news SPRING 2015
Brandnews is a publication of Brand Associates
Life100 Opens to Accolades By Caroline Tufenkian
Library Arts & Culture director Cindy Cleary, Mayor Zareh Sinanyan, and Arts & Culture Commissioner Arlette DeHovanessian enjoy the festivities.
Associates Board Member Caroline Tufenkian, exhibition curator, with master Garo Antreasian, who flew in from Albuquerque for the opening. Photos by Stephen Jerrome
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he life100 Art Exhibition opened on the weekend of April 14 with the works of 34 master artists and 27 contemporary artists of Armenian descent. The creativity and achievements of these post-Genocide artists made for an uplifting mood in the gallery as over 800 guests examined the works. Life100 is a celebration of survival and resilience of the Armenian community 100 years after the Genocide. As a member of the life100 Planning Committee, it was an all-consuming and inspiring labor of love to identify and curate the artworks – most of which came from Southern California private collections and galleries. The Master’s Collection includes works by Arshile Gorky, Garo Antreasian, John Altoon, and Minas Avetisyan. Among those at the show on opening weekend were Mayor Sinanyan, Councilwomen Laura Friedman and Paula Devine, Councilman Ara Najarian, Library Arts & Culture Director Cindy Cleary, many Brand Associates members, dignitaries, clergy, and hundreds of appreciative art enthusiasts. We were fortunate to have master artist Garo Antreasian join us from Albuquerque, New Mexico and share his thoughts with the attendees on Sunday afternoon. Antreasian was the first Technical Director of the
Tamarind Lithography Institute in Los Angeles in the 1960s as well as the Technical Director of the Tamarind Institute in New Mexico. The exhibit continues through May 1 so we hope you will get to see this unique collection of work. A number of other great events - music, discussions, and film - will be taking place during the months of March-April. Some of the activities include Fresno State New Music Ensemble, and a panel discussion with Peter Frank, Jack Rutberg, Joanne Julian, Neery Melkonian and Mike Harutunian. Speakers will be present for a three part event April 11 to reflect on the past century of genocide and mass atrocities while raising awareness of ongoing genocides still occurring beyond our borders. On April 19 Michael Avetisyan will host performances of the music of the renowned Armenian composer Komitas. Lastly, a screening of Sergei Parajanov’s The Color of Pomegranates (1968) will occur on April 30. Please check the schedule on our website or go to the back page of the newsletter to find the details.
MESSAGE
from ARLENE VIDOR President, Brand Associates
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he first quarter of 2015 at Brand was off to such an energetic start that we are simultaneously catching our breath and having new events. The life100 exhibition, offering varied programs through May 1, honors the resilience and talents of artists of Armenian descent and celebrates the community’s cultural contributions subsequent to the 1915 Armenian Genocide. It is a monumental one-of-a-kind program that should not be missed. We hosted some lively film events in the beginning of the year that are highlighted on page 4. The film series will culminate on Thursday May 28 with our first ever Student Film Showcase. We look forward to the installation of state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment later in 2015. We had reported in our last newsletter that Kent Twitchell, muralist extraordinaire, is our Brand 43 Works on Paper Juror. We are thrilled to also host Isabel Rojas-Williams of the Los Angeles Mural Conservancy during that show; she will talk about the mural-friendly environment she has helped to foster in so many Los Angeles area communities. Suffice to say, the Brand Associates are enthusiastic supporters of public murals in our environment! Finally, as I write this, the anniversary of the rehabilitated Brand Library re-opening in 2014 approaches. We recently celebrated the occasion with the installation of our permanent Donor Wall in the atrium gallery space - have a look on page 5. We will formally celebrate the anniversary at our Annual Meeting with a reprisal of John LoCascio’s Brand Library Tour that will also include a look at the Brand Family Cemetery, a short walk away from the library. Hope to see you on May 9!
MESSAGE
from Cathy Billings Senior Library, Art & Culture Supervisor
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ow time flies! Staff at the library have been busy planning and implementing programs for your enjoyment, and as you will see in the article by our two specialist librarians Caley Cannon (art) and Blair Whittington (music), we are also busy buying new materials for our library users. One of the best things about working at Brand Library is being able to help our visitors with their research needs, whether they are artists, set designers, or opera singers! We love to make someone’s day by matching them with just the book, CD or DVD they were looking for. As the Brand Associates Music Series winds up in May we turn our attention to the summer Plaza Series which was such a hit last year. Co-sponsored by the Glendale Arts & Culture Commission and the Brand Associates, the Plaza Series will again bring lively bands to the Plaza on Friday nights starting in June. Bring a picnic! We are also planning the remaining gallery exhibitions for 2015. We received more than 370 submissions from artists, curators and groups, which goes to show what a respected and popular venue Brand Library Art Galleries is. You can look forward to fabulous exhibitions the remainder of the year, including the 43rd installment of the Brand Associates’ Annual Juried Exhibition. We look forward to seeing you in the library or at one of our events soon!
