Culture Report: Functional Brotherhood

I have two sisters and a brother who I love with all my heart, but sometimes I want to strangle them until their bulgy, judgmental eyes pop out of their head. And I know they feel the same way about me because I’m just as bad. We share the same DNA, after all. It’s natural. It’s sibling love in its truest, most realistic form. I mean, look at Noel and Liam Gallagher. Those two are the picture of the love/hate male sibling relationship.

This is why I’m amazed by siblings who work together without punching each other’s lights out, like William and Steven Ladd. The Ladd brothers create beautifully, intricate art work, lamps, sculptures, jewelry, accessories and more, which can be seen at their exhibition, “Function & Fantasy,” currently showing at Mingei International Museum. The work is impressive and gorgeous, but even more impressive is how well the Ladd lads work together.

Angela Carone of KPBS notes in her write-up on the brothers and their exhibition:

Despite the amount of time the Ladds spend together, working and designing in their New York studio, they don’t fight. In fact, they seem to truly enjoy each other. As one talks, the other looks on with rapt attention, as if he’s never heard this version of their lives.

They make each other laugh, finish each other’s sentences and tease each other regularly. In the hour I spent with them, William made much of Steven’s penchant for organizing.

Well, isn’t that the sweetest thing ever. Heart = melted.

Read more about the amazing exhibition in Carone’s piece, which includes cool videos with the Ladds, and then head out to the museum to check it out. “Function & Fantasy” runs through June 1.

You’re reading the Culture Report, Voice of San Diego’s weekly collection of the region’s cultural news.

Empowering Women, Artfully Uncomfortable and More Visual Art News

• The San Diego Museum of Man’s newest exhibition, “Empowering Women: Artisan Cooperatives that Transform Communities,” showcases the amazing artisan work created by women of various cultures. It’s awe-inspiring stuff that proves we ladies can change our worlds. Read about the exhibition or hear all about it from MoM directors on KPBS’s “Midday Edition.”

• Graffiti artist Maxx Moses wants to make you uncomfortable. Why?

“I think it’s healthy to be uncomfortable, because that’s when you’re in the position to learn something,” he tells CityBeat.

See some of Moses’ latest pieces at “Good Morning America,” an exhibition running through Feb. 25 at Southwestern College Art Gallery.

• The Mission Federal ArtWalk returns for its 30th year. Organizers just announced their featured artists for this year. Among them are Grant Pecoff, Cynthia Colis, Steve Kell, Dorit Schwartz and many more.

• You guys! It’s Museum Month! It’s like Mardi Gras for art nerds, only instead of flashing for beads we secretly flash our cameras in a museum because the art is so neat and we simply MUST Instagram it. Pick up your passes at Macy’s ASAP!

• Local artist Mike Maxwell’s art-centric podcast Live Free Podcast has a fresh episode available where he chats it up with San Francisco-based artist Kyle Ranson. Download it on iTunes.

• My dear friend, former colleague and predecessor to the Culture Report throne, Kinsee Morlan, brought back her art and culture column, The Kinsee Report. She’ll share cool arts and culture news bites. Her first one has some street art stuff worth checking out, and a heartbreaking update.

• The new film “The Monuments Men,” which hits theaters this weekend, is all about the real life WWII crew of soldiers whose mission was to rescue masterpieces of art stolen by the Nazis. I just downloaded the book and can’t wait to read it. After reading, or checking out the movie, head out to the San Diego Museum of Art, which has two pieces recovered by the Monuments Men on display. Present your movie stub and get $2 off your admission.

• Meet the cool designers using 3-D printing in their awesome work. Once you’re inspired, start designing and then head down to the new Central Library. You can 3-D print an original design there for free! (CityBeat)

Pop and Locks, Doll House and More Art and Performance Nibbles

• VOSD CEO Scott Lewis took a rare turn as theater critic last week. He examined The Old Globe’s latest version of “Bethany,” and provides some context about homelessness he says is missing from the production.

• The Body Poets pop and lock without revealing their identity, just like every man I ever loved. (CityBeat)

• Henrik Ibsen’s iconic play, “A Doll House,” got a fresh facelift from UC San Diego MFA student Kate Jopson. Catch one of the final showings this week, if you can.

• A former San Diego State University professor had his violin stolen. Not really major news right? Oh, forgot to mention. The violin is estimated to be worth $6 F*@%$NG MILLION DOLLARS! (U-T)

• The Neave Trio, a Boston-formed piano trio, will start a residency at San Diego State University.

• Moonglow Design in La Jolla unveils a sculpture with a ot of sexy lady lumps. (La Jolla Light)

• Moxie’s latest stage production, “Crumbs from the Table of Joy,” revolves around a black family trying to make it in 1950s Brooklyn. The U-T‘s James Hebert calls it “beautifully human.” That’s a nice change from the beautifully tragically hip kids currently residing in Brooklyn.

• Grammy Award-winning bluegrass trio Nickel Creek is back and hitting the road. The San Diego group is touring the country. No stops in town yet, but who knows?

• Dance with a sense of humor? I’m all for that! (Art Pulse)

• Glottalopticon returns to Space 4 Art on Saturday. The experimental opera series will blow a hole in your brain parts.

So Much New Stuff and More Culture Chomps

• Read this great interview with Italian designer Elena Pacenti conducted by folks over at the Downtown I.D.E.A. District. Pacenti was named the new head of the NewSchool of Architecture and Design’s design department, and she is all about “new.”

“We should encourage new things, new startups, new shops, and new venues to come and create something different,” she says. “We have to really encourage these new things to happen. This makes a difference.”

• Croce’s is re-opening near Balboa Park West. (U-T)

• San Diego’s theater community is mourning the loss of a beloved crew member, Seamus O’Bryan, who died in a motorcycle accident. Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends. (KPBS)

• The San Diego Jewish Film Festival returns with an impressive 60 films from 15 different countries.

• Valentine’s Day is coming up, and while many of you will be buying last-minute wilted, yellowed carnations for your sweetie, mom or anyone else you routinely disappoint, some of you actually shop early for the love in your life. You can shop it up at La Bodega for Luvmade Creative Market, happening Saturday. More than 10 vendors will be selling cute and cool wares made with love.

• That reminds me, the University Heights Open Aire Market will have its grand opening Saturday. Shop produce, art, coffee, clothes and much more at this ladies market for the people.

• The Vinyl Junkies Record Swap comes back to the Casbah on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. At the last swap, I walked out with a fun Christmas album and a belly full of tacos. My boyfriend made out much better with some Spacemen 3 and The Fall records.

• If that bit of music nerd news piqued your interest, here’s another. Have you checked out CityBeat’s A Trolley Show? Local musicians kick out the jams while riding the big red limo. Past performers include Todo Mundo, Foxes, Girl in a Coma and Dead Feather Moon.

• Circle Circle dot dot presents “A Site-Specific Walking Adventure Play for the Romantic in Us All.” Ooooh!