Artist Lauren Halsey will stage a large-scale takeover of the Hollywood Bowl this fall, transforming the 18,000-seat venue through a new iteration of her immersive project emajendat. Scheduled for September 29, the event expands her interdisciplinary practice across architecture, installation, and live performance.
A site-specific expansion of emajendat
The upcoming presentation builds on Halsey’s 2024 exhibition at Serpentine Galleries, where she translated elements of South Central Los Angeles into a vivid, spatial environment. However, while the new project shares its title, the artist has emphasized that the Los Angeles version will introduce entirely new works and concepts.
Consequently, the Hollywood Bowl will function as both an exhibition space and a social environment. The installation will incorporate large-scale artworks alongside participatory features, extending Halsey’s ongoing exploration of community-centered design and cultural memory.
Performance, participation, and spatial design
In addition to visual interventions, the programme integrates performance and audience engagement. The evening will conclude with a concert featuring Erykah Badu and Anderson.Paak appearing as DJ Pee.Wee the Charles Gaines Collective, and Black Nile. Therefore, sound and performance operate as key components within the broader installation.
At the same time, visitors will encounter interactive elements such as airbrush stations, mini golf, ping pong, and a roller “palace.” These features extend the project beyond passive viewing, encouraging movement and participation throughout the venue.
Moreover, the stage itself will be designed by Halsey, reflecting her signature maximalist aesthetic. As a result, the performance environment becomes inseparable from the installation, reinforcing the integration of art and event design.
Architecture, community, and cultural narrative
The project also aligns with themes introduced in Halsey’s recent “sister dreamer” sculpture garden, which foregrounds civic engagement and spatial storytelling. Accordingly, emajendat is positioned as an intersection of architecture, sport, and cultural expression, rooted in community-driven narratives.
While additional details remain limited, early statements suggest a campus-wide transformation that redefines how large venues can host hybrid cultural experiences. In this context, the Hollywood Bowl becomes both a stage and a site of social interaction.
Tickets for EMAJENDAT will be released on May 5 at 10 AM PST via the venue’s official platform, marking one of the most anticipated large-scale art events in Los Angeles this year.