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Art Spotting: Gallery (P)reviews
by Andie Villafañe
Crewest Gallery
“From the Streets of Iran” features works on paper by street artists currently living in Iran. The exhibit is the first of its kind in the US, showcasing graffiti-based works by ICY, SOT, FRZ, MAD and CK1. Graffiti is considered a political offense in Iran, yet these young artists continue to stencil their graphics along its landscape. Regardless of the potential danger, their desire for peace and freedom of expression triumphs over oppression. The streets grant them instant access to the general public, and it is their intent to communicate messages of hope and perseverance. The crew draws inspiration from their heritage of calligraphy, visual arts and revolution. They depict scenes of poverty and hunger, the innocence of youth and the longing for a better tomorrow. Green is notably present in most of the imagery – a nod to Iranians who wear the color as the symbol for change. Since the disputed June 12 election, the government banned foreign media from covering the demonstrations and nightly protest chants. Yet in the face of censorship, images and reports of brutality and violence were released. Through Twitter and Facebook, the world saw thousands of Iranians take to the streets to voice their opposition to the injustice of living within the confines of a dictatorship. Along the same vein, “From the Streets of Iran” offers insight into this political resistance. The mere existence of these cultural jammers is a form of dissidence in itself. Each artist practices their own aesthetic, and though individual styles may differ, the works as a group resonate with determination to find an end to the state in which they live – an end to the tyranny of a repressive regime.
Crewest exhibits underground artists from the West Coast and beyond. Their purpose is to promote gifted artists whose works are compelling and unconventional.
Opening reception: Sept 10, 6-9pm (during the downtown artwalk).
On view until Sept 26. Tues-Thurs: 12-7pm, Fri-Sat: 12-8pm. Sun: 12-6pm.
110 Winston St, Los Angeles 90013
(213) 627-8272.
www.crewest.com
LA Contemporary Gallery
“Hybrid Graces” is a study into the perception of ideal feminine beauty by Korean artist Debbie Han. Using photography, sculpture and drawing, Han investigates social values and interracial relations within a consumer culture. With boundaries dissolving due to information technology, the ways in which people perceive themselves and others has changed. This prompted Han to combine or “hybridize” Eastern and Western aesthetics, with cultural icons to originate a new type of identity. In her photo series, Han digitally combines the bodies of present-day Asian women with classical western goddess busts. She applies a meticulous rendering process to impart a smooth, marble-like skin texture to each figure, thereby creating a sculptural look. The contradiction is further intensified by their distinct cultural gestures. Cleverly merging modern technologies with traditional techniques, the artist addresses current trends and how they relate to Korean art. Her observations of socio-cultural dynamics led Han to deconstruct Eurocentric standardizations of beauty, with the intent to challenge and question the meaning of its propriety.
LA Contemporary exhibits works by national and international, emerging and mid-career artists.
Opening reception: Sept 12, 6-8pm.
On view until Oct 31. Tues-Sat: 11am-5pm.
2634 S. La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles 90034
(310) 559-6200
www.lacontemporary.com
Gas Company Lofts
“Kaboom!” features new works by two of the most prominent artists on the Los Angeles scene. Legendary graffiti artist Mear One and emerging artist Michael Pukac. The paintings by these visionaries are crammed with mind-bending allegories and commentaries. Mear’s works are considered to be a social and political movement. He paints with conviction and integrity to bring worthy concepts to the foreground. Seeing himself as a messenger and spiritual warrior, Mear uses art as a weapon of mass liberation from unsubstantial social conditions. Pukac creates his own mythology by cross-referencing eras to engender the ultimate Goddess. He paints his feminine protagonists with an aesthetic that mirrors Art Nouveau. Within satirical and epic settings, theses delicate women are immersed in playful and contemporary activities. For Pukac, painting is a collision of concepts, combined with skill and material. Both Mear and Pukac are prolific artists producing complementary works that captivate viewers with striking and thought-provoking imagery.
A Little Birdy Told Me offers a variety of services in art, fashion and nightlife entertainment.
On view until Sept 4. Sun-Thurs: 9am-6pm.
810 Flower St, Los Angeles 90017
(213) 955-5700 #2
www.alittlebirdytoldme.com
Cerasoli Gallery
“Prophecy” is a series of life-size surrealist oil paintings by Roy Nachum. Amongst impalpable circumstances, Nachum employs symbols and analogies to depict engaging narratives. A woman caresses the trunk of an elephant while holding a red balloon; another stands between white horses, her finger at her mouth shushing us; and a boy simply stands, blinded by a large crown that slipped over his eyes. All the scenarios are composed digitally, printed and used as a study from which Nachum paints. As an acknowledgement to this process, he uses a palette knife to painstakingly create a texture of thousands of “pixels,” adding depth to each canvas in more ways than one. Nachum’s source of inspiration stems from his examinations into the daily behaviors of different people, and what it is that makes them do the things they do. As the title suggests, “Prophecy” is a foretelling of such tendencies and desires, interpreted by Nachum, and further bewildered by his own memories and fantasies.
Cerasoli Gallery represents emerging and mid-career local and international artists.
On view until Sept 16.
Tues-Sat: 11am-6pm.
8530-B Washington Blvd, Culver City 90232.
(310) 945-5974
www.cerasoligallery.com
Sherry Frumkin Gallery
“US Future States: an Atlas of Global Imperialism” is an exhibit of works on paper by Dan Mills. The narrative atlas features 35 maps that began as a visual/text exercise in response to the political and military stance of the US towards other nations. Mills found that by using the same justifications for going to war with Afghanistan and Iraq, it was conceptually possible to take over almost any country. The conquest begins with Mills appropriating a map of a country he’s interested in taking over as part of United States Global (USG). He paints the new regions in garish colors, adding handwritten notes that provide a brief history of the area, its relationship to the US, and a series of reasons for takeover such as “oil and gas are available for export.” The conquered territories are divided into separate states, or a state is made up of bits and pieces of adjacent countries, as in the case of “New Venice” (formally Venezuela). In total, Mills depicts 47 new states, with an additional District of Columbia that form part of the USG.
Sherry Frumkin Gallery supports conceptual artists working with unconventional materials and technologies.
Opening reception: Sept 12, 6-9pm.
On view until Nov 7. Wed-Sat: 12-6pm
3026 Airport Ave, Santa Monica 90405
(310) 397-7493
www.frumkingallery.com
-AV
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