We had the good fortune of connecting with Darin Klein and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Darin, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I don’t look at risk in the traditional sense of the word – risk implies that there is the potential for failure. Of course when I look back at my life and career I can see that I have taken a lot of wild chances, made things up as I went along, and generally followed my own instincts rather than going down beaten paths. Have I succeeded in all of my efforts? I think I have – event if the end result wasn’t exactly how I envisioned, at least I tried, and then I had that experience and knowledge to guide me in my next projects.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Curating is my vocation. I do it with heart and with playfulness. I create art shows, zines, and experiences that I can’t find anywhere else because I know they need to be seen and lived and known. It’s always easy if you love what you’re doing. Yes there are long hours and lots of sweat and financially it doesn’t always pay off but it’s still worth it to me. My story is also one of collaboration. Nobody needs to know how to do everything, rather it is better to team up with all the people who have special talents and specific skills to get things done. I’ve surrounded myself with people who share my passion and we influence each other and bounce ideas around and share our energies. You can’t go wrong with that.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The geographic sprawl of Los Angeles can be overwhelming, so I love to stick close to my own neighborhood of Los Feliz to show visitors that you don’t need to be in your car all day to enjoy the city. Daytime activities include brunch at any number of excellent options; Griffith Park and Griffith Observatory; Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House and Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery in Barnsdall Art Park; a midcentury modern architecture tour; and a stop at Skylight Books which has an amazing zine selection. Evening activities include street tacos (try a few different spots to find your favorite); occult burlesque, rituals, and psychics at monthly club Belle Book and Candle; and drinks at Akbar or Eagle LA (or both).

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My husband Arthur and the hundreds of artists I have worked with over the years.

Instagram: darinkleinandfriends

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