Monday, July 20, 2009

www.sourharvest.com - new domain now launched!


Please reset your browsers / bookmarks to the above url.

Quick update:
All of the posts I put up on the new Sour Harvest site will also now populate over at my new blog on www.juxtapoz.com. You can check out my Juxtapoz based blog here and I’ll also be aiming to post a few Juxtapoz specific articles there each week.

In addition to that, I’ve also joined the writing team over at the amazing Arrested Motion. I’ll be contributing a good bit there in terms of articles/posts, but my focus will be a weekly recommended shows listing that will build off my LA centric one I do each week here on Sour Harvest. The Arrested Motion recommended listings post will aim to cover all the hot openings in many of the other major art centers around the world with a focus towards the new contemporary movement.

Sour Harvest - established 2004

Thank you all for the ongoing support!

Lil' video from KMNDZ & Ekundayo...

Above is a great video documenting the mural that KMNDZ and Ekundayo rocked out for the 'Movers & Shakers' show that took place earlier this year at POVevolving in Chinatown. Shot by Job Alonso, the video came out just great.

Look for much more from both of these guys in the year ahead and if you are down in San Diego this weekend for ComiCon, keep your eyes peeled.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Do not miss the Clayton Brothers tomorrow night...

THIS Sat, July 18th 6-8PM

Patrick Painter Inc.
2525 Michigan Avenue, Unit A8 & B2 in Bergamot Station, Santa Monica

Jumbo Fruit” from the Clayton Brothers

(On view at both galleries through August 29th)
Be there.

Ryden to sign at ComiCon...

Mark Ryden will be signing copies of his 'The Tree Show' book, 'The Tree Show Micro-portfolio', 'Sweet Wishes', and his new toy 'YHWH' (limited quantities available at the Last Gasp booth - figure shown above) at Comic Con 2009 in San Diego.

Ryden will be signing items at the Last Gasp Booth #1616 on:
Friday, July 24 at 2pm
Saturday, July 25 at 4pm

Expect a line out the door, this is really going to bring them in. Very cool of Mark to do this for his fans.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Recommended openings to catch this weekend...

Suzannah Sinclair showing this Sat @ New Image Art

Thurs, July 16th 7-11PM
Gallery 1988 Los Angeles
7020 Melrose Ave in Los Angeles / 323.937.7088
‘Crazy4Cult 3D’ group show with over 100 artists paying tribute to classic cult films featuring the likes of Amy Sol, Greg ‘Craola’ Simkins, David MacDowell, Ana Bagayan, Andy Kehoe, Dan May, Charlie Immer, Eric Fortune, Jeff Gillette, Joe Vaux, Kelly Vivanco, Lola, Matt Dangler, Mari Inukai, Nathan Spoor, Shark Toof, Skot Olsen, Travis Louie, and many more – view site for full lineup of artists
(On view through August 8th)
www.nineteeneightyeight.com

Fri, July 17th @ 8PM
Royal/T Café
8910 Washington Blvd in Culver City
‘Crusaders & Haters’ group show curated by actor Daniel Franzese (Mean Girls, etc) with DJ set from Short Circuit – super hero attire encouraged!
www.zippercut.com

Sat, July 18th 7-10:30PM
Black Maria Gallery
3137 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles / 818.613.9090
“The Kids Are Alright” group show curated by Beau LeBasse + new works from Courtney Brims on the project wall
(On view through August 8th)
www.blackmariagallery.com

Sat, July 18th 7-11PM
The Box Gallery
765 Saint Clair Suite B in Costa Mesa / 714.724.4633
“Roman Candles” featuring new works from Craig ‘Skibs’ Barker, Michael Pukac, and Jeff Felker
www.boxboxbox.com

Sat, July 18th 3-7PM
Carmichael Gallery of Contemporary Art
1257 N. La Brea Ave in West Hollywood / 323.969.0600
Release party for Issue #2: Pop Portrayal from www.slamXhype.com + live DJ action
www.carmichaelgallery.com

Sat, July 18th 7-10PM
LeBasse Projects
6023 Washington Blvd in Culver City / 310.558.0200
“A Distorted Lens” featuring new works from Dave Flores & Lisa Alisa
(On view through August 8th)
www.lebasseprojects.com

