“Wow!” Just “Wow!” That’s what we exclaimed as we approached the stop at the T-intersection in our car. We were … More
Tag: socal
ARCHITORTURE: GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY, WHERE TOURISTS AND NERDS BEAUTIFULLY COLLIDE!
One of Los Angeles’s great landmarks is the Griffith Observatory, an architectural gem that mixes art-deco and Mayan aesthetics. It’s … More
SUBLIME: MADE OF HAGOP
The street art of the artist who goes by the moniker Made of Hagop never ceases to impress us with … More
SPACES: HIPSTER-MEXICO SURF CHIC
Salt Fish Surf Co is a surfy boutique in Venice, in Los Angeles, run by the effusive and friendly French … More
FASHION: BOXING PANDA T-SHIRT’S GOT GAME
Our colleague L. showing off a graphic t-shirt with the image of a boxing panda bear. How can you not … More
SHEPARD FAIREY IS EVERYWHERE YOU WANT TO BE
We were in Silver Lake, in Los Angeles, stopping by a popular espresso bar for a quick coffee, driving around … More
STREETSY: ARTWORK ON A BILLBOARD – WHEN CAPITALISM AND ART MAKE A BABY
Capitalism and art. They’re not the best of friends. Sometimes they look at each other with roiling contempt. The fact … More
ARCHITORTURE: WHEN DESIGN WENT GOOGIE-EYED
Architectural styles are subject to the tastes, fashion and trends of a given era. Some architecture stands the test of … More
QUIZZICAL: ART MUSEUM OR HOME DEPOT?
It’s quiz times once again, savvy readers! Look at these photos. Is this a Home Depot or an art museum? … More
LOLS: WILL FERRELL & JOEL MCHALE VISIT CONCEPTUAL ART EXHIBITION, HILARITY ENSUES
This is brilliant. In this short promotional video for the Hammer Museum of Art in Los Angeles, actor-comedians Will Ferrell … More
STREETSY: IS NEW BLACK-AND-WHITE PHOTO STREET ART BY JR OR JR WANNABE?
Hey, you know JR, right? The French street artist who has become something of a worldwide phenom over the past … More
UNBEARABLE LIGHTNESS: AWESOME “BUMBLE BEE LOVES YOU” INVADES OFFICE
We stumbled upon this commissioned mural by the Los Angeles-based artist who goes by the moniker “Bumble Bee Loves You” … More
SIGN OF THE TIMES: LAIDBACK SURFER HAND GESTURE GETS A SPICY UPDATE
“Shaka” or “Shaka, brah!” Maybe you’ve heard this expression. Maybe you’ve uttered those words in earnest salutation or ironically. Maybe … More
KICKS: GIANT FOOT STICKING OUT FROM ROOF OF HOLLYWOOD STORE “TOO INSTAGRAMMABLE”
Can something be too Instagrammable? That is the question, savvy reader. Our initial thought is, “Yes, yes something can be. … More
LOVESICK: ANOTHER “BLEEDING HEARTS” MURAL REMINDS US THAT LOVE IS … BOTH RAPTUROUS MUSE AND A MONSTROUS BITCH?
DRIVEN TO ABSTRACTION: THE INCREDIBLE DEPTH OF ELLEN GALLAGHER’S “BLACK” PAINTINGS
These paintings by artist Ellen Gallagher speak to us in deep, immediate, profound ways. The black abstractions of these canvases … More
HAIRY: WHEN YOUR PERSONAL MODE OF TRANSPORT NEEDS A HAIRCUT
You are looking at this photo and you’re thinking “WTF?” Maybe you’re even mouthing the letters as you think them, … More
TRUE CRIME: STREET ARTIST “APPROPRIATES” ICONIC IMAGE OF FRENCH PHOTOGRAPHER
LUST: A VISIT TO “LONE WOLFS’” LOS ANGELES MUSIC STUDIO
The hyper-aesthetically single-minded and stylistically dialed-in guys who started Lone Wolfs (sic), a surf shop and brand in Los Angeles, … More
CLICHE UPDATE: YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF SURFBOARD AS DECOR
A few months ago we posted on the phenomena of shops and restaurants upgrading their space with the simple act … More
DECK THE WALLS: SKATEBOARDS AS DECOR – THE HORROR!
