Camera Obscura Art Lab
Community arts practice space
The Camera Obscura Art Lab in Palisades Park is Santa Monica’s community arts practice space, where all are invited to find a new perspective! Community members work with local artists to learn and hone their skills, meet their neighbors and share projects. The Camera hosts an ever-changing roster of artists-in-residence, and offers workshops for adults, artist events, pop-up exhibits and more.
We’re located at:
1450 Ocean Avenue
Palisades Park
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310.458.2239
[email protected]
The Camera Obscura Mechanism
Enter the body of a camera for a magical view! Visitors can experience the Camera Obscura mechanism Monday through Friday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Admission is free. There are fourteen steps up a stairway to the device. Built in 1898 by Mayor Robert F. Jones to attract tourists and visitors, Santa Monica’s Camera Obscura mechanism was incorporated into its current home in 1955.
The Camera Obscura Facility
This mid-century modern building on the bluffs was designed by noted architect Weldon J. Fulton and made possible by a gift from Santa Monica resident Marcellus Joslyn.
Artists-in-Residence
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Dahn Gim
April 24 – July 31, 2019
Sculptor Dahn Gim creates a series of sound/kinetic sculptures made of collected seaside waste and plastic remnants from 3D printers, with a focus on transforming and recontextualizing notions of trash and debris.
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Alex Wand
April 24 – July 31, 2019
Composer Alex Wand works on a sound collage that interprets the ocean views as seen from the Camera Obscura. Sonification is one focus of his practice, which also includes investigations into just intonation, folk music, sound art, and music for performance.
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Natalja Kent
August 7 – November 13, 2019
Photographer Natalja Kent continues a project called Movement Artifact, and will utilize the residency as a platform to to engage with the public in both embodiment and generative practices. This will take the form of various group movement and meditation events followed by cyanotype printmaking.
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Mimi Haddon
August 7 – November 13, 2019
Costume Designer and Photographer Mimi Haddon will be working with the idea of adaptations and territories through mask, costume and movement. Haddon will document the archetypes and characters that the participants create, for a book about the newly forged narratives and communities that emerge out of the process.
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Max King Cap
January 9 – April 17, 2019
Multidisciplinary artist Max King Cap continues his Broadsides series of politically radical text statements and creates new paintings for his Exonerated series, which memorializes the experience of incarcerated people. He will also work on a play about power and powerlessness titled 59 Inches, and lead flash playwriting, manifesto writing, and painting workshops.
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DaEun Jung
January 9 – April 17, 2019
Choreographer DaEun Jung is composing an “Earthian Folk Dance,” conceived as a vernacular dance for all residents of the planet. As a bi-cultural Korean American choreographer, she draws upon traditional Korean dance and contemporary movement practices in her work, which challenges notions of authorship. She also combines a deep investigation into traditional movement forms and aleatory practices. Jung presents workshops in drumming, mask making, and traditional and contemporary dance.
Upcoming Events
Monthly Brochures
Getting Here
Workshops at the Camera Obscura Art Lab are wheelchair accessible and ADA compliant. NOTE: the camera obscura mechanism is located up fourteen steps and is not wheelchair accessible. If you require any special disability related accommodations please contact us at [email protected], call us at (310) 458-8350 or TDD: (310) 458-8696 at least 5 days prior to the event.
Shared Mobility Devices cannot be used within the park around the Camera Obscura Art Lab.
Train
Take the Expo line to Downtown Santa Monica Station. Camera Obscura Art Lab is 4 blocks away.
Metro information
Bus
Take the Big Blue Bus or Metro Bus.
Bikes
Metro Bikes are available at the Downtown Santa Monica Station. Bike racks are available at Camera Obscura Art Lab.
Information for bicyclists
Parking
Parking Structure 6, Pier, Civic Center or Civic Auditorium.
Parking information