Forget It, Jake--It’s Chinatown’s Art Scene

Not since the days when X played Madame Wong’s has Chinatown Plaza swarmed with so many scenesters. This time around it’s visual art, not punk rock, that’s drawing crowds. Galleries, artists’ studios and fashion boutiques are blooming along Chung King Road, the plaza’s westernmost alley, though some cleverly or postmodernly (or whatever) retain the name of the shop they replaced. On periodic weekend nights, the arrivistes host simultaneous openings. Below, a sampling of who shows up.

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Tulsa Kinney, editor of the ‘zine Coagula Art Journal

Coming from?

My mansion in Echo Park.

What brings you here?

It’s a mob scene, and everyone comes here. Tonight our issue came out, and I’m passing them around.

What’s most visually compelling tonight?

The people. James Hayward. He’s a minimalist painter. He’s a cowboy from Moorpark. He’s wearing a straw cowboy hat.

Next stop?

Scores. It’s a gay bar on 4th Street. There’s a birthday party.

Where’s a good place to eat around here?

I like Happy Valley for their seafood pot. Their duck isn’t bad either.

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Brooks Roddan, partner, Roddan Paolucci Roddan ad agency, Palos Verdes Estates

Coming from?

We were at a friend’s downtown who had shown here before.

Most compelling thing you’ve seen tonight?

The beer keg was broken. The last drop had just come out as I walked up.

Next stop?

We’re going back to my friend’s place.

Where’s a good place to eat around here?

Mon Kee’s Seafood? I used to go there, like, 10 years ago. We’d usually order the big fish, the full-on snapper. It used to be really dead around here. Now you can’t find a place to park.

What would be your ad copy-ish line for this scene?

It’s here today. It’ll be gone tomorrow.

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Jean Yung, owner, Happy Lion Arts & Gifts

Coming from?

I had a formal dinner earlier.

Come here often?

I own this shop. The shop is 26 years old. My husband opened this shop, and he passed away in 1998. Now I’m going to retire. I gave my store’s things to the Diannepruess Gallery.

Next stop?

Back to my Happy Lion upstairs. I live upstairs.

Where’s a good place to eat around here?

The Empress Pavilion. Their Peking duck is good and so is the dim sum.

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John Baldessari, artist

Here tonight from?

Santa Monica. Just came from home.

Come here often?

Yes, because this is the youngest generation of galleries. You have to sort through a lot of garbage, but occasionally there’s a real gem.

What’s most visually compelling tonight?

My favorite work was at China Art Objects Galleries. It was a small painting of a hand by J. P. Munro.

Next stop?

I’d like to get something to eat.

Where’s a good place to eat around here?

I was going to ask you.