The CSUF Grand Central Art Center celebrate their 10th anniversary...

On Saturday, February 7, 2009, The CSUF Grand Central Art Center, a staple of Orange County's contemporary art scene, celebrates its 10th year anniversary of incredible programming, exhibitions and events with a huge retrospective exhibition including some very heavy hitters.

This multi-media exhibition features highlights from over 200 exhibitions, 35 artists-in-residence, our art catalogs published by Grand Central Press and more! Notable artists such as Mark Ryden, Jeffrey Vallance, Camilla Rose Garcia, Jeff Gillette, Robert Williams, and Extremo the Clown are just some of their past artists showing in celebration of this landmark milestone in Grand Central Art Center's history.

February 7th 7-10 pm - soft opening. Admission is Free.

March 7th 7-10PM - Main kick off event party. Admission is Free.

Featured Artists:
Extremo the Clown
James Hill
Michael Knowlton
Manuel Pardo
Elizabeth Turk and Kirara Kawachi
Suzanne Williams
Franco Angeloni
Mark Mothersbaugh
Rosemary Covey
Laurie Hassold
Thomas Kinkade
Jeff Gillette
Amy Caterina
James Lorigan
James Doolin
Mark Ryden
Edward Colver
Jeffrey Vallance
Eric Jones
Jim Jenkins
Sandow Birk
Charles Krafft
Robert Williams
David Michael Lee
Myron Conan Dyal
Camille Rose Garcia
and more

Exhibition runs through April 11th

For full details, click here.

Members of the MTA graffiti crew busted...

The LA Times has an update on the “tagging” arrests that people started talking about this morning:

Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies today arrested at least eight alleged members of the notorious Metro Transit Assassins tagging crew, some of whom are believed to be responsible for a several-blocks-long “MTA” tag in the concrete Los Angeles River bed that authorities say will cost millions of dollars to remove.

The arrests occurred during a series of early-morning raids centered in the Hollywood area. Among those detained for a parole violations is a famous tagger whose work “SMEAR” has has won acclaim in the art community.

Those arrested were booked on suspicion of vandalism, drug possession, narcotics for sales, weapons possession and other parole violations, officials said

“These individuals are responsible for tags not only in Los Angeles but Las Vegas and San Francisco,” said Sheriff’s Cmdr. Dan Finkelstein, who is chief of the Metropolitan Transit Authority police. “The Army Corps of Engineers estimates that removing the “MTA” tag from the riverbed alone will cost $3.7 million."

Cleaning graffiti from the river is far more expensive than cleaning other areas. Officials use high-pressure water spray to remove the toxic paint.

But hazardous-materials crews must then dam and capture all the paint and water runoff to prevent it from getting into the river. The crew did an additional $20,000 worth of damage to transit vehicles and facilities. Finkelstein said the Los Angeles River “MTA” tag, in a vast industrial district east of downtown between two rail yards, took about 400 gallons of paint — 300 gallons white and 100 gallons black. “It took them four nights to do it,” he said.

The three block letters cover a three-story-high wall and run the length of several blocks between the 4th Street and 1st Street bridges. The tagging crew, which is also known as “Melting Toys Away” and “Must Take All,” began about the time the transportation agency began using the MTA letters. Investigators say they have statements, including some on video, that implicate some of the crew members in the enormous tag.

To grasp how HUGE this tag is, watch this video.

Our thoughts go out to these guys. Let's hope they don't throw the book at them too hard.

Nasty Neck Face invades Melrose...

Even though already posted/reported by SuperTouch and Juxtapoz, I felt the need to still post on this, as we love NECK FACE. It's awesome to see him getting up so large right on Melrose, in front of Barracuda's new digs, in our city of Angels. Awesome. Go peep this for yourself before some idiots tag over it.

Check out Jaime's coverage over at SuperTouch here.

Todd Schorr returns to Los Angeles on March 28th...

TODD SCHORR The World We Live In

March 28 – April 18, 2009 @ Merry Karnowsky Gallery

Opening Reception: Saturday, March 28, 2009, 8-11pm

Merry Karnowsky Gallery is proud to present a solo exhibition of new works by renowned American artist Todd Schorr. One of the most prominent pop surrealist painters working today, Schorr uses the exacting techniques of the old masters to paint colorful cartoon characters, corporate mascots and other pop culture icons in a unique style he calls “cartoon realism.”

