Archive for the 'Los Angeles' Category
Friday, May 29th, 2009
Be Here Now in LA
Be Here Now opens this Saturday, May 30, at Canvas LA, and features a select group of emerging New York artists. We’re particularly interested in what Eric Elms and Ned Vena will offer up. Elms (Adorn) is an established graphic designer specializing in brand identity, with a client list including Nike, Supreme, Colette, and aNYthing. Vena, who has roots in graffiti (he used to assist ESPO), creates abstract paintings which bare no visual resemblance to the form, but are executed using its tools and foster a dialogue that questions the accepted genres of the art establishment.
Thursday, May 28th, 2009
Yoskay Yamamoto’s Koibito @ LeBasse
koibito by yamamoto
Rightfully well-supported, Yoskay Yamamoto‘s release of his ‘gallery’ edition Koibito drew in an eager league of fans. Dropping at LeBasse Projects, the vinyl rendition, sculpted by Yamamoto himself, is a co-production with Munky King. Limited to 150, the white version of this artist-multiple follows on the heels of a phenomenally successful solo art show at the same gallery. For a young artist to be viably defying the present sad state of the economy is indeed impressive and shows the promise he holds for future conquest. A very small portion of prints, also offered at the event, were set aside for release on Paper Tiger at 12:30PM PST on 05/28/09. Word is that a new original painting by Yoskay will be available at the gallery for its opening during this weekend’s Culver City Art Walk. Photos follow: Read the rest of this entry »
Thursday, May 28th, 2009
Santa Monica Auction’s 25th Anniversary Contemporary + Modern Art Auction
The highest estimated lot at this weekend’s Santa Monica Auction is Ed Ruscha’s Hollywood Stunt People, 1998, estimated at $150,000-$180,000.
This Saturday, May 30, Santa Monica Auctions will hold its 25th anniversary modern and contemporary art auction, featuring painting, sculpture, photography, multiples and prints. The event kicks off at 1pm at the Bergamot Station Arts Center, in Santa Monica (just outside of Los Angeles), and online bidding can be done here. With a heavy focus on modestly priced prints and editions, the 353 lot auction features many of the established names one would expect to find in a modern and contemporary sale, alongside several newer faces who have emerged from the urban art world, including Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Keith Haring, Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst, Robert Rauschenberg, Man Ray, Takashi Murakami, Mark Ryden, Marcel Dzama, FAILE, Banksy, Shepard Fairey and Antony Micallef.
Mark Ryden – Untitled. Pencil on paper. Estimate: $20,000-$24,000.
Read on for the rest of our selection of lots. Read the rest of this entry »
Thursday, May 14th, 2009
Shawn Mortensen Tribute
Image: Undefeated
Undftd’s Billboard Project pays tribute to the late photographer, Shawn Mortensen, whose prolific contribution to the visual identity of fashion, advertising, and music industries will live on beyond his years. Mortensen passed away early last month at the age of 45. The billboard can be seen above Undftd’s Los Angeles store at 112.5 S. Labrea, Los Angeles, CA. We applaud them for this fitting tribute.
Monday, May 11th, 2009
Travis Louie’s Strange Grooming Habits
Travis Louie opened Strange Grooming Habits at Copro Nason in Santa Monica, CA this past weekend, where he delivered a couple of exciting surprises – several larger pieces including a 38 x 27″ painting that dwarfs the majority of works he is known for, and the incorporation of more completely human-like subjects (our favorites from the show). If you like what you see, we suggest acting fast, as there are only three paintings left at the time of this post. In a testament to Louie’s popularity even during this down climate, six of the nine available were gone by the end of the opening night. Read on for the rest of the show.
Travis Louie – Strange Grooming Habits
May 9 – 30
Copro Nason
2525 Michigan Ave. T5
Santa Monica, CA, 90404 Read the rest of this entry »
Thursday, May 7th, 2009
MOCA Benefit Auction
It should come as no surprise that now more than ever, the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art is in need of financial support. This Saturday, May 8, MOCA will hold its annual Fresh Silent Auction, with works donated from a massive list of over 300 artists, including Ed Ruscha, Raymond Pettibon, Mark Ryden, Martin Kippenberger, Barbara Kruger, Christopher Wool, Neo Rauch, Robert Rauchenberg, and Andrea Zittel. The event takes place at the Geffen Contemporary in Los Angeles from 7-11pm. View the full list of contributing artists here and purchase tickets here.
As you may recall, late last year the museum announced that it was on the verge of total financial collapse, ultimately opting for a $30 million private injection from billionaire Eli Broad, along with the resignation of director, Jeremy Strick, and massive financial restructuring.
Read more from us on the MOCA’s recent financial here and here
One of our favorite lots – Ed Ruscha – Ye, 1991. Cut Out Lettering, Color Pencil on Black Paper.
Thursday, April 30th, 2009
Supine, NeckFace, Bast + more Opening at New Image
From left: Judith Supine, Neck Face, Cleon Peterson, Ben Jones, Bäst.
Octo Pusses, a group show featuring Antonio Trecel Diaz, Aaron Johnson, Judith Supine, Gino Perez, Cleon Peterson, Neck Face, and Ben Jones, opens this Saturday, May 2, at New Image Art in Los Angeles. Also on view in the project room will be Horse Radish, a small exhibit by Brooklyn based artist, Bäst. Show runs till May 23.
Monday, April 27th, 2009
Shepard Fairey for Arkitip
The Summer 09 issue of Arkitip will feature a collaboration with Shepard Fairy. As always, expect stellar packaging and a unique limited edition supplement to complement the issue. Lock in a one year, 4 issue subscription for $85 before May 5th to guarantee you don’t miss it (only 2000 available) and avoid the inevitable higher news-stand price.
Word is Arkitip will present a Shepard Fairey exhibition in Los Angeles to commemorate the issue. More info to come….
Friday, April 17th, 2009
Shawn Mortensen R.I.P.
Los Angeles, CA. 1965-2009.
It’s a very sad moment, having to say goodbye to a wonderful, tremendously talented person, let alone a friend. Shawn Mortensen is pictured here, dedicating one of his books to me at his home, just weeks ago. I had just acquired his polaroid of KAWS from the Honor Fraser opening for my collection. Such a brilliant photographer. He will be deeply missed. All our condolences to his family.
Thursday, April 2nd, 2009
McGee, Rojas, Wright at New Image
Barry McGee, Clare Rojas and Andrew Jeffrey Wright opened American Realities at New Image Art this past Saturday, March 28th. While the cohesive nature of the group installation is indicative of their close professional and personal relationships, the show does not stand out as the strongest individual output by any of the three artists. Read on for our photo recap. Read the rest of this entry »