I’ve been having a number of exciting art moments during “Spring Break in LA 2011!!! Woo!!Woo!!”, including a much anticipated visit to Edith Abeyta’s ongoing installation, Long Beach Garment Manifestation, at The Collaborative in Long Beach.  It’s massive, architectural an an awe inspiring piece of installation art. The image above is a tease, [...]]]>

I’ve been having a number of exciting art moments during “Spring Break in LA 2011!!! Woo!!Woo!!”, including a much anticipated visit to Edith Abeyta’s ongoing installation, Long Beach Garment Manifestation, at The Collaborative in Long Beach.  It’s massive, architectural an an awe inspiring piece of installation art. The image above is a tease, you can reveal the whole enchilada via the magic of this Flickr set.  If you intend on making an in-person visit, contact Edith or the gallery to get inside.  The whole thing is visible from the street, but it’s a totally different experience inside the space.

In addition to her installation at The Collaborative, Edith is opening another installation tonight at the Held and Brody Family Gallery at Windward School over on the Westside. That installation, Transversal Garment Manifestation No. 1, will only be up for a short time. The opening is 5-7 pm tonight, March 24.  Below is a brief video tour of the piece.

Cardboard Master Kiel Johnson is blowing the doors off over at the Cypress College Art Gallery.  Awesome pics from day one of his three-day workshop are over on Cypress College Art Gallery Director Devon Tsuno’s Flickr, all gathered into a set for your enjoyment.  Of particular note is this shot of Kiel looking [...]]]>

Cardboard Master Kiel Johnson is blowing the doors off over at the Cypress College Art Gallery.  Awesome pics from day one of his three-day workshop are over on Cypress College Art Gallery Director Devon Tsuno’s Flickr, all gathered into a set for your enjoyment.  Of particular note is this shot of Kiel looking very Rick Deckard, ala Blade Runner.

Oh, and if you teach art in Southern California, the crew over at Cypress keeps on raising the bar on ya’all.

We’ve been working on two really exciting exhibitions at Angels Gate that open this Sunday (2-4pm, come on down!).  The first, Sojung Kwon’s Planning A Year: Mondays and Sundays, is a solo show in our main gallery that will display all the documentation of the daily “Actions” carried out on Mondays and Sunday [...]]]>

We’ve been working on two really exciting exhibitions at Angels Gate that open this Sunday (2-4pm, come on down!).  The first, Sojung Kwon’s Planning A Year: Mondays and Sundays, is a solo show in our main gallery that will display all the documentation of the daily “Actions” carried out on Mondays and Sunday during her two-year performance project.  It’s a linear narrative of videos, drawings, artifacts and records of 2/7 of 730 days of planning and actions. For a preview of the whole project, check out planningayear.com.  That’s Sojung at top, measuring and installing.

Some, but definitely not all of the work laid out on the floor.  Most of the work was framed in Korea and shipped over.

The Plexiglas on the pieces that were framed in Korea came with their protective coating still on.  I kind of liked the layering effect, but I think that might just be part of my exaggerated case of “curator’s disease”, which causes me to find high levels of aesthetic meaning and interest in moments from the process of installing a show.  Come see the show in person to see the work sans covering!

Downstairs, we’re presenting the first exhibition of a new program, the Community Gallery.  The Community Gallery is a new effort by the Center to provide access and exhibition opportunities to all kinds of local amateur artist organizations, school groups and also to showcase our various on and off-site educational programs.  For this first show, we’re using the whole downstairs, and the show is Things That Can’t Be Unseen, which is an exhibition of works by and organized by students in Michael Lewis Miller’s gallery management and portfolio development class at El Camino College.  These students are the future of the South Bay, and it’s a real pleasure to give them the experience of installing their work in a real gallery.

Above, students work together to lay out the show.  This is the hardest part, making decisions on how to fit all the work into the gallery.  Michael’s class this semester is huge, so they really had to negotiate where everyone was going to go to both present a good show and also keep everyone happy about how their work was displayed.

