Since 2007, JANM has partnered with Eric Nakamura, founder of Giant Robot, to produce the Giant Robot Biennale, a recurring art exhibition that highlights diverse creative works celebrating the ethos of Giant Robot—a staple of Asian American alternative pop culture and an influential brand encompassing pop art, skateboard, comic book, graphic arts, and vinyl toy culture.
Giant Robot Biennale 5 will feature artists Sean Chao, Felicia Chiao, Luke Chueh, Giorgiko, James Jean, Taylor Lee, Mike Shinoda, Rain Szeto, and Yoskay Yamamoto.
Giant Robot Biennale 5 is presented by JANM and Eric Nakamura, founder of Giant Robot.
Top: Felicia Chiao, Imagination (detail), 2023, Copic marker and ink on brown toned paper. Courtesy of the artist.
Upcoming Events
Free
This exhibition highlights two popular genres of 19th-century Mexican painting commemorating family members who no longer reside in the household— offering them a lasting presence in the home. The first intimately portrays deceased individuals in likenesses imbued with grief and tender remembrance. The second genre is the uniquely Mexican monja Coronado or “crowned nun” portrait. Images of flowers adorned Brides of Christ were commissioned by the families of women who took Catholic ecclesiastical vows and permanently embarked on cloistered lives.
Varies
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is a citywide commemoration of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage and history in Los Angeles. The celebration will acknowledge the contributions of Southern California’s Asian and Pacific Islander communities in education, religion, the arts, culture, and the humanities. Events include music concerts, performances, and several gallery exhibitions.
Free
SoCal Museums is dedicated to showcasing the diverse and vibrant cultural landscape of Southern California. SoCal Museums presents a diverse assortment of museums, reflecting the unique character of Southern California itself. Whether it’s art, natural history, science, or culture, there’s something for everyone, and you can find out which museums are free today.
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A.K. Payne’s award-winning play, “Furlough’s Paradise,” directed by Tinashe Kajese-Bolden, features a poignant narrative of cousins Sade and Mina who reunite in their childhood town for a family funeral. Sade, on a brief prison furlough, and Mina, taking a break from her West Coast life, confront their past and envision a hopeful future together.
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Set in 1960s Dublin, A Man of No Importance tells the story of Alfie Byrne, a bus conductor with a passion for theater. Leading an amateur group, Alfie endeavors to stage Oscar Wilde’s Salome despite societal challenges. This evocative musical explores themes of identity, acceptance, and the transformative power of art. Directed by Julia Rodriguez-Elliott, the production runs from May 4 to June 1, 2025, at A Noise Within. Please see the event website for specific dates and times.