{"id":2254324,"date":"2026-01-28T11:55:22","date_gmt":"2026-01-28T11:55:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2254324"},"modified":"2026-01-28T11:55:22","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T11:55:22","slug":"pop-artist-kii-arens-new-show-features-grammy-winners-in-historic-dtla","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/pop-artist-kii-arens-new-show-features-grammy-winners-in-historic-dtla\/","title":{"rendered":"Pop artist Kii Arens’ new show features Grammy winners in historic DTLA"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Pop artist Kii Arens made a name for himself in music over the years, creating concert posters for bands and vocalists such as Radiohead, Elton John, Dolly Parton, the Weeknd, Sonic Youth, Tame Impala, Diana Ross and more.<\/p>\n

That work is taking center stage at Arens\u2019 new downtown Los Angeles gallery, FAB LA, in a show titled \u201cAnd the Winner Is.\u201d Curated by Arens and featuring poster art of Grammy winners, the exhibition is set to open Friday, two days before the 2026 Grammys descend on the city, and just in time to welcome plenty of visiting celebrity faces to the gallery\u2019s third-ever event.<\/p>\n

A glittering party scene is part of every exhibition Arens hosts, dating back to his previous gallery, LA-LA Land, which he opened two decades ago on Santa Monica Boulevard in Hollywood and ran until its lease came up last year.<\/p>\n

FAB LA officially launched in October with \u201cXO, LA: A Love Letter to Los Angeles,\u201d<\/i> an exhibition that reflected the eclectic voices and existential challenges that define L.A. culture with paintings, illustrations and mixed media works by Shepard Fairey, Corita Kent, Anthony Ausgang, Ashley Dreyfus, Paul Frank and others. <\/p>\n

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Pop artist Kii Arens lays on his desk in his new gallery, FAB LA, inside the historic Fine Arts Building on 7th Street in downtown Los Angeles. Posters from his new show, \u201cAnd the Winner Is,\u201d feature images of Grammy winners just in time for the big awards show.<\/p>\n

(Genaro Molina \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n

The flamboyant \u201cMick Rock\u2019s Rocky Horror Art Show\u201d followed in December. The exhibition was among the last events marking the famous cult film\u2019s 50th anniversary, and featured Rock\u2019s famous photographs alongside pieces by pop star designer Michael Schmidt<\/u><\/a> and digital portraitist Plastic<\/u>g<\/u>o<\/u>d<\/a>. As with previous events at LA-LA Land, the opening attracted rockers, drag queens and club world cognoscenti.<\/p>\n

DJs Sean Patrick (Simon Says<\/u><\/a>) and Chris Holmes (Paul McCartney\u2019s touring DJ, and creative collaborator with Cosm<\/u><\/a>) manned the decks, and \u201cRuPaul\u2019s Drag Race All Stars\u201d<\/i> winner and podcaster, Alaska Thunderf\u2014<\/u><\/a>, performed as Tim Curry\u2019s Dr. Frank-N-Furter, dancing and prancing around the grand environs.<\/p>\n

There are galleries all over Los Angeles, but few can be described as works of art unto themselves. FAB LA is that and more.<\/p>\n

Its majestic headquarters are housed inside downtown\u2019s historic Fine Arts Building \u2014 a breathtaking palace-like structure with a 100-year history of craftsmanship and creativity.<\/p>\n

Located near the intersection of 7th and Flower streets, the landmark building was featured in the 2009 film \u201c(500) Days of Summer,\u201d a hidden gem overshadowed in recent years by hectic street life, chain food spots and bustling business energy. Used primarily as an office building, its ornate design, carvings and sculptures \u2014 including a ground floor fountain with frolicking bronze youths \u2014 hadn\u2019t invited much public attention or appreciation.<\/p>\n

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Pop artist Kii Arens catches some air in front of the historic Fine Arts Building where he has opened his new gallery, FAB LA. The building was designated a Historic-Cultural Monument in 1974 and restored in 1983. <\/p>\n

(Genaro Molina \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n

That changed late last year when Arens took over the first two floors.<\/p>\n

\u201cHistorically, artists lived and worked inside this building,\u201d he said during a recent opening. \u201cThis idea really resonated with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Originally from St. Paul, Minn., Arens moved to L.A. in 2004 and promptly opened LA-LA Land<\/u><\/a>. The Hollywood showroom debuted on election night 2004 with a group exhibition called \u201cHappy War,\u201d featuring anti-war works and Fairey as DJ. Wild and kitschy shows followed with opening fetes dedicated to colorful subjects including Andy Warhol, circus clowns, and Canadian television creators and puppeteers Sid and Marty Krofft.<\/p>\n

In addition to creating art and DJing, Arens is also a musician, and his eclectic music projects reflect his nostalgic proclivities. They include a rock outfit called FLIPP, which he describes as, \u201cthe Sex Pistols meets the Spice Girls,\u201d as well as a pop-duo called Jinx, and solo work that counts 4 Non Blondes\u2019 Linda Perry as a collaborator.<\/p>\n

Arens is a largely self-taught visual artist. His work has always leaned toward entertainment figures and musical subject matter, which led to major commissions for album covers and tour poster art \u2014 some of which will be featured in the upcoming exhibition at FAB LA.<\/p>\n

