Category Archives: contemporary art

A visitor from the North, and my quest for the perfect jumper.

This weekend was an amazing weekend for two reasons:
1.) I went to the Getty with two of my favorite people.
and
2.) Joann’s was having an AMAZING sale on Simplicity patterns… 5 for $5! What up.

My good friend Marissa ventured down from the splendid North (Rohnert Park, CA to be exact) to hang out and bond. Marissa and I discovered a tradition that we have of always visiting museums when we spend time together. In the past we’ve visited the SF MOMA, the Boston Institute of Contemporary Art, the DeYoung Museum, and the list goes on. This time, since she flew into LAX, we hopped over to the J. Paul Getty Museum. What a perfect day. The weather was beautiful, and the museum was not at all crowded. The Getty has a handful of exhibits currently running, but here are a few that I thought were worth mentioning:

The Goat’s Dance: Photographs by Graciela Iturbide -
Cholas, White Fence, East LA, Graciela Iturbide, 1986
This exhibit showcases the photography of Graciela Iturbide, from the barrios of Los Angeles to the wide open spaces of Sonora, Mexico. She captures the in-your-face nature of the cholos and cholas from the infamous White Fence and Maravillas gangs of East LA. The subjects of her photographs are compelling and allow us a glimpse into their dynamic world.

Consuming Passion: Fragonard’s Allegories of Love -
The Fountain of Love, Fragonard, 1875
I absolutely loved these pieces, and I loved seeing the process in making pieces of such detail. The Getty provides not only the finished paintings for our viewing pleasure, but includes some original sketches and/or drafts and variations of the pieces. Very neat experience.

Alas, my Friday spent at the Getty came and went. The two hours we spent in pre-rush hour traffic back to Huntington could have been worse. I, of course, played my Shirley Temple’s Greatest Hits CD… but soon realized that I was the only one enjoying it. Needless to say, it did not help. Luckily we talked up a storm and passed the time the best we could.

Every now and then I get an itch to create an addition to my wardrobe. Usually this itch is a result of disappointing selections at clothing stores. My quest this time is to create the perfect jumper. The jumper is something I struggle with. Why? Well, for one, it can easily look like a Muumuu. And secondly it can make one look very juvenile- and being the youngest person in my workplace, looking more juvenile than I already do is not ideal. So, I have been doing some research. Luckily for me, Joann’s had an amazing sale on Simplicity patterns yesterday. I bought 10 patterns for $10! Woo woo. So here is the pattern I am using for my jumper:

Simplicity Pattern, 4097

I basically finished it last night, save for a few details that need some hand sewing, but I still feel like it looks a bit muumuu-ish. So, after perusing the good old internet I’ve found some inspiring jumpers:
Chloe
I really like this jumper by Chloe. I like the bagginess, and the way the garment is styled with the collared undershirt.
Heart Bubble Jumper Dress
I really like the way this jumper bubbles at the bottom, but not in the typical “bubble skirt” kind of way. I might utilize this technique.
Mooka Kinney
The “Maeby Jumper” by Mooka Kinney, a dress designing duo from New York. I absolutely love what they do. Totally inspiring.

I’ll keep you posted on my progress with the perfect jumper…

Sometimes Size Does Not Matter

I’ve been wanting to see this show ever since I found out it was going to be at San Diego State. I missed that boat, but luckily for me, the show was also traveling to good ole’ Cal State Los Angeles. I’ve never been to Cal State LA, and I must say, their Luckman Arts complex is gorgeous. Me gusta mucho. I love how accessible it is from the parking structure, and how easy it is to find from the freeway. Two thumbs up from a tourist’s perspective. (Everytime I go to LA I feel like a tourist). So anyway, going on as we speak…

The Graphic Imperative: International Posters for Peace, Social Justice & the Environment, 1965-2005
Libertidad Para Angela Davis, Beltran Felix, 1971

Where?
Cal State Los Angeles
Luckman Gallery
5151 State University Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90032-8116
(323) 343-6604

When?
October 27-December 15, 2007
Gallery Hours: Mon-Thurs. and Sat. 12-5pm

How much?
FREE, except for the dollar that you’ll pay for parking… which is a bargain for parking in LA.

I STILL don’t get it.
What initially drew me to this exhibit? Two words: Guerilla Girls! I love seeing their pieces at different exhibits. They’re so inspiring, I would never pass up an opportunity to experience their work up close. The aura of powerful women is always palpable. I know their pieces are posters, and it’s not exactly the same as viewing a painting, because it’s not one of a kind… but I think that’s what’s so great about this exhibit, and about the graphic arts in general. Graphic art, for me, has so much cultural influence and resonates loudly irregardless of which form it takes; whether it’s a billboard, graffiti, a sticker, or in this case, a poster. It’s a piece of art that is utilized in the mainstream of everyday and in turn may be discussed outside of the political arena, making these issues everyone’s problem instead of just the government’s. It’s kind of sneaky if you think about it. We are advertising a social movement like we’re advertising a consumer good. If you capture someone’s attention, the product becomes more popular, and then more people will jump on the bandwagon. Well, that’s in the utopia for social movements in my mind, but I guess in the real world it’s a little more difficult.

The Graphic Imperative exhibits 111 posters that have served to create awareness of social issues or injustices that existed, and in turn created a discourse to try to make change happen. The exhibit includes posters from the past 40 years; four decades that were critical to many issues such as unfair labor, racism, violence against women, AIDS, the environment, and many more.

The Luckman Art Gallery at CSLA is pretty small space, but an average size for a University art gallery. Although the exhibit is small its message is anything but.

