PRESENCE ALMANAC
Nineteenth 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 I used to live near the intersection of Melrose Ave. and La Brea Ave.
Then around the corner along Beverly Blvd is Artplex Gallery.
Yet it was only at the beginning of 2023 when I finally learned that the buildings between these bars, restuarants, and storefronts were all art galleries.
Instead of presenting solo shows, this company exhibits work throughout the year from all of their artists.
So for the Nineteenth Chronicle, here’s an authentic look at the art around my neighborhood, and three shows for you to see this winter.
During my most recent visit, I lingered in front of Iqi Qoror‘s pieces to study how he uses mixed media, acrylic and wool to depict unique scenes.
FAIRFAX
WESTLAKE
After enjoying a meal across the street at Bludso’s BBQ, I recommend visiting Shulamit Nazarian.
As I learn more about LA’s expansion and how city planners developed the neighborhoods, I find myself gravitating towards Westlake.
The curators consistently highlight emerging artists whose works capture my imagination, and here are some of my favorites: Bridget Mullen Sensory Homunculus Amir H. Fallah A War on Wars Fay Ray & Daniel Gibson Seeds And Ken Gun Min’s Sweet Discipline from Koreatown on view until December 20.
FASHION DISTRICT A chronicle wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Fashion District, and today we return to the Bendix Building for a trip to in lieu. I clearly have an affinity for photos of the sky, and Christian Franzen‘s Slight Return is a solo show of acrylic paintings that depict his murky perspective of views around the Pacific Ocean. I’m in awe of his ability to create paintings that look like photographs, and I recommend seeing them in person until December 16. *** ***
It’s fascinating to dig deeper into the community plans, and I’ve contacted local organizers to speak about uplifting this part of town...
These locations are added to a comprehensive google map every week to help you navigate an inspiring afternoon around town.
But in the meantime, I encourage walking around MacArthur Park and envisioning its potential for yourself.
And curating these selections is a consistent reminder to see the art in every city you travel to this winter.
And while you’re there, swing by O-Town House to enjoy João Gabriel’s solo show I was looking at you and you couldn’t see me.
So as you head into the final weeks of this year, I truly hope you dedicate some time to enjoying the creativity and artists around you.
On view until December 16, the gallery’s outdoor patio is also a pefect location for watching the sun set across Koreatown in the distance.
Published November 27 at 1:16 AM Love, Elliott
FAIRFAX
© Bridget Mullen | Your Face Should Be the Least of Your Worries, 2022 Sensory Homunculus
Courtesy of Shulamit Nazarian
© Bridget Mullen | Double Blind (2), 2019-2022 Sensory Homunculus
Courtesy of Shulamit Nazarian
© Bridget Mullen | Head-on Series #2, 2022 Sensory Homunculus
Courtesy of Shulamit Nazarian
© Bridget Mullen | Pusher’s Petals, 2022 Sensory Homunculus
Courtesy of Shulamit Nazarian
© Bridget Mullen | Blood’s Bluff, 2022 Sensory Homunculus
Courtesy of Shulamit Nazarian
© Fay Ray | Release, 2023 Seeds
Courtesy of Shulamit Nazarian
© Daniel Gibson | Butterfly Over the Fence Under the Moon, 2023 Seeds
Courtesy of Shulamit Nazarian
© Amir H. Fallah | The Ballot or the Bullet, 2022 A War on Wars
Courtesy of Shulamit Nazarian
© Amir H. Fallah | The Sting, 2023 A War on Wars
Courtesy of Shulamit Nazarian
© Ken Gun Min | 13 Missing Ladies, 2023 Sweet Discipline from Koreatown
Courtesy of Shulamit Nazarian
© Ken Gun Min | Memories Of Dandelion (Pico/Union), 2023 Sweet Discipline from Koreatown
Courtesy of Shulamit Nazarian
© Ken Gun Min | Queen of the Night (Koreatown), 2023 Sweet Discipline from Koreatown
Courtesy of Shulamit Nazarian
© Ken Gun Min | Stranger By The Lake (Bare Ass Creek), 2023 Sweet Discipline from Koreatown
Courtesy of Shulamit Nazarian
© Iqi Qoror | The Night Watch (She)
Courtesy of Artplex Gallery
© Iqi Qoror | After Party
Courtesy of Artplex Gallery
© Iqi Qoror | Sitting Figure
Courtesy of Artplex Gallery
© Iqi Qoror | Blue Underneath Mondrian
Courtesy of Artplex Gallery
WESTLAKE
© João Gabriel I was looking at you and you couldn’t see me
Courtesy of O-Town House
© João Gabriel I was looking at you and you couldn’t see me
Courtesy of O-Town House
© João Gabriel I was looking at you and you couldn’t see me
Courtesy of O-Town House
FASHION DISTRICT
© Christian Franzen | River Song, 2023 Slight Return
Courtesy of in lieu
© Christian Franzen | Herself on Fire, 2023 Slight Return
Courtesy of in lieu
© Christian Franzen | Words Into Wasting Time, 2023 Slight Return
Courtesy of in lieu
© Christian Franzen | Every Clown Knows a Home (Sometimes You Dig Your Own), 2023 Slight Return
Courtesy of in lieu
FAIRFAX
WESTLAKE
Bridget Mullen
João Gabriel
Sensory Homunculus January 7 - February 10, 2023 shulamitnazarian.com/artists/ 199-bridget-mullen
Amir H. Fallah
I was looking at you and you couldn’t see me October 28 - December 16 2023
O-Town House
A War on Wars February 15 - March 25, 2023 shulamitnazarian.com/artists/25amir-h.-fallah
672 S La Fayette Park Pl #44, Los Angeles, CA 90057
Fay Ray and Daniel Gibson
o-townhouse.art
Seeds April 8 - May 13, 2023 shulamitnazarian.com/artists/41-fay-ray shulamitnazarian.com/artists/116daniel-gibson
Ken Gun Min
Sweet Discipline from Koreatown November 11 - December 20, 2023 shulamitnazarian.com/artists/239ken-gun-min
FASHION DISTRICT
Iqi Qoror
Christian Franzen
artplexgallery.com/en/artist-iqi-qoror
Slight Return November 4 - December 16 2023
Shulamit Nazarian Los Angeles
in lieu
616 N La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
1206 Maple Ave Suite 903, Los Angeles, CA 90015
shulamitnazarian.com
inlieu.online
Artplex Gallery 7377 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036 artplexgallery.com
November 27 at 1:16 AM Los Angeles, CA
© Elliott Desai
presencealmanac.com