The epicenter of the downtown LA Arts District can be a bit overwhelming at times and “getting there is half the fun” is no fiction for people navigating Los Angeles. We gravitated towards Derek Boshier’s “On the Road,” curated by Jamie Kenyon at Night Gallery and Jim Camp’s “Sexual Fictions” and zine release at These Days gallery. Both are solo exhibitions offering a diversity of dalliances in social undertones of pop culture, politics and porn.

Derek Boshier, Pyramids, 2014

By the time we arrived at Night Gallery, Boshier’s exhibition had a controlled and seasoned MFA-art-gallery vibe inviting conversations for works spanning over the past 50 years. Independent curator and writer, Kate Bode and artist, art collector, owner of the Cabin, Danny First made appearances. We noticed how most of the gallerygoers were unusually detached from their smartphones for a change; most were in deep conversation and actively paying attention to the art in front of them and each other!

Bettie Bondage with whip

Afterwards we stayed downtown, making our way towards the burgeoning publication and gallery, These Days. We were unprepared for what we walked into: Rasheed Robinson of Peachfuzz Network being whipped by Bettie Bondage, all the while Camp snapping photos during the performance. With a rush of fun and intrigue, this moment gave us a chance to appreciate Camp’s portraitures and the raw and realness of These Days in allowing individuals to have a safe space to act out and be themselves—if that’s what you’re into.

Both shows, whether calm and collected, or busy and upbeat, had their unique intimate vibrancy, making for an enjoyable gallery night in Los Angeles, outside the confines of the Arts District.

Photos by Jim Camp

Both shows, whether calm and collected, or busy and upbeat, had their unique intimate vibrancy, making for an enjoyable gallery night in Los Angeles, outside the confines of the Arts District.