Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles opened three buzzy new gallery shows this Saturday: Louise Bourgeois: “The Red Sky;” Mark Bradford: “New Works;” and Geta Brătescu: “The Leaps of Aesop.”

Bradford’s painting in main gallery

Bradford’s large-scale, abstract paintings drew oohs and aahs for their stunning size and vibrant colors in the main gallery. Holding court was the artist himself, clad in his signature all white. As the crowd gathered around Bradford, he willingly posed his lanky frame for photo after photo with eager fans.

Bradford and fans

The buzz in the room was about the social and political nature of his recent works. “I love that you’re talking about racism, gender, pop culture… everything,” one viewer enthused, taking a selfie with the smiling artist. Asked where he found the recycled paper used in his highly-textured works, Bradford replied, “On the streets in Los Angeles.” The star of the evening’s openings, Bradford is one of LA’s own, and the zeal of the crowd and his many impromptu photo-ops proved it.

Work by Louise Bourgeois

A more restrained crowd studied Louise Bourgeois’ “The Red Sky,” a tribute to the late artist, including six large-scale, multi-panel works on paper never before seen. In the darkened gallery a hushed, almost reverential atmosphere prevailed as viewers observed her turbulent blood-red works, whispering about her “soul and fierceness.”

Crowd in courtyard

The quiet contemplation at Bourgeois’ exhibition was a contrast to a lively scene in Hauser & Wirth’s courtyard and garden. There, a party-ready crowd gathered under fairy lights for craft cocktails at the no-host bars and munched snacks from the gallery’s Manuela restaurant, all to the pulsating beat of the DJ’s electronic rhythm.

Geta Brătescu’s work in other galleries

That energy spilled into Geta Brătescu’s “The Leaps of Aesop” which takes the Greek writer’s work as a jumping-off point for over 50 works. Attendees smiled at whimsical and playful works and marveled that the 92-year-old artist is still going strong. Groups formed and lingered over experimental animated work, as well as browsing drawing, collage, objectsand print —before returning to the courtyard for another round.

Photos by Genie Davis