Los Angeles Modern Auctions (LAMA) is hosting a specialized sale titled "PRESENT TENSE: Ultra-Contemporary & Street Art" via the Artsy platform. The auction features a curated selection of works from high-profile contemporary and street artists, including Barry McGee, Shag, and RETNA. Bidders are invited to participate through pre-registered max bids or real-time live bidding as the sale concludes on March 17, 2026.
The Los Angeles art scene faced a moment of introspection during Frieze Week as logistical hurdles and rumors of New York gallery departures sparked debates about the city's long-term viability. Despite whispers of downsizing from major transplants and the 'quiet quitting' of spaces like Tanya Bonakdar and Sean Kelly, the week was defined by high-energy alternative events. Highlights included a massive group show curated by Barry McGee and Jeffrey Deitch in a defunct 99 Cent Only Store and the 'Away From Desk' micro-fair, which showcased the city's resilient underground and Chinatown-adjacent gallery circuit.
Frieze Los Angeles kicked off its 2024 edition with a high-profile opening day, drawing a mix of Hollywood celebrities, professional athletes, and major international collectors. The fair's atmosphere was defined by a blend of blue-chip art commerce and Los Angeles lifestyle culture, featuring notable presentations such as Stephanie H. Shih’s ceramic homages to Erewhon juices at Berggruen gallery and Napoles Marty’s Frieze Impact Prize exhibition.
The Hole gallery and artist Barry McGee have transformed a shuttered 99 Cents Only store in Mid-City Los Angeles into a massive, temporary art installation titled "99CENT." The exhibition preserves the original infrastructure of the discount store—including its blue-and-white tiling, checkout lanes, and aisle signage—to house a dense collection of sculptures, paintings, and mixed-media works. Hundreds of artists, ranging from established figures in the graffiti scene to emerging students, contributed to the project, which features everything from tagged bridal gowns to foam sculptures.