NELAart SECOND SATURDAY GALLERY NIGHT MAP ENCLOSED
LA ART NEWS Section A Volume 3 No.11 laartnews.com find us on Facebook March 2016
HOW DO YOU CREATE?
FIG JAM COMES TO NORTH FIGUEROA
A plethora of community organizations have come together to celebrate the past, present and future of North Figueroa Street with “Fig Jam,” coming March 19. The event focuses on four broad themes: Healthy Streets, Civic Engagement, Arts & Culture, and Food & Business. Fig Jam is presented by The North Figueroa Association through a grant from Mayor Eric Garcetti’s “Great Streets” program. All activities are family-friendly. Featured participants run an age gamut from budding ballerinas to century-old classic architecture. Fig Jam will be a fun experience--a celebration of all that North Figueroa has to offer. At the same time, it will held guide Angelenos in thoughtful planning as to what our Great Streets should be in the future. “Things are changing so fast here, and it’s important to remember the roots of the northeast,” says Titina Folliero. “My family has been a part of this community since the 60s, so preserving some of the old is important to me. That’s one of the reasons why I’m volunteering my time here. I see Fig Jam as a fun opportunity to get involved in Highland Park.” “When I think about a street, my street--the one I walk up and down--as a public space,” says local resident and theater producer Marita De La Torre, “the first thing that comes to mind is art. Visual or performing art is what makes a public space meaningful and memorable. It reminds us of our humanity. And that’s what I want as a Highland Park resident and artist for the future of my Fig!” “By reimagining our streets,” says the Mayor’s office, “we can create places for Angelenos to come together, whether they travel by car, transit, bike or on foot.” Fig Jam’s participating organizations include: Adam’s Forge, Arroyo Arts Collective, Arroyo Hill, Arroyo Seco Magnet School, Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council, Audubon Center at Debs Park, Avenue 50 Studio, Bob Dr. Madcap’s Figizzapoppin’ Medicine Show & Taylor Properties, Book Show, Cindy Lam Piano Studio, Cosmological Jamboree will be rolling onto Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Folliero’s, North Figueroa. Franklin High School, Future Studio, Gensler, Highland Park Chamber of Commerce, Highland Park Heritage Trust, Highland Park Independent Film Festival, Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council, Jenkin’s Jellies, LA Art News, LA Poetry Society, Linda Kaye Poetry, Los Angeles City Council District 1, Los Angeles Walks, Lummis Day Community Foundation, Luscious Lemon, Maggie’s Jam and Jellies, NELAart, Occidental College Urban & Environmental Policy students & faculty, NE Wellness Center, Old LA Certified Farmers Market, Piece by Piece, PUC CALS School, Red Car Properties LTD, Teatro Arroyo // Theater Stream, Twinkle Toes, Yarn Bombing Los Angeles and more. Presenters also include a host of local artists, community volunteers and business people. All Angelenos and their friends are most welcome to attend. *See the special Fig Jam section in this paper for a map and full schedule.* Marita and Margaret of Teatro Arroyo with the Fig Jam: Saturday, March 19, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., North Figueroa Street from Avenue 60 to Avenue 50. Information at North new North Figueroa “L.A. Great Street” sign Figueroa and Avenue 58.