Kids + Abstraction = Funny

So what is better than experiencing contemporary dance? Experiencing contemporary dance with a bunch of 5-12 year olds. Yup. That’s what I did on Sunday. I went to the RKDC open house to watch the preview piece for the upcoming Museum Project. Best exchange between two 7-year-old dancers:

Dancer #1: This is weird.
Dancer #2: I think it’s because it’s for a museum.

Oh kids. So cute. Anyway, here’s the info. Check it out if you can. (FYI: the piece will be performed by professional, non-adolescent dancers.)

The Museum Project

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbjTFsR1dOw

Where?
Torrance Art Museum
3320 Civic Center Dr.
Torrance, CA 90503
When?
Sept. 28 & 29 @ 8pm
Sept. 28 @ 2pm
How much?
$20
I STILL don’t get it.
This will be a site specific performance at the new Torrance Art Museum. So basically you’re killing two birds with one stone. You’re 1.) experiencing a once in a lifetime performance and 2.) visiting a brand new art space. Not too shabby.

Check it out…

Life Between Painting
Life Between Painting

Where?
6767 Bright Ave.
Whittier, CA 90601
562.696.9493
When?
August 11 – September 1, 2007
Gallery Hours: Tues.-Sat. 11:30am-9pm
How much?
FREE
I STILL don’t get it.
This show focuses on the pieces of four artists from the California College of Arts and Crafts: Ryan Martin, Nohemi Espinoza, Ramiro Hernandez, and Mick Farrell. Each with his/her unique perspective and concentration, this show exhibits merely a peak at the inner psyches of these distinct talents. From the abstract layered compositions Hernandez presents and explains to be reminiscent of his childhood to the almost surreal perfection of Martin’s portraits which exude a type of nostalgia for the beauty of innocence. Espinoza’s mixed media works express the juxtaposition of naivete and perversion while Farrell’s ink renderings add a dark humor which he explains are influenced by a mixture of found objects such as “a yearbook from the 1970s.”

Overall this was a really fun show to see. The Bluebird Art House is quaint and intimate, which makes for a great experience. The artists were all great to talk to, and my Aunt and I had fun arguing whether the abstract shape in one of Espinoza’s pieces was a pelvis or intestines. Even though the space was so small, I ended up sticking around for a couple of hours (4 total). The people were great, the art was great, and the DJ was great.

So, my camera ran out of battery basically right when I got there so I was only able to take one picture:
Hey DJ keep playin that song…

Yup. That’s the DJ. :o P Looks like you’ll have to go to The Bluebird Art House yourself if you want to see any art. But I must say, the DJ was pretty amazing. Never have I heard a DJ go from playing the Fugees to retro Indian music to Salsa. Talk about a treat for the ears. All in all the evening proved to be an amazing one and absolutely inspirational to the fans of art (–> Me.)

“We were known as the baby ballerinas.”

Lately I have been reading a lot about European (mainly Russian) graphic design history. And in doing so stumbled upon posters for the Ballet Russes, and thought to myself “isn’t that documentary in my Netflix queue?” And indeed it was.

I really appreciate the fact that some amazing people decided to film the Ballet Russes performances. The concept of dance being a momentary and dynamic experience is a concept that has always left me feeling conflicted. Dance along with theater and other performance arts pieces (such as the Happenings of the 1950s & 60s or Fluxus art), can be performed forever (in theory), like Nutcracker ballet for example. But each performance and each combination of dancers and audience experiences are unique and differ. These performances are so valuable and precious because they, most of the time, are not filmed or really documented in a manner that makes them permanent, like a painting or a photo. They are not captured in a way that can be enjoyed by the masses forever, and in some aspects it is sad, but I think that in other ways, this is what makes the performances so magical.

It’s amazing that the filmmakers found all of this priceless footage, all of these amazingly talented 70-90 year olds and made this documentary. Although not a dance history buff, I am a fan of dance, and an ex-ballerina, err kind of. My most critically acclaimed** performance was dancing to the song “Hi-ho!” from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs when I was 12; my farewell piece, as I then retired from my 3-year dance career a few months later due to the inability to do the splits. :o P Enough about me, this film was well edited, well researched and full of richly descriptive and delightful stories about traveling the world to bring ballet to the people. I highly recommend it, if you haven’t seen it already.
Nijinsky Poster

So, like Center Stage or Dirty Dancing, this film made me want to dance. Like, as soon as possible. It also made me feel really out of shape compared to those 80-year-olds in leotards with those ever impressive plies and releves. In essence it made me think about the company that my friend dances with, and their upcoming open house, which I will probably check out… or actually maybe I’ll just go and watch. :o ) I’m kinda rusty.

Regina Klenjoski Dance Company’s Open House
Regina Klenjoski Dance Company

Where?
Torrance Cultural Arts Center, Studio I
3330 Civic Center Dr.
Torrance, CA 90503
When?
Sunday, August 26, 2007
1-2:30pm: Modern Dance Technique with Regina Klenjoski
3-4:30pm: Showcase and sample classes
How much?
FREE
I STILL don’t get it.
The RKDC has performed in numerous venues and universities throughout the United States since opening its doors in 1993. Klenjoski’s pieces often explore her fascination with the human experience in a contemporary society. Utilizing partnering to convey diverse relationships in her pieces, Klenjoski’s clever voice brings a unique element to the world of contemporary dance.
This open house will create an opportunity for anyone in the community who has a love for dance to sample her classes and get a feel for her take on contemporary movement and choreography.

** not actually critically acclaimed… unless my parents count as critics, in which case, the performance was acclaimed.