15th Presence Almanac

PRESENCE ALMANAC

Fifteenth Chronicle

Curated by Elliott Desai

Cover photo by Elliott Desai

Inside Cover photo by Elliott Desai

FOR THE A DVA N C E M E N T OF ARTS & CULTURE My dad visited last weekend and we dedicated Sunday to driving down the Pacific Coast Highway from Camarillo to Marina Del Rey. An entire day by the water inspired a return to coastal spots I’ve rarely spent time exploring. So Tuesday afternoon began with lunch at the Cozy Cafe, laying in the sun on Redondo Beach, and then a leisurely drive around... RANCHO PALOS VERDES I visited Redfield & Redfield at the Palos Verdes Art Center - a solo show by Thomas H. Redfield, Jr. on view until November 11. The property is primarily an event space for locals, so I lingered a while before driving around the peninsula to reach Point Vicente.

re-inspired me to capture the world through other mediums as well. Self-expression is the core of everything we create, and this process of publishing the almanac to amplify my work alongside others has also become a grounding part of my practice. FAIRFAX I also clearly care a lot about having immediate access to green spaces and then sharing these locations with others. So as a resident of this neighborhood, I’m finally featuring Pan Pacific Park. I envision a future where there’s less distance between them, but these sprawling fields make up one of the largest parks available to Angelenos.

The Lighthouse is only open on Saturdays, but I still enjoyed this picturesque view of the ocean while sitting high up in the Vicente Bluffs.

After a visit to the Original Farmers Market, I’ll often walk into the grounds to extend an afternoon, and when coffee shops close early, I can rely on the adjacent Fairfax Branch Library until 8pm.

WEST HOLLYWOOD

VENICE

I also visited Karma Gallery in West Hollywood to see new oil paintings by Dike Blair, on view until November 4.

On Wednesday evening, I attended a few opening receptions at L.A. Louver and witnessed the moon growing fuller above (inside cover).

I was inspired over the summer to create paintings by using my own photos as reference images, and seeing Blair demonstrate this style

RED is a group show of fifteen artists on view until December 2, and my favorite pieces were made by Tom Wudl and Tony Bevan.

On the second floor is Pictures in the Garden on view until January 6 - a solo show of gouache paintings by acclaimed sculptor Matt Wedel. Despite visiting the Venice boardwalk many times, I was delightfully surprised to learn that L.A. Louver has been exhibiting artists here since 1975. A wonderful reminder that if your surroundings start to feel boring or too familiar, there’s something right under your nose that’s been ignored or simply overlooked. *** *** This Fifteenth Chronicle is published on October 28 at 1:24 PM as the full moon reaches peak illumination. With only a few months left in 2023, I’m learning more about the careers of experienced visual artists (who work in similar mediums to myself) to uncover how their artistic practice has unfolded and advanced. Earlier this month, I also returned to the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre to continue my Improv training, and after a 12-month break from videos, I’m recently daydreaming about visual storytelling again. Cheers to daily life, and becoming re-acquainted with the art forms that light us up. Sincerely, Elliott

R A N C H O PALOS VERDES

Photo by Elliott Desai

Image courtesy of Palos Verdes Art Center

WEST HOLLYWOOD

Image courtesy of Karma Gallery

FAIRFAX

Photo by Elliott Desai

V E N I C E

Image courtesy of L.A. Louver

Photo by Elliott Desai

RANCHO PALOS VERDES Thomas H. Redfield, Jr.

Redfield & Redfield September 16 - November 11, 2023 pvartcenter.org/portfolio-item/ redfield-redfield

WEST HOLLYWOOD Dike Blair September 16–November 4, 2023 karmakarma.org/artists/dike-blair

Point Vicente 31501 Palos Verdes Dr W, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275

Palos Verdes Art Center

Karma Gallery

5504 Crestridge Rd, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275

7351 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046

pvartcenter.org

karmakarma.org

FAIRFAX

VENICE

Pan Pacific Park

Tom Wudl

7600 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036 laparks.org/reccenter/pan-pacific

RED October 25 - December 2, 2023 lalouver.com

Tony Bevan

RED October 25 - December 2, 2023 lalouver.com

Matt Wedel

Pictures in the Garden October 25 - January 6, 2024 lalouver.com

L.A. Louver 45 North Venice Blvd, Venice, CA 90291 lalouver.com

October 28 at 1:24 PM Los Angeles, CA

presencealmanac.com

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