”TRY YOUR LUCK”
Artwork by Brian Grillo at Rock Rose Gallery Brian Grillo, a Southern California native living in Highland Park, is both a visual and performing artist. His multi-faceted exhibit “Try Your Luck” will open at Rock Rose Gallery, Saturday, March 12. Grillo’s vibrant paintings and pâpier maché figures often incorporate found objects and writings--all of which reflect his dynamic response to life’s daily discoveries and a hard-work ethic as an artist and musician, learned from his Italian father and Irish mother. The fun and daring imagery may have come from his early interest in comic books, rock magazines, and the Golden Age of Hollywood. A visit to New York exposed him to Time Square, the artwork adorning Coney Island’s old rides, and the Zigfield Follies, which served as inspiration for his first band, Grillo’s Follies. He worked for a short stint with Tom Morello, who moved on to form Rage Against the Machine, while Grillo formed his band, Extra Fancy. Grillo is pleased that he is still writing and painting. However, his music took a dark turn after his friends started dying. The art and words got angrier. Right about the time he got his big record deal, “Rolling Stone” outed Grillo as being H.I.V. positive. But Grillo turned his death sentence lemons into lemonade. He is still here, painting and writing, and is now ready to share his love-turning it into one big show, “Try Your Luck,” featuring visual art and the music of Extra Fancy. Rock Rose Gallery, 4108 North Figueroa Street, Highland Park Opening: March 12, 7-10 p.m., in conjunction with NELAart Second Saturday Gallery Night Reception Saturday, March 19, 7-10 p.m. with a special appearance by Extra Fancy On view through March 27
Brian Grillo
(There is still time to view the Rock Rose celebration of Women’s History Month, with a gallery full of works by Gwen Freeman, Carol Colin, Jeanie Frias, Pola Lopez, Mita Cuaron, Tre “Zoe Blaq” Bartney, Judith Duran, Amber Joiner, Cecilia Marmol, Jane McCabe, and Gabrielle Wasow Brill. Reception: Saturday, March 5, 7-10 p.m.)
Brian Grillo
WE HEART EAGLE ROCK
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Last month Eagle Rock had its inaugural “First Saturdays: We Heart Eagle Rock Art Walk,” and everyone involved is excited about the next one on Saturday, March 5 from 4-8 p.m.! Thirteen small businesses along Eagle Rock and Colorado Boulevards will be participating, including Pop Secret Gallery, Eagle Rock City Hall, Good Eye Gallery, Leanna Lin’s Wonderland, O & M Leather, Kumquat, and more! Below are a few must-see artsy happenings. To get more details, visit facebook.com/WeHeartEagleRock Kumquat: 5054 Eagle Rock Boulevard Kumquat will be hosting a Papercuterie pop-up. Shelley Friedman created Papercuterie to feature her whimsical paper art. All of her pieces are hand-drawn and intricately hand-cut. Shelley Friedman lives with her husband and daughter in Mt. Washington. Leanna Lin’s Wonderland: 5024 Eagle Rock Boulevard Leanna Lin’s Wonderland presents California Love Art Show, a group exhibition that represents our collective love affair with the Golden State. The gallery curator, Supahcute, invited 27 artists to share what made them fall for our favorite place. 10% of the art show sales will be Melinda Tracy at Leanna Lin’s Wonderland donated to CITYstage, a nonprofit performing arts organization in L.A. that serves at-risk middle and high school youth. O & M Leather: 5048 Eagle Rock Boulevard Join O & M Leather for a solo exhibit artist’s reception for Donelle Maclaren. Her drawings and acrylic paintings are a journal for her, which explains the dark expressionism she uses in her creativity. Good Eye Gallery: 4538 Eagle Rock Boulevard “Objects of Desire Art Show” features wool clouds by Bay Area fiber artist Meghan Shimek, which hang alongside S.F. based artist Aaron Bray’s geodesic wood planters. Original paintings, illustrations and limited edition prints by Katie Shipley, Kelsey Ouseid and Laura Hope Mason are also included along with Alison Foshee’s staple seedlings.
Aaron Bray at Good Eye Gallery
MARCH 2016
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STAFF Publisher Cathi Milligan Creative Director Cathi Milligan Managing Editor Margaret Arnold Advertising Sales Cathi Milligan Contributors: Margaret Arnold, Cornelius Peter, Brian Mallman, Amy Inouye, Stuart Rapeport, Cathi Milligan, Jennifer Hitchcock, Florence the dog, Jeremy Kaplan, Larisa Code, Harvey Slater, Kristine Schomaker, Dani Dodge, Baha Danesh, Linda Kaye, Leanna Lin, Joe Bermudez LA Art News is published monthly at the beginning of each month. LA Art News is available free of charge. No person may, without prior written permission from LA Art News, take more than one copy of each monthly issue. Additional copies of the current issue are available for $1, payable in advance, at LA Art News office. Only authorized LA Art News distributors may distribute the LA Art News. Copyright No news stories, illustrations, editorial matter or advertisements herein can be reproduced without written consent of copyright owner.
