The City of West Hollywood is delighted to announce the upcoming exhibitions in its Moving Image Media Art (MIMA) program, which continue to transform the iconic Sunset Boulevard into a canvas for thought-provoking art. Two compelling works, “Go Tell It on the Mountain (Adapted 2023)” by Ray Anthony Barrett and “Silent Homeless Lamp (2023)” by Iván Navarro, will captivate audiences as they grace the digital billboards along the Sunset Strip. These exhibitions are set to run from Sunday, October 1, 2023, through Wednesday, January 31, 2024.
The MIMA program, an ongoing series of moving image media artworks, aims to promote cultural equity, accessibility, communication, and enrich the human experience of the Sunset Strip. It has consistently succeeded in redefining public spaces as platforms for artistic expression.
“Go Tell It on the Mountain (Adapted 2023)” is the culmination of Ray Anthony Barrett’s months-long journey through the breathtaking landscapes of the western United States. This multifaceted artist, encompassing roles as a filmmaker, photographer, sculptor, and writer, embarked on this artistic odyssey during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, as his restaurant was poised to open. The film chronicles a Black man’s profound quest to confront the shadows of colonialism, address issues of food security, and reconcile his profound connection with the land.
Iván Navarro’s “Silent Homeless Lamp (2023)” serves as a stark reminder of societal indifference to homelessness. Navarro ingeniously utilizes a fluorescent-bulb shopping cart, reminiscent of Dan Flavin’s work, as a symbol of transience. This glowing cart wanders through an affluent neighborhood, largely unnoticed, highlighting our collective complicity and the immense resources required to address preventable issues. Navarro’s installation acts as both a beacon of hope and a lamp, illuminating a path towards change.
Ray Anthony Barrett, a multidisciplinary artist, has exhibited his culinary artistry through Cinqué, a soul food popup in collaboration with The Underground Museum. His work has been featured at the 2010 Dakar Biennial and profiled in the Los Angeles Times. Barrett holds a BA from the University of Missouri and an MFA from the Pacific Northwest College of Art, residing and working in Los Angeles.
Iván Navarro, a globally recognized artist, graduated from PUC University of Chile and has been based in New York since 1997. In 2021, Navarro held a retrospective exhibition called “PLANETARIUM” in Paris, further solidifying his position as a prominent figure in the art world.
The MIMA program is administered by the City of West Hollywood’s Arts Division and is presented in collaboration with the City’s Sunset Arts and Advertising Program. It offers artists both a platform and funding to create ambitious works that engage with the unique visual landscape of the Sunset Strip, fostering moments of connection and spectacle. Artists for MIMA are selected from the MIMA Prequalified List, which includes artists at all career levels, from emerging talents to internationally recognized figures.
The City of West Hollywood’s Arts Division is committed to delivering a diverse array of arts programs that enrich the cultural fabric of the city. These programs include temporary public art, arts grants, poetry and drag laureates, free theatre in the parks, the Human Rights Speaker Series, library exhibits, the WeHo Pride Arts Festival, and more.
For additional information on West Hollywood’s arts programming, please visit www.weho.org/arts. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the thought-provoking works of Ray Anthony Barrett and Iván Navarro as they transform Sunset Boulevard into a canvas of inspiration and reflection from October 1, 2023, to January 31, 2024.
For a full list of artists and more details about the MIMA program, visit https://go.weho.org/mima.