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT
Arlene Vidor VICE PRESIDENT
Jean Simone SECRETARY
Vacant
TREASURER AND ACTING MEMBERSHIP CHAIR
Mary Jamora DIRECTORS
Stephen Jerrome Caroline Tufenkian Judy Walker EX OFFICIO
Arlette De Hovanessian Arts & Culture Commission
Cathy Billings
Brand Library Supervisor ADVISORY
Nina Crowe Glendale Arts
Joy Feuer
Art From the Ashes
John LoCascio, AIA Historic Resources Group NEWSLETTER LAYOUT
Judy Walker
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Scott Lasken
MARY LOUISE BRAND SPONSORS Caravan Rug Corporation Scott and Victoria Lasken Glendale Adventist Medical Center Lexus of Glendale The Glendale Historical Society Greg and Caroline Tufenkian Arlene Vidor NATHANIEL DRYDEN PATRONS Greg Astorian Mary Jamora TIOGA WOLF SUPPORTERS Bonese Collins Turner (honoring Jean Seybold) Frank De Pietro & Sons (honoring Brand Associates) Glendale Arts Greg Grammer Northwest Glendale Homeowners Association
GROWTH AND RENEWAL DEFINES THE BRAND LIBRARY’S EXTENSIVE COLLECTIONS. By Caley Cannon – Arts Librarian and Blair Whittington – Music Librarian
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t’s spring – the season of growth and renewal – so we are pleased to share with you how we have grown and renewed the collections and services offered at Brand Library. As of February 2015, over 800 books, CDs and DVDs have been added to the art and music collection. The Brand Library collection now includes 106,000 items including 32,000 CDs and 3,000 DVDs! We are especially pleased to announce a new collection of children’s books focused on art and music topics that will nurture the creative spirit in our youngest library patrons (and their grown-ups!). Adult readers can explore the recently created Reception Hall collection of reference materials. This browsing collection offers a visual and inspirational feast for library users interested in architecture, sculpture, fashion, painting, animation, photography, music, and more.
The reception hall offers an eclectic browsable collection of reference materials on architecture, sculpture, fashion, painting, animation, photograph, music, and more.
The Brand Library has 32,000 CDs and 3,000 DVDs in its collections. Come in and check them out!
We encourage you to take advantage of the unique research resources available at Brand Library. AskART and Invaluable Auction Records offer online access to world-wide auction results, an essential component to discovering the provenance and value of artwork. Art Full Text and Oxford Art Online supplement art market research with in-depth historical information about artists, art movements, and styles and techniques. Oxford Music Online includes many of the Grove music dictionaries in an online format. International Index to Music Periodicals has a wide variety of music magazines and journals indexed and available full text. We also offer streaming music from Naxos and Music Online which includes huge listening databases of American, Classical, World Music, Jazz and Smithsonian Global Sound. Our latest online database is the Entertainment Industry Magazine Archive which includes full text entertainment periodicals back to the 1880s (including Billboard magazine which started in 1894). To log in from home all you need is a Glendale library card. We hope you can stop by Brand Library soon to catch up on all the new collections and services we have to offer. Happy Spring!
Young patrons – and their grown-ups – are encouraged to enjoy the new collection of children’s books.
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O
n February 19, an audience filled with balletomanes viewed the award-winning documentary Ballets Russes, graced by a panel of three special guests: Victoria Tennant, author and acclaimed actress spoke about her pictorial biography, “Irina Baronova and the Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo”, featuring recollections of her famous ballet Our featured films and books are available at Brand Library – check them out! star mother. Tennant was joined by the directors of the film, Dayna Goldfine and Dan Geller. The three shared their insights into the ballet world including first hand recollections of the legendary dancers, most of whom have now passed away. Marcia Hanford, who attended the screening, offered her impressions via email the next day: “I went to the movie last night, thinking it would be a movie about ballet and it would be fine. Well, it was an extraordinary evening. The film was astonishing: world history that I never knew, all that background about the dueling companies, insights into those lovely individuals. And then the panel with Victoria Tennant + the film makers - it was an incredible evening - delivered that soaring feeling that the arts provide. I was glad to see so many people there. It’s too bad that hundreds more didn’t realize what was in store. Bravo and thank you, Brand Associates!” On March 5, we screened the highly entertaining and humorous “Advanced Style” a film based on Ari Seth Cohen’s blog about New York fashionistas of advanced age. Donna Lethal a well known Los Angeles beauty blogger spoke after the film and elaborated on its key message: beauty and style derive from a sense of self-confidence and joy – not from a person’s age. As one of the women in the film said “I don’t want to look young – I want to look great”.