IT’S TIME FOR FIG JAM! We had a couple of date changes, but this date is for certain...March 19, we’re having a party of Figueroa because it’s a Great Street! What does that mean? If you check out the center of section B in this issue, you can find out all about it. We have a map and a program guide that you can pull out and use to navigate around Fig Jam, allowing you to get a taste of what a great street can be. Council District #1’s great street is on North Figueroa, between Avenues 50 and 60. During Fig Jam you’ll be entertained by Teatro Arroyo’s multiple productions, as well as the stage for music programmed by Lummis Day. You can take a historic tour, watch blacksmithing demonstations from the good folks over at Adam’s Forge, learn mosaic techniques from Piece by Piece, draw from a live model (it might be Chicken Boy), watch painters capturing the events as they go by, or go over to Bookshow to hear some poetry or circuit bending. You hungry? There will be a food tour of the local restaurants as well as food trucks near Avenue 50. It will be a full day. Please come check it out!! Thanks, Cathi Milligan Publisher, LA Art News
How to reach us LA Art News 5668 York Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90042 323-387-9705 Contributions cathi@laartnews.com Calendar information margaret@laartnews.com Sales - cathi@laartnews.com cathi@laartnews.com laartnews.com Where’s Monica?
Namaste Highland Park
Joan Potter and Monica Alcaraz prepare for the Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council election. For information on how to serve your community by running for your local Neighborhood Council board, visit www. empowerla.org/elections/.
Yoga Studio | Art Gallery | Tea Shop www.namastehighlandpark.com
Vinyasa Flow| Power Lunch | Candlelight Flow | Prenatal Kids Yoga | Yoga Sculpt | Mixed Level Flow
5118 York Blvd | Los Angeles | CA | 90042
LA ART NEWS SECTION A
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MARCH 2016
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LA ART NEWS SECTION A
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PALM SPRINGS MODERNISM by Leanna Lin
Palm Springs Modernism Week happens every February and starts over President’s Day Weekend. Modernism Week is the celebration of midcentury architecture and design, with home tours, garden tours, guest speakers, double decker bus tours, and much more. Mid-Century Modern is a big influence on my every day life, and I make it a point to go every year, picking a different home tour each time. This time we went on the Vista Las Palmas Home Tour and saw 11 homes. For more information, visit www.modernismweek.com.
all photos by Leanna Lin
MARCH 2016
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NELAart SECOND SATURDAY GALLERY NIGHT HIGHLIGHTS FOR MARCH 12
Check the NELA Art Gallery Night Facebook page the evening before for full listings. At VAPEOLOGY, John Hartigan Photography will be doing free portraits. All are welcome. AVENUE 50 STUDIO presents “Mi Ciudad,” featuring 11 local artists. And “Politics of the Plate.” exploring food through identity, social significance and the ever-continuing class struggle. At ANTENNA STUDIO, Rosana Aziernicki, mixed media and exclusive wearable art, presents her new series “Artificial Environments.” The guest artist of the month is Peter Dalton, showing “Industrial Landscapes Portraits,” oil and acrylic paint,ink and pencil drawings. Music offerings at THE MARKET: Many Distant Cities @ 6:30; Trebles and Blues @ 7:30, Carla Bozulich (Official) + Devin Sarno @ 8:30. Plus Smores. CACTUS GALLERY presents “Loteria II,” a group show inspired by the ever-popular game. Fifty-two artists will create the 54 images of the Loteria deck. MI VIDA BOUTIQUE présents “Tlazohteotl”--Generating Essence of Affection. Honoring the female power that creates and sustains life through love. Art by Gabriela Malinalxochitl Zapata. 9 p.m.: Tlazohteotl Blessing Ceremony. Live DJ Spinorita. “HumanTreeRobot,” a series of original paintings and fine art prints by Mark Brunner, will be on the walls at VAPEGOAT. In January of 2014, a group of international artists came together in Puente Alto, Chile to create large scale public mosaic art. Several of these artists will be part of “Intervistas” at BOB TAYLOR PROPERTIES. Artists from the U.S., Germany, Holland, Turkey, New Zealand, Wales, and France. Curated by Rafael Matias. Live music with the Carlos Guitarlos Band. At FUTURE STUDIO, Chicken Boy Shop will be open for weird, strange, and unusual giftware. Plus, it’s close to PI DAY--and you know what that means around here, right? Homemade pie-pies and Yobaby will be on hand making fresh pizza pies throughout the evening. ROCK ROSE GALLERY presents “Try Your Luck,” a multi-faceted exhibit by Highland Park artist Brian Grillo. Highland Park artist Stuart Rapeport will be the featured artist at the AVENUE 50 STUDIO ANNEX. The HAGGUS SOCIETY in collaboration with Julie Montenegro State Farm presents the work of Georgia Taylor. A semi-abstract artist living in the colorful Sonoran Desert, Taylor simplifies impressions of her surrounding environment into large canvas paintings. Willis Goldsmith is the featured artist at THE YORK. CO-LAB is hosting local band Jefferson. ($5) SPOKE (N) ART RIDE: Meet at the Bike Oven for a fun, slow-paced bicycle tour of art galleries. Blinkie lights recommended. Gather at 6. Roll at 6:30. *New Venue* LEADER OF THE PACK VINTAGE. Spotlighting local artists. This month: “Love is My Resistance” featuring Daniel Rodriguez, Erik Barrios and Manuel Rodriguez. 5110 York Boulevard.
