Current events bring to mind the oft-repeated saying, "Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it." If past is indeed prologue, then ancient art and the fallen civilizations responsible for it might be worth a look this week.

The Villa Theater Lab merges an old story with a "now" setting, and a selection from the terracotta army makes progress seem less impressive. Even so, there are plenty of forward-looking choices too, including an opportunity to see artwork so new the paint is still wet, but who knows? It could be the stuff future generations will have the pleasure of digging up.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15
LA25 Half-Life

Reaching out to the area's art community, law firm/tongue-twister Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP has organized this group show of 25 emerging Los Angeles artists. Similar only in their lack of commercial gallery representation, these artists were selected by a jury of arts professionals culled from local schools and universities. LACE provides the space.

THE DETAILS: LA25 Half-Life
Opening reception: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Exhibition runs through November 16, 2008
Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions
6522 Hollywood Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90028
323.957.1777
www.artleak.org

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16
Terracotta Warriors: Guardians of China's First Emperor

Last chance to see the largest collection of the famed Terracotta Warriors ever to travel outside of China, (the full army is said to be approximately 8,000 strong). Mind-blowingly detailed and as varied as any human army, it's easy to see why this is considered to be one of the 20th century's greatest archaeological finds.

THE DETAILS: Terracotta Warriors
Last day of exhibition
The Bowers Museum
2002 N. Main Street
Santa Ana, CA 97206
714.567.3600
www.bowers.org

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17
Surf Orpheus

The ancient Greek love story of Orpheus and Eurydice gets a theatrical Southern California makeover. When Eurydice drowns while surfing, a distraught Orpheus attempts to rescue her from Hades (the god of the underworld, underwater). Though Villa Theater Lab may have dressed them up with moving sets and wetsuits, the timeless themes of love and loss remain at the heart of the story.

THE DETAILS: Surf Orpheus
Performance begins 8:00 PM
Tickets $7
(Additional performances on Saturday and Sunday, check website for details)
Getty Villa, Auditorium
17985 Pacific Coast Highway
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
310.440.7300
www.getty.edu

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18
Santa Monica Art Studios: Open Studios

In celebration of the Santa Monica Art Studios 4-year anniversary, over 30 painters, printmakers, photographers, sculptors and mixed media artists will open their studios and give the public a peak at their progress. Work will be available for purchase, and artists will be available for conversation. On Sunday, the event concludes with, "Categorically Not!" a discussion on the topic of Entanglement hosted by KC Cole at 6:00 PM.

THE DETAILS: Santa Monica Art Studios: Open Studios
Saturday, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM and Sunday, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
3026 Airport Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90405
310.397.7449
www.santamonicaartstudios.com

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19
To Illustrate and Multiply: An Open Book

Taking its title from a Raymond Pettibon zine, this large-scale museum survey of the artist's book features over 130 works from 1965 to the present. Some recently published pieces will be available for actual touching in the reading room, and an online animated tour will have to suffice for those that happen to be too delicate for voracious museum crowds.

THE DETAILS: To Illustrate and Multiply: An Open Book
Exhibition runs: October 19, 2008 through March 1, 2009
MOCA Pacific Design Center
8687 Melrose Avenue
West Hollywood, CA 90069
213.626.6222
www.moca.org

Story by Gwen Barba.