Students wiring a painting.  So many students know a lot about making art, but not a lot about presenting it to the public.  Michael’s class addresses this.  There are people wandering around with MFA degrees that don’t have these basic, necessary skills.

Hanging a piece.  All the students did an amazing job of working together to support one another.  Working in teams, they were able to work quickly and avoid making beginner’s mistakes.  The show looks incredibly good.  See you on Sunday.

Matthew Thomas is on both my “favourite people” and my “favourite artists” lists.  He has been both a peer and a mentor to me for most of the past decade.  I’ve been lucky enough to curate a mini retrospective of his work for Angels Gate.  I’m not usually keen on two kinds of [...]]]>

Matthew Thomas is on both my “favourite people” and my “favourite artists” lists.  He has been both a peer and a mentor to me for most of the past decade.  I’ve been lucky enough to curate a mini retrospective of his work for Angels Gate.  I’m not usually keen on two kinds of art, assemblage and abstraction.  Matthew’s work is rooted in geometric abstraction, but achieves escape velocity from the modernist/borgeois trappings of that genre through his intense sincerity and the singular nature of his personal journey as a spiritual explorer and lay scientist.

Matthew Thomas: Darshan / Looking Beyond the Obvious is on view through March 12 at the El Camino College Art Gallery.  Reception is tonight, 7-9 pm.   It includes several of Matthew’s earlier works, composed of unfired clay and earth on panels, as well as numerous recent works in his encaustic/illustrative style.  I’ve shot a whole preview set and it’s on Flickr for your perusal.

Matthew will also be giving an artist’s talk on March 2 at 1 pm in the gallery.  He’s one of the best speakers I know, definitely not a talk to miss.

Technorati Tags: Matthew Thomas, art, contemporary art. painting, encaustic, El Camino College, ECC, El Camino College Art Gallery

This weekend is getting very abbreviated. Been under the weather. Update on further developments in the DCA situation coming soon.

February 12 – 14

Actions Conversations and Intersections @ Municipal Art Gallery. Co-curator Edith Abeyta has a post up with a full listing of this weekend’s events.  Of special note this weekend is [...]]]>

This weekend is getting very abbreviated. Been under the weather. Update on further developments in the DCA situation coming soon.

February 12 – 14

Actions Conversations and Intersections @ Municipal Art Gallery. Co-curator Edith Abeyta has a post up with a full listing of this weekend’s events.  Of special note this weekend is Jocelyn Foye’s performance, Ballet Abstracted (image at top), a six-minute on-pointe ballet performance in sand by ballerina Kelly Valignota that is sponsored in part by Angels Gate Cultural Center.  It’s taking place on February 13 @ 6pm.  Also of note is a special Valentines Day performance by Kill Kitty Kill @ 2pm.

Friday, February 12

Dave McKean Book Signing @ La Luz de Jesus.  Those of us who grew up on Sandman comics all know McKean’s work.   Be on the lookout for Tori Amos and Souxise clones with codependency problems.  6-9pm.

Saturday, February 13

Truth: A Kill Soulless Bullshit Happening @ Family Backroom Gallery.  Curated by Tim Kerr, this project features work by a pack of fun folks.  Opening Reception will have a set by No Age and Mike Watt.  Reception is 6-9pm.

Durden+ Ray Presents @ Phantom Galleries LA – Long Beach.  Group show featuring the work of Brian Bosworth, Jacob Butts, Ariel Erestingcol, McLean Fahnestock, Roni Feldman, David French, Gil Kuno, Claudia Parducci, Max Presneill, and Jason Ramos.  Reception is 7-10 pm.  Address is 170 The Promenade N., Long Beach, CA.

Year of the Tiger @ GR2.  Giant Robot brings on the Year of the Tiger with a group show featuring about three dozen artists.  Reception is 6:30 – 10 PM.

