Entries Tagged as 'Los Angeles'

Ashes and Snow in Santa Monica

April 25th, 2006 · Comments Off on Ashes and Snow in Santa Monica · Artists, Los Angeles, Writing

Ashes

Gregory Colbert (source)

Ashes to Snow is an installation that showcases Gregory Colbert’s photography and videos inside a temporary architecture made out of shipping containers designed by architect Shigeru Ban.

I didn’t want to pay the $7 parking fee and $15 admission to see it, however, Cha Cha Chicken called my hand. I’m addicted to their cuban jerk chicken enchiladas and they’re located almost next door, too close to avoid.

Embarrassingly, I liked it, and recommend seeing it before it leaves for Italy on May 14. The money is worth the unique architecture alone. The images and videos bleed with over-the-top Disney spirituality, but I dare you to resist the video of a man swimming under a swimming elephant, its tremendous feet gracefully arching across the top of the screen.

You’ll have to forgive the audio, which contains narration that drones phrases like, “The door was open and the door was closed.” There are many elements to Colbert’s work that are insensitive to the contemporary vogue. However, it’s clear that he is not appealing to curators or critics, and judging by the crowd I had to fight to see his work–I’ve never seen so many people enjoy video art–only a fool would say his work has no value.

The Aesthetics of Risk, 4/29, at the Getty

April 24th, 2006 · Comments Off on The Aesthetics of Risk, 4/29, at the Getty · Los Angeles

Aesthetics of Risk—SoCCAS Conference

Date: Saturday, April 29, 10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Location: Getty Center, Harold M. Williams Auditorium

Admission: Free; no reservations required.

The Getty Research Institute and the Southern California Consortium of Art Schools (SoCCAS) present “The Aesthetics of Risk,” a conference that explores notions of risk in the most radical art-making practices of the past 35 years. Features speakers Jane Blocker, Douglas Crimp, Brock Enright, Rachel Greene, Steve Kurtz, Paul McCarthy, Cathy Opie, Richard Shiff, and Kristine Stiles.

Following the conference, at 7:00 p.m., is an evening of alternative music in the Museum Courtyard. L.A. band Future Pigeon performs with DJ Eddie Ruscha at 7:00 p.m.; the Red Krayola take the stage at 8:00 p.m.

The conference and concerts are free, no reservations required. More info here.

Judd Furniture @ Matin Gallery

April 6th, 2006 · Comments Off on Judd Furniture @ Matin Gallery · Artists, Los Angeles

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Speaking of Chinati, you can see examples of Donald Judd’s furniture right here, and right now, in Los Angeles at Matin Gallery, but you better hurry. The show closes on Saturday.

Donald Judd Furniture | Taizo Kuroda White Porcelain

28 February through 8 April 2006

More info here.

Largest Protest in LA’s History

March 26th, 2006 · Comments Off on Largest Protest in LA’s History · Los Angeles

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(Bob Chamberlin / LAT) [link]

Yesterday, over half a million people marched on downtown Los Angeles to protest a proposed anti-immigration bill, HR4437, which would criminalize undocumented immigrants and the people who hired, or helped, them. There were no arrests. The protest lasted over 6 hours, and was peaceful throughout.

Lots of great images, and a first hand account of the protest here. LA Times coverage here.

Money for Artists: Event Schedule

March 15th, 2006 · Comments Off on Money for Artists: Event Schedule · Los Angeles, Writing

The US government could soon be issuing checks for $2,500 to every American visual artist.

(more…)

Transfixed: New Media and the Body at Orange Lounge

March 14th, 2006 · Comments Off on Transfixed: New Media and the Body at Orange Lounge · Artists, Los Angeles

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Chris Burden, Documentation of Selected Works 1971, 1975

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Kent Anderson Butler, Lament, 2004

The Orange County Museum of Art’s Orange Lounge, is “devoted exclusively to the presentation and interpretation of video, computer and internet based works, audio works and other forms of new media.” Even if the term “new media” already seems dated, their execution of this mission is innovative. The Orange Lounge is located in the South Coast Plaza mall. While being located next to the GAP may raise eyebrows, tension is quickly alleviated through comfortable couches and a well-designed user experience.

Currently showing on an ongoing basis is Transfixed: New Media and the Body featuring Chris Burden–who narrates his familiar early works (including Shoot in which the artist has himself shot with a 22 rifle), Alan Rath, Tony Oursler, Cheryl Dunn, Yoshua Oken and Kent Anderson Butler [who has performed in one of our works].

The Huntington Botanical Gardens

March 13th, 2006 · Comments Off on The Huntington Botanical Gardens · 2004 - 2012 Sketchbook, Artists, Los Angeles

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Our friends A (smaller, left) and D (taller, right) enjoy the fog grotto in the Huntington’s Helen and Peter Bing Children’s Garden. I could talk about the plants, but the water systems stole the show — among them: an audio speaker attached to a fountain to create sonic waves.

Groundings: New Paintings, Jonathan Anderson, Opens 3/11

March 9th, 2006 · Comments Off on Groundings: New Paintings, Jonathan Anderson, Opens 3/11 · Artists, Los Angeles

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Groundings: New Paintings, Jonathan Anderson
March 11 – April 28, 2006
A Shenere Velt Art Gallery
1525 S. Robertson Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90035
Opening Reception: Saturday, March 11th, 5 – 7pm

Arts Tune-Up: Best Deal Around

March 8th, 2006 · Comments Off on Arts Tune-Up: Best Deal Around · Los Angeles

Arts Information for Individual Artists & Small Budget Organizations

This free event is designed to put you in contact with arts consultants, working artists, and administrators who can provide information and answer questions on a variety of topics, including fundraising, how to market and publicize your art, information on new loan fund programs for artists and organizations, benefit opportunitiesfor artists, training programs for artists and organizations, board development for arts organizations, arts education resources, and much more.

SATURDAY, MARCH 11: CLAREMONT
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Claremont Graduate University

The Arts Tune-Up is free, but you do need to register here. More info here.

Portia Hein and Kyle Riedel at the Torrance Art Museum

March 8th, 2006 · Comments Off on Portia Hein and Kyle Riedel at the Torrance Art Museum · Artists, Los Angeles

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Portia Hein, Jardin des Plantes, 2006
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego

When we were in La Jolla to catch the new Nancy Rubins piece at MCASD, we were delighted to find this piece installed in the cafe. Portia Hein, who went to grad school with Murray, is another UT alum now based in Los Angeles, along with the oft-mentioned Kyle Riedel.

The cafe installation is down, but you can catch both Kyle and Portia’s work right now at the Torrance Art Museum in Plainer: A Contemporary Take on Landscape (closes March 11), named by Peter Frank as his “Go” pick last week in the LA Weekly.

Admission to exhibits at the Torrance Art Museum is free. Regular hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday, from 12 – 6 pm.