Sat, July 18th 5-9PM
Monkeyhouse Toys and Art Gallery
1618 ½ Silver Lake Blvd in Los Angeles / 323.662.3437
“Vamos Bien” curated by Blinky and featuring works from Ako, Blinky, 20MG, Bumblebee, The Nice Penguins, Phobia, Shark Toof, Smear, Smog City and many more + live painting from The Nice Penguins
(On view through August 2nd)
www.monkeyhousetoys.com

Sat, July 18th 7-10PM
New Image Art Gallery
7908 Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood / 323.654.2192
“The Way Things Are Looking” featuring new works from Suzannah Sinclair + “Deep In The Hole I Own You” featuring new works from Kime Buzelli in the project room
www.newimageartgallery.com

Sat, July 18th 7-11PM
New Puppy Gallery
2808 Elm Street in downtown Los Angeles
“All Of The Above” group show curated by L. Croskey of Cannibal Flower & Thinkspace
http://www.newpuppyla.com/

Sat, July 18th 7-11PM
Nucleus Gallery
210 E. Main St., Alhambra / 626.458.7482
“Momentum” group show featuring works from Tessar Lo, Tiffany Bozic, Ina Kyung Lim, Veronique Meignaud, Brooks Salzwedel,, and Chigi aka Neri
(On view through August 3rd)
www.gallerynucleus.com

Sat, July 18th 6-10PM
OCCCA (Orange County Center for Contemporary Art)
117 North Sycamore in Santa Ana / 949.981.9817
“LA to OC – Emphasis Extreme” featuring works from Bert Green Fine Art, Crewest Gallery, Deborah Martin Gallery, Hive Gallery, Los Angeles Center for Digital Art, MONA, Pharmaka, Phyllis Stein Art, and Todd/Browning Gallery
(On view through July 25th)
http://www.occca.org/

Sat, July 18th 6-8PM
Patrick Painter Inc.
2525 Michigan Avenue, Unit A8 & B2 inside of Bergamot Station in Santa Monica
“Jumbo Fruit” from the Clayton Brothers
(On view at both galleries through August 29th)
www.patrickpainter.com

Sun, July 19th 4-8PM
De La Barracuda Gallery
7769 Melrose Ave in Los Angeles / 323.852.7179
“Family Tradition” group show curated by Ron English re-imagining ‘The Godfather’ featuring works from Chet Zar, Eric White, Travis Louie, Francesco LoCastro, Gibby Haynes, Mark Dean Vecca, Mike Shinoda, Triston Eaton, and many more
http://www.barracudashop.com/

Sun, July 19th 2-5PM
GR2
2062 Sawtelle Blvd in Los Angeles / 310.445.9276
“WTF Summer Tour with Bwana Spoons” – come play some 4 Square with Bwana in the GR Eats parking lot and be sure to bring your balls (this invite from the man himself) – expect the man and his pen to be sketching away, site specific exclusive toys, prints, original works, his new book ‘Welcome To Forest Island’, BBQ goodness, pencil fighting championships, good times and oh so much more
(Special one-day only event)
www.gr2.net

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Collector interview: John Purlia

An interview with collector John Purlia

This is the 1st in an ongoing series of interviews I will be conducting with a wide cross spectrum of art collectors. From your every day folk to rock stars and celebrities, these interviews will offer a glimpse into what initially got them into the new contemporary genre (ie: pop surrealism, low brow, graffiti, street art, etc.) in the 1st place and what fuels them to collect.

First up is Southern California collector and artist John Purlia. Pictured throughout the interview are selected works from John's amazing collection as well as some shots of the works living in their new surroundings.

"Dearly Departed" - Ana Bagayan

How long have you had an interest in art?
Like a lot of people, I think the history of my interest in art can be broken down into three phases: Awareness Phase, Influence Phase, Collector Phase.

In my case, the Awareness Phase can be directly tracked to growing up in a home with an artist mother, and two art major sisters. Art projects were in abundance.

Having grown up in the age of LP records and those big, beautiful 12" album covers, the Influences Phase captures years and years of buying records and absorbing every visual square inch of their glorious covers. I papered the walls of my college dorm rooms with enormous posters of album covers; not necessarily because of the music within, but because of the striking visual impact of a particular image.

It's only been within the past 10 years or so that I've jumped headlong into the Collector Phase of life's circle of art interest, which was triggered by a booth at Comic Con in 1999 when I first saw the work of Mark Ryden. I was totally hooked by a print of Princess Sputnik, and ended up buying two of the limited edition prints from The Meat Show.

