Every year the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Los Angeles has their annual teen night. This year it was held on April 12 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Geffen Contemporary in Little Tokyo. The museum featured contemporary media artist Mike Kelley. The theme of the event this year was “let’s talk about disobeying.”

Students from the Louis Vuitton Young Arts Program volunteered around the area assisting with questions and helping make unique buttons and T-shirts. The girls dressed in provocative nerdy outfits handing out applications for their program. Teens interested in art from across Los Angeles and the Valley crowded around the area.

Local bands played on stage as the area began to be crowded. A mosh pit grew in the front when a DJ was in the middle of his performance. The teenagers were all so friendly when approached. It was as if everyone had the same interests and music taste.

The Mike Kelley exhibit was free for teenagers that evening. With two floors of all mediums of art, it was truly inspirational. While walking up the stairs, there was a neon light room on the left, a small library and 20+ rooms filled with all mediums of art. Although it was easy to get lost in the museum, it was actually worth one’s time. Kelley’s work ranged from sketches all the way to media art.

There were small ink paintings, monitors with video clips, photographs, jewelry, furniture — literally anything. Every corner would make us stop and stare trying to figure out the meaning of the eerie art. The fact that it was strange and abstract made it special.

His style would make you recognize it was by him if it were placed next to other artists’ pieces. His concentration is very unique and taboo. Taking a risk as an artist is what will get you noticed and that is what Kelley does.

There was an odd looking stuffed animal sitting next to a stereo. Next to the stuffed animal a stereo had a poem repeatedly playing a poem he had written. The stuffed toy was created in a deformed way. It was all pretty funny for us because the voice of the reader was high pitched. This was one of the pieces that I still cannot stop thinking about from the show. I had never witnessed such art like Kelley’s. He is one of my favorite artists now.

Kelley’s art should be an inspiration to all types of artists and writers, making this annual event well worth one’s time.