LA Poverty Department (LAPD) and the MAK Center for Art and Architecture present “Re-Enacting the Lie” in association with the exhibition Social Housing: Vienna—Los Angeles, currently on view at the MAK Center at the Schindler House.
LA Poverty Department’s new performance is informed by their first-hand knowledge that most permanent supportive housing hotels in Skid Row are understaffed, undermaintained, dirty, and dangerous. “Re-Enacting the Lie,” created in conjunction with LAPD’s exhibition, on view through December 2026, addresses not only the crumbling of buildings and supportive housing financing structures and organizations, but also the crumbling of the vision behind them. It is informed by LAPD’s “in the know” Skid Row resident writers and performers, who present their experience of living in sub-standard housing.
The performance also examines the policies, and the mindset of those who champion them, which result in the insecurity of the tenants. It asks if this suffering is necessary and explores the societal delusion that perpetuates injustice, identifying steps for rooting lives and society in compassion.
“Re-Enacting the Lie” has previously been performed at the Skid Row History Museum & Archive and LA’s Human Resources Gallery.
The ticket is included in the price of admission to the MAK Center at the Schindler House.
RSVP here is and please note that capacity is limited.
LOS ANGELES POVERTY DEPARTMENT
Los Angeles Poverty Department is a multi-disciplinary arts organization that produces and presents artworks and events that instantiate the existence of the Skid Row community—affirming its assets, advocating for its rights and supporting its aspirations. LAPD projects interweave exhibitions, publications, theatrical performances, public conversations, and cultural events. Programs are developed, produced, and performed collaboratively with Skid Row community members. Founded in 1985 by John Malpede, was the first performance group in the nation made up principally of homeless people, and the first arts program of any kind for homeless people in Los Angeles.
SKID ROW HISTORY MUSEUM AND ARCHIVE
Since 2015, Los Angeles Poverty Department has operated the Skid Row History Museum & Archive in downtown Los Angeles. In addition to being the primary venue for the presentation of LAPD artworks, the Museum partners with Skid Row organizations and individuals to provide free space for their civic and cultural activities. Our community archive houses 20,000+ items documenting the 50+ year history of activism and agency in Skid Row.
Located at 250 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, 90012 the Museum is open to the public Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays from 2-5 pm and by appointment. [email protected]
Visit https://www.lapovertydept.org/ for more information.
MAK CENTER FOR ART AND ARCHITECTURE
The MAK Center for Art and Architecture, Los Angeles is a contemporary, experimental, multi-disciplinary center for art and architecture and is headquartered in three architectural landmarks by the Austrian-American architect Rudolph M. Schindler. Offering a year-round schedule of exhibitions and events, the MAK Center presents programming that challenges conventional notions of architectural space and relationships between the creative arts. Founded in 1994, the MAK Center is a Los Angeles-based 501(c)3 non-profit organization and the California satellite of the MAK - Museum of Applied Arts, Vienna.
Related Exhibition
Social Housing: Vienna—Los Angeles
October 22, 2026 – January 17, 2027
Related Programs
Opening Reception of Social Housing: Vienna—Los Angeles
Thursday, October 22, 2026
7–8 PM
Curatorial Walkthrough of Social Housing: Vienna—Los Angeles
Saturday, October 24, 2026
2–4 PM
The Social Housing: Vienna—Los Angeles exhibition was made possible with support from the Austrian Consulate General Los Angeles, the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs, Republic of Austria, the MAK – Museum of Applied Arts, Vienna, and the City of West Hollywood.
The Social Housing: Vienna—Los Angeles publication was produced with support from WBV-GPA, a Vienna-based, limited-profit housing developer; the City of Vienna, Housing Promotion and Arbitration, Board for Legal Housing Matters; the Federal Ministry for Housing, Arts, Culture, Media and Sport, Republic of Austria; and the Research Unit of Housing and Design / Institute for Architecture and Design / TU Wien – University of Technology in Vienna, Austria.
