News Summary
The Orange County Museum of Art has launched its California Biennial titled ‘Desperate, Scared, But Social.’ With an energetic block party kick-off featuring live performances, this exhibition aims to foster dialogue around identity and emotional experiences faced by California’s youth through various art forms until January 4, 2026.
Costa Mesa Welcomes the 2025 California Biennial
The Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA) launched its 2025 California Biennial, titled “Desperate, Scared, But Social,” on June 21 with an energetic block party, featuring live performances and art showcasing the voices of California’s youth. The exhibit, which runs until January 4, 2026, aims to foster a dialogue around identity and emotional experiences faced by young people today.
Exhibit Concept and Themes
The title of the Biennial draws inspiration from the 1995 album by the influential riot grrrl band, Emily’s Sassy Lime. This exhibition serves as a platform that emphasizes the inner worlds, confessions, chaos, and identity searches of California youth. It brings together a variety of artworks created by teenagers and established California artists, aiming to bridge generational perspectives through art.
The performance lineup for the opening included a range of artists such as The Linda Lindas, Emily’s Sassy Lime, Brontez, and Seth Bogart. Notably, Kathleen Hanna, the frontwoman of the renowned punk band Bikini Kill, made a special guest appearance, performing the iconic song “Rebel Girl” alongside The Linda Lindas, thereby strengthening the connection between past and present punk musical expressions.
Diverse Artistic Contributions
The exhibition features a vast array of mediums, including paintings, films, zines, and music records. Among the key installations is Deanna Templeton’s poignant street photography project titled “What She Said,” which captures female youth in punk and gothic subcultures. Templeton’s installation further enriches the narrative by incorporating a scrapbook-style archive comprising teenage journals from the 1980s, punk show flyers, and personal memorabilia, allowing visitors to delve deep into the emotional histories of youth culture.
Heesoo Kwon’s work within the exhibit employs artificial intelligence to reinterpret childhood photographs and memories through the lens of her Korean upbringing, adding the international dimension of growing up and identity formation. Another significant component of the exhibit is the student-curated series called “Piece of Me,” created by participants in OCMA’s Orange County Young Curators program. This exhibition reflects on teenage identity issues, showcasing the perspectives and creative expressions of high school students.
OC Young Curators Program
The OC Young Curators program engages high school students in learning about art curation, providing them with hands-on experience in the art world. The program emphasizes the importance of youth perspectives and voices in contemporary cultural discussions, demonstrating a commitment to fostering the next generation of artists and curators. OCMA’s CEO highlighted the significance of incorporating youth viewpoints into conversations about culture and art in today’s society.
Exhibition Layout and Visitor Engagement
The Biennial highlights the contributions of 12 California artists and collectives, with embedded group exhibitions that explore historical artworks from local high schools, showcasing how adolescence influences artistic development. Two key group exhibitions are included—one that honors historical work found in California high school collections and another that showcases the student-led “Piece of Me.”
Throughout the Biennial’s duration, OCMA will offer scheduled tours and artist talks to promote public engagement with the artworks and themes presented. The exhibition not only aims to display art but also serves to provide a space for emotional expression, resilience, and community building, showcasing the powerful connections between past punk influences like Emily’s Sassy Lime and contemporary groups such as The Linda Lindas.
This distinctive exhibition underscores the transformative power of art and its role in connecting generations of artists while providing insight into the complex themes faced by today’s youth.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
High School Students Launch Art Exhibition at OCMA
OCMA Launches ‘Piece of Me’ Exhibition by Gen Z Artists
Youth Curators Showcase Art at OCMA’s ‘Piece of Me’ Exhibition
Orange County Museum of Art Unveils ‘Piece of Me’ Exhibition
California Biennial Kicks Off at Orange County Museum of Art
UC Irvine and OCMA Explore Merger Possibility
California’s Strong Support for Climate Disclosure Laws
Costa Mesa: A Romantic Weekend Getaway for Couples
Additional Resources
- Newport Beach Indy: OCMA Unveils California Biennial 2025
- Orange County Register: OCMA Throws a Biennial Block Party
- Los Angeles Times: The Kids Are Alright
- Forbes: California Biennial 2025 at OCMA
- Wikipedia: California Biennial