Sunday, February 14

Mondo Valentine @ Cinefamily at the Silent Movie Theatre.  108 minutes of “mondo” including some heavy Ice Castles action for both the lovers and the Winter Olympics folks in the house.  Starts at 10pm, $12.

February 4-7

Actions, Conversations and Intersections @ Municipal Arts Gallery. A host of events are taking place daily as part of this project.  Check out the February 4-7 schedule on their site for lots to do all weekend.  Of particular [...]]]>

Been a bit of a busy week for the arts in LA, eh?

February 4-7

Actions, Conversations and Intersections @ Municipal Arts Gallery. A host of events are taking place daily as part of this project.  Check out the February 4-7 schedule on their site for lots to do all weekend.  Of particular interest is Nicola Atkinson Does Fly’s 101 Cup Thoughts event taking place Saturday, February 6 @ 7pm.  Email her at buzz@nadfly.com to get on the list.

Thursday, February 4

Slobodan Dimitrov: The Longshore @ La Salle Lofts.   Slobodan’s mural is unveiled.  See my adjacent post for details.  At 4:30 pm, 255 West 7th Street, San Pedro, CA.  Join me at the unveiling, grab some early chow and then check out 1st Thursday in San Pedro.  4:30pm, 255 West 7th Street, San Pedro, CA 90731.

Amy Thornberry: Truce @ The Loft.  Amy Thornberry will be exhibiting a new series of works at The Loft.  This is the first show that’s being supported by the San Pedro ACE District and co-sponsored by Angels Gate Cultural Center.  Look out for more exciting programming at The Loft coming soon.  Reception is 6-9 pm.

Night Flight Presents: A Tribute to New Wave Theatre @ Cinefamily at the Silent Movie Theatre.  I owe all my aesthetics to USA’s 1980′s and 90′s late night programming.  New Wave Theatre was Southern California’s videopunk answer to the Reagan Era.  Go for the Suburban Lawns, but stay for the FEAR.  $12, starts at 8.

Saturday, February 6

Performing Public Space @ La Casa del Tunel (Tijuana).  Group show featuring lots of LA folks, curated by Owen Driggs.  “Bodily actions that interrupt the structuring of Public Space” by Anne Hers & Bill Wheelock, Ari Kletsky, Fallen Fruit, Finishing School, Jane Tsong, John Geary, Lauren Bon, Los Angeles Urban Rangers, Nancy Popp, Paul Pescador and Portable City Project.  3pm – 7pm.

Mexicali Biennial 09/10 Panel Discussion @ OTIS/Ben Maltz Gallery.  Panelists Ed Gomez, Luis G. Hernandez, Dr. Amy Pederson, Nick Kersulis, Sergio Torres-Torres and Marco Vera will discuss the exhibition, followed by a no-host lunch at a local restaurant.  2-4pm.

BC Space: Mything in Action @ Cal State Fullerton Grand Central Art Center.  Curated by Andrea Harris-McGee and Mike McGee, this group show highlights the 37 year history of BC Space.  Featuring work by Marsha Adams, Roger Armstrong, Steve Axelrad, Barbara Berk, George Blakely, Angie Bray, Jerry Burchfield, Jack Butler, Mark Chamberlain, Jim Cokas, Eileen Cowin, Darryl Curran, Jorg Dubin, Greg Erf, Jacques Garnier, Suda House, Graham Howe, Mark Johnstone, Harold Jones, Robert Ketchum, Lynn Kubasek, Victor Landweber, James Lerager, Greg MacGregor, Mary Ellen Mark, Douglas McCulloh, Jerry McGrath, Patrick Nagatani, Thomas Neff, Jocey Neimanus, Kenda North, Sheila Pinkel, Susan Rankaitis, Andrew Savulich, Lonny Shavelson, Ilene Segalove, John Sexton, Clayton Spada, Partick Sparkuhl, Jim Stone, Arthur Taussig, Richard Turner, Jo Whaley, Andy Wing, Mihoko Yamagata and Eadweard r. York.  Reception is 7-10 pm

Daises & Bad Biology @ Cinefamily at the Silent Movie Theatre.  Daisies (excerpt at top) is Vera Chytilova’s “art girl” cult hit, an aesthetic bomb that’s been influencing aesthetics, both on and off film for four decades. An earlier and less nihilistic If, perhaps?  Bad Biology is the newest thing from Frankenhooker director Frank Henenlotter.  Tickets are $10, Daisies at 7:30 and Bad Biology at 10 pm.