YOU ARE INVITED TO THE BRAND ASSOCIATES ANNUAL MEETING and tour Help us celebrate the one-year anniversary of the re-opening of the Rehabilitated Brand Library & Art Center
Arlene Vidor (left), Brand Associates president and Ballet Russes Directors Dayna Goldfine and Dan Geller flanking actress and author Victoria Tennant Donna Lethal, Los Angeles beauty blogger, spoke about aging and style and loving it. Photo by Stephen Jerrome
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Christie Curran and Board Member Stephen Jerome with their own styles.
Saturday, May 9, 2015 at 10:30 am – 12:30 pm Brand Library & Art Center Recital Hall We welcome our members as well as the community. After a short meeting and our election, architect John LoCascio will take us on a fascinating tour of the Brand complex and the Brand Family Cemetery. The cemetery is a 15 minute walk from the library on a slight incline. Wear comfortable shoes.
The Call to Artists is coming soon for Brand 43 Works on Paper Exhibition By Judy Walker
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he call to artists for our 43rd Annual Works on Paper Exhibition opening September 26, 2015, will be posted on “CaFÉ” on April 9, 2015. (CaFÉ is at www.callforentry.org, and artists may register free). Legendary Los Angeles muralist Kent Twitchell (www.kenttwitchell.org) will be our exhibition juror. We are very proud of the great artists and arts experts who have juried the show through the years, dating all the way back to the first show in 1971. This year, $4,000 has been allocated for awards. One work will be chosen to receive the Jane Friend Purchase Award and will be purchased by the Brand Associates for our permanent collection at Brand Library. All notifications and instructions for the exhibition will be available through the “CaFÉ” online service. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the proceeds from sale of works at the show go to Brand Associates to help us continue to provide free arts programming to the public. All work accepted for the exhibition will be included in our catalog, which is posted online and in print version. Brand Works on Paper Exhibition – Brand 43 Important dates for artists applying: June 17, 2015: deadline for submission of entries July 1, 2015: mailing of jurying results August 7, 2015: deadline for shipped works to be received at Brand Galleries August 15, 2015, 9 am to 12 pm: Hand delivery of works to the Brand Galleries September 26, 2015, 7 pm – 9 pm: Opening Reception and awards ceremony October 31, 2015, 9am – 12 pm: Works picked up by artists (shipped to out of town artists in early November).
Kent Twitchell’s studio with sketches and paintings. On the floor is the face of the Old Lady of the Freeway.
Our new donor wall is a fitting tribute to the Brand Library
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he idea of having a permanent donor wall in the atrium gallery was conceived while last year’s gala celebration was in the planning stages. But how to design a donor wall that invites recognition and blends in well with the gallery space surrounding it? That was a challenge and after much discussion and trial-and-error the new donor wall was designed by Board member Judy Walker and realized by Stacy Claros of Dimensional Graphics. The wall itself is made of slightly frosted glass to keep its look very light and elegant. The lettering of the names mimics the brushed metal utilized on lettering throughout the Brand Library. The wall is accented by a very simple background painted in the shape of a scalloped archway similar to the arcades found on the front of the Brand Library. We think that this wall is a fitting tribute to our highest level donors and as well as to the cultural institution they support. Brand Associates Board member Judy Walker designed the new donor wall to integrate subtly into the Brand gallery space.
