The Music Center Plaza has transformed into “The Garvey Garden” for the summer. (photo courtesy of The Music Center)

The Music Center presents “BLKNWS in Residence,” a first-of-its-kind summer residency featuring acclaimed L.A. artist and filmmaker Kahlil Joseph and spearheaded by The Music Center’s Digital Innovation Initiative, will close Aug. 11.

Highlights of Joseph’s ambitious, multi-component project – which blurs the lines of art, journalism, entrepreneurship and cultural critique – includes the transformation of Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center into “The Garvey Garden,” a sprawling garden-themed lounge area adorned with artificial grass and outdoor furniture; a pop-up “BLKNWS Library Café” that brews a vibrant atmosphere of communing and study, with beverages available for purchase from Sip & Sonder and a specially curated collection of books for sale and books to read onsite while lounging at The Garvey Garden; and daily screenings of never-before-seen broadcasts of Joseph’s groundbreaking BLKNWS “conceptual news program” that challenges, inspires and redefines Angelenos’ understanding of historic and current culture from a Black lens.

“BLKNWS in Residence” is free, except for retail and beverage purchases, and open to the public.

“This unique residency furthers The Music Center’s mission to be a multidisciplinary arts center for the 21st century, a home for classical art forms as well as a dynamic hub for ever-evolving creativity and enriching community engagement,” said Rachel S. Moore, president and CEO of The Music Center. “By immersing visitors into the world of BLKNWS, Kahlil Joseph is redefining the Black narrative through his lens. Angelenos of all backgrounds and identities who spend time at The Garvey Garden will discover the joyful and simple art of co-existing, sharing stories and making connections. This unparalleled fusion of art, culture and innovation at a reimagined summer oasis in the heart of Downtown L.A. will be an unforgettable experience.”

“BLKNWS in Residence” is the latest public art installation presented by The Music Center’s Digital Innovation Initiative, an exciting 10-year pilot program launched in 2022, which was designed to explore and create free digital and virtual reality experiences throughout Los Angeles. DII launched its first public exhibit, “We ARe Here: A Celebration of Legacy,” offering Angelenos the opportunity to learn – through AR and with hands-on artistic experiences in Gloria Molina Grand Park – about the legacies of Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities and individuals who have contributed to Los Angeles County’s rich diversity. Additional DII exhibits have included Our Common Home, which addressed issues of climate change by integrating participants’ live facial expressions and physical movements into digital artworks created in real time and projected on Jerry Moss Plaza’s LED screens, and Cosmogony, a fantastical digital performance that was broadcast live from a dance studio located 6,000 miles away in Geneva, Switzerland.

For information about The Music Center presents “BLKNWS in Residence,” visit musiccenter.org/ BLKNWS. For more information about The Music Center’s Digital Innovation Initiative, visit musiccenter.org/dii.