Ahead of this week’s debut West Coast fair, we’re proud to reveal the DESIGN MIAMI.LA Talks Program!  Presented by Architectural Digest, the program will take place in parallel with the design fair at the Holmby Hills estate, set within a special theater commission composed by USM and Ojas.

Expanding on the tone of the inaugural DESIGN MIAMI.LA fair, the Talks Program, curated by Ashlee Harrison, spotlights both local and international thought leaders while celebrating the best of design—and reflecting on Los Angeles’s rich creative legacy as a touchpoint to consider how the city inspires global design conversations.

Can’t make it in person? Not to worry, the full program is also viewable at the links below.

Scroll on to learn more.

ART IS NOT A THING, IT IS A WAY

Date/Time: Thursday, May 16 / 2pm PST

Participants: Curator and Writer Essence Harden,Chief of curatorial affairs and public programs at the Museum of the African Diaspora Key Jo Lee, Visual Activist and Artist Zanele Muholi, and SCAD Curator Ben Tollefson

American writer Elbert Hubbard is credited with the quote: “Art is not a thing; it is a way.” The line suggests that art transcends physical objects, representing a process and a lifestyle. It portrays art as a holistic way of interacting with the world, emphasizing creativity and personal expression. This panel will discuss the ways in which artistic creation persists—despite racial, gendered, sexual, and class prejudices. Here, art becomes a way or a vehicle towards confronting, processing, and healing from injustices.

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AUTHENTICITY: IMAGE & IDENTITY

Date/Time: Thursday, May 16 / 3:45pm PST

Participants: Design Curator and Advisor Simon Andrews and Architect and Historian Lee Mindel, FAIA

Exposing ourselves to authenticity is one of the most valuable opportunities that we can experience. Our actions can often be guided by imagery or intuition. But what are we really looking at, and what do we really want? In this lively and informal discussion, architect and historian Lee Mindel, FAIA, and design curator and advisor Simon Andrews explore the ideas and processes that help to determine and identify authenticity. The discussion will consider the appearance and material identity of historic design objects, the innovative spirit of contemporary design, and how authentic and effective holistic environments may be identified.

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THE MAN WHO DREW UPSIDE DOWN: THE ARCHITECTURAL LEGACY OF PAUL R. WILLIAMS

Date/Time:Friday, May 17 / 2pm PST

Participants: Curator of Modern and Contemporary Collections at the Getty Research Institute Dr. LeRonn P. Brooks and Senior Curator and Head of Architectural Collections at the Getty Research Institute Maristella Casciato

In a prolific career spanning almost six decades, Paul R. Williams  (American, 1894–1980) designed some 3,000 structures and became one of the most distinguished architects of his time—as well as one of the first Black architects licensed to practice in the US. Yet, despite this precedent-setting career, Williams’s impact on Los Angeles’s built environment has been largely unheralded. This discussion will explore the architect’s many achievements and contributions to American architecture as well as the recent acquisition of his architectural archive by the Getty Research Institute and University of Southern California School of Architecture.

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ART OF NOISE

Date/Time:Friday, May 17 / 3:45pm PST

Participants: Associate Curator of Architecture and Design at SFMoMA Joseph Becker, Founder of Common Wave Hi-Fi Wesley Katzir, Owner of LA's Mohawk General Store Kevin Carney, and Editorial & Programming Contributor at In Sheep's Clothing HiFi Tana Yonas

Join us for an engaging panel discussion moderated by Joseph Becker, Associate Curator of Architecture and Design at SFMoMA. This panel will explore the fusion of sound, design, and technology, presenting valuable insights into creating immersive sound environments while celebrating music culture and the intersection of sound with art, design, and lifestyle.
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CONFLUENCE OF CULTURES: THE NEW CREATIVE WORLD-MAKER

Date/Time: Saturday, May 18 / 12:15pm PST

Participants: Principal at Jamie Bush & Co. Jamie Bush, Designer, Curator, and Creative Director Darren Romanelli, Designer and Artist Rogan Gregory, and Fashion & Functional Sculpture Designer Rich Mnisi

Working at the intersection of design, art, fashion, and commerce, the invited speakers will share their distinctively unique multi-disciplinary approaches to world-building and storytelling. From wearable art to functional design, these artists create ever-expanding multiverses that revolutionize the ways in which we perceive and interact with art.

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COLLECTING DESIGN: CONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVES

Date/Time:Saturday, May 18 / 2pm PST

Participants: DESIGN MIAMI.LA Curatorial Director Ashlee Harrison, Interior Designer and Consultant Alison Palevsky, Department Head and Curator, Decorative Arts and Design, Los Angeles County Museum of Art Wendy Kaplan, ½ of the Hass Brothers Simon Haas, and Artist and Designer Johanna Grawunder

The discussion will navigate the defining elements of collectible design, spotlight influential artists and galleries shaping this realm, and distinguish between functional and decorative objects. Insights on educating clients about the importance and investment potential of collectible pieces will also be highlighted, underlining the evolving relationship between art, design, and collection.

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THE SMART SET

Date / Time:Sunday, May 19 / 4pm PST

Participants: Emmy Award-winning screenwriter, producer, and director Ryan Murphy and Architectural Digest West Coast Editor Mayer Rus

Hollywood powerhouse Ryan Murphy talks to AD’s West Coast Editor Mayer Rus about conjuring provocative cinematic worlds for his film and television productions, designing homes with a singular point of view, and his wide-ranging adventures in collecting art and design.

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