proposals. Also on show: a wall newly graffitied by Los Angeles artist Prime.
Close to the Edge: The Birth of Hip-Hop Architecture is more than an exhibition. It’s a journey into a revolutionary design movement, revealing a shared vision for the future of architecture that’s deeply rooted in the core ethos of hip hop: identity, process, and aesthetics.
Close to the Edge: The Birth of Hip-Hop Architecture opens on June 22, with an opening reception on June 24th from 6 pm to 9 pm. It will be accompanied by talks and tours presented by SoCal NOMA, A+D Museum, and Helms Bakery District.
Curator: Sekou Cooke
Exhibition Design: Sekou Cooke
Graffiti Artist: Prime
Artwork above: HHA Signifyin’ project by Nate Williams, 1993.

The exhibition is free and open to the public.
8707 Washington Blvd, Culver City CA 90232
Exhibition Dates: June 22 – September 17
Hours: Thursday – Sunday 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm

RSVP HERE

Close to the Edge Exhibition at SpringBox in St.Paul, MN.

Close to the Edge exhibition at Center for Architecture, New York, NY. Photo Erik Bardin.

Close to the Edge Exhibition at SpringBox in St.Paul, MN.

Giving Design’s Summer Fundraising Event
2023-08-17 18:00 - 21:00 | Helms Design Center, 8745 Washington Boulevard, Culver City, CA, 90232
Giving Design, a 501(c)3 non-profit, invites you to join their biannual fundraising event.
Celebrate summer with great company, delicious food, drinks, and live music, while helping to raise funds for community benefit projects. Your participation will support Giving Design’s efforts in providing quality design services to resource-challenged organizations.

MORE INFO + TICKETS

About Giving Design
Giving Design’s mission is to connect the skills and resources of their design community with those who might not otherwise have access to design’s positive impact. They provide design services at a significantly reduced rate to nonprofit and resource-challenged organizations. They are currently providing services for Lions Center for the Visually Impaired, a care facility for those who are blind or at risk for visual impairments, as well as M.E.N.T.O.R.S. Inc., an organization offering resources and opportunities to improve the socio-economic conditions of underserved communities. Past projects include Kedren, a children’s psychiatric hospital; ICLC, a law firm on Skid Row providing pro bono legal services; and Care Harbor, a healthcare event providing medical services to uninsured or underinsured individuals in Southern California.
givingdesign.org

Book Signing with Photographer Jerry Hsu
2023-08-19 16:00 - 18:00 | Arcana: Books on the Arts, 8675 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA, 90232
Join Arcana: Books on the Arts for a book signing with photographer Jerry Hsu.
With a history encompassing professional skateboarding and his apparel brand Sci Fi-Fantasy, Jerry Hsu’s photography practice is one of deep observation, humor, and everyday pathos. His new book Lonley City (Friend Editions, 2023) is filled with iPhone photos taken while going about his life in the world – yet he seems to come across (or be more attuned to noticing) small moments that almost read as very short stories on the human condition.
Due to the very limited supply of Lonley City, Arcana is certain to sell out during Saturday’s signing, so they will unfortunately be unable to accommodate advance orders via their website or phone as they typically do. Sales will be only at the event – strictly one copy per person, first-come, first-served. If you cannot attend, and Arcana should miraculously have some left over, please email Arcana to be put on a waiting list.

Workshop with Malik Baker: Developing Film Locations & Narratives for Music Videos
2023-08-19 17:00 - 18:00 | Close to the Edge Exhibition, 8707 Washington Boulevard, Culver City, CA, 90232
LA Native, Malik Baker, CEO, Director, and Cinematographer for Malik Baker Productions, will walk through factors to consider when location scouting and creating cohesive narratives for music videos followed by an interactive discussion to apply learnings to your own projects. Jointly presented by Helms Bakery District, SoCal NOMA, and the A+D Museum, as a part of the Close to the Edge: The Birth of Hip-Hop Architecture exhibition.

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Hip-Hop's 50th Anniversary Celebration
2023-08-26 14:00 - 18:00 | Close to the Edge Exhibition, 8707 Washington Boulevard, Culver City, CA, 90232
Free
To the hip, hip-hop and you don’t stop…
Join us in celebrating Hip-Hop culture, with showcases from local DJ Dessaline, DJ Wes (Wesovertheworld), MCs, and more. Produced by Bucketlist Society and presented by Helms Bakery District, SoCal NOMA, and the A+D Museum at Close to the Edge: The Birth of Hip-Hop Architecture. Curated and designed by Sekou Cooke, this dynamic exhibition dives into the rich and vibrant world of hip-hop — emceeing, b-boying, and graffiti — and explores its influence on the world of design and architecture. The 50th birthday party highlights all the elements of the cultural force that is hip hop.
Refreshments from Leimert Park Wine
Complimentary valet parking available!