There’s really no excuse for this. Unless it’s a college dormitory or your parents’ basement or the living room of … More
OBEY: THE WABI SABI OF OLD SHEPARD FAIREY STREET ART POSTERS
Like a vintage wine, some street art ages remarkably well. Others not so well. Take for example most wheat-paste street … More
SEEN: MASSIVE CONTEMPORARY ART EXHIBITION AT MOCA CREEPY AF! AND WE LOVE IT!
Some will hate it. Some will love it. Many will be confused. More to the point, it’s creepy AF! But … More
DESIGN LUST: SURFBOARD SHOP THINLY DISGUISES ITSELF AS ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN FIRM
It’s no secret that we here at Global Graphica are fond practitioners of surfing, the so-called Hawaiian “sport of kings.” … More
CONFESSED: WE WENT SURFING!
… And it looked like this.
PERPLEXED: COLUMBUS DAY, STATUES AND MORE
We’re back after a “few days” hiatus. The break was in part due to Columbus Day, a U.S. national holiday, … More
Shocking: Street Art is Possibly Portrait of Late Iraqi Dictator Saddam Hussein
We recently stumbled upon some awesome street art work (see pic below) by the talented “Decisions and Review.” The work … More
“Transparent Migrations”
The LACMA exhibition “Home – So Different, So Appealing” is turning into something of a landmark show with all the … More
The Giant Rose in Downtown LA
German artist Isa Genzken’s “Rose III” giant rose sculpture at the Los Angeles outpost of the Hauser & Wirth gallery … More
DTLA Mural
The post-industrial urban landscape of the Arts District near Downtown Los Angeles is full of wide walls practically begging to … More
Calvin & Hobbes Mural at Dangerbird
Pictured here is artist David Flores’s super-Instagrammable and super-cute mural depicting the classic comicstrip characters Calvin and Hobbes at the … More
Dumpster Cactus
Cacti, like the illustrated tri-color cactus pasted onto this dumpster, dot Southern California’s natural desert landscape from Coachella to Mexico … More
“Mirage” at Desert X
Like a shiny extra-terrestrial bobble tucked into the foothills above Palm Springs, “Mirage” by Los Angeles-based artist Doug Aitken is … More
“Skull Phone” Street Art by Spazmat
For years we would see the wheat-pasted artwork of artist Spazmat posted around downtown New York City. His posters were … More
Yoko Ono’s Grapefruit
Last week, we stumbled upon this vintage copy of Yoko Ono’s influential 1964 conceptual-art book “Grapefruit.” It was in a … More
“Rock the Dots” Minnie Mouse Mural at Alfred Coffee
Murals of iconic Disney cartoon character Minnie Mouse recently have been popping up at locations of the hip Alfred Coffee … More
Bicycle-Shaped Bicycle Rack
There must be a word in the English language for when a thing is designed to look like another object … More
Tiger
EPIC mural by artist Chris Saunders in the Ocean Park area of Santa Monica, in Los Angeles, created as part … More
The Vista
A classic example of Los Angeles movie-theater architecture from the early days of cinema, the Vista on Sunset Boulevard in … More
Dumpster Graffiti by “Sickid”
Los Angeles graffiti artist-writer “Sickid” decorated this dumpster along Sunset Blvd. in Silver Lake.
