The LA gallery scene was stacked with quite the line-up for openings this weekend, making it difficult to decipher which to hit and which to save for a later date. However, Ron Arad’s debut exhibition of CUBA working title, at Over the Influence Gallery was too enticing an opportunity to pass up.

Ron Arad’s renowned works have always intrigued me—as the contemporary Israeli industrial designer, artist and architect, is one of the most influential designers of his generation. Although I must admit, I initially wasn’t too interested by a show consisting of smashed cars, yet I was pleasantly surprised. In fact, awestruck by the impact that the transformed vehicles held. Upon walking into the gallery, it became obvious that the sheer scale and physical interaction made these works imperative to experience in person. The once functional automobiles were not only reduced to their flattened state, but also pressed like delicate flowers, hung on OTI’s spacious walls and ingeniously elevated–transformed into art.

The cars were displayed along with some of Arad’s iconic sculptural work—all of which challenged the typical rules of form and structure. In one room, a chic, yet un-loungable polished steel couch rested in one area while a massive polished bronze bookshelf teetered to one side in the center.

Guy Rusha playing a round of ping pong

The main room was occupied by Arad’s shiny stainless steel ping-pong table—paddles resting gingerly in slots cut into the piece, beckoning to be used, that neither I nor anyone else dared touch. Luckily, it wasn’t long before the Director Guy Rusha, handed me one of the paddles, inviting me to play. The game was on and viewers enjoyed interacting with the piece from then on, as well as the artist himself.

Cleon Peterson and Ron Arad

Arad interacted with the viewers in one of his signature hats and the crowd maintained a steady flow throughout the night, filling the gallery with buzzing discussion. Present were artists Cleon Peterson, Mark Whalen, Peter Shire and Megan Whitmarsh all of whom contributed to the exhibit’s liveliness.

Dinner crowd

Festivities continued as guests carried on to a dinner at the Art District’s new hot spot, Bavel. The warm LA evening was enjoyed as we replenished with various delicious dishes of hummus, baba ganoush and pita. Wine and innovative cocktails flowed along with lively discussions all of which added to Ron Arad’s smashing art and success—literally.

Photos by Avery Wheless