Not many have had such a big impact as Hedi Slimane in more than one creative discipline. He was considered the most influential menswear designer when working at Dior Homme and since leaving the brand, has build an impressive career as a photographer, being featured in every single reputable magazine that is out there.

This week Hedi Slimane opened his first West Coast solo exhibition – California Song at MoCA Los Angeles.

“This exhibition is dedicated to Slimane’s California period, which began with the Frenchman’s visit in 2007. The black-and-whites are heavy on contrast, and oily, saturated blacks that absorb as much light from the environment as possible. The subjects are seemingly dispassionate and frozen in ordinary moments, exuding visceral and honest presentations of their humanity. Some of the personalities documented include Ariel Pink, Beck, Ruscha, Gore Vidal, Sky Ferreira, and one of my favorite series of his to-date is that of Frances Bean Cobain.

A big part of the experience is the sound of No Age. Dean Spunt and Randy Randall have fast become the darlings of the local music cool crowd and professed ambient sounds live in the space as observers looked on.”

Photography: The Hundreds

Take a further look at Hedi Slimane’s ‘California Song’ exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, which runs until January 22nd, 2012, after the jump.

MoCA presents a video entitled “Street, 2011″ featuring the work of Todd James, Barry McGee, Stephen Powers, Devin Flynn, Josh Lazcano, Dan Murphy, and Alexis Ross as seen at “Art In The Streets”, The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA.

Director of Photography:
C. R. Stecyk III

Full credits follow.

From Curated – “OUTSIDE IN is a celebratory and historical look at street art through the lens of the Museum of Contemporary Art’s groundbreaking exhibition Art in the Streets. The film features renowned artists Shepard Fairey, Lee Quiñones, Swoon, Futura, Mister Cartoon, Revok, Martha Cooper, Invader to name a few. Director Alex Stapleton (Corman’s World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel) documents the artist’s creative process, their pitfalls with the law, the poetic impermanence of their craft and the artists’ evolution from the back seat of a cop car to the walls of a well-respected institution.”

Filmed at The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (MOCA) in conjunction with the exhibition Art in the Streets.

VNA catches up with Martha Cooper as she sets up her section for the MOCA ‘Art on the Streets’ exhibition. The photographer, who has documented so many legends in the field of graffiti over the years, talks about her own art exhibited and the show in general, as well as the general evolvement of graffiti and its contribution to the world of art. Enjoy!

Nike SB has partnered with The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (MOCA) and their “Art in the Streets” Exhibition, to create a skateable work of art (more on that later.)

To further celebrate the show, Nike SB has also created 24 unique pairs of Paper Dunk Highs, each made from an original piece of Geoff McFetridge artwork. The shoes will be on display at MOCA’s retail space and will be auctioned on May 26, 2011 at 1pm.

Nike SB have also produced a series of specially packaged t-shirts by: Lance Mountain, Neckface, Futura and CR Stecyk III.

Check out the t-shirts and more images of the shoes after the click.

The Levi’s Film Workshop is opening to the public this Sunday at The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (MOCA) within “Art in the Streets.” At the Film Workshop, the story of graffiti and street art will come to life through a series of collaborative film and video projects.

As part of this project, Levi’s will partner with MOCA on a limited edition Trucker Jacket series, featuring original artwork by 10 exhibiting artists from “Art in the Streets:” Andre, Chaz Bojorquez, CRASH, Keith Haring, KR, Neckface, Lady Pink, REVOK, Kenny Scharf and Shepard Fairey. The collection serves as a retrospective within the world of street art, as the jackets will be released in chronological order from when each artist began in the field.

Each of the ten jackets (produced in a run of 50 per design) is packaged in a special Levi’s x MOCA box. The first three jackets – by Chaz Bojorquez, Crash and Lady Pink will go on sale this Sunday at 11am at the MOCA (as soon as the Geffen Contemporary’s doors open). All proceeds from the sale of the jackets will benefit MOCA and its community programs.

See the full range of jackets, and the drop schedule, after the jump.

On April 14, The Geffen Contemporary at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles held a press preview of its highly anticipated “Art In The Streets” exhibition. A tactfully curated examination into the development of street art and culture, the exhibit features installations from some of the most respected names in graffiti and street art and represents the first major survey of its kind in the US.