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NELAart
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Northeast Los Angeles Arts Organization, Inc.
March 12, 2016 - 7pm - 10pm
(Individual Gallery Hours May Vary. CHECK Gallery web sites for individual information. Just because a gallery is listed does not mean it’s open this month)
42. Eklectomania 6152 York Blvd. facebook.com/EklectoMania 43. State Farm Insurance (Haggus Society) 5683 York Blvd.
1. Avenue 50 Studio 131 No. Avenue 50 323. 258.1435 avenue50studio.org
21. The Market 1203 Avenue 50 www.themarkethp.com
2. Bike Oven/Flying Pigeon 3706 No Figueroa
22. Keystone Art Gallery 2558 N. San Fernando Rd.
3. Namaste Highland Park 5118 York Blvd. www.namastehighlandpark.com
23. Cactus Gallery @ Treeline Woodworks 3001 N. Coolidge Ave
4. Offbeat 6316 York Blvd www.offbeatbar.com
24. The York 5018 York Blvd.
47. The Glass Studio 5668 York Blvd. www.theglassstudio.net
25. Ball Clay Studio 4851 York Blvd. ballclaystudio.com
48. Rock Rose Gallery 4108 N. Figueroa St. 323.635.9125
26. Handcraft and Hart Hair 4733 Eagle Rock Blvd. handcraftandhart.com
49. All Star Lanes 4459 N Eagle Rock Blvd. 323.254.2579
27. Antenna Studio 1617 Colorado Blvd. antennastudioart.com
50. Pop Secret 5119 Eagle Rock Blvd.
5. Council District Office #1 Gil Cedillo 5577 N. Figueroa St. 6. Future Studio 5558 N Figueroa St. 323 254-4565 futurestudiogallery.com 7. Elephant 3325 Division St. 8. Meridian 5007 1/2 York Blvd. meridianstorela.com 9. Vapegoat 5054 York Blvd. 323.963.VAPE 10. Bearded Beagle 5926 N. Figueroa St. 11. Shopclass 5215 York Blvd. 323.258.2500 shopclassla.com 12. Matters of Space 5005 York Blvd www.mattersifspace.com 323.743.3267 13. Mi Vida 5159 York Blvd. 14. deb3321 3321 Pasadena Ave. 15. Antigua Coffee House 3400 N. Figueroa St. www.antiguacoffeehouse.com 16. Align Gallery 5045 York Blvd. www.aligngallery.com 17. New Stone Age Mosaics 1754 Colorado Blvd. 18. Panorama Press House 4700 York Blvd. www.thepanoramapress.com 19. Evil or Sacred Tattoos 4524 Eagle Rock Blvd. 20. Toros Pottery 4962 Eagle Rock Blvd 323.344.8330 torospottery.com MARCH 2016
28. The Greyhound Highland Park Independant Film Festival 570 N. Figueroa St.
44. The New Seed Ave 34 & Verdugo 45. The Slow Down Gallery @ Random Gallery 200 N. Ave 64 46. Curve Line 1577 Colorado Blvd.
