Curated by the Trading Places Founder, the Exhibition Is Hosted at Dries Van Noten’s Los Angeles Flagship
“Common Ground,” a new exhibition curated by Brian Boa, has opened at The Little House Gallery, part of Dries Van Noten’s Los Angeles flagship on La Cienega Boulevard. Running from November 9 to December 14, 2024, the exhibition explores the complex concept of “home” through the lens of six contemporary artists, engaging with themes of belonging, identity, and the emotional dimensions of domestic space.
Brian Boa’s Trading Places, originally established as a record label in Belgium and now based in London, has evolved beyond its music roots, producing unique installations and projects that delve into how people interact with architectural spaces. The label also supports artists like John Glacier and FKA Twigs and has collaborated with creatives such as Martine Syms and Hassan Rahim. In this latest exhibition, Boa continues his curatorial practice exploring the intersection art and daily life, inviting audiences to reflect on the fluid boundaries between public and private spaces.
Among the featured works, Dominican-American artist EFE’s “Prick” (2024) presents a concrete block with rebar branches, symbolizing the Dominican urban landscape and touching on the personal journeys within shared architectural forms. Martine Syms’ video “This is a Studio” (2023) features door-cam footage of LAPD officers outside her studio, highlighting the fragility of shelter and the challenge of maintaining a safe space in urban environments. London-based artist Walid Labri uses footage from a home burglary to examine themes of surveillance and societal anxiety.
Located in Dries Van Noten’s flagship, which opened in 2020 and spans 8,500 square feet divided into The Big House and The Little House, the gallery provides a dedicated space for external artistic exhibitions. While The Big House showcases Van Noten’s own collections and archive selections, The Little House focuses on promoting other creative voices. Previous exhibitions within this gallery setting have included artists Mark Leckey, Lloyd Foster, Hassan Rahim, and more.