In 2008 Schorr’s work was shown at the Laguna Art Museum as part of “In the Land of Retinal Delights: The Juxtapoz School,” and a solo retrospective exhibition will be held at the San Jose Museum of Art in 2009.

His new book, American Surreal, will be released in 2009.

Recommended openings to catch this weekend...

Thurs, Jan. 29th 6-8:30PM
University Art Gallery @ University of California San Diego

Mandeville Center / 9500 Gilman Drive in La Jolla / 858.534.2107
Mark Dean Veca - Paintings, Wall Drawings and Collaborations
(On view through March 15th)

Fri, Jan. 30th 9PM-1AM ($8 at the door / 18+)
Infusion Gallery
719 S. Spring Street in downtown Los Angeles / 213.683.8827
“Booty!” – curated by Heidi ‘Bluegirl’ Calvert and featuring all manor of pirate themed art, sexy performances, live music, art on display from KRK Ryden, Art Weeks, Wil Cohen, Shahid Brown, Paul Torres, Bill Bronson, Oriana Small, Debra Haden, Dave Naz, Brad Miller, Alan Deforest, and many more plus Mad Jack The Pirate and Kaptain Kula as your hosts
www.myspace.com/bluegirlproductions

Sat, Jan. 31st 7-10PM
01 Gallery
530 South Hewitt Street #141 in Los Angeles / 213.689.0101
“Graff Since ‘69” – new works from Chaz Bojorquez
(On view through Feb. 15th)
http://01gallery.com/

Saturday, Jan. 31st 9PM-1AM ($8 admission / $5 as walking art)

Cannibal Flower
NEW LOCATION: 821 traction ave #106 (across from Crazy Gideons) in Los Angeles

Featured Artist: Michael Pukac with beats by: Mr. NumberOnederful and a live Performance by the Pussy Galore Burlesque Dancers and a huge group show featuring works from Craig "Skibs" Barker, MacSorro, NC Winters, David Campbell Wilson, Stephen J. Brooks, Yuki Miyazaki, Azikiwe, Rebecca Peloquin, Rebecca Hahn, Douglas Alvarez, Michele Waterman, Clinton Neuhaus, Tina Darling, Jim Darling, John Hicks, Jimmy Blyer, Walt Hall, Patric Hammerlien, Shahid, Jeremy Szuder, and many more - presented by Sour Harvest and Venice Grind

http://www.cannibalflower.com/

Sat, Jan. 31st 6-9PM
Crewest
110 Winston St. in Los Angeles / 213.627.8272
"On the One" Closing Night Party featuring Live Painting by “Unification Theory”. Core members include visual artist Overton Loyd (from legendary Funk band Parliament-Funkadelic), renown graffiti artist Man One, visual artist/writer Gustavo Alberto Garcia Vaca and special guest painter Favianna Rodriguez along with live music by Lonnie Marshall and DJ Phyz Ed spinning Hip Hop jams. Artwork created during past Unification Theory performances as well as pieces created that night will be available for purchase.
http://www.crewest.com/

Saturday, Jan. 31st, 3–5 pm

MOCA Store @ MOCA Grand Avenue

250 South Grand Avenue in Los Angeles

The Tree Book: Signing with Mark Ryden

*please note this will stop at 5PM sharp, and Ryden will only be signing the new book and only those purchased directly from the MOCA book store on day of event - no exceptions.
http://www.moca.org/store/index.php?

Sat, Jan. 31st 12:30 – 2:30
Munky King
7308 Melrose Ave in Los Angeles / 323.938.0091
Eyegore figure (chrome edition) signing with The Pizz
http://www.munkyking.com/

Sat, Jan. 31st 9PM-4AM ($10 at the door / 21+)
Rabbit + Gun
2323 East Olympic Blvd in Los Angeles
“Reflect” presents “I Love LA” with 10 LA-based artists on view, live painting from Mear One, a photobooth by Lawrence Cassel, live music and more.
www.myspace.com/reflectla

Sat, Jan. 31st 6-9PM
Sam Lee Gallery
990 North Hill Street, #190 in Chinatown area of Los Angeles / 323.227.0275
“Flesh + Bone” new sculptural works from Rebekah Bogard (*image above of Bogard's sculptural work)
(On view through March 14th)
http://www.samleegallery.com/

Sun, Feb. 1st (check for time, may just be during normal hours...)
SURU
7662 Melrose Ave in Los Angeles / 323.655.0770
“This Is Los Angeles” – a photographic retrospective from Estevan Oriol
(On view through Feb. 28th)
http://www.suru-la.com/