Sunday, February 7

Sculpture in LA @ Jose Drudis-Bia Gallery at Mt. St. Mary’s College.

POSTWAR ART @ MOCA.  Finishing School will be allowed near families and children to investigate MOCA’s postwar art collection in a hands-on workshop.  Busy weekend for these boys.  1-3pm.

Technorati Tags: art, contemporary art, Los Angeles, Do the Weekend

Actions, Conversations and Intersections is having its opening today, from 2-5pm.  I visited the exhibition while it was being installed and shot this set of delicious Flickr photos.  Also opening today at the Municipal Gallery is Ideational Architectures.

This exhibition, co-curated by two Department of Cultural Affairs employees and taking place in the [...]]]>

Actions, Conversations and Intersections is having its opening today, from 2-5pm.  I visited the exhibition while it was being installed and shot this set of delicious Flickr photos.  Also opening today at the Municipal Gallery is Ideational Architectures.

This exhibition, co-curated by two Department of Cultural Affairs employees and taking place in the Municipal Gallery of the City of Los Angeles is exactly the kind of innovative programming that’s threatened by the proposed staff and budget cuts.  This show brings together 60 artists who represent the thriving experimental nature of Los Angeles’ art scene, possibly the first gathering of size in LA of artists of this experimental generation, raised on a diet of relational aesthetics and a dissatisfaction with the art world in general.  Our city is being recognized as an art capital today because of the risks and experiments of the artists gathered in this exhibition.  Write a quick letter to support the Department and exhibitions like this one here.

Technorati Tags: Actions Conversations and Intersections, Department of Cultural Affairs,

There’s a tone of awesome kicking off today, but I’m keeping it brief.  Get yourself to the Municipal Gallery on Sunday for the opening of Actions, Conversations and Intersections & Ideational Architectures (preview image of installation in progress at top).

Thursday, January 28

Elyse Pignolet: urban abstractions @ Fullerton College Art Gallery.  AGCC [...]]]>

There’s a tone of awesome kicking off today, but I’m keeping it brief.  Get yourself to the Municipal Gallery on Sunday for the opening of Actions, Conversations and Intersections & Ideational Architectures (preview image of installation in progress at top).

Thursday, January 28

Elyse Pignolet: urban abstractions @ Fullerton College Art Gallery.  AGCC Studio Artist Elyse Pignolet ‘s ceramic takes on urban themes like wildstyle graffiti and automotive rims are amazing, beautiful and relevant.  Ceramic rims, baby!  Artist talk is at 4pm, reception is 5-7pm.

Smith on Smith @ Hammer Museum.  Harry Smith, the author of the Anthology of American Folk Music, is remembered in an evening of film and live music, hosted by Patti Smith and friends.  Talk is 7-9 pm.

Friday, January 29

The Posters Came From the Walls @ Cinefamily at the Silent Movie Theatre.  Depeche Mode fan documentary.  You know who you are, you crazy DM fans you, with your Martin Gore tattoos and your 101 videos.  Fun Marshall fact: Depeche Mode at the Forum was my first concert and I kind of hated it.  But no worries! I saw Ethyl Meatplow at the Palace two nights later and my life changed.  Starts @8, $12.

Saturday, January 30

Joe Sola & Michael Webster @ Happy Lion.  Several years ago I was lucky enough to curate and commission Joe and Michael to perform a special, site-specific version of Shakey’s Mining Adventure, a slapstick-based, ragtime extravaganza.  Joe and Michael will be performing a new edition, Shakey’s in Torch Trouble at Happy Lion @7:30 PM.  Don’t miss this.