51. Apiary Gallery at The Hive Highland Park 5670 York Blvd. www.thehive.la
29. Urchin 5006 1/2 York Blvd.
52. Bookshow 5503 Figueroa St. www.bookshow.com
30. Two Tracks Pola Lopez, open studio. 131 North Avenue 50
53. Short Hand 5028 York Blvd. shopshorthand.com
31. O & M Leather 5048 Eagle Rock Blvd www.ommleather.com
54. Rosie Bunny Bean 1309 N. Ave 51 rosiebunnybean.com
32. Vapeology 3714 N. Figueroa St. 323.222.0744
55. co-Lab Gallery 5319 York Blvd. www.co-Lab.com
33. Pop-Hop 5002 York Blvd. www.thepophop.com
56. The luxelust life Vintage Furniture 6095 York Blvd
34. Social Studies 5028.5 York Blvd.
57. Bob Taylor Properties 5526 N. Figueroa St. 323-257-1080
35. Dotter 5027 York Blvd. www.dotterstore.com 36. Leanna Lin’s Wonderland 5204 Eagle Rock Blvd. www.leannalinswonderland.com 37. Good Eye Gallery 4538 N. Eagle Rock Blvd. www.goodeyegallery.com 38. Highland Cafe 5010 York Blvd. 323.259.1000 39. CucuArt Gallery 4704-06 Eagle Rocl Blvd. 323.202.0672 40. Vintage Tattoo Art Parlor 5115 York Blvd. 41. The U Space 2626 N. Figueroa St., suite C
On the Seco Elysian Valle art and eate the updated
58. MAN Insurance Ave 50 Satellite 1270 N. Ave 50 323.256.3151 59. Possession Vintage 5119 York Blvd. www.possessionvintage.com 60. The Hunt Vintage 5317 York Blvd. www.thehuntvintage.com 61. The Erin Hanson Gallery 2732 Gilroy St. erinhanson.com 62. Leader of the Pack 5110 York Blvd. www.leaderofthepackvintage.com 63. Vroom Vroom Bitsy Boo 5031 B York Blvd.
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ond Saturday of every month galleries, businesses, and artists in Highland Park, Eagle Rock, Glassell Park, Cypress Park, ey, and Lincoln Heightsopen their doors a little later in the evening and welcome visitors. Use this map for locations of eries, grab someone you love, get some dinner, and enjoy some art. Friend NELA Art Gallery Night on Facebook for d last minute list.
Second Saturday Gallery Night map is sponsored by
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Visit us at NELAart.org
LA ART NEWS SECTION A
NELAART SECOND SATURDAY FEBRUARY 2016
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Elliott Caine Quartet, NELA53, sponsored by NELA Homes. Judi Delgado, NELA53, sponsored by NELA Homes.
Ronald LLanos, The Love Show, Avenue 50 Studio
Mural painting at The Market
MARCH 2016
Brandon Harrison, The Love Show, Avenue 50 Studio
11 Ruth DeNicola, The Love Show, Avenue 50 Studio
“Duality: Blaxicans of L.A.” Featuring the work of Walter Thompson-Hernandez and Curated by Nathalie Sanchez.
Mi Vida’s 8th anniversary celebration.