"Faith And Reason" — Daniel Martin Diaz & "Meatcake" — Camille Rose Garcia (main entry view)

Does anyone else in your family collect or create art?
My grandfather was a true undiscovered folk artist, who painted, sculpted and created all kinds of interesting things for his own use and pleasure. One of my greatest possessions is a tiny painting he made titled I Was Born Naked. My mom painted and fired up ceramics, and both of my sisters created all kinds of drawings and paintings. My oldest sister is becoming quite the connoisseur of hand crafted art on Etsy.

Elizabeth Hoffman "Pay"

Besides art, is there anything else that the collector bug in you searches out regularly?
Yes, I'm always on the lookout for old records, toys, vintage books, radios, record players, robots, or other interesting things that maintain a certain timeless aesthetic. My house is filled with various collections that I live with, much in the same way I live with the art on my walls.

"Transmissions From Venus" - Aaron Marshall (dining room view)

With artists like Mark Ryden, Todd Schorr, Camille Rose Garcia, Shepard Fairey and The Clayton Brothers all having major retrospective museum shows in the past year or two, the future is definitely wide open for this our little bubble of the art world. Where do you see this genre of art (new contemporary, urban contemporary, pop surrealism, outsider, lowbrow, etc) going over the next 5-10 years?
I think we're just coming out of a period wherein the art scene popularized by the Rydens, Schorrs and Claytons has been diluted, to some degree, by a lot of recycling of themes, styles and ideas. One day the world woke up and realized that something pretty cool was going on in this genre of art, which was both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, some amazingly talented artists began to gain broader recognition. Unfortunately, popularity sometimes breeds poor imitation, and for a while there you saw a lot of sub par repetition, as new artists entered the scene without either the skill or freshness of voice of, say, Camille Rose Garcia or Shepard Fairey.

Hopefully, the next 5-10 years will see a maturation of the genre to kind of weed out the heavy recycling we've seen over the past couple of years. While imitation is inevitable, it tends to weigh down the development of an emerging art movement, which otherwise needs some space to grow in new directions.

"The Mentalist" — Shag + "Mother" — Ana Bagayan + "Princess Sputnik" Iris print - Mark Ryden (dining room view)

First piece purchased and when/why?
My first prints were the aforementioned Ryden IRIS prints of Princess Sputnik (shown above) and The Debutante at Comic Con. Since then, I've concentrated my collection almost exclusively on original paintings and drawings.

The first painting I almost acquired was a great Aaron Marshall piece I saw one afternoon at La Luz de Jesus while I was shopping with friends. It was the only piece still remaining from his first solo show and I thought it was the coolest thing ever! But the price (over $1000) at the time seemed like such an extravagance! I regretfully left the gallery and wandered up the street, where I purchased a really fun mixed media piece by Elizabeth Hoffman titled Pay, which now hangs in my library.

When I returned home to San Diego, the Aaron Marshall piece continued to pester me, and it wasn't long before Irrational Desire won the easy battle over Common Sense. I called the gallery to then discover that I was a day late and the piece was gone.

Hence, I learned my first painful lesson of collecting art: Reverse buyer's remorse is to be avoided at all costs. You see it, you like it, buy it.

"The Irrationality And Inevitability Of Being A Puppet" — Ana Bagayan (front entry installation - look at how the work is positioned as if though it's lifting the head off the doll on the table - awesome)

Do you have any sculpture in your collection?
Just one, a very nice Tibetan Buddha from the 1930s that stands in a dining room window that looks out into my back garden.

"There In Time" - Brandi Milne

What was your biggest score of 2009 collecting wise? Best score to date?
2009 has been a busy year for new art, and in the first half of the year I've made a number of exciting acquisitions: a drawing from Mark Ryden's "Snow Yak" show in Tokyo (shown towards end of this post), a new Ana Bagayan painting, and Nouar's happy-happy "Lemonade Parade" (also shown below) from her New York show all immediately come to mind. The biggest score, though, was one that I thought had gotten away - "There In Time" by Brandi Milne (shown above), which had already sold by the time I made it up to LA to see her recent show at Thinkspace. "There In Time" immediately caught my eye as the strongest piece in the show. I really loved the composition, the color, and the feeling of comfort present in the piece. It was, of course, already sold, so I spent 30 minutes narrowing down an alternate selection from several other pieces I really liked. Still, I kept drifting back to that one piece... When the show closed, it turned out that the original buyer backed out on the purchase, and the gallery luckily remembered the interest I'd shown in the piece. Voila! I had a second painting from the show, including the one I wanted in the first place! Perhaps this was Karma's way of cutting me a break so many years after losing that Aaron Marshall piece!