Chris Barnard: Full Spectrum Dominance @ Sam Lee.  Also in Chinatown, Barnard’s first solo exhibition examines connections between landscape painting and contemporary socio-political concerns.  Reception is 6-9pm.

Sunday, January 31

Actions, Conversations and Intersections & Ideational Architectures @ Municipal Gallery of the City of Los Angeles.  Two amazing shows opening this weekend.  Actions, Conversations and Intersections is the fruit of the curatorial efforts of Edith Abeyta and Michael Lewis Miller and features a cast of 60 artists and entities whose projects touch on the interactive and the performative.  This project has performances nearly every day during its run, so keep an eye on the ACI website and schedule for upcoming awesomeness.  Reception is 2-5 pm.  FYI – Lou Mannick, the greatest singer/saw player of all time, will be performing at 2:30.  That alone is not to be missed.

Lyeberry#5: Craftswap @ Tom of Finland Foundation.  Organized by Akina Cox and Joseph Imauser, Lyeberry#5: Craftswap is your opportunity to “create new works with the imagery offered from the Tom of Finland Foundation”.  You can’t beat that with a leather riding crop!  During the event, Foundation staff will also be giving tours of the Foundation and its archives. 1-4pm.

Thursday, January 21 – Sunday, January 24Los Angeles Art Show 2010 @ LA Convention Center.  15th annual booth-fest.  Is the art market still in collapse?  Go see for yourselves!  Go support Meeson Pae Yang who will have an installation, Dispersion,  on display at the LA Art Association booth.  Check the LA Art Show [...]]]>

Thursday, January 21 – Sunday, January 24

Los Angeles Art Show 2010 @ LA Convention Center.  15th annual booth-fest.  Is the art market still in collapse?  Go see for yourselves!  Go support Meeson Pae Yang who will have an installation, Dispersion,  on display at the LA Art Association booth.  Check the LA Art Show site for hours and prices.

Thursday, January 21

The Films of Shana Moulton @ Cinefamily.  NY-based video/performance artist Shana Moulton brings her roadshow to LA, to present and perform alongside selections from her body of work.  Expect New Age references and psychedelic aesthetics.  Excerpt from Whispering Pines here.  $12 @ 8pm.

Gary Panter Lecture @ Hammer Museum.  Lecture by the aesthete behind both Pee Wee’s Playhouse and the logo for The Screamers.  Starts at 7pm.

Friday, January 22 

Photo Artillery: In The Realm of the Lenses @ Stephen Cohen Galllery.  Artillery Magazine presents a group photo show, riffing on Oshima’s sex/taboo filmed film, In the Realm of the Senses.  Features work by Ray Beldner, Kim Crum, Marta Edmisten, Gerald Förster, Gordon Magnin, Johnny Naked, Naida Osline, Christopher Russell, Austin Young and Carrie Yury.  Reception is 7-10pm.

Saturday, January 23

Börkur: Work in Progress @ Blythe Projects.  Image at top.  First LA show for the Iceland-based photographer.  $35 for regular folks and $25 for MOCA contemporaries, booze and hors d’oeuvres to be served.

MexiCali Biennial 09/10 @ Ben Maltz Gallery.  Bi-national exchange featuring Skip Arnold, Gustavo Artigas, Meli Barragan, Juan Bastardo, Bordermates, Anibal Catalan, Jeff Chabot, Pablo H. Cobian, Fernando Corona, Fidel Hernandez, Rebeca Hernandez, Homeless, Ncholas Kersulis, Ryan Lamb, Ivan Limas, Albert Lopez, Matt McFarland, Txema Novelo, Susana Rodriguez, Michelle Romero, Ernesto Rosas, Daniel Ruanova, Joaquin Segura, Gustavo Siono, Sergio Torres-Torres, Jason Wallace and Fundacion Wana Winnie. Reception is 4-6pm.