christo_gra_pher91 at The Portico Collection
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GOVERNMENT NOTES OLYMPICS 2024 Should the City of Los Angeles succeed in its bid to bring the 2024 Olympic Games to Los Angeles, the Olympic Village will be at UCLA, and the media village will be at USC. This replaces a previous plan to put the Olympic Village in the Lincoln Heights area, adjacent to the Los Angeles River. Union Pacific, owner of that property, is not a willing seller. Further, the major educational institutions already have dormitory and food service facilities in place, eliminating the necessity and expense of building them. A decision on the Olympic host city is expected in Autumn of 2017. ANIMAL ABUSE AS ENTERTAINMENT The Los Angeles City Council is taking steps to stop the abuse of animals under the guise of entertainment. The abuse takes two forms. Large animals such as an elephant, a baby giraffe, and a lion, have been seen serving as props at party houses in the Hollywood Hills. Jacqueline Lawson, Neighborhood Prosecutor for Hollywood, told Councilmembers recently that she has seen a proliferation of such incidents the past 18 months. Meanwhile, other exotic animals, such as pythons, have been used in a cruel fashion at heavily touristed areas such as Hollywood and Highland. Sometimes the handlers act aggressively, forcing the animals at pedestrians. The matter has been heard by the Council's Personnel and Animal Welfare Committee, and city agencies, including the City Attorney's office and Animal Services, are putting together a committee to look at ways to deal with the situation, with a report expected within a month. The goal is to create an ordinance that will regulate the display of wild and exotic animals in public spaces. According to Councilmember David Ryu, in whose district much of the abuse has been occurring, animal handlers have been finding ways around existing laws, by claiming, for example, to be film shoots. In one incident, Ryu and his deputies spent three hours on a Saturday evening trying to deal with a party with an elephant. In another incident, a lion was carted through the Hollywood Hills in a cage. Lawson told the Council committee that the streets in the hills, where many of the parties take place, are very narrow. "If anything goes awry," said Lawson, "if any of these exotic animals get loose, it's not only a danger to the community, it's also a danger to the animals themselves." At Hollywood and Highland, a snake handler with a 10-foot python was found to have no permit. When Animal Services impounded the snake, the performer was found to have a bag with two more snakes. One was dead. The other was dying. There are other animal handlers working at Hollywood and Highland who actually do have permits, meaning that there is little that can be done to police the situation. "Nothing good is going to come of it for the animals, certainly," said Lawson. Ryu introduced the motion creating the group to find ways to deal with the situation in order to give the City more tools so it can go after animal abuse and effectively prosecute. RIM OF THE VALLEY After years of effort on the part of Congressman Adam Schiff and environmental activists, the National Park Service is recommending a significant expansion of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area through the inclusion of what is known as the Rim of the Valley Corridor, which surrounds the Los Angeles basin. The next step is the drafting of legislation to make the expansion official, protecting the Corridor for future generations. Northeast Los Angeles sits at a crucial loop in the proposed corridor. The Santa Monica Mountains Recreation area is already protected. The expanded protected area would create a thread from Griffith Park, alongside Atwater Village, through Elysian Park and up the Arroyo Seco, connecting with the wider Brookside Park and Scholl Canyon Recreation Area, which lead on to the Verdugo Mountains, San Gabriel Mountains and Angeles National Forest. NELA’s piece of the rim is vital to preserving and connecting open space, the integrity of Southern California’s unique ecosystem, the connectivity of wildlife corridors, and the cultural legacy of Tongva Indians and early Angelenos. It also provides access to recreation and nature from a dense urban area. Congressman Schiff will hold a town hall meeting to discuss and get input on the expansion, Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m., at the Witherbee Auditorium at the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Garden. Please rsvp to (323) 315-5555.
MARCH 2016
MI CIUDAD OF LOS ANGELES
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& POLITICS OF THE PLATE
Two exhibits at Avenue 50 Studio this month grapple with aspects of living in the beautiful, gritty, diverse social reality of Los Angeles. “Mi Ciudad of Los Angeles,” curated by Raoul De la Sota and sponsored by Kathy Hanks, demonstrates the life and energy of our city as seen through the eyes of 11 local artists working in paint, assemblage and sculpture. Their work bears witness to the diversity of our large community. There are scenes of construction and deconstruction, scenes of activity and contemplation, and both serious and humorous themes. Artists include: Kathi Flood, Robin Cohen, Louie Gomez, Bonnie Lambert, Robert Lowden, Ramon Ramirez, Olga Seem, Joseph Sims, Mark Vallen, Gary Wood, and Raoul De la Sota. “Politics of the Plate,” meanwhile, explores food through lenses of identity, social significance and the ever-continuing class struggle. Artists grapple with how food can heal and be part of health, family, and remembrances of mom’s cooking--or how it can speak more politically. Food is power. From GMO produced food to Coca-Cola’s troubles regarding the safety of bisphenolA (the plastic coating lining the inside of Coke cans), corporations world-wide are making dangerous decisions regarding our food production. Yet, we know that food can heal and be part of our health system. The exhibit challenges us to think twice about what’s on our dinner plates. Avenue 50 Studio, 131 North Avenue 50. Both shows open March 12, in conjunction with NELAart Second Saturday Gallery Night, 7-10 p.m. Open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. during Fig Jam, March 19. Shows continue through April 2.
