Roundup: Olympics urbanism, Rauschenberg’s soap fix, Hollywood sign drama, the Yeezy bed

Architecture, urban planning and the Olympics. The history of important urban sites (including that of President Obama’s future library). And the ongoing controversy over the Hollywood sign. Plus: Ever more on Boyle Heights gentrification, a vandalized crossword in Germany, Robert Rauschenberg’s soap opera hangout in L.A., and the Yeezy bed. Here’s the Roundup:

— The urbanistic white elephants that lie in the wake of Olympic Games past. An impassioned read from Sam Kriss. Roads & Kingdoms

— Related: KCRW’s Frances Anderton speaks with Bill Hanway, of AECOM, the L.A. firm that has worked on master planning for the Rio Olympics, and is working on concept designs for L.A. 2024. Design and Architecture

— In the struggle over gentrification in Boyle Heights, Councilman Jose Huizar, who represents the neighborhood, says he disagrees with “tactics that have been used by some groups who evict people from Boyle Heights simply because of their racial or economic background.” Los Angeles Times

— Ronald Lauder, a champion of art restitution, announces that a work in his museum, New York’s Neue Galerie, may have dubious provenance and may therefore be returned to those who say they are the rightful owners. New York Times

— Earlier this summer, a visitor to a German museum mistakenly vandalized a crossword puzzle artwork, thinking the wall text invited viewers to fill out the sheet. Now the woman’s lawyer is claiming that her addition to the piece makes her a copyright holder of the “new” work. Art world, you are sublime. Ars Technica via Artforum

— In 2014, artist Michelle Grabner was the subject of a controversial review in the New York Times that lobbed the term “soccer mom” at her art because it considered domestic themes. With a new show in Seattle, critic Jen Graves gives her work a more thorough consideration — and finds it rather academic. The Stranger

— The tête-à-tête between Robert Rauschenberg and cast members from “The Young and the Restless” and other great stories from vaunted print studio Gemini G.E.L.’s 50th anniversary. Los Angeles Times

— A show at Richard Telles explores the surrealism of Los Angeles. Hyperallergic

— A new study suggests that Rembrandt may have used optics in creating his lifelike works. Hyperallergic

— How one architect added to the Palace of Versailles: Very surgically. New York Times

— Buffalo Bill, the origins of kindergarten, mud pits and other bits of history tied to the site of President Obama’s future library. DNAinfo

— And since we’re talking about the history of sites: The block at First Street and Broadway in downtown Los Angeles, home of a future park, has been home to multiple bombings, as well as an encampment of homeless and feral cats. Curbed

— One Hollywood Hills homeowner has a solution to the residents-vs.-hikers contretemps over access to the Hollywood sign: Move the sign. That deserves a gold star for NIMBYism. Curbed

— The city of L.A. is looking for a professional operator to take over San Pedro’s 1930s-era Warner Grand Theatre — but some locals are concerned that bringing in a big-time company could squeeze out local cultural organizations that use the space. The Daily Breeze

American Ballet Theatre Principal dancer Misty Copeland teaches a master class at the Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro last December.

(Christina House / For The Times )

— How Rudolph Schindler’s Bethlehem Baptist Church in South L.A. was built. East of Borneo

— How Barcelona is using “super blocks” to make cities more human and less car-centric. Vox

— In Houston: Karrie Jacobs writes about finding innovative uses for old industrial infrastructure. Curbed

— Peru’s wall of shame divides rich and poor. Telesur

— The relentless omnipresence of the design school I like to refer to as “de-industrialized chic.” The Guardian

— And last, but not least: the Yeezy bed. Or how Ikea responded to Kanye West’s pitch for collaboration. Dezeen

Find me on Twitter @cmonstah.

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‘Scary Lucy’ no more: Town reveals new Lucille Ball statue

For the love of monsters: An insider tour of Guillermo del Toro’s Bleak House before his LACMA show