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19:00–21:30 Uhr
Ausstellungseröffnung: Survive, Thrive or Die: The Poor Kids on LSD
Ausstellungseröffnung | Multimedia Installation
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Goethe-Institut LA Project Space, Los Angeles, CA
- Sprache English
- Preis Free admission
Join us, Artist Melody Mayer, punks, Artists, partners, and friends on Thursday, November 19th 2026 from 7:00-9:30 PM for the opening reception & Artist Talk for the multimedia exhibition SURVIVE, THRIVE, OR DIE: THE POOR KIDS ON LSD.
SURVIVE, THRIVE, OR DIE: THE POOR KIDS ON LSD
Delve into the largely unexplored phenomena of Los Angeles punk rock gangs from the 1980s and 90s through the lens of The Poor Kids on LSD (PKL) crew. Beginning with sparks of mischief and mayhem while skateboarding to punk rock shows across Los Angeles, PKL morphed into becoming venerable keepers of the punk scene’s flame. Through Survive, Thrive or Die, this movement and intangible cultural heritage goes beyond the scope of documentary and tells the story of punks through first-hand recollections, with glimpses into the orbit of the multi-generational PKL and their infamous punk house, the Poor Kids Mansion, revealing a gritty and bewitching essence of community, music and preservation. Curated by anthropologist and film director Melody Mayer, the exhibition unfurls previously unseen material from her personal archive to showcase immersive video installations, documentary footage, archival and contemporary music performances, PKL oral histories, vintage flyers, and interviews with punk elders including DH Peligro (Dead Kennedys), Dick Lucas (Subhumans), Kira Roessler (Black Flag), and Paul Roessler (Screamers).
With special thanks to the invaluable contributions of Russell Mackay as well as the collaborative efforts of filmmakers Antonio Cisneros and Will Vasquez.
Admission is free w/ RSVP.
All ages are welcome.
Light refreshments provided
PROGRAM:
6:30 PM Doors open.
7:00 PM Welcoming + Introduction
8:15 PM Introduction to the exhibition
9:30 PM End of Event
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Melody Mayer is an anthropologist and film director. A Los Angeles native who splits her time between Europe and the USA, her research-driven body of work interrogates disruption, architectures of belonging, and shifting forms of culture. With degrees in Film Studies and Visual and Media Anthropology from the American University of Paris and Freie Universität Berlin, Melody pursues complex storytelling derived from the nuances of social behavior and interpersonal relationships. She is a recipient of the Adobe Systems Emerging Director Award at Le Festival de Cannes.
Previous roles include membership within the Women in Film International Committee, co-curator with Film Festival Programming Committees overseeing numerous USA-based film festivals, inaugurating MA courses as lecturer of Digital Anthropology at Freie Universität Berlin, as well as directing and producing her own documentary and fiction films.
SURVIVE, THRIVE, OR DIE: THE POOR KIDS ON LSD is on view at the Goethe-Institut from November 19th, 2026 - January 15th, 2027
During Office Hours: November 19th, 2026 - January 15th, 2027
Mondays: CLOSED
Tuesday–Thursdays: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Fridays: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
PLEASE NOTE: The Goethe-Institut will be closed on November 26th + 27th, 2026 and from December 21st, 2026 - January 3rd, 2027
Secure, free Parking is available at Metro/Retail parking structure with rear entrance to the Goethe-Institut located at
674 S. Westlake Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90057
Public transport is possible with the red line to MacArthur Park/Westlake stop. Using carpool or ride-share options are appreciated.
SURVIVE, THRIVE, OR DIE: THE POOR KIDS ON LSD is part of the Neighborhood Interpretive Center, a hyperlocal initiative of cultural programs that focus on and uplift the MacArthur Park/Westlake neighborhood and surrounding areas and presented as part of Alle gegen Alles. Punk@50, a project of the Goethe-Institutes in the United States and Mexico that marks the 50th anniversary of punk through exhibitions, concerts, film screenings, and discussions that focus on punk as a subculture, protest movement, and catalyst for self-determination.
SURVIVE, THRIVE, OR DIE: THE POOR KIDS ON LSD
Delve into the largely unexplored phenomena of Los Angeles punk rock gangs from the 1980s and 90s through the lens of The Poor Kids on LSD (PKL) crew. Beginning with sparks of mischief and mayhem while skateboarding to punk rock shows across Los Angeles, PKL morphed into becoming venerable keepers of the punk scene’s flame. Through Survive, Thrive or Die, this movement and intangible cultural heritage goes beyond the scope of documentary and tells the story of punks through first-hand recollections, with glimpses into the orbit of the multi-generational PKL and their infamous punk house, the Poor Kids Mansion, revealing a gritty and bewitching essence of community, music and preservation. Curated by anthropologist and film director Melody Mayer, the exhibition unfurls previously unseen material from her personal archive to showcase immersive video installations, documentary footage, archival and contemporary music performances, PKL oral histories, vintage flyers, and interviews with punk elders including DH Peligro (Dead Kennedys), Dick Lucas (Subhumans), Kira Roessler (Black Flag), and Paul Roessler (Screamers).
With special thanks to the invaluable contributions of Russell Mackay as well as the collaborative efforts of filmmakers Antonio Cisneros and Will Vasquez.
Admission is free w/ RSVP.
All ages are welcome.
Light refreshments provided
PROGRAM:
6:30 PM Doors open.
7:00 PM Welcoming + Introduction
8:15 PM Introduction to the exhibition
9:30 PM End of Event
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Melody Mayer is an anthropologist and film director. A Los Angeles native who splits her time between Europe and the USA, her research-driven body of work interrogates disruption, architectures of belonging, and shifting forms of culture. With degrees in Film Studies and Visual and Media Anthropology from the American University of Paris and Freie Universität Berlin, Melody pursues complex storytelling derived from the nuances of social behavior and interpersonal relationships. She is a recipient of the Adobe Systems Emerging Director Award at Le Festival de Cannes.
Previous roles include membership within the Women in Film International Committee, co-curator with Film Festival Programming Committees overseeing numerous USA-based film festivals, inaugurating MA courses as lecturer of Digital Anthropology at Freie Universität Berlin, as well as directing and producing her own documentary and fiction films.
SURVIVE, THRIVE, OR DIE: THE POOR KIDS ON LSD is on view at the Goethe-Institut from November 19th, 2026 - January 15th, 2027
During Office Hours: November 19th, 2026 - January 15th, 2027
Mondays: CLOSED
Tuesday–Thursdays: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Fridays: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
PLEASE NOTE: The Goethe-Institut will be closed on November 26th + 27th, 2026 and from December 21st, 2026 - January 3rd, 2027
Secure, free Parking is available at Metro/Retail parking structure with rear entrance to the Goethe-Institut located at
674 S. Westlake Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90057
Public transport is possible with the red line to MacArthur Park/Westlake stop. Using carpool or ride-share options are appreciated.
SURVIVE, THRIVE, OR DIE: THE POOR KIDS ON LSD is part of the Neighborhood Interpretive Center, a hyperlocal initiative of cultural programs that focus on and uplift the MacArthur Park/Westlake neighborhood and surrounding areas and presented as part of Alle gegen Alles. Punk@50, a project of the Goethe-Institutes in the United States and Mexico that marks the 50th anniversary of punk through exhibitions, concerts, film screenings, and discussions that focus on punk as a subculture, protest movement, and catalyst for self-determination.
Ort
Goethe-Institut LA Project Space
1901 W. 7th St. Suite AB
Los Angeles, CA 90057
USA
1901 W. 7th St. Suite AB
Los Angeles, CA 90057
USA