THE RIBBON CUTTING AND GRAND OPENING OF THE JEFFREY VALLANCE MUSEUM IN VAN NUYS, FEBRUARY 14.
LA ART NEWS SECTION A
MUSEUM HIGHLIGHTS MARCH 2016
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By Dani Dodge March will be the month to explore Robert Mapplethorpe in Los Angeles. Both the J. Paul Getty Museum and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art will open exhibits that celebrate the influential artist’s legacy. Mapplethorpe is recognized as one of the most significant artists of the late 20th century, best known for his exquisitely composed photographs that explore gender, race, and sexuality. Opening March 15, the Getty Museum exhibition will feature a broad range of Mapplethorpe’s works, from portraits and self-portraits to figure studies and floral still lifes. LACMA’s exhibit, opening March 20, will focus on Mapplethorpe’s working methods, sources, and creative processes, the experimental and performative aspects of his work. Between the two museums, more than 300 Mapplethorpe photos will be on view, making this one of the largest-ever presentations of his work. The two exhibitions are the result of a joint acquisition from the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. “The historic acquisition of Mapplethorpe’s art and archival materials in 2011 has enabled our institutions’ curators and other scholars to study and assess Mapplethorpe’s achievement in greater depth than ever before,” Timothy Potts, director of the J. Paul Getty Museum, said in a prepared statement. “The rich photographic holdings in the Getty Museum and LACMA, together with the artist’s archive housed at the Getty Research Institute, make Los Angeles an essential destination for anyone with a serious interest in the late 20th-century photography scene in New York. These exhibitions will provide the most comprehensive and intimate survey of Mapplethorpe’s work ever seen.” Mapplethorpe was born in 1946 in Floral Park, Queens. In 1963, he enrolled at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn to study graphic design. He demonstrated a knack for geometric design in his jewelry, assemblages, and collages, some of which will be on display at LACMA. In 1970 he borrowed a Polaroid camera and began creating photographs to incorporate into the collages. Two years later he acquired a Hasselblad medium-format camera and began shooting his circle of friends and acquaintances,including artists, musicians, socialites, pornographic film stars, and members of the S&M community. After being diagnosed with AIDS in 1986, Mapplethorpe continued to work and established the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. In 1988, the retrospective “Robert Mapplethorpe: The Perfect Moment” was scheduled to be shown at eight venues. But it caught the attention of conservative politicians, causing the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., to cancel its opening, and the director of the Cincinnati Contemporary Arts Center to be arrested for pandering obscenity. (The art center director was acquitted.) The Getty exhibition documents the uproar surrounding “The Perfect Moment” through items that include a 1989 cover of ArtForum International featuring a protest that took place outside the Corcoran, and exhibition catalogues. Mapplethorpe died in 1989 at the age of 42 due to AIDS-related complications. Complementing Mapplethorpe’s photos at the Getty will be the exhibition “The Thrill of the Chase: The Wagstaff Collection of Photographs.” The Getty acquired Samuel J. Wagstaff Jr.’s collection of photographs in 1984, and with more than 26,000 objects it remains the museum’s largest holding of art from one source. The LACMA exhibition will be accompanied by the installation “Physical: Sex and the Body in the 1980s,” which will feature about 30 works from the museum’s permanent collection and will place Mapplethorpe’s work in dialogue with that of his contemporaries. Featured artists include Bruce Weber, Kiki Smith, Sarah Charlesworth, Laura Aguilar, and Marina Abramovic. J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center Robert Mapplethorpe: The Perfect Medium March 15 — July 31, 2016 Curated by Paul Martineau, associate curator of photographs North Sepulveda Boulevard and Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90049 310-440-7330 getty.edu Admission: Free Los Angeles County Museum of Art Robert Mapplethorpe: The Perfect Medium March 20 — July 31, 2016 Curated by Britt Salvesen, curator and head of LACMA’s Wallis Annenberg Photography Department 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036 323-857-6000 lacma.org General admission: $15 (free to L.A. County residents after 3 p.m. weekdays)
MARCH 2016
AN INTERVIEW WITH LINDA RA
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by Joe Bermudez