“Deface This” Trump Street Art
These repeated black-and-white “Deface This” and “Not Norml” (sic) posters of new U.S. President Donald Trump are funny political commentary … More
Bernie Sanders on a Van
British-born artist Jules Muck (a.k.a., “Muckrock“) painted a portrait of recent U.S. Democratic presidential primary candidate Bernie Sanders on the … More
Street Art in Miniature
This wheat-pasted street art of two dogs is awesomely colorful and cute. It’s also tiny, smaller than the palm of … More
Cleopatra in West Hollywood
When the late legendary actress Elizabeth Taylor appeared in the 1963 film classic “Cleopatra” in 1963, she unlikely never imagined … More
Minimalist Architecture in the Evening
In terms of architectural minimalism in Los Angeles, the picture speaks for itself.
Vintage Billboard Ad
What is Miracle Mile?
We never tire of revisiting this minimalist masterpiece by artist Robert Irwin at LACMA in Los Angeles. The colorful installation … More
“Going Everywhere Fast” by D*Face
The British artist Dean Stockton, a.k.a., D*Face, has developed one of the most recognizable and epic bodies of street art … More
“HOT MESS!”
“Hot Mess” is the title of an artwork by Doug Aitken that features a beautiful photograph showing an aeriel view … More
Locals Only
Last weekend, we stumbled upon this throw pillow with the words “Locals Only” embroidered on it at the Mollusk Surf … More
Insight 51
Warm Minimalist Shelf Architecture at A.P.C.
The Parisian clothing and retail brand A.P.C. recently opened a shop in Silver Lake in Los Angeles. Like may of … More
Mural at School Playground
What Would Kanye Think?
WWKT? What would Kanye think? We’ve recently been seeing a lot of these wheat-pasted WWKT posters around town. The one … More
New JGoldcrown “Lovewall”
Here’s yet another beautiful “Lovewall”(a.k.a., “Bleeding Hearts”) mural by British street art rockstar JGoldcrown. This one is new and on … More
The Amazing Drawings of Toba Khedoori
The artwork of Australian-Iraqi artist Toba Khedoori leaves a distinct impression. Her works are primarily finely detailed, photo-realistic pencil drawings … More
Monrow at Dusk
The clothing brand Monrow will soon be opening a retail concept store in this tiny, old California-style bungalow near Venice … More
Muhammad Ali Mural
This powerful street art mural in Venice, Los Angeles depicts late boxing legend Muhamed Ali. The image is based on … More
What the Original Gold’s Gym in Venice Looks Like Now
The original location of the iconic and legendary bodybuilding mecca Gold’s Gym is a block away from the sands of … More
“I Wanna Bone”
Pictured here is another mural by the artist Jules Muck (a.k.a., “Muckrock”), who’s street art is associated with Venice Beach … More
On the Scene at Menotti’s Coffee Shop in Venice
The cafe at Menotti’s Coffee is a third-wave espresso joint and a friendly little hub for the legion of caffeinated … More
Graffiti Art by “Cope2”
Los Angeles Contemporary Architecture
On the Scene at Arcana Books
Among our favorite places in Los Angeles is the Arcana bookstore in Culver City. It’s specialized in “books on the … More
WHAT THE HELL IS “COLD OPEN”?