Mon, Feb. 2nd 8PM-Midnight (*may be invite-only / not sure at this time...)
Pacific Electric Lofts
610 S. Main Street in Los Angeles
'World On Fire' exhibition curated by Will I. Am, Kris Lewis, and Justin Giarla from the Shooting Gallery featuring portraits of grammy nominees painted by: Shepard Fairey, Ron English, Gary Baseman, Shawn Barber, Kris Lewis, Lori Earley, Sas Christian, David Stoupakis, Joshua Petker, Paul Chatem, Greg Gossel, Henry Lewis, Shawn Barber, Van Arno, Matthew Bone, Helen Garber, Mike Maxwell, and many more.
(On view through Feb. 8th open daily 11am-6pm)

Tue, Feb. 3rd 7-10PM
Gallery 1988
7020 Melrose Ave in Los Angeles / 323.937.7088
“Cackle Factory” featuring new works from Brandt Peters
(On view through Feb. 27th)
http://www.nineteeneightyeight.com/

Dan-ah Kim helps to direct latest video from Asobi Seksu...

Dan-ah Kim recently helped create a music video for Asobi Seksu. Dan-ah co-directed the clip with filmmaker Aaron Stewart-Ahn and created the animation that appears throughout the video. The video is for their first single off their new album called Hush. It was made under a very tight budget and even tighter deadlines, so Dan-ah warns us all it may be a lil' rough, but she had a blast working on it and we thought it would be cool to share it with you all.

Be sure to check out the work in Dan-ah's current show that's on view out in NYC at Giant Robot here.

Look for Dan-ah to make her return to Los Angeles with us next summer - already looking forward to that!

Mark Dean Vecca this Thurs @ University of California San Diego...

Fresh off killing it over at OTIS with his 'Phantasmagoria' installation (see above), Mark Dean Veca is back at it again...

Mark Dean Veca
Paintings, Wall Drawings and Collaborations

Opening Reception: Thurs, Jan. 29th 6-8:30PM
Exhibition On View: Jan. 30th - March 15th

University Art Gallery
University of California San Diego
Mandeville Center / 9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla, CA 92093
#858.534.2107
Tue-Sun 11AM-5PM (free admission)

Also, mark your calendars now:
Special artist talk with Vecca on Thurs, Feb. 26th @ 7:30PM in the Ledden Auditorium (inside the Humanities & Social Science Bldg - room 2250)

Mark Dean Veca is renowned for creating paintings, drawings and installations that portray surreal cartoons, psychedelic landscapes, and pop culture iconography while also being inspired by long-established decorative motifs. He is widely recognized for his all-encompassing installations that surround the viewer and inspire a sense of awe. Revealing fantastical and, at times, humorous imagery with frenzy and pattern-like precision, his works often resemble a modernized interpretation of toile painting. In the 1998 catalogue for Veca’s El Gloominator exhibition, Steve Mitchell asserts that “Veca works in the meticulous tradition of the fresco painter to produce an image that paradoxically evokes the immediacy of the graffiti artist.”

This solo exhibition will for the first time present a comprehensive overview of his practice, including two new wall paintings, one inside the gallery and one outside, documentation and studies for previously realized projects, paintings on a variety of surfaces and works that he has made with companies such as: Ford Motors, Nike, Burton Snowboards; editions he has produced in collaboration with museums; and works made with other artists such as the New York artist and designer KAWS.

For further details check out http://uag.ucsd.edu/

Vimby post their interview with ELBOW-TOE & ARMSROCK...

VIMBY - Armsrock & Elbow-Toe

The good folks over at Vimby.com posted their interview with ELBOW-TOE & ARMSROCK today. They swung through during the set up and on the opening night of our big 'Mostly Memory' exhibit last month. The short feature came out just great - thanks Vimby!

View more about 'Mostly Memory' here

View works from the show here

New Image Art's 15th Anniversary opening night...

New Image Art over on Fairfax celebrated their 15th Anniversary this evening in grand fashion (see previous post). When we arrived a bit after 8PM, the crowd swelled into the streets as the band No Age was rocking the house big time...

Marsea Goldberg of New Image in front of a work from Cleon Peterson (congrats Marsea!)

The epic 12' tall work from Judith Supine that greated patrons as they entered...

The crowd view from mid-gallery looking out with Supine's piece looming in the distance

Faile

Megan Whitmarsh's plush bling... gotta love it.

