ART BEAT\Designing the future.

Byline: Lori Moody

What do customized dog "dwellings," Italian furnishings and Swatch watches have in common?

They're among the featured exhibitions at WestWeek 96, the annual design conference, which starts Wednesday at the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles.

The three-day event is for the trade, but the exhibits will be on view to the public beginning March 18.

Look for "IdeaHouse," which was designed for a mythical movie industry couple who work from their Malibu home and showcases the latest in decorating and high-tech entertainment for the home. The Swatch exhibit focuses on "art that ticks."

Other exhibits will includes a sampling of Italian furnishings that will be shown in April in Milan, photographs documenting Los Angeles landmarks.

For information, call [phone], Ext. 311.

Photographs that speak

When asked to pick a photo that meant something to them, Brig. Gen. Clara Adams-Ender chose a photograph of Shirley Chisolm, Diane Keaton selected one of her dad, and Dennis Hopper opted for "Sunday on the Banks of the Marne" by Henri Cartier Bresson.

Their choices can be found in "Talking Pictures: People Speak bout the Photographs That Speak to Them," which opens Thursday at LACMA.

The exhibit, organized by the International Center of Photography in New York, will feature more than 50 photographs selected by the famous and not-so-famous. Recorded commentaries will be available to visitors through a handset. The exhibit runs through June 9.

For information, call [phone].

Frank on film

Fans of photographer Robert Frank might want to check out his films and videos, which are being shown on selected days this month and next by the Museum of Contemporary Art.

"Robert Frank: Selected Film and Video 1952-1992" is being held in conjunction with an exhibit of Frank's photographs at the Lannan Foundation in Los Angeles. MOCA's program will include his 1972 film about the Rolling Stones' 1972 North American tour.

All but three of the screenings will be held in the Ahmanson Auditorium of MOCA at the California Plaza downtown. Screenings on March 27, 29 and April 10 will take place at the Directors Guild of America. For information, call the MOCA Box Office at [phone]. For recorded information on MOCA exhibits, call [phone]. The Lannan Foundation can be reached at [phone].