You See LA: Commencement 2026
Five Things to Do in L.A., Handpicked by Refik Anadol
The arts are an essential part of UCLA. They inspire dialogue, encourage creativity, and drive real lasting change, across disciplines, borders, and backgrounds. They also create opportunities for increased engagement with our surrounding communities.
Refik Anadol is an internationally renowned trailblazer in the aesthetics of data and machine intelligence. He is the director and co-founder of Refik Anadol Studio in Los Angeles and teaches in the UCLA Department of Design Media Arts (DMA), from which he earned a Master of Fine Arts. Refik Anadol Studio brings together a globally diverse team of designers, architects, data scientists, and researchers—originating from 10 countries and fluent in 15 languages—who share a deep commitment to inclusion, equity, and cross-cultural collaboration at every stage of artistic production. Anadol is also the co-founder of Dataland, the world’s first Museum of AI Arts, set to open on June 20.
Anadol will deliver the commencement address at the 2026 UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture commencement ceremony on Saturday, June 13, and he has curated a diverse selection of things to do in Los Angeles.
Walt Disney Concert Hall & The LA Phil
Architect Frank Gehry designed the shimmering Walt Disney Concert Hall. (Courtesy of Walt Disney Concert Hall)
Experiencing a performance by the LA Phil is always transcendent, but doing so within the walls of Frank Gehry’s masterpiece elevates it entirely. Gehry’s architecture is incredibly dynamic—a living, breathing structure. Listening to spatial sound while surrounded by such visionary, post-digital architecture transforms a traditional concert into a deeply immersive, multisensory journey.
Dataland at The Grand LA
Dataland's first exhibition, Machine Dreams: Rainforest, created by Refik Anadol Studio, was inspired by a trip to the Amazon. (Refik Anadol Studio for Dataland)
I have to include our upcoming flagship dream place on Grand Avenue, opening this June 20. It is designed to be a new kind of cultural institution for Los Angeles, operating entirely at the intersection of human imagination and machine intelligence. We are treating the space not just as a museum, but as an empathy machine—a place where visitors can step inside data through 300-channel soundscapes, bespoke scent devices, and unprecedented visual architecture. It is my ultimate recommendation for experiencing the future of art in the city.
Arcana: Books on the Arts
Arcana specializes in new, rare, and out of print books, catalogues, and ephemera. (Joshua White / Johnston Marklee)
For anyone in the UCLA DMA community or anyone obsessed with visual culture, Arcana is an unparalleled archive. Whether you are looking for rigorous examples of Swiss design, typography, or architectural theory, getting lost in their collection of printed materials is endlessly inspiring.
The Huntington
The Huntington supports research and promotes public engagement through its expansive library, art, and botanical collections. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
For my own practice, I am constantly looking to the natural world—its rhythms, its patterns, and its ecological data. The Huntington offers an incredible diversity of nature to observe. It is the perfect environment for a quiet moment of Tai Chi or simply taking a mindful walk to absorb the complex, living datasets of the botanical world.
The Sycamore Kitchen
The Sycamore Kitchen redefines the urban bakery-eatery with a handcrafted yet refined touch. (Courtesy of Sycamore Kitchen)
Los Angeles has an incredible culinary scene, and Sycamore Kitchen remains a standout for an afternoon stop. The space itself has a great industrial, minimalist energy, and their brisket sandwich is exceptional. Great food is ultimately a multisensory experience, and the precision they bring to their menu makes it a consistent favorite.
Header image: Refik Anadol designed projections that lighted up Walt Disney Concert Hall to celebrate the LA Phil’s centennial in 2018. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
Stay engaged. Use #UCLAarts to stay connected.