"Mona And The Metal Men" — Mark Bryan (living room view)

Favorite piece you currently own?
This is a really difficult question! And in order to properly provide an answer I just now took a room-to-room walk throughout my house looking at all the paintings in my collection. It's hard to pick a favorite in each room, let alone the entire collection. But if I were inclined to have some sort of single elimination, head-to-head March Madness style Tournament of Fine Art... I think the winner would be "Dearly Departed" by Ana Bagayan (shown at the start of this post). I just love that painting, and it hangs in my master bedroom where I see it everyday. It's from Ana's first solo show, painted while she was finishing up school art Art Center in Pasadena, and I think it's a very significant piece. In person, it's really gorgeous.

"Retreat Syndrome" — Camille Rose Garcia

"I Am Your Pinata" — Gary Baseman (library view)

"Atlas" - Mark Ryden

Best score to date collecting wise?
My best score to date has to be "Atlas" by Mark Ryden (shown above), an illustration piece not a lot of people are familiar with, as it was one of the paintings from Mark's 2001 "Amalgamation" exhibit at Outre Gallery in Melbourne. I managed to get on the waiting list very, very early, and had to wait out only one other collector before securing the piece. If you haven't seen it, it's an 11x14" color oil of Atlas holding a giant human heart on his back. The piece is the centerpiece of my bedroom, and to this day I have other people who were farther down the waiting list contacting me asking if I'd be willing to sell.

"Kate" — Mark Ryden (library view)

What inspired you to share your collection on-line for all to see? Really enjoy your site.
Thanks! I feel very fortunate to be in a position to fill my everyday life with art, and I see it almost as a responsibility to share images from my collection on the web. I've always enjoyed visiting museums, and when I see great pieces of art standing behind velvet ropes and bulletproof glass, I can't help but wonder about the painting's provenance before it found its way into the public view. I mean, it was owned by someone and likely held a place of honor in a living room or a dining room, hidden away from public view, only to be enjoyed by the friends and family of the owner. These same wonders occur to me today when I see new pieces in a gallery that hang on public display for a month or so for all to enjoy, until that closing day when the exhibit is dispersed to private collectors here and there and there. I like to view the sharing of my collection on the web as hosting a virtual museum. The original pieces may be locked away, but the whimsy and joy those pieces bring can be shared across the globe with anyone who points a browser at my web site. It sort of gives the art a public life in perpetuity, beyond the original gallery run. It gives me great satisfaction to connect others with the art I've collected in this way that a museum connects with its patrons.

"The Lemonade Parade" - Nouar

Who is at the top of your want list?
Probably Todd Schor. I really like the detail in Todd's work, but the timing of his shows have never quite worked out with my art budget. This year, for example, there were a pair of paintings available to me during his recent show at Merry Karnowsky... but after I'd already bought 5 or 6 pieces over a 3 month time period. His previous show took place about the same time that I bought my house ‹ and I didn't think I'd be able to afford my water bill, let alone my mortgage. I had visions of pushing around all of this great art in a giant shopping cart while my home was being taken away by creditors (I'm paranoid that way).

"A Wonderful Place To Be (In Green Pastures)" — The Clayton Brothers (master bedroom view)

If you could add any piece of artwork to your collection, from any time period, which work would that be?
I'd like to have Jan Van Eyck's "Ghent Altarpiece" ‹ especially since one of the original panels was stolen 75 years ago. If I had it, it would no longer be stolen, though I fear I'd have no room large enough in my home to actually put it on display! I'd build a tasteful new room to display the work if the Cathedral of St. Bavon would be so kind as to allow me to take it off their hands.

"Yak With Babies" - Mark Ryden

My wife and I would love to donate our collection to some sort of establishment, be it a museum or otherwise, so that the vision remains intact. We're really creating a snapshot in time. With this in mind, do you see yourself ever stopping buying art and supporting artists? Even if your walls fill up? You are so young, that it's bound to happen soon, but this is an addiction as we all know. So just curious of other's long term plans.
I can't imagine a time that I would stop supporting the arts. Collecting, for me, satisfies the desire to experience the thrill of new discovery. Experiencing the work of a previously undiscovered talent ‹ whether it be painting, music, or writing ‹ is terribly intoxicating! The anticipation of "what else they have done or might do" is energizing, exciting, and always something to look forward to. So as long as there are new artists connecting with the creative part of my soul, I'll be in the game.