Sunday, January 24

2nd Annual Los Angeles Anarchist Bookfair @ Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery.  The 1st event connected with the upcoming Edith Abeyta+Michael Miller curated Actions, Conversations and Intersections features a ton of activists and small press booksellers with an anarchist bent.  Get political and fly your black flag. 11am -9pm.

Thursday, January 14

Steven Severin: Music to Silents @ Cinefamily. Severin, best known to weepy, sensitive teenagers as a bassist with Siouxie and the Banshees [...]]]>

We have two shows opening up at Angels Gate this weekend.  Vessels, for the crafty folks, and New Studio Artists, for those who want to meet our newest additions.

Thursday, January 14

Steven Severin: Music to Silents @ Cinefamily. Severin, best known to weepy, sensitive teenagers as a bassist with Siouxie and the Banshees will be premiering his new live score to Jean Cocteau’s 1930 film, Blood of a Poet.  $17, starts at 8, and you should buy tickets in advance, it will sell out if it hasn’t already.

Christopher Knight: Criticism, Journalism and Looking @Art @ Broad Stage, Santa Monica Performing Arts Center.  Christopher Knight, current Fine Arts Critic in Residence at Otis, will be presenting a lecture. Starts at 7pm.

Friday, January 15

Diana Thater: Between Science and Magic @ Santa Monica Museum of Art.  Video art featuring many versions of a rabbit being pulled from a hat.  Members’ preview 6-7pm & public opening 7-9pm.

Saturday, January 16

Matt Wardell: Love is the Easy Part @ S1F Gallery.  Description for this show includes the phrase “Making Love to Furniture.”  It also has the most interesting press release that I’ve ever read.  Reception is 6-9pm. 

FYI – The Reflected Gaze: Self Portraiture Today @ Torrance Art Museum.  Group show featuring Justin Bower, Chuck Close, Emily Counts, Ariel Erestingcol, Mark Greenwold, Julie Heffernan, Damien Hirst, Per Huttner, KAWS, Tom LaDuke, Hung Liu, Jennifer Nehrbass, Gavin Nolan, Fahamu Pecou, Dane Picard, Frank Ryan, Peter Sudar, Terri Thomas, Holly Topping, Alexandra Wiesenfeld, Cindy Wright and Liat Yossifor.  Yes, work by Damien Hirst is being shown in Torrance.  Which is kind of funny considering that it’s only a few miles from the Z Gallerie warehouse that no doubt contains so many knock off crystal skulls (still in stock, order one today!), let alone the suburbanites who buy them.  Opening is 6-9pm.

Ben Talbert: Luck and Love Revisited @ Robert Berman.  A selection of works from the 1960′s by the Venice beat painter, including some of his then-censored pornographic playing card paintings.  Reception is 6-9pm.

Cherry Pie @ Western Project.  Mysterious five person show with no press release that I can find.  But it features work by sexploitation genius Russ Meyer, so I’m intrigued.  Reception is 5-8pm.

Sunday, January 17

Vessels & New Studio Artists @ Angels Gate Cultural Center.  We’ve got two shows opening in my galleries this Sunday.  Vessels is co-curated by Jean Clad and Wynn Perry, and features a selection of artists who make vessels from both Southern California and Ohio.  Featuring work by Danielle Chrissmsn, Rachelle Woo Chuang, Brian Donahue, Ellen Jantzen, Judy Kahle, Jeff Mack, Thomas S. Madden, Stephen W. Kemmerly, Karen Roderick-Lingeman, Michael F. Rohde, Susanna B. Speirs, Carol Shaw-Sutton and Rodney Tsukashima.  New Studio Artists features a selection of work by artists who entered our Studio Artist Program in 2009 and features works by Lilly Aldriedge, Stuart Hamilton, Christy Johnson, Elyse Pignolet and Finishing School.  Reception is 2-4pm.