October 14-16, 2011: Weekend Update! POW at Robert Berman Gallery

Yes my Pick of the Week happens at Bergamot on Saturday, where so many other openings will be going on as well….

Robert Heinecken, Recto-Verso 237 Ciba chrome prints 11×14 16×20 framed

The Robert Berman Gallery presents Transformation, its 2nd exhibition participating in Pacific Standard Time. The opening reception runs from 5-7pm.

Transformation features conceptual photography from Robert Heinecken (right image) and is the companion show to Paid to Play.
This exhibit focuses on art that was created from untraditional sources. Commercial art, which was altered, hence transformed into thought-provoking visuals.

The Robert Berman Gallery always has fun openings. Paid to Play will also be open, so pop into both exhibitions. See photo of that opening….it is a spectacular show. See more info below.

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SAVE the Date….this Wednesday Oct 19^th…I will be playing at Dannys Venice (23 Windward) with singer/songwriter Geoffrey J at 7:00 pm. We will share the evening with some special guests….so mark your calendars. HAPPY HOUR is extended till 8:00 pm and it’s FREE, baby!

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Friday October 14^th

Ok this one sounds way cool….it’s a drive by art opening. Stay in your car and enjoy the art while you drive. But wait does that mean there’s no wine??? Lembeck Studios, in partnership with Galeria Obscura present DRIVE BY. Featuring the night photography of Jim Lembeck with a road theme, this unique experience is the ultimate is So Cal Cool. Cars, Art and No Parking Necessary…

Drive By is curated by James Landers and Jim Lembeck. The exhibition takes place on Pembroke Lane, between S. Flower and Hope St. one block from Staples Center 515 W Pico Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90715. Now it is only a half block long, drive thru and enjoy the show from the comfort of your own, car, motorcycle or scooter. http://lembeckstudios.com/

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Another event located downtown tonight happens at SCI-Arc Exhibitions aka Southern California Institute of Architecture.

SCI-Arc features Anisotropy Anisotropie by Paris-based architecture firm Odile Decq Benoît Cornette. Enjoy a discussion at 7:00 pm with SCI-Arc Director Eric Owen Moss and Odile Decq who will discuss the installation. Reception to follow till 9:00 pm.
Southern California Institute of Architecture is located at 960 E. Third St., 90013. http://www.sciarc.edu

Also, tonight in Downtown L.A., if you’ve got the cash and want to support a good cause, stop by Bank of America Building, for The L.A. Art Experience.

This event features works from 75 contemporary artists, enjoy an ice bar (don’t ask me what that means) and meet some of the stars from “So You Think You Can Dance.” Bank of America Building is located at 650 South Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90014. $150-$200…ooch. I need to find me a sugar Daddy See website. http://www.DizzyFeetFoundation.org

Tonight in Venice/Santa Monica area……
Though the Other Venice Film Festival kicked off last night, tonight is also a big night, which starts at 5:00 pm. It’s $30.00 at the door. There will be live music and more….but if you just want to go to the screenings….it’s $10.00 in advance and $15.00 at the door. Be sure to check the website for more details.

The Other Venice Film Festival will include screenings (of course), music and more. Sunday the final day is open to all, so if you are interested, head on over. Beyond Baroque, 681 Venice Blvd.

Also in Venice, C.A.V.E. Gallery offers a group show from 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm at 1108 Abbot Kinney Blvd 310.450.6960; ”

From 7:00 pm till 10:00 pm, Gallery 1988 Venice has an opening for “The Evolution Will Be Fabulous,” a new solo exhibition created by John Gronquist. It will feature the sculptor’s controversial artwork, which is an extension of his 2008 show, “The Revolution Will Be Fabulous.” Gallery 1988 Venice at 214 Pier Ave. which is really in Santa Monica. http://nineteeneightyeight.com/

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Saturday October 15, 2011

Now in Santa Monica…the Pick of the Week is Transformation, the Robert Berman Gallery’s latest exhibition at Bergamot Station 2525 Michigan Ave., in Santa Monica. Transformation features conceptual photography from Robert Heinecken (see image, right) and Victor Landweber (see image below) and is the companion show to Paid to Play. Transformation focuses on art that was created from untraditional sources. Commercial art, which was altered, hence transformed into thought-provoking visuals.

Robert Heinecken was one of the few early photographers to practice, Post-Modernist: appropriation, a commonly used art technique in today’s art scene. This provocative photographer was ahead of his time. Heinecken revolutionized the art world, creating unusual techniques that were once scoffed at, and now acknowledged and widely used as a proven art practice.