Now, as to how one manages the physical articles as collections grow... good question! Luckily, I do have some blank wall space left to fill. After that... I wish I had a clever answer! I suppose I'll have to rotate work in and out of circulation, or loan pieces out for museum shows and retrospectives, as I've done frequently in the past. Or maybe I'll win the lottery and expand my house ‹ more walls equals more art, yes?

"Reverie" - Jeni Yang

Please name an artist that might be off many collector's radar, but that you enjoy and would like to offer some props to.
One of my recent favorites is Jeni Yang (shown above), who has created her own fun little world of feline sandwiches, vegetable trees and people packaged in cellophane bags like fine candies. She's a smart and talented artist, and I really love her work!

"Yak With Babies" - Mark Ryden + "Percy's Unlucky Day" — Ana Bagayan + "Lucky You" — Brandi Milne + "The Music Box Song Club" — Femke Hiemstra... all waiting to be hung.

Look for more collector interviews to be posted here every other week or so moving ahead. I've over a dozen interviews already in the works and many more to follow. Some pretty amazing collectors have agreed to let me pick their brains and let me into their homes. I'm honored to be presenting this awesome series of interviews for all to enjoy and learn from.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Great article in the new issue of Art Ltd...

There's a great article in the new issue of Art Ltd. called "Blurring The Lines" that was written by Gabe Scott. The article helps to shed light on the burgeoning new contemporary movement and serves as a true testament to the heat and momentum that is building around our lil' segment of the art world.

Check out the intro to the article below:
The vast landscape of the lowbrow art world can potentially be put into a number of pluralistic categories: Pop Surrealism, the emotive, highly stylized illustrative community, graffiti (in its most pure form) and its urban/street subcultures, punk art, surf and skate indulgences, and those from the comic world. As all of these categories have seen an increase in popularity—and a good deal of critical acclaim—in recent years, the discussion about lowbrow’s validity has progressed to an interesting point. Within the last five years or so, a number of regional museums have begun to recognize the abilities of the leaders of the lowbrow movement by giving their work careful consideration within a traditional museum setting. It has been nearly 50 years since the contemporary lowbrow scene’s inception, through comic and hot rod artists planting their anti-art-establishment roots. Now we are gaining the opportunity to gauge the progress and sophistication of the first few generations of that movement on a more level playing field.

Check out the full article on-line here and be sure to pick up your copy at a news stand near you before it's too late.

So wish I could get up to Schorr's opening reception this Thursday up in San Jose, but I'll have to make do by checking out pics and getting up to the exhibition before it comes down for sure. Not every day one of the leaders of our movement gets a big retrospective... but something tells me this will become more and more common place as the years progress and those we all admire and collect gain more and more recognition. It's an exciting time to say the very least.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Studio visit with the Clayton Brothers...

Had a chance to visit the studio of the Clayton Brothers a couple weeks back as they prepared for their first major show in Los Angeles in six years. This will be their first major collection of works in Los Angeles since they rocked La Luz De Jesus back in 2003 with their epic 'Six Foot Eleven' show. I still remember how blown away I was by that show. Simply epic in every sense of the word. For those that missed that one, do all you can to make it to Santa Monica this Saturday.

'Jumbo Fruit' will open this Saturday, July 18th at both of Patrick Painter's galleries within Bergamot Station over in Santa Monica. Very ambitious and as you can see below, Rob and Christian have more than stepped up the challenge. I can not wait to see these works all finished and hanging in all their glory this Saturday. A big thanks to Rob & Christian for having me out.

The Clayton Brothers work together closely to construct objects that are both narrative and deeply personal in nature. Front and center are the unique people, animals, and places that occupy the outskirts of the American psyche. These works are created in an obsessively rich, cartoon-inspired manner and often incorporate related audio elements.

They've a rich history and I highly recommend picking up any of their books. Enjoy the pictures below that offer a glimpse into the creative process behind the works that will make up their 'Jumbo Fruit' exhibit(s) opening this Saturday. Above, view a picture of the pinch pot that was the initial point of inspiration for this show, found at a thrift shop, it's now a cherished item in their studio. Sometimes the simplest things can be the catalyst for amazing works.


Tools of the trade.


Rob Clayton at work in the studio.


