In tandem with Los Angeles’ fast-expanding art scene, the city’s design community is also having a moment of heightened productivity, with affordable space and easy access to manufacturing meaning more studios are setting up on the west coast. But what’s defining this particular moment of renaissance in LA’s design?
According to Fredrik Carlström, the Swedish-born founder of Austere, it’s playfulness. 'Not sure if it's the sun, or the more affordable work-life balance or the influx of new people, but the LA design scene is more playful and less constrained by commercial reality than design coming from, say New York or London. LA has such a burgeoning scene of… everything, frankly. What was once thought of as a one-industry town is now a real epicenter for creativity in general, and design in particular.'
In recognition of the current mode of autonomous Angeleno productivity, Austere – a space dedicated to showcasing design talent and innovation, with tangential programmed events, exhibitions, lectures and screenings in-store – opened a survey of contemporary design, Site Specific LA, curated by Jill Singer and Monica Khemsurov of the digital magazine Sight Unseen.
Showcasing a selection of furniture and products from some of the best established and emerging studios working in the city now, the show includes pieces such as Jonathan Zawada’s ‘Affordances Table’, and the Professor Chair by Only Love is Real. Other new names to watch include Ouli, based in Echo Park – who produce ‘physical and non physical designs’ with an earthy quality – and Silverlake’s Waka Waka, with their pragmatic, no-fuss handmade objects and furniture.
Aside from offering a comprehensive view of what’s happening within the local scene now, with design items for sale in time for the holiday season, Austere also presents a Mast Brothers shop. The chocolatiers have built an installation specific to the space, taking over part of Austere's downstairs space. Mast Brothers’ founder Rick Mast lived in the city for several years, and the temporary shop is a precursor to their first independent store opening in the Arts District in January 2016. Among the items available to buy is a limited edition chocolate bar, made in collaboration with Austere, with a wrapping inspired by vintage Swedish candies, that Carlström enjoyed growing up in Stockholm.
Curated by Monica Khemsourov and Jill Singer, the founders of Sight Unseen, the exhibition showcases a selection of furniture and products from some of the best established and emerging studios working in the city now
Highlights include Matthew Sullivan's ACQ furniture (pictured), Jonathan Zawada’s Affordances table, and the Professor Chair by Only Love is Real
'Not sure if it's the sun, or the more affordable work-life balance or the influx of new people, but the LA design scene is more playful and less constrained by commercial reality than design coming from, say New York or London. LA has such a burgeoning scene of… everything, frankly. What was once thought of as a one-industry town is now a real epicenter for creativity in general, and design in particular,' says Austere's Swedish founder, Fredrik Carlström
A range of Eric Trine's Hult planters on display
Ceramics by Bari Ziperstein
A Mast Brothers' pop-up shop holds court in Austere's downstairs space - a precursor to its full-time shop which will open in early 2016
Among the items available to buy is a limited edition chocolate bar, made in collaboration with Austere, with a wrapping inspired by vintage Swedish candies, that Carlström enjoyed growing up in Stockholm
Information
Site Specific LA is now on view until 14 February
Photography: Bethany Nauert
-
Tour the imposing Milan apartment of a Moncler heirFrench studio Gilles & Boissier recently reimagined a former family office space for the Ruffini family, now infused with Italian luxury
-
Best of Design Miami Paris 2025: animal sculptures and musical ping-pong tablesDesign Miami Paris returns to the Hôtel de Maisons (until 26 October 2025): here are the Wallpaper* highlights
-
Sam Falls is inspired by nature’s unpredictability in living works for RuinartThe artist creates works that are in-between photography and painting as part of Ruinart's Conversations with Nature series
-
Jamel Shabazz’s photographs are a love letter to Prospect ParkIn a new book, ‘Prospect Park: Photographs of a Brooklyn Oasis, 1980 to 2025’, Jamel Shabazz discovers a warmer side of human nature
-
The Hammer Museum in Los Angeles launches the seventh iteration of its highly anticipated artist biennialOne of the gallery's flagship exhibitions, Made in LA showcases the breadth and depth of the city's contemporary art scene
-
Thomas Prior’s photography captures the uncanny fragility of American lifeA new book unites two decades of the photographer’s piercing, uneasy work
-
Central Park’s revitalised Delacorte Theater gears up for a new futureEnnead Architects helmed an ambitious renovation process that has given the New York City cultural landmark a vibrant and more accessible future
-
Stephen Prina borrows from pop, classical and modern music: now MoMA pays tribute to his performance work‘Stephen Prina: A Lick and a Promise’ recalls the artist, musician, and composer’s performances, and is presented throughout MoMA. Prina tells us more
-
Curtains up, Kid Harpoon rethinks the sound of Broadway production ‘Art’He’s crafted hits with Harry Styles and Miley Cyrus; now songwriter and producer Kid Harpoon (aka Tom Hull) tells us about composing the music for the new, all-star Broadway revival of Yasmina Reza’s play ‘Art’
-
Richard Prince recontextualises archival advertisements in TexasThe artist unites his ‘Posters’ – based on ads for everything from cat pictures to nudes – at Hetzler, Marfa
-
Out of office: the Wallpaper* editors’ picks of the weekAnother week, another flurry of events, opening and excursions showcasing the best of culture and entertainment at home and abroad. Catch our editors at Scandi festivals, iconic jazz clubs, and running the length of Manhattan…