Victor Landweber has also been an influential figure in the art world. Landweber is known for taking the ordinary, then placing it in the context of an unusual realm. He plays with a subtle touch of sexuality that is masked behind a blatant ambiguity. Landweber’s photographs capture what the viewer cannot see, forcing them to question what they are looking at and why.

Both of these men have used unconventional methods and transformed commercialism into art. They combined imagery and photography in a way that transformed the and had quite an impact on the world of art.

The opening reception, (D-5) runs from 5:00 pm till 7:00 pm. Paid to Play (at C-2) will also be open, so pop into both exhibitions. Paid to Play is a wonderful exhibition which features artists who earned their living as illustrators. This was a genre looked down upon by many in the art field. Artists who were involved in such commercialism were considered to be “selling out” by many in the fine art world. Paid to Play was the first of several exhibitions to appear at The Robert Berman Gallery as part of Pacific Standard Time. This unprecedented collaboration, initiated by the Getty, brings together more than sixty cultural institutions from across Southern California for six months beginning October 2011 to tell the story of the birth of the L.A. art scene. http://www.robertbermangallery.com/

Right next door, TAG Gallery (D-3) offers a group show from 5:00pm till 8:00pm; 310.829.9556; http://www.taggallery.net

Fig (G-6) will also be having an opening reception for artist Sara Wylie Walsh from 5:00 pm till 7:00 pm. 310.829.0345;

One more opening will be held at Rosamund Felsen Gallery (B-4) from 5:00 pm till 7:00 pm. Here, artist Gegam Kacherian will be on display. 310 828-8488; http://www.rosamundfelsen.com

Yes most of them end early at 7:00 pm, but the Robert Berman Gallery will usually go on a bit longer.

Then stop by Copro Gallery (T-5) which always runs a bit later.Tonight’s opening features a group exhibition, featuring artists Mark Garro, Dan Quintana and Chet Zar. Event runs from 8:00 pm till 11:30 pm. 310 829-2156; http://www.copronason.com/

Also in Santa Monica…Santa Monica Art Studios kicks off their 7th Annual Open House starting tonight from 6:00 pm till 9:00 pm. More than 35 painters, printmakers, photographers, sculptors and mixed media artists will open their studios for the event. Be sure to stop in ARENA 1 Gallery, as well which features the exhibit Unruly, curated by Lisa Little and Emily White.

The lively event includes live music Saturday night, refreshments, and a silent auction featuring small works from each studio artist. 310-397-7449; Santa Monica Art Studios, 3026 Airport Ave. 310-397-7449; http://www.santamonicaartstudios.com/

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Or in Venice there’s a closing reception for Shipping & Receiving: Photographs and Letters between Venice, CA and Dupree, SD at Venice Arts from 5:00 pm-8:00 pm. Venice Arts is located at 1702 Lincoln Blvd., Venice 90291; 310.392.0846;

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In West LA…Giant Robot 2 presents Martin Hsu, Lawrence Yang: Undercurrents Art Show from 6:30 pm – 10:00 pm.
Giant Robot 2 is located at 2062 Sawtelle Blvd., 90025. (310) 445-9276; http://www.giantrobot.com

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If you would prefer to stay in Culver City, there are several happenings.

The George Billis Gallery will be having an opening reception Alex Blas, Matt Condron and Danny Heller (see image).
This event runs from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. George Billis Gallery LA at 2716 S. La Cienega Blvd, 90034. 310 838-3438; www.georgebillis.com/

Western Project, located at 2762 S. La Cienega Blvd., will be having an artist reception for CaroleCaroompas from 6:00 pm till 8:00 pm.310.838.060;

And at Scion the exhibition USE ME features designers Altar Native, Bea Valdes, Carl E Smith, Chad Wright, Eneri Abillar, and more. The reception runs 7:00 – 10:00 pm at Scion Installation L.A., 3521 Helms Ave. (at National), Culver City, CA 90232. RSVP is encouraged for the opening night reception at http://www.scionav.com

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Sunday October 16, 2011
Topanga Canyon is a lovely place to spend a Sunday. Enjoy an opening reception at Topanga Canyon Gallery for artists Kate Browning & Rebecca Catterall from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Topanga Canyon Gallery is located at Pine Tree Circle 120 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Suite 109, Topanga, CA 90290; 310-455-7909; http://www.topangacanyongallery.com/

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