The big one in progress... this one is going to blow minds this Saturday.


Christian Clayton at work in the studio.


Oh, and book your tickets to Wisconsin now...

MMOCA Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
Rob and Christian Clayton: Inside Out
September 10 through December 19, 2010

The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art will present the first major museum exhibition dedicated to the bold, colorful drawings, paintings, and sculptures of Rob and Christian Clayton.

"Jumbo Fruit" from The Clayton Brothers

This Saturday, July 18th 6-8PM
PATRICK PAINTER INC.
2525 Michigan Avenue, Space B2 in Santa Monica
(On view through August 29th)
www.patrickpainter.com

Crazy4Cult this Thursday @ Gallery 1988...

Dave MacDowell has taken it to the next level for this Thursday's 'Crazy4Cult 3D' show at Gallery 1988. He's combined a cult movie, with a cult artist AND a cult album cover. Shown above, his 'Willy Wonka and the Chocalate Factory' inspired piece pays homage to the amazing work of Robert Williams, that also happens to grace one of rock n' roll's greatest albums of all time (as well as being the influence for the album's title), Guns 'N Roses "Appetite For Destruction". View the original work here from Robert Williams, which was on view at this past December's Art Basel in Miami. A true grand slam of pop culture goodness from Mr. MacDowell for sure.

So looking forward to having MacDowell back next year for a couple group shows and a proper follow up in early 2011. MacDowell is getting better and better, and continues to turn heads for good reason. Keep an eye on him and be sure to head out this Thursday, July 17th from 7-11PM to Gallery 1988 out on Melrose (at LaBrea) to catch this year's Crazy4Cult 3D.

Full lineup here and add'l details here.

Thurs, July 17th 7-11PM
Gallery 1988 Los Angeles
7020 Melrose Ave in Los Angeles / 323.937.7088
www.nineteeneightyeight.com

Get ready for 'Beyond Eden' this October...

More on this very soon... save the dates, you will NOT want to miss this one.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Ladies night @ Thinkspace...

(l-r) Catherine Brooks, Stella Im Hultberg, & Hannah Stouffer

The ladies rocked the house this past Friday and made a big impression upon all that came through. We were packed from about 8PM on and went well past midnight. Thank you to all that came out and showed support. Some amazing works are still on hand, but not many, so be sure to check out the links to all the work from each show on our homepage.

Opening night photos are now posted, check 'em out here.

Check out some additional coverage at these awesome sites:
Juxtapoz preview here and opening night coverage here
Dailydujour interview w/Stella here and opening night coverage here
Arrested Motion set up here, studio visit here and opening night here
Nylon preview here
SlamXHype opening night coverage here
My Love For You... preview here
BoingBoing preview here

The shows are up through August 7th, so be sure to come on through.

Friday, July 10, 2009

TONIGHT @ Thinkspace...

Stella Im Hultberg 'Memento Mori'

Watch the show coming together here.

View the works in the show here.

Catherine Brooks 'The Seeded Wind and Silent Beauty; An Oeuvre Of Beetled Beauty'

Watch the show coming together here.

View the works in the show here.

Hannah Stouffer 'Twilight & Fate'

Watch the show coming together here.

View the works in the show here.

TONIGHT - Fri, July 10th 7-11PM

thinkspace
4210 Santa Monica Blvd in Los Angeles / 323.913.3375
(All shows on view through August 7th)

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Recommended openings to catch this weekend...

Thur, July 9th 7-9PM
Bert Greene Fine Art
102 West 5th Street in downtown Los Angeles
“Cardboard Town” featuring new works from Barron Storey (the man who taught David Choe and many others / recently featured in Juxtapoz)
(On view through August 15th)
www.bgfa.us

Thur, July 9th Noon-9PM
Downtown Art Walk
www.downtownartwalk.com

Thur, July 9th 7-10PM
Carmichael Gallery of Contemporary Art
1257 N. La Brea Ave in West Hollywood / 323.969.0600
“The A to Z of Change” featuring new works and an installation from Eine + new works from Frerk and Marc C. Woehr in the showcase space
(On view through July 30th)
www.carmichaelgallery.com

Fri, July 10th @ 7PM
Rothick Art Haus
170 S. Harbor Blvd in Anaheim
New works from Jophen Stein
(On view through July 31st)