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Poster prints of Elton John, left, and Jim Morrison, by Pop artist Kii Arens are part of his latest show, \u201cAnd the Winner Is,\u201d which features poster art of Grammy winners and is on display in Aren\u2019s new gallery, FAB LA, which opened late last year.<\/p>\n

(Genaro Molina \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n

When LA-LA Land\u2019s lease expired, Arens sought a new place that would embrace his experimental energy. He also wanted a unique backdrop for showcasing imagery that \u201ctreats pop culture as a shared memory for all to take in,\u201d he said. \u201cSomething worthy of being preserved, not just consumed.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Fine Arts Building\u2019s longtime real estate representative, Gibran Begum, was looking for the same thing. Preservation was part of the conversation when the two connected, but both were also focused on revitalization and augmenting the structure\u2019s old-world charms with something fresh and modern. The goal was to once again bring art lovers to the neighborhood.<\/p>\n

A cohesive arts event had been lacking in the area since the monthly Downtown Los Angeles Art Walk scaled down in the face of traffic and permit issues, and more recently COVID closures. The event recently resumed<\/a>, and though it\u2019s much smaller Arens said he has high hopes for its growth, and for FAB LA\u2019s place in its future.<\/p>\n

As does Begum, who calls the Fine Arts Building \u201ca rare and special space.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe second you enter, you\u2019re somewhere else, it\u2019s almost like walking into something in Florence, Italy,\u201d Begum said. \u201cWe were looking for someone to help rejuvenate and reenergize it and who understood the culture of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Pop artist Kii Arens strikes a pose inside the historic Fine Arts Building where he has opened his new gallery, FAB LA. The building was designed in the Romanesque revival style by architects Albert R. Walker and Percy A. Eisen, who also created the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills.<\/p>\n

(Genaro Molina \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n

Designed in the Romanesque revival style by revered architects Albert R. Walker and Percy A. Eisen, who also created the nearby Oviatt Building as well as the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, the building\u2019s exterior is embellished with dramatic columns and arches. Its interior features gargoyles, griffins and other mystical figures by sculptor Burt W. Johnson, as well as hand-crafted tiles by Ernest Batchelder and murals by Anthony B. Heinsbergen. A vintage elevator ferries guests between floors.<\/p>\n

The opulent building opened on Dec. 8, 1926, attracting an estimated crowd of 27,000, and was named a Historic-Cultural Monument in 1974.<\/p>\n

Though various artists have shown in the building over its 100-year history, FAB\u2019s vibrant vision, focused on the intersection of design and fine art media, feels like the right fit for the current moment.<\/p>\n

\u201cI almost feel like the ghosts of some of the artists are looking down at me and smiling, knowing that what they loved is happening here again,\u201d Arens said.<\/p>\n

This includes immersive gatherings, which are a big part of Arens\u2019 plans for FAB. \u201cWe\u2019ll have movie premieres, live music events, poetry and I definitely want to have fashion,\u201d Arens said. \u201cThe room would make a great runway!\u201d<\/p>\n

Charity is also part of the picture.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the Winner Is,\u201d serves as a fundraiser for Oxfam, which works to relieve global poverty. Arens said he\u2019s been hosting charity events for the group for the last five years \u2014 always right around the Grammys.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll have a bunch of amazing vinyl records donated by Rhino, and we\u2019ll have clothing donated from famous musicians. Matt Pinfield is DJing and so is Jeffrey Ross,\u201d Arens said.<\/p>\n

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A poster of Liza Minnelli by Pop artist Kii Arens is part of his latest show, \u201cAnd the Winner Is\u201d which features poster art of Grammy winners and opens over Grammy weekend.<\/p>\n

(Genaro Molina \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n

The exhibition, which closes March 8, will feature some of what Arens calls his \u201cgreatest hits,\u201d including an ebullient Liza Minnelli portrait, and other significant prints such as a black-light poster design of Dolly Parton, and a Van Halen print representing Eddie Van Halen\u2019s famed red-, black- and white-splattered \u201cFrankenstein\u201d guitar design on a notebook.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m into simplifying images until they become familiar, immediate and emotional,\u201d Arens said of his work. \u201cI like to strip images down to what people recognize instantly. The feeling comes first, then I\u2019m focused on evoking optimism, color and joy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Up next: A show in April in association with the animation studio Titmouse and dedicated to the art of animation.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn this moment where everything feels disposable, I want to make something that is solid, something you stand in front of, not scroll past,\u201d Arens said.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n

\u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.latimes.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Pop artist Kii Arens made a name for himself in music over the years, creating concert posters for bands and vocalists such as Radiohead, Elton John, Dolly Parton, the Weeknd, Sonic Youth, Tame Impala, Diana Ross and more. That work is taking center stage at Arens\u2019 new downtown Los Angeles gallery, FAB LA, in a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2254325,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25172],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2254324","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Pop-artist-Kii-Arens-new-show-features-Grammy-winners-in.com2Ffe2F202F2b0b04af48c2ac44c8a4db59.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2254324","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2254324"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2254324\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2254326,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2254324\/revisions\/2254326"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2254325"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2254324"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2254324"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2254324"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}