We are nearing the final days of 2024 – didn’t that go by in a flash?
While we have a few precious moments left, let’s look back on the best in arts and culture this past year in Orange County – and beyond the northern border in a couple of cases.
Earlier this week, we offered the top five moments in classical music, dance and theater. Here we present our arts and culture writers’ top five best – or most memorable – moments in visual arts, culture and pop music. On Monday, we'll present our food columnist's top five restaurant experiences.
From all of us at Culture OC, happy New Year! We’re glad you could join us during our second year, and we look forward to an exciting and eventful 2025.
GO TO: Visual Arts | Culture | Popular Music
VISUAL ARTS
Orange County continued its track record of presenting notable – and some not-so-memorable – art exhibitions and events this past year. Two institutions of higher learning opened up brand-new arts complexes, the Art + Nature Festival in Laguna Beach continued to grow, and a major California art museum reopened.
Here, in our estimation, are the top five visual art events and exhibitions in Orange County in 2024. – Richard Chang
Visual Arts Complex at CSUF and Arts Village at Irvine Valley College
In late October/early November, Cal State Fullerton opened a 85,000-square-foot, $75 million Visual Arts Complex, which includes new buildings, galleries, classrooms, studio spaces and faculty offices. The Nicholas and Lee Begovich Gallery has been relocated and expanded. It’s a significant improvement in the visual arts scene for CSUF, and for the Fullerton-area community.
And back in March, Irvine Valley College opened its $61 million Arts Village, which includes new facilities for dance, music, visual arts and fine arts, including two art galleries, new classrooms and studios for painting, drawing and sculpture.
12th annual Art + Nature Festival
Laguna Art Museum continued its tradition of hosting the Art + Nature Festival for the 12th time, Nov. 2-11. This iteration featured Christian Sampson with an outdoor installation on Main Beach and Heisler Park titled “Ocean Ions.” The first-ever fashion show of high-end clothing made from sustainable and recycled materials was a nice touch. And rounding out the festival were late photographer Jay DeFeo and contemporary artist Fred Tomaselli, who grew up in Orange County in the 1970s.
PHOTO 1: "The Waltz (Allioli)," circa 1900, a bronze sculpture by Camille Claudel. Photo courtesy of Musée Yves Brayer. PHOTO 2: Camille Claudel working on her Vertumnus and Pomona marble group, about 1903. Photo courtesy of Collection Gregoire/Bridgeman Images
Camile Claudel at the Getty Museum (April 2-July 21)
Though her story has become better known through a 1988 movie and presentations such as the Pageant of the Masters, Claudel’s work had not widely been viewed in the United States. This Getty exhibition featured about 60 sculptures, plus research and photographs that shone a light on her talents and her brave vision.
‘Asian Comics: Evolution of an Art Form’ (March 9-Sept. 8)
The Bowers Museum featured “Asian Comics,” an extensive exhibition of over 400 works from Japan, South Korea, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan and many other Asian countries. While I wasn’t personally blown away by it, it was a varied show that had interactive elements, plus an adult-themed section that definitely wasn’t for the kiddos. The Bowers also hosted a couple of cool events and gatherings that brought folks in cosplay to the museum who don’t normally show up in local art museums.
Hilbert Museum Reopens (Feb. 23)
After three years of construction, the Hilbert Museum of California Art reopened, nearly tripling its size to 22,000 square feet. The free museum did not disappoint, highlighting the Hilberts’ extensive collection of California scene paintings, as well as modernist Golden State art, Millard Sheets, Navajo weaving and vintage radios. Officially part of Chapman University, the Hilbert Museum is definitely worth a visit. (Online reservations are recommended.)
And we’d also like to extend our condolences to the family of Janet Hilbert, co-founder of the Hilbert Museum with husband Mark. She passed away on Dec. 7 at the age of 83.
GO TO: Visual Arts | Culture | Popular Music
CULTURE
While there were many festivals and events to choose from, a handful stood out in our minds. The congruence of several religious and cultural holidays. Limor Tomer being named the new VP of programming and production at Segerstrom Center for the Arts.
The Lido Theater in Newport Beach reopening. And local Vietnamese and Asian communities celebrating Tet, or the Lunar New Year, once again.
Here are five of the top cultural events – in our humble estimation – that occurred in Orange County in 2024, in approximate (backwards) chronological order. – Richard Chang