The most anticipated exhibition of the season, Calder and Abstraction: From Avant-Garde to Iconic, opens this weekend at LACMA. Widely considered one of the most imaginative artists of the 20th century, Alexander Calder redefined modern sculpture. Within the Frank Gehry–designed installation, guests will marvel at the iconic mobiles and stabiles, the former are kinetic sculptures propelled by ambient air, the latter are monumental and dynamic objects. Members see it first—and free—with Member Preview Days on Friday and Saturday. While LACMA has a long standing history with the artist, surprisingly this is the first time a museum in Los Angeles has presented Alexander Calder's work in such a scope.

To commemorate this exciting moment, join Alexander S. C. Rower, grandson of the sculptor Alexander Calder and president and chairman of the Calder Foundation, and LACMA curator and modern art department head Stephanie Barron in conversation on Saturday at 1 pm. In this free event, the two explore Calder’s radical influence on modern art and how it’s reflected in the new exhibition. To RSVP to the Calder and Abstraction opening event call 323 857-6010 or reserve online.

For more exhibition related fun, feed your need with the film series Under the Volcano: Gabriel Figueroa and Hollywood, featuring works found in Under the Mexican Sky: Gabriel Figueroa—Art and Film. This two night event highlights the short-lived yet striking work of Mexican cinematographer Gabriel Figueroa in American film during the later 1940s.  Friday night’s double feature includes The Fugitive at 7:30 pm and Two Mules for Sister Sara at 9:30 pm. Then, Saturday evening see Under the Volcano at 5 pm and The Night of the Iguana at 7:30 pm. The Fugitive may have been the closest American cinema ever came to reproducing the unmistakable style of the Mexican golden age of cinema and The Night of the Iguana ended up being Figueroa’s only Academy Award nod.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPdFDfQyi_c

The melomaniacs in us all will find pleasure on two separate occasions this weekend. Friday night at 6 pm  Jazz at LACMA presents Tall & Small: The Pete Christlieb & Linda Small 11-Piece Jazz Band. Led by a tenor sax and trombone, this ensemble is composed of some of L.A.’s finest. Additionally, Sundays Live, on Sunday at 6 pm, bring classical pianist Rudolf Golez to the Bing Theater. Both events are free and open to the public.

Kitasono Katue, La Disparition d’Honoré Subrac (オノレ・シュウブラック氏の減形), 1960, Collection of John Solt, © Hashimoto Sumiko, used with permission

Lastly, while you’re here, take advantage of all the free tours throughout the museum and see anyone of our thoughtful exhibitions and installations: Kitasono Katue: Surrealist Poet (closing on December 1), Agnès Varda in Californialand, Masterworks of Expressionist Cinema: The Golem and its Avatars, and Newsha Tavakolian, just to name a few. Look and you will find.

Roberto Ayala