Taylor McKimens

Matt Leines

Rebecca Westcott (R.I.P)

Shepard Fairey - pulled out the OG Andre for the event... nice!

Patrons taking in the beauty of Jim Houser's intricate work...

Swoon

Dave Kinsey

Thomas Campbell

No Age are rocking out in there somewhere... the place was just packed all night...

Claire Rojas

Barry Mc Gee - just killin' it, one of the highlights...

Os Gemeos... how sick is that thing?!?!

More goodness from Os Gemeos

BAST

Neckface custome cycle... definitely a nice touch.

Another shot of the monster Judith Supine piece... because it was that amazing.

A wall of work from The Date Farmers

Albert Reyes bombin' our sketchbook...

The Clayton Brothers

DJ Alf Alpha with a work from Anthony Lister looming in the background...

Thomas Campbell

Phil Frost

Rich Jacobs

AIKO

What an amazing night!!! So many artists came out to pay their props to Marsea including Jeff Soto, The Clayton Brothers, Kelsey Brookes, Jo Jackson, Chris Johanson, The Date Farmers, Rich Jacobs, Albert Reyes, Neckface, Ed Templeton, Deanna Templeton, and more... just an amazing turnout and show - Congrats again Marsea!

Aaron Rose @ Hope Gallery...

Artist, musician, writer, director, curator and all around man about town Aaron Rose, known for curating the traveling museum exhibit 'Beautiful Losers', brought his debut solo show to Los Angeles last week.

Aaron was the owner and director of Alleged Gallery in New York City and created Alleged Press, which has released books featuring the art of Ari Marcopoulos and Chris Johanson. He is also co-editor of ANP Quarterly, published by RVCA.

The show, 'Born To Cry', is on view currently at Hope Gallery over in the Echo Park area of Los Angeles through Feb. 11th - 1547 Echo Park Avenue / 323.782.9221.

The man of the hour... Mr. Aaron Rose

Director, photographer, musician and Beautiful Losers alumni Mike Mills was in the house when we swung through on opening night giving his props to Aaron on his solo debut...

The prized memento of the eve - a great lil' zine made by Aaron featuring a collection of his 'week in review' posts from his blog over at http://www.rvca.com/. Over the weeks leading up to the show, Aaron went through and picked his favorites from the past year worth of posts, and compiled them in a cool lil' zine to give away at his opening.

We were lucky enough to walk away with an extra copy - first person to shoot an email to contact@sourharvest.com with their address and the name of the book Aaron released about his NYC gallery Alleged, will get that copy.

Mr. Jago news...

Opening February 12th at The Old Truman Brewery (where the legendary 'Spank The Monkey' exhibit was held a couple years back) in London is the Artists 11 group show featuring new works from D*Face, Dan Baldwin, Eine, Pure Evil, Pete Fowler, Gerald Laing, Andrew McAttee, Blek le Rat, Mr. Jago (image featured above), Nick Walker, and Xenz. Each artist has produced large life-sized works of art that will be auctioned off at Bonhams in late February in aid of the Prostate Cancer Charity.

The dimensions of the featured canvases are those of an average man; the life size work emphasises the real life problem faced by the 35,000 men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK every year. For more info on this show and auction, please visit http://www.artists11.com/

In other Mr. Jago news, look for him to be featured in the upcoming March issue of Juxtapoz magazine. Super excited that he's getting this well deserved feature.

Looking ahead, we'll be hosting Mr. Jago this August in our project room during the big ModArt curated show and plans are already underway for a solo in our main gallery in 2010. Can't wait!

New Image Art 15th Anniversary tomorrow night... don't miss this!

We've already posted on this a couple times, but this one is going to be amazing so we wanted to post a lil' update. Look for shots of the opening to be posted here Saturday eve...

Sat, Jan. 24th 7-10PM

New Image Art
7908 Santa Monica Blvd. in Los Angeles / 323.654.2192
“15th Anniversary Show” with works from Faile, Bast, Jeff Soto, Judith Supine, Deanna Templeton, Barry McGee, Claire Rojas, Chris Johanson, Tauba Auerbach, Chris Lindig, Megan Whitmarsh, Antonio Diaz, Rich Jacobs, Skullphone, Caroline Hwang, Neck Face, Jamie Williams, The Date Farmers, Kelsey Brookes, Jo Jackson, Anthony Lister, Cleon Peterson, Aiko, Os Gemeos, Taylor McKimens, The Clayton Brothers, Cody Hudson, David Ellis, Eddie Martinez, and many, many more – please note this will take place in the vacant space next door to their main gallery

Congratulations to Marsea on this huge accomplishment!!!

