BRAUNSTEIN/QUAY - ARTZONE 461 - SOAP - