Paul McCarthy to Open Chocolate Factory in Los Angeles
Artist Paul McCarthy will debut a chocolate factory installation at the Performance Art Museum starting on November 20, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Performance Art
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Artist Paul McCarthy is set to transform a Los Angeles warehouse into a functioning chocolate factory beginning November 20, 2026. This installation will feature hundreds of chocolate sculptures and serve as a fundraiser for the museum's upcoming programming.
Why it matters
The project serves as a crucial fundraising effort to support the inaugural operations of the Performance Art Museum. It highlights the intersection of performance art and industrial processes in a unique public engagement format.
The 2014 installation in Paris was removed after 48 hours following vandalism. Previous iterations of the factory were hosted in New York in 2007 and Paris in 2014.
The players
Paul McCarthy
An American artist known for his multidisciplinary work, including performance, installation, and sculpture.
Performance Art Museum
A new cultural institution in Los Angeles that is currently preparing for its official opening in early 2027.
andSons
A chocolatier based in Beverly Hills that is partnering with the museum to provide confectionery expertise.
The details
In partnership with Beverly Hills chocolatier andSons, museum workers will produce hundreds of chocolate sculptures daily to fill the space. These works, titled Santa with Tree Plug and Tree Plug, will accumulate throughout the duration of the exhibition.
Timeline
The New York Chocolate Factory installation took place in 2007.
The Paris installation occurred in 2014.
The public installation opens on November 20, 2026.
The exhibition will close on December 26, 2026.
The Performance Art Museum is scheduled to open in January 2027.
Industry Dynamics
This project continues the evolution of experiential art installations by transforming industrial spaces into active production sites. It marks a significant attempt to build institutional momentum for a new museum by utilizing high-profile, immersive artist partnerships.
Local visitors can attend the exhibition starting November 20, 2026, to witness the daily production of chocolate sculptures. Proceeds from the event will directly fund the future programming of the upcoming museum.
The takeaway
This installation demonstrates how arts organizations can utilize high-traffic performances to secure essential early-stage funding. Readers interested in contemporary art may want to monitor the museum's official schedule as the 2027 opening approaches.
Further reading
Learn more about local exhibits at the Performance Art section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Los Angeles Magazine.
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