Words, Action, and Pride in the Park

Author: Ruben Esparza

The exhibition opening for Pride Publics: Words and Actions will showcase artists highlighted in the exhibition and will take place at Los Angeles State Historic Park on Saturday, October 9 at 3 P.M. The opening program features new, site-specific performances by performance artists Yozmit, Marval A Rex, and Peter Kalisch.

About the Performances:

Transgender singer-songwriter, performance artist, and designer Yozmit will present WALK – a silent, durational, meditative walk in monochromatic and sculptural costumes that will lead to a live performance of songs from her recent album, Sun Moon Door.   

Performance artist and curator Marval A Rex becomes Marilyn Monroe (or does she become him?) in MARILYN MON REX, a timed, performative meditation drenched in the violence of “fame,” exploring the psycho-spatial ramifications of Hollywood on urban working populations in Los Angeles.   

Using the Los Angeles State Park as a symbolic jump-off, 25-year old visual/ performance artist Peter Kalisch will explore the lessons he learned through last year’s intense journey of self-reflection, as noise, chaos, pain, struggle, heartbreak have transformed into growth. 

The opening program is free. RSVPs are required in an effort to provide a safe and accessible experience for all the guests. Please fill out this RSVP form: https://tinyurl.com/pridepublicsRSVP no later than Wednesday, October 6, 11:59 P.M. PT. 

Bring a picnic blanket or a lawn chair to enjoy the performances in the park. Event parking is available in the mulch area in front of the park facing Spring Street. If you have any accessibility needs, please indicate them in the RSVP form. 

This event will take place outdoors. For the health and safety of everyone, all guests must be vaccinated against COVID-19 and wear masks. Safety protocols are subject to change, following Los Angeles County Public Health guidelines.

The outdoor exhibition Pride Publics: Words and Actions will be on view at Los Angeles State Historic Park. It will run from Saturday, October 9 – Sunday, October 24, 8 A.M. until sunset. This temporary public art installation will be mounted on the fence on the south end of the park, near the Welcome Center, facing the interior of the park.

This exhibition and opening program are organized by ONE Archives Foundation and curated by Rubén Esparza. This exhibition is made possible in part by California Humanities, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, the Schmitt-Young Group at Morgan Stanley, and Steve Pepdjonovic & Joshua Jetson. Special thanks to the Los Angeles State Historic Park for their partnership and support. 

Please consider making a donation to support Pride Publics and our exhibition programming. Thank you for your support of LGBTQ+ history.

Images: Respective photographers, and Rubén Esparza Projects for ONE Archives Foundation.

Original Article on The Advocate
Author: Ruben Esparza