Murakami Versailles

Japanese pop art takes up residence in France's most famous gilded halls

While Versaille’s latest contemporary art installation doesn’t officially open until tomorrow, controversy over the show has already been brewing for months. Like when Jeff Koons’ 2008 retrospective was shown at the baroque château, some see Takashi Murakami‘s whirlwind of manga-inspired works as out of place at the historic site. On a recent visit to the palace, we found that this sense of displacement makes the …

Home Sweet Home

Artists interpret the humble abode in one of LA's new art collectives

Tucked away in LA’s fascinating enclave of Highland Park is THIS, an up-and-coming gallery that has been steadily making a name for itself. This month features Home Sweet Home, a six-day exhibit showcasing the work of five young artists riffing on the idea of “home” and the domestic sphere. The varied personalities of the artists can be detected through the featured works on display that …

The Public Hi-Fi Balloon

Collaged fake album covers by Guided By Voices frontman Robert Pollard

by Noah Armstrong Before Robert Pollard formed the seminal lo-fi band Guided by Voices, he was a high school student making imaginary album covers for imaginary bands. The collage style of these mock album covers would eventually manifest itself in much of the album art for Guided by Voices, and a multitude of his solo and side projects. Pollard regularly visits flea markets and antique …