RSVP HERE

Harmonizing Spaces Workshop: Hip-Hop Influences on Community Design
2023-09-09 15:00 - 18:00 | Close to the Edge Exhibition, 8707 Washington Boulevard, Culver City, CA, 90232
Free
Helms Bakery District, SoCal NOMA, and A+D Museum, present Harmonizing Spaces Workshop: Hip-Hop Influences on Community Design, a workshop that explores the dynamic intersection of hip-hop culture and community design. The afternoon of Sept 9th will be full of design, networking, and good vibes. Co-facilitated by JAF and offTop Design, this interactive experience offers a unique opportunity to dive deep into the rhythms, visuals, and social constructs of hip-hop as a creative muse for cultural community design.
Participants will engage in a collaborative process, utilizing hip-hop music, iconic imagery, and cultural motifs to develop conceptual designs that reflect the ethos and vibrancy of hip-hop culture. Whether you’re an architect, a developer, an artist, or simply someone interested in the confluence of culture and community design, this workshop offers a hands-on experience to transform creative inspiration into actionable ideas. Come ready to collaborate, innovate, and harmonize spaces in a way that resonates with the culture.
This interactive workshop will be held in the Close to the Edge: The Birth of Hip-Hop Architecture exhibition. Curated and designed by Sekou Cooke, this dynamic exhibition dives into the rich and vibrant world of hip-hop architecture.

RSVP HERE

ICONS: A Conversation with Legendary Graffiti Artists Prime and Man One
2023-09-15 18:30 - 20:30 | Close to the Edge Exhibition, 8707 Washington Boulevard, Culver City, CA, 90232
Free
Jose “Prime” Reza is a founding father of Los Angeles’ famed, stylized graffiti lettering. He created the artwork for Close to the Edge: The Birth of Hip-Hop Architecture, the dynamic exhibition co-presented by Helms Bakery District, SoCal NOMA and A+D Museum about the elements of hip-hop – emceeing, b-boying, and graffiti – and their influence on design and architecture.
Now it’s time to hear from Prime.
Please join us on Friday, September 15, when Prime will sit down with celebrated muralist Man One, in a conversation moderated by Scott “Sourdough” Power, creator and publisher of indie arts media website NotRealArt.com.
Prime and Man One will talk about the birth of graffiti in LA and the influence of East Coast hip-hop; and they will share stories about wild childhoods painting the walls of LA, to what it means to be established artists navigating a world in which street art is a commodity.
Jointly presented by Helms Bakery District, SoCal NOMA and A+D Museum, as a part of the Close to the Edge: The Birth of Hip-Hop Architecture exhibition.
Ambiance: DJ Caviar
Complimentary valet parking available!

RSVP HERE

About Prime
Jose “Prime” Reza is an American graffiti artist born and raised in the Pico-Union District of Downtown Los Angeles. Prime is credited with being a founding father of Los Angeles stylized graffiti lettering, a hybrid of Cholo lettering and East Coast style graffiti that is often bold, aggressive, and monochromatic.
Prime is considered one of the most influential artists in the history of Los Angeles public wall writing, combining “traditional east coast painting techniques with geometric gangster-style blocks,” according to the curators of the book and exhibition Art in the Streets. His work has been exhibited in many shows including Art in the Streets, L.A. Louver Gallery and LA Art Show.
Photo by Monica Orozco Photography

About Man One
Growing up in Los Angeles, Man One developed his artistic skills as a graffiti artist on the streets of LA. He honed his talents as a fine artist and understanding of art history at Loyola Marymount University where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts. In 2002, Man One founded Crewest Gallery in Los Angeles to legitimize graffiti art as a valuable and collectible art form and give graffiti artists a professional venue and forum in which to showcase their work.
Man One’s art comprises his trademark bold, colorful art strokes and has been featured in over a dozen solo shows, and countless group exhibitions. His work has been exhibited in many museums including the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, The Getty, Pasadena Museum of California Art, LACMA, and the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C.
Photo by Abel Alejandre

About Scott “Sourdough” Power
Scott “Sourdough” Power is an arts media entrepreneur and producer based in Los Angeles. He is the creator and publisher of NotRealArt.com and chief content officer of Crewest Studio, a production company specializing in arts programming which he co-founded with L.A. artist Man One. Power hosts the NOT REAL ART podcast under the pseudonym “Sourdough,” a moniker he earned while living off-the-grid in northern Canada perfecting his tasty sourdough pancakes. Scott is proud to be a member of venerable The Explorers Club and 2x Ironman triathlon finisher.

Sponsored by

Crewest Studio is an LA based production company specializing in contemporary creative arts programming.
CrewestStudio.com | @creweststudio

Not Real Art is the your leading independent source for discovering new artists.
NotRealArt.com | @NotRealArtWorld

The Grand Finale – Hip-Hop Architecture Symposium, Auction, and Reception
2023-09-16 15:00 - 21:00 | Close to the Edge Exhibition, 8707 Washington Boulevard, Culver City, CA, 90232
September 16th, 2023 | 3 pm to 9 pm
• 3 pm Symposium
• 5 pm Auction
• 7 pm Reception
8707 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA. 90232

RSVP HERE

Helms Bakery District, SoCal NOMA and A+D Museum present “The Grand Finale” on Saturday September 16th for the closing of the exhibition, Close to the Edge: The Birth of Hip-Hop Architecture! This dynamic exhibition, covering the rich and vibrant world of hip-hop architecture, will conclude with a series of events, starting with a Symposium/Cypher featuring Exhibit Designer/Curator Sekou Cooke, and featured architects, Andres Hernandez, James Garrett, Demar Matthews, and more.
Following the symposium, there will be a charity auction of the artwork and models on display in the show. The auction will be available online and in person for your chance to take home a piece of the show! The event will conclude with a reception with DJ and food and drinks to celebrate the conclusion of the exhibit.
Ambiance: Mr Sonny James
Wine from Leimert Park Wine

Complimentary valet parking available!