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SPOTLIGHT ON THE BRAND ASSOCIATES PURCHASE AWARD COLLECTION By Mary Jamora
Brand 39 Works on Paper, 2010; theme: “Finished and Unfinished” ~ Juror: Gloria Williams Sander ~ Purchase Award Winner: Self Portrait by Ryoko Yokohama
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The charming oil pastel on paper titled “Self Portrait” could be expressing the spinning emotion of parenthood. The subject’s face is blurred as mothers sometimes lose their own identity. The yellow of her t-shirt is cheery and covered with iconic children’s figures. This work appears to express delight—as well as the busyness and stress which often accompanies motherhood. One woman viewing the work with her grown daughter said, “Who doesn’t remember those days!” On the other hand, this piece could depict a confused young woman with a dizzying array of thoughts. Her head in motion is saying “no,” but her bright yellow t-shirt assures us that she has joy in her life. She is standing in front of a backdrop of script - her thoughts perhaps. Japanese characters are repeated across the entire work. Small, indistinct Japanese characters can also be seen. Are her thoughts “revealed?”
Ryoko Yokohama’s award winning oil pastel on paper is a charming and mysterious self-portrait.
In each newsletter we will highlight a work in our Jane Friend Purchase Award Collection. At our 2015 juried art exhibition, “Brand 43”, later this year, we will select another Purchase Award winner to join the collection. The collection currently includes works from the past 42 exhibitions, dating from 1971.
The Lodge at El Miradero
By John LoCascio, A.I.A., Brand Associates Advisory Board
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n 1909 Leslie Brand built a “Swiss” Craftsman-style lodge on the hillside behind his El Miradero residence. Designed by Los Angeles architect Charles E. Shattuck, the wood lodge sat on a foundation of arroyo stone and opened to a tennis court at its upper level. The exterior photograph shows the arched porch in the front of the lodge with a stone staircase leading to the entrance. The paneled interior, shown in the photograph on the right contained a brick fireplace, pool tables and a bar. Brand used the lodge for family and civic gatherings. It was used by the City of Glendale for events and meetings until 1988, when it was destroyed by fire. The photograph of the exterior was taken in 1978. Photographs courtesy of Glendale Public Library Special Collections online photo archives
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BRAND ASSOCIATES MEMBERS Thank you so much! BENEFACTOR - $500
Greg Astorian Ann Howitt Arlene Vidor
PATRON $100
Jeri Anderson Jennifer Bergstrom Gerald & Georgia Brommer David Brooks & John LoCasio Kirk Cartozian John Chicca Cindy & William Cleary Greg Crawford Arlette Der Hovanessian Carole & Michael Dougherty Nancy Call Dowey Patricia A. Du Pre, Esq. Joy Feuer Carolyn & Arthur Flemming Nora Goldsmith & Jay Randy Stander Greg Grammer Kathleen Henkel Mary Jamora Catherine Jurka Scott & Victoria Lasken Donald McPoland Mary Owens Louise & Bryon Peebles Janet Petersen Lila & Rich Ramirez Irena Raulinaitis Betty Riley Bill Shepherd & Art Fisher Jean Simone Samuel R. & Kay B. Snodgrass Debra K. Thompson Bonese Collins Turner Judy Walker & Peter Clemens Coralie & David Whitcomb Paul & Mary Wight Elaine Wilkerson Greg & Teri Colley LA Art Company
SUPPORTING - $55
Laurel Lee Anderson Jaime Angulo Marjorie Camusi Marie Fish Gary Hart & Jane Brown Susan Jekarl Stephen Jerrome Patricia McNamara Olga Seem Patty Silversher Hari Singh & Diana Barnes Caroline & Greg Tufenkian Benita & Dean Wallraff Gloria Williams Sander Kim Koga, Museum of Neon Art
FAMILY - $35
Linda Johnstone Allen & family Cindy & Jonathan Beres Sean Bersell & Heather Norris Stanley Block Stuart & Stella Blond Charles & Thelma Borman Joanne & Clifford Cate Steven Chapman Laurie & John Friend Alex Geringas Silva & Armen Golnazarians Elisabeth Groening Lori & Dean Hartwell Richard Heimbold Connie Humberger Lisette & Richard Jensen Ammar Kharouf Nancy & Robert Lahey John & Daphne Lee Edith & Apostol Livitsanos John LoCascio Roberta Medford & John R. Queen Bradford Mitchell & Jun Falkenstein Joe Russin & Stephanie Schus Judith Selleck Jane Shaffer Lauren Vanderspek Lorna Vartanian Joylene & Robert Wagner Jesse Walker-Lanz & Paul Walker Lucy Wang & Thomas Halpern Rondi Werner