Fri, July 10th 7-11PM
thinkspace
4210 Santa Monica Blvd in Los Angeles / 323.913.3375
“Memento Mori” from Stella Im Hultberg + “The Seeded Wind and Silent Motion; an Oeuvre of Beetled Beauty” from Catherine Brooks + “Twilight & Fate” from Hannah Stouffer
(On view through August 7th)
www.thinkspacegallery.com

Sat, July 11th 7-11PM
Cactus Gallery
4534 Eagle Rock Blvd in Eagle Rock / 323.256.6117
‘Girls! Girls! Girls!’ featuring works from Douglas Alvarez and Kelly Thompson + group show
(On view through August 5th)
www.electriccactus.com

Sat, July 11th 7-11PM
Cerasoli Gallery
8530-B Washington Ave in Culver City / 310.558.091
“Crime & Charity” from MEGGS + “Urban Myth” group show featuring works from Pure Evil, Zeus, Mysterious Al, Inkie, Steff Plaetz, Chu, China Mike, MauMau, Eco, Andy Council, Sickboy & SHOK-1
(On view through August 1st)
www.cerasoligallery.com

Sat, July 11th 8-11:30PM
Copro Gallery
2525 Michigan Ave, Space T-5 at Bergamot Station in Santa Monica / 310.398.2643
“Monster?” curated by Travis Louie and featuring works from Audrey Kawasaki, Brom, Kris Kuksi, Ron English, Lola, Ana Bagayan, Kris Lewis, Dan Quintana, Isabel Samaras, Chet Zar, Brian Despain, Mari Inukai, Chris Ryniak, Heidi Taillefer, Dave Chung, Nouar, Donato Giancola, Tessar Lo, Fred Harper, Attaboy, Ekundayo, David Stoupakis, Mark Elliot, Tristan Elwell, Dic Tsutsumi, Vincent Nguyen, Robert MacKenzie, Willie Real, Amanda Visell, Peter Nguyen, Francesco LoCastro and many more + live music from The Hollywood Squartet
(On view through Aug. 1st)
www.copronason.com

Sat, July 11th Noon-10PM ($5 admission before 4PM / $8 afterward)
The Funk Rumble
947 N. Broadway in Chinatown area of downtown Los Angeles (as a starting point)
Art, bands, live art, food, vendors, DJ action, rafles, and so much more featuring a group show curated by Cannibal Flower & Thinkspace's L. Croskey and live painting from Mear One, Food One, Kofie, Codak, Stuter, Eye One & more – full details at their site www.myspace.com/funkrumble and www.facebook.com/thefunkrumble

Sat, July 11th 6:30-10PM
GR2
2062 Sawtelle Blvd in Los Angeles / 310.445.9276
“Printed Matter: Prints To Take Home!” huge group show with prints on hand from Apak, Bigfoot, Ryan Bubnis, Buff Monster, Michael Hsiung, Matt Furie, Susie Ghahremani, Le Merde, Saelee Oh, Martin Ontiveros, Bwana Spoons, Albert Reyes, Deth P. Sun, Aiyana Udesen, Marci Washington, Andrew Jeffrey Wright and many more
(On view through August 5th)
www.gr2.net

Sat, July 11th 7-10PM
CSUF Grand Central Art Central
125 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Parking in lot at 3rd and Sycamore
'R.Crumb's Underground' - curated by Todd Hignite
(On view through August 16th)
http://www.grandcentralartcenter.com/ArtGallery_gcartgallery.php

Sat, July 11th
Japanese American National Museum
369 East First Street in Los Angeles / 213.625.0414
“Kokeshi: From Folk Art To Art Toy” featuring “Custom Kokeshi” - a group exhibit curated by Christina Conway featuring over 75 customized wooden kokeshi dolls from the likes of Travis Louie, Amy Sol, Stella Im Hultberg, Catherine Brooks, Tara McPherson, APAK, Caia Koopman, CJ Metzger, Dan May, Edwin Ushiro, Yoskay Yomamoto, Ferris Plock, Jen Lobo, Julie West, Kelly Tunstal, Kelly Vivanco, Kent Williams, Ken Garduno, kozyndan, Kukula, Lilly Piri, Mari Inukai, Miss Mindy, NC Winters, Tessar Lo, Noferin, & many more
http://www.janm.org/exhibits/kokeshi/

Sat, July 11th 8-11PM
Merry Karnowsky Gallery
170 South La Brea Ave. in Los Angeles / 323.933.4408
“Gameland” featuring new works from Victor Castillo
(On view through August 8th)
www.mkgallery.com

