Pull out your best Prada. On Wednesday, February 16, and Thursday, February 17, the Milanese luxury label will present the seventh iteration of Prada Mode at Genghis Cohen with an immersive installation by L.A.-based artist Martine Syms.
Prada Mode is a globe-trotting private social club with a focus on contemporary culture that offers its members a unique art experience along with music, dining, and conversation. Designed as a project that extends significant cultural gatherings at diverse locations worldwide – such as London, Paris, and Hong Kong – Prada Mode offers exclusive access to uncommon programs and content that complement the subjects and themes of the host event. Its most recent iteration took place in Moscow where artist Damien Hirst transformed the historic Levenson Mansion with his installation Pharmacy.
This time around, Prada Mode will occupy the iconic restaurant and live music venue on historic Fairfax Avenue Genghis Cohen. Syms will transform the eatery, which has been serving up Angelenos N.Y.C.-style Chinese food since 1983, with her interactive installation, "HelLA World."
Prada debuted Prada Mode in 2018 and has since beckoned A-list celebrities like Gigi Hadid, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kanye West, and Naomi Campbell who know the club offers once-in-a-lifetime experiences that money can't buy.
Born in Altadena, Syms focuses her work on identity and the depiction of the 'self' in relation to feminism and black culture, exploring such themes through humor and social commentary. Her artwork has been exhibited and screened at venues including Human Resources, Bridget Donahue Gallery, the New Museum, MOCA Los Angeles, and MCA Chicago.
There'll be plenty to do in L.A. this month as Prada Mode coincides with international art fair Frieze Los Angeles, which is set to host over 100 participating galleries. The fair showcases contemporary art with an emphasis on L.A.'s dynamic culture and global contributions to the visual arts. This year, it will feature a new section spotlighting new and emerging artists called 'Focus L.A.'