Thank you for sharing your art and time with us. It’s a pleasure and I’m grateful for the opportunity to share what I love. Tell me a little about yourself and your ceramic art. My name is Linda Ra ( Jumie) and I am a graphic designer, with a background in fine arts, specialized in skincare/cosmetic packaging. I concept and decorate functional forms. Though the digital world is fast paced and brilliant, creating with my bare hands is incomparable. Ceramics has always felt like home and my calm/quiet place. Where do you get inspiration for your pieces? Coming from my Asian background and household, practicality and perfection is praised and the notorious pack rat-ness is somewhat inevitable (haha). This fuels my penchant for functional art – practical, imperfectly perfect, raw and minimal forms. Being an expressive eater is also inevitable in my culture and in good manners, thought I think I’m a little more extreme than most (“YES, YUM, SOOO GOOD”). You will also see this expressed in my “WORD” ceramic collection, which bridges my love of hand-drawn typography and my need to verbalize my complete state of bliss during an incredible meal. Aside from food, I love the raw textures and patterns found in wood as well as the independent nature of succulents. I make pieces that hold and mirror my favorite things – FOOD, WOOD and PLANTS (YES!). How did you start marbleizing clay? The technique of marbleizing clay has been around for some time. I first saw a marbled bowl on Pinterest that took on a tree bark / galaxy appearance. I WAS HOOKED! I instantly fell in love with the idea of the natural colors created by the clay itself. Being more of a minimalist I was focused on creating larger blocks of color using different colored clay. Though I have a system of how I like to marbleize my pieces, it’s always a nice surprise in the final outcome. I think this is what I enjoy most about my marbled pieces. I feel like I’m opening a new present every time I trim. I am always in awe with the organic experience. What are your plans in your art this year? 2015 has been such a rewarding year. It’s been my year of transitions – in my personal life and creatively. In 2016 I plan to focus more on my pottery and make it more full time. I want to find my creative voice in the ceramic community and really showcase my work at larger fairs and hopefully get into the retail market. I have a lot of new and exciting ideas in the works that I can’t wait to show you all!!!! For more information, please contact: JUMIE Ceramics www.etsy.com/shop/JumieMade Jumilynn@gmail.com
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LA ART NEWS SECTION A
tracy do
www.5013mountroyal.com
www.griffithfourplex.com
real estate www.tracydo.com • tracy@tracydo.com • 323.842.4001
www.2052mayview.com
Warmington Residential and Tracy Do Real Estate are pleased to introduce The E.R.B., a collection of new small-lot homes currently under construction in Eagle Rock. The innovative development will offer mixed-use and single-family residences providing a unique opportunity for owners to live and work with zero commute. Spacious 3 or 4 bedroom floor plans have up to 2,500 square feet, and available rooftop decks provide private outdoor space with panoramic views. The great location gives easy access to all of your favorite spots in Eagle Rock and Highland Park. The E.R.B. is located at 4320 Eagle Rock Blvd. near the corner of York. Currently in pre-construction with homes expected to be available for purchase in Fall 2016. We invite you to join our interest list and look forward to seeing you.
Online at www.theerb.com • info@theerb.com • 323-842-4002 We’re dedicated to our community and proud to support: Silver Lake Reservoirs Conservancy, Friends of Ivanhoe Elementary, Friends of Micheltorena Elementary, Friends of Glenfeliz Elementary, Children’s Hospital LA, Hollywood YMCA, LUXE Paws, Santé D'Or and Habitat for Humanity. Looking to support local affordable housing?
DONATE & SHOP at the Habitat for Humanity Atwater Village ReStore.
We are a home improvement store and donation center that would LOVE your donation of new or used building materials, furniture, appliances, and anything in working condition that can be used to improve or furnish a home. All revenue made from sales supports Habitat's homeownership programs. Atwater Village ReStore DONATE & SHOP TODAY! OPEN Mon-Sat 9am-5pm 5201 West San Fernando Rd Los Angeles, CA, 90039
Have items that won’t fit in your vehicle? Let the ReStore team help you by scheduling a pick up today. (818) 550-7467. As a 501c3 affordable housing non-profit, all gifts are taxdeductible with a receipt provided at the time of donation. EVERY DONATION HELPS US ELIMINATE POVERTY HOUSING HERE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.
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