INDIVIDUAL - $25
Srboohie Abajian Jill Andreoni Jennifer Bentson-Gebel Cathy Billings Eric Borigini Diane Chevalier Russell Cinque, Jr. Teri Deaver Mahnaz Firoozi Ellen & Robert Grim Mary Rose Grim Margaret Hammond Meg Hickman John Hogan Alan Linnemeyer Nick Macierz Carolyn Meduski Kathy Musial David Overstreet Jeanette Joslin Russell Shant Sahakian Laura Sarley Natalie Smythe Brit Trydal Laura Whitcomb - Label Curatorial Katherine Yamada
SENIOR - $20
Marie S. Bezjian Margaret W. Bickmore Maryke Brannin Noel Browning Vincent Cicone Marilu Eagles Robert Felker Gary Freeman Jim & Eileen Givens Ben Goldman Carol Grosz Claire Frith Angela Hernandez Arline Helm Mr & Mrs Farley Iman Roberta H. Japka, Ph.D. Jackie Karvas Nina Kellog Richard P. Kiehl Diane Kightlinger Liselotte S. Koerner Nancy Kupka JoAnn Leonard Lise Loy Elaine Mellinger Deanne O’Brien Lois Ramirez Leni Richardson Herm & Renee Stark Mary Strenn Joan Westgate Barbara Wilkes Clarli Wilson Mark Woods Huguette Zmuidzinas Roswitha Zunder
HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS PAST PRESIDENTS
1969-70 Jeanette Hunter Newton [d] 1970-71 Elliott House 1971-73 Kathryn Hull 1973-75 Bill Wolfe [d] 1975-77 Betty Crosby 1977-79 Duane Hagen 1979-80 Beverly Duncan 1980-82 Ursula Gleason 1982-84 Edie Debney [d] 1984-86 Mary Lee Higgins 1986-89 Robert W. Seelos [d] 1989-91 Howard Jacobson [d] 1991-93 Marge Marston 1993-98 Cathy Morrison 1998-01 Robert W. Seelos [d] 2001-04 J ane Friend [d] 2004-05 Sally MacAller 2005-07 Steve Hedrick 2007-08 Ripsime Marashian 2008-10 Barbara Thorn-Otto
ELECTED HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS
Pat Zeider Former Brand Library Supervisor Laurel Patric Former Director of Libraries Jan Reilly
STUDENT - $15
Alexa Kemalyan
SIGN UP FOR EMAIL NOTIFICATIONS! The Brand Associates and Brand Library email lists have been combined. If you are receiving event email announcements, they are arriving directly from Brand Library’s “i-Contact” email system. If you have not been receiving these emails and would like to receive Brand Library event information via email, please visit: http://glendaleca.gov/how-do-i-/sign-up-for-/newsletters-and-email-updates Once on the City of Glendale Newsletter and Email Update site, you must enter your email address and click on the Library, Arts & Culture Emails. Next step, click on “Signup” and that’s it! For members of Brand Associates, you will occasionally receive member-only communications for member-only events. Thanks for your support in helping us keep you informed.
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NONPROFIT ORG U.S.POSTAGE PAID GLENDALE, CA PERMIT NO. 503 1601 W. Mountain St. Glendale, CA 91201-1209
A 501(c)3 all volunteer, non profit organization whose mission is to sponsor and promote the Brand Library & Art Center as an arts, cultural, educational, and historic resource for the region.
How do we accomplish our mission? Sponsor free arts and cultural programming. Support special programs, permanent collections, and library infrastructure. Develop a strong base of members and donors. Get involved and join the Brand Associates. You can read more about our goals and activities and join online at www.associatesofbrand.org Like us on Facebook
UPCOMING EVENTS Be sure to check www.associatesofbrand.org or Facebook for the most current information Here are a few of the the upcoming offerings: REEL ART FILM SERIES FOR LIFE100: Thursday, April 30, 7:00-10:00pm Sergei Parajanov’s “The Color of Pomegranates”, The film will be followed by a closing reception for the life 100 art exhibition GALLERY OPENING: Saturday, May 9, 7:00pm (watch website and facebook for further details) BookSmARTS: Thursday, May 14, 7:00pm Author Cathy Curtis discusses her book Restless Ambition: Grace Hartigan, Painter MUSIC SERIES Music Animated!: Saturday, May 16, 10:30am A hands-on music program for families
OPERA TALK: Saturday, May 16, 2:00pm The Los Angeles Opera Speakers Bureau presents a facscinating specialty talk – topic to be determined REEL ART FILM SERIES: Thursday, May 28, 7:00pm Student Film Showcase MUSIC SERIES: Saturday, May 30, 2:00pm Rose Chen/Izumi Kashiwagi – Duo Piano Recital