Yeah…it’s another busy week in the art world. So much going on. My Pick of the week takes place in Venice. Good news it’s early….so there’s still time to make it to other art pariies…this one looks like a great show….

Venice Arts holds an opening reception for a new group exhibition, “Place/Non-Place: Locality in the Digital Age.”

See image: Rebecca Finley, Sickbed, 2012. Courtesy of Rebecca Finley

Gallery & Public Programs Manager, Elysa Voshell has worked at Venice Arts for the last four years. “I am so excited to present this compelling array of work from 28 talented local, national, and international artists for Venice Arts’ second annual Summer Juried Exhibition: Place/Non-place,” says Voshell. “These artists each bring a unique perspective to bear on the question of how ‘non-places’—those locations of seeming anonymity devoid of time, such as freeways and airports—can unearth instances of humanity, storytelling, and belonging often associated with the particularities of ‘place.’

The name of the exhibition is based on the notion of “non-place,” a phrase coined by anthropologist Marc Augé. She continues, “The exhibition includes not only black-and-white and color still photography, but video, animation, and digital mixed-media artwork as well. Together these works form a conversation about the contemporary ‘non-place,’ and our place within it.”

This is Venice Arts Gallery’s second annual Summer Juried Exhibition, a show in which artists from all over the globe are invited to submit works for consideration. With a wide range of entries, from photographs concerning supermarkets, waiting rooms, and sidewalks to films addressing recycling, tree climbing, and urbanity, each year presents a myriad of exciting and eclectic works that collectively epitomize the gallery’s mission to promote creativity, community, and education by presenting various artists’ unique perspectives.

See image left: by Scott Tansey

Scott Tansey’s phototgraphy has been chosen to be part of the show. This will be the second time that Tansey has been included in a juried show at Venice Arts.

A dedicated photographer and Los Angeles native, Tansy has traveled the world in search of magnificent landscapes.  On expeditions, scott is always the first one up and last to return. Tansey’s work is also on view at the Figtree’s Cafe. http://www.scotttanseyphoto.com

Another photographer featured in the exhibition, Ed Colman states, “I have recently been investigating the idea of waiting, and the places we have constructed or arranged for that purpose.”

See image: Nancy Kaye, Subway Crowd, 1980s. Courtesy of Nancy Kaye

Artists participating in the exhibition are: Gareth Abraham (London, UK); Lorraine Boogich (Smallwood, NY); Miri Chais (Los Angeles, CA); Ed Colman (Los Angeles, CA); Gabor Esperon (Pacifica, CA); Rebecca Finley (Huntsville, TX); Natalie Franco (Los Angeles, CA); Zoe Frost (Oakland, CA); Marilyn Gaffney (Westmeath, Ireland); Stuart Gibson (Kalamazoo, MI); Huss Harden (Los Angeles, CA); DJ Hijawi (Coto de Caza, CA); Brandon Jacob Hudson (Los Angeles, CA); Lauren Jack (Los Angeles, CA); Nancy Kaye (Los Angeles, CA); Elizabeth Kenneday (Reno, NV); Chang Kyun Kim (Los Angeles, CA); Freya Najade (London, UK); Leopoldo Peña (Los Angeles, CA); Jeff Rau (Los Angeles, CA); Jordan Rodgers (Liverpool, UK); Moriyama Tadashi (Los Angeles, CA); Scott Tansey (Los Angeles, CA); Sarah Tortora (Guilford, CT); Brett Van Ort (Los Angeles, CA); Sandra Chen Weinstein (Lake Forest, CA); Marianne Williams (Los Angeles, CA); Xiaowen Zhu (Los Angeles, CA)

Non-place can be anything and anywhere: the ornate genericness of a museum bench, the front seat of a van, or even our own bodies in transit. Join us as we investigate Augé’s phrase, considering the various interpretations the concept of “non-place” may hold, and all of the meanings that can be discovered through those interpretations.

See image: Huss Hardan No Belonging, 2013. Courtesy of Huss Hardan

Venice Arts is a nonprofit gallery and center for media and learning, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year with with over 20 public events, including film screenings, workshops, exhibitions, and more, culminating in our 20th Anniversary Spectacular: Gala & Exhibition on November 2, 2013.

On view: June 29-August 16th

What: Opening reception
Where: Venice Arts Gallery, 1702 Lincoln Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
When: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Phone: 310-392-0846
Website: www.venicearts.org