The 15 year anniversary party will serve as a retrospective show... a show of shows if you will. Many of the artists that have shown with New Image over the past 15 years are contributing to this special exhibit.

New Image will be showing videos and slide presentations and inviting some of their favorite past musical guests for live performances, dancing, and an all around good time.

Rich Jacobs and his friends are building a replica of the original New Image Art when it was upstairs and in only a 10 by 10 foot room. Rich will be driving down from SF and will be installing one of his curated 'Move' exhibits (see flier above) in this specially constructed space. Included in this special edition of the 'Move' series are works from Jodran Isip, Phil Frost, Thomas Campbell, Mofo, Tim Kerr, Melinda Beck and many more.
Judith Supine is making an 18 foot high 16 foot wide kinetic sculpture. Ed and Deanna Templeton are each doing photographic installations, Jose Parla is sending a piece in and Shepard's piece is off the hook (see above) plus a beautiful Eddie Martinez will be included in the show as well (see below). This one is not to be missed... it's like a who's who of the Beauitful Losers.

Looking for something else to do as well, be sure to check out our post below of this weekend's 'Recommended Openings'.

KAWS is coming to Los Angeles!!!

KAWS is coming!!!

"The Long Way Home" from KAWS @ Honor Fraser

New paintings, sculptural works and an installation + more details soon on a special curated show from KAWS at Royal/T that will be culled from the vast collection of owner and über collector Susan Hancock.

February 21st - April 4th

Opening Reception: Sat, Feb. 21st 6-8PM

Ryden book signing at MOCA on Sat, Jan. 31st...

SATURDAY, JAN 31, 3–5pm @ The MOCA Store
MOCA Grand Avenue

250 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Renowned artist Mark Ryden will sign copies of his newest release The Tree Show (2009), a hardcover collection of recent works. Through paintings and sculpture inspired by the Roman poet Ovid’s tales of transformation in Metamorphoses, Ryden explores the mythological and transformative properties of trees, offering familiar preoccupations in new settings.

MOCA members will receive a 10% discount on the publication.

Please note:
Ryden will only sign copies of The Tree Show purchased from the MOCA Store (proof of purchase required) on a first come, first served basis. Due to high demand, early arrival is recommended; the signing will end promptly at 5pm. The galleries at MOCA Grand Avenue will be closed to the public January 26 through February 14, 2009, for the installation of Dan Graham: Beyond

Art LA opening night action....

Last night was the opening night gala for Art LA @ The Barker Hangar in Santa Monica and the art lovers of Los Angeles were out in force. Heard from a few the turnout was far stronger than the opening night for the Los Angeles Art Show at the Convention Center that kicked off on Wednesday. We'll be swinging through there tomorrow, as we were busy on the night of the opening gala, so look for shots and a short report from that in the next day or two...

Mark Ryden @ Michael Kohn Gallery (Los Angeles, CA) - a cool $125K!!!

Mark Ryden @ Michael Kohn Gallery (Los Angeles, CA)

Mark Ryden @ Michael Kohn Gallery (Los Angeles, CA)

Follow instructions with care...

Kehinde Wiley @ Roberts & Tilton (Culver City, CA)

John Parot @ Western Exhibitions (Chicago, IL)

Tim Hawkinson @ Ace Gallery (sort of a lil' mini-solo on view from Hawkinson)...

Tim Hawkinson @ Ace Gallery (Los Angeles, CA)

Tim Hawkinson @ Ace Gallery (great array of works from Hawkinson on view)...

Didn't catch the name of this artist, but loved this lil' sculptural installation....

Peter Saul @ Patrick Painter (Los Angeles, CA)

Above, the official "WTF?!?!?!" piece of the fair... basically a cuff from a blouse nailed to the wall.

One of the fair's highlights was getting to view a nice chunk of original works from the one and only Kenny Schraf at the booth for Honor Fraser (Culver City, CA)

Kenny Schraf @ Honor Fraser (Culver City, CA)

Kenny Schraf @ Honor Fraser (Culver City, CA)

Gonzalo Lebrija @ I-20 Gallery (New York, NY)

Crowd shot from opening night...

The unofficial motto of all art fairs...

Art LA

Fri & Sat 11-7PM + Sun 12-6PM

$15 one-day pass / $25 three-day pass

www.artfairsinc.com/artla/2009