This beautiful old-school graffiti art is on a corrugated metal fence next to the Venice Beach offices of an advertising agency … More
Freight Train Graffiti Art
We were driving through Leucadia, California recently on a weekend surf trip when this freight train decorated with lots of … More
“The Emperor of Hemp”
This photo-realistic mural of the late Jack Herer is by artist Brian Garcia (a.k.a., TAZROC). You can find it at 1501 Pacific Avenue in … More
Highly Successful Beach Bum
We have a hunch that the message in this typographic garage-door mural by artist Adam Mars may be an accurate … More
“Love Wall” by JGoldcrown at Alfred Coffee … Silver Lake, Los Angeles
UK artist J Goldcrown has made these “Lovewall” / “Bleeding Hearts” murals of simple, spray-painted hearts part of the urban … More
Beautifully Designed Dead Kooks Surfboard … Malibu, Los Angeles
Last weekend we went to Mercado Sagrado, a two-day festival-like event showcasing music, fashion, food, art and surf films held … More
Mystery Boy Sticker … Venice, Los Angeles
We’ve seen these mysterious circular stickers of a boy’s face around Los Angeles in recent weeks. The face is drawn … More
“Locals Mostly” Truck Mural by Luke Pelletier … Santa Monica, Los Angeles
We came across this awesome movers truck decorated with the artwork of artist and musician Luke Pelletier. The truck was … More
Cat Stencil Street Art … Malibu, Los Angeles
Along Pacific Coast Highway, across from famed Malibu Beach and its iconic pier, is this amusing life-size stencil street art of … More
“I Take Care of My Beaches” Sticker … Rincon, California
We stumbled upon this “I Take Care of My Beaches” message on a sticker-bombed pole at the Rincon Beach parking … More
Halloween Expression on a Campground RV
Some campers at the Carpinteria Beach campground near Santa Barbara, California decked out their camper with some funny, inventive Halloween … More
“But First, Coffee” Curb … Silver Lake, Los Angeles
The curb in front of the Alfred Coffee in Silver Lake, Los Angeles has been cheekily employed as signage, and as such a … More
Cool Spaces – Enclosed Work Park at TBWA Offices … Los Angeles
The work space at the Los Angeles offices of mega-global advertising agency TBWA (a.k.a, TBWA Chiat Day) is epic and … More
Doug Aitken’s Glowing Pay Phone at MOCA … Los Angeles
This glowing, LED-illuminated sculpture of an old-school pay phone is by artist Doug Aitken. It’s titled “Twilight,” and it’s absolutely … More
Mural of US President Barack Obama Fencing … Hollywood, Los Angeles
This cheeky mural on the side of liquor store on Normandie Avenue in Hollywood depicts current U.S. President Barack Obama … More
Cool Design … Matchbox from Santa Monica Yacht Club
The beautiful nautically inspired design on this box of matches is for the Santa Monica Yacht Club, which is a … More
Tattered “Vegan Club” Poster … Silver Lake, Los Angeles
Here’s another one of those Vegan Club wheat-pasted street art posters that have been popping up all over Los Angeles … More
Street Art and Street Sign … Hollywood, Los Angeles
Street Art by Jonny Alexander … North Park, San Diego
Beautiful isometric artwork by artist Jonny Alexander on an electric utility box in North Park, San Diego.
Lenticular Street Art Image of Che Guevara … North Park, San Diego
Entrance Street Art at Lab Art Gallery … Hollywood, Los Angeles
On the Scene at A-Frame … Mar Vista, Los Angeles
Graffiti Truck … Mar Vista, Los Angeles
Decorative Eye-Palm Artwork at A-Frame … Mar Vista, Los Angeles
Mural of Pioneering Surf Photographer Leroy Grannis by Artist Gretta Kruesi … Venice, Los Angeles
We’re fans of the photography of Leroy Grannis (we even have Taschen’s wonderful book on him) so it’s great to … More
Minimalist Box House Architecture … Venice, Los Angeles
On the Scene at Q&A with Director Chris Milk … TBWA, Los Angeles
Street Art on Back-Alley Wall of Apartment Building … Venice, Los Angeles
Re-Purposed Shipping Container at Iron & Resin … Ventura, California
“Mind Pipeline” Art Installation by Oscar Tuazon … Hammer Museum, Los Angeles
Cool Design … The Hess “Moraga” Surfboard
“Conifer” Typographic Street Art … Venice, Los Angeles
Cool Design – Vintage Thunderbird Car … Venice, Los Angeles
Street Art Covered Sections of Berlin Wall … Miracle Mile, Los Angeles
Sections of the Berlin Wall covered with mural and street art (pictured below) have been put on display in the … More
Cool Design: The Stella Apartments Building … Marina Del Rey, Los Angeles
GLOBAL GRAPHICA 