In addition to globally recognized names like Banksy, Lee Quinones, Futura, Os Gemeos, Fab 5 Freddy, Swoon, Shepard Fairey and JR, the show examines the role Los Angeles artists have played in the development of street art and graffiti. Local legends like Craig R. Stecyk III, Chaz Bojórquez, Mister Cartoon, Robbie Conal, RETNA, SABER, REVOK, and RISK all have featured work.

Several curated sub shows within “Art In The Streets” give historical context and insight into the development of street art including a section devoted to New York’s Fun Gallery featuring works from Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquait, a space devoted to the film, “Wild Style,” a memorial presentation of Battle Station from artist RAMMELLZEE, and a lifelike re-creation of an urban street scene by Todd James, Barry McGee, and Steve Powers.

Filmmakers and photographers credited with documenting the movement are also celebrated including names like Terry Richardson, Spike Jonze, Martha Cooper, Steve Grody, Gusmano Cesaretti, Estevan Oriol, Henry Chalfant, James Prigoff, Ed Templeton and Larry Clark.

The exhibition also ties in skateboarding and its contributions and relevance to the development of street art with a skatable art area designed to reflect the unique contours of the urban landscape.

“Art In The Streets” is open to the public April 17 through August 8 at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA.

An accompanying “Art in the Streets” book is also available.

Photos: Julian Berman for Highsnobiety
Words: Cullen Poythress for Highsnobiety

More images follow after the click.

Rizzoli presents an interesting new book, entitled “Art In The Streets”, written by none other than Jeffrey Deitch, Roger Gastman and Aaron Rose. It looks like the books will be released April 2011, along with an exhibition at the MOCA carrying the same name.

“The first large-scale American museum exhibition to survey the colorful history of graffiti and street art movements internationally. Graffiti has been a form of public communication and identification since ancient times. In its contemporary manifestation, it has redefined the urban landscape and influenced generations of artists. This landmark exhibition traces the birth and dissemination of styles through “writers” and street artists around the world—including Jean-Michel Basquiat, Blu, Martha Cooper, Shepard Fairey, Stelios Faitakis, Futura, Phil Frost, Os Gemeos, Keith Haring, Todd James (REAS), Margaret Kilgallen, Lady Pink, Barry McGee (Twist), Steve Powers (ESPO), Lee Quinones, Retna, Kenny Scharf, Swoon, and Ed Templeton, among many others—focusing on New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, as well as international locations. Highlighting the connection between graffiti and street art and other vibrant subcultures, such as those that developed around Hip Hop in the Bronx and skateboarding in Southern California, Art in the Streets explores parallel movements in dance and music. A selection of new works created for the show is presented alongside the historical survey of approximately 30 of the most important artists seminal to the genre. The exhibition is curated by MoCA Director Jeffrey Deitch, working with a curatorial advisory committee that includes Charlie Ahearn, Roger Gastman, Carlo McCormick, and Aaron Rose.”

Another look follows after the jump.

Takashi Murakami, an artist that we have followed and admired for quite some time now, has recently opened his most comprehensive and complete exhibition to date at the MOCA in Los Angeles. The exhibition his showing works from the early days up until now and has a vibrant mix of paintings and sculptures. The ones among you that cannot make it to the exhibition have the chance to get an idea of what there is to see here thanks to the Hundreds.
The museum also worked with Louis Vuitton and set up a store selling collaborative items of the French luxury brand and the artist, a collaboration that has already been going on a couple of years.
Now have a look after the jump at one of moderns art most influential artists and enjoy.

It was about time that Eastpack did something a bit more special. Known for their quality, but simple backpacks the brand has been a classic for many years. One could never go wrong with an Eastpack backpack, on the other hand you would for sure not stick out and be one of many to carry it.
Now the traditional luggage brand has gotten together with high end fashion designer Raf Simons on a collaboration collection, to be released Spring/Summer 2008. We saw a few pieces at the Bread & Butter fair this past summer and now they present the entire line-up. Interesting materials, cuts and colors make up the collection. Once can hardly recognize Eastpack, but the collection is definitely very interesting and something to look out for. It consists of bags and backpacks in all sizes, so anyone should find a favorite in there.
Check out more pieces of the collection after the jump and keep your eyes open beginning of next year for the drop.