Sat, July 11th 7-9PM
Mid-City Arts
5111 W. Pico Blvd in Los Angeles
“Miami Graffiti” group show featuring works from Crome, Typoe, Acme, Enve, Murder, Afex, Kemo, Cynic, Gere, Flojoe and others + the show will celebrate the release of Jim and Karla Murray’s “Miami Grafitti” book
www.midcity-arts.com

Sat, July 11th 7-10PM
Billy Shire Fine Arts
5790 Washington Blvd. in Los Angeles / 323.297.0600
New works from Lou Beach, Hudson Marquez, Jayme Odgers & Mel Weiner
(On view through August 1st)
www.billyshirefinearts.com

Sun, July 12th Noon-8PM
SURU
7662 Melrose Ave in Los Angeles / 323.655.0770
“Celeritas” a group show to benefit ‘Riders For Health’ featuring customized elements from motorcycle racing culture including the likes of Barry McGee, Futura, Audrey Kawasaki, James Jean, Stash, Joe Hahn, Mike Shinoda, Estevan Oriol, Mark Dean Veca, Alex Pardee, Usugrow, Jeff McMillan and many more
www.suru-la.com

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

An interview with Stella Im Hultberg...

An interview with Stella Im Hultberg

Please talk a lil' bit about the general idea/vibe behind your new series of works for "Memento Mori”?
I think i was thinking about dualities - being that "memento mori" means "be mindful of death",
there being death, thus life, how they have a little bit in each other. like ouroboros, the snake eating its own tail.

it seems to be the case with many opposites - female and masculine, light and dark, yin and yang. i'm interested in the identity that gets lost or found in the penumbra where the dualities get obscured and overlapped. bones and flowers are similar that way, they seem to contain both immense frailty and amazing strength, so i keep coming back to them - same with female body.
I know you are a huge music fan. Do you have a current favorite that inspires?
Lately i've been more inspired by npr podcasts - mostly radiolab and this american life. it makes me feel a little less isolated from the world, it seems. looking at my playlist and what my husband matthew has been playing, recently there's more of the kinks, the zombies, blonde redhead, sugarcubes, the pixies, radiohead, and the yeah yeah yeahs.

If you could stand by and watch the creation of any piece of artwork from over the years, which would it be and why?
I'm sure i'll feel differently at a different time, but lately i have goya lingering in my head. if i had to choose one, it'd have to be one of the black paintings on his walls.
What do you consider your biggest overall influence?
To be really broad - it's people and their relationships - relationships with each other, to the world, to their lives. an artistic overall influence... has to be egon schiele, because after seeing his works in person my perspective on art has changed forever.

Please describe your perfect day out in Brooklyn.
A perfect day here would not be without bike rides - and coffee, drawing, friends, picnic by the river, hopefully ending the night at a rooftop party.

If you had an unlimited budget and time was not an issue, what grand artistic vision would you look to bring to life?
i don't think i ever though up that grand a vision that would need so much budget and time, although that would be quite nice. plus in new york city, space is more of an issue. :) but the closest i can think of is... i have been dreaming of building something huge - a really large scale sculptural version of my paintings, maybe - it could even be an enormous painting. an installation of sorts. it'd be fun to convert an entire space into a giant piece of art.

also, i don't know if this counts, but it would also be really nice to set up an after school art program for inner city kids. i think funding is the biggest reason why programs like that have a hard time sustaining.
Your debut NYC solo show is next summer at Joshua Liner in the Chelsea district. Any big plans for this important show?
Unfortunately i haven't planned the specifics that far ahead - but i have timidly started some larger canvas paintings, so if these go well, i think it may be shown at the show. hopefully with even larger pieces as well. i hope i can get them out my door. i also would like to put some sculptural works as well, so i must start early.

Check out a sneak peek from the good folks at Arrested Motion here as well.

Andrew Michael Ford also recently interviewed Stella. Check it out on Dailydujour here.

Fri, July 10th 7-11PM
Get there early and receive a FREE Gelaskin from Stella!

thinkspace
4210 Santa Monica Blvd in Los Angeles / 323.913.3375
“Memento Mori” from Stella Im Hultberg + “The Seeded Wind and Silent Motion; an Oeuvre of Beetled Beauty” from Catherine Brooks + “Twilight & Fate” from Hannah Stouffer
(On view through August 7th)
http://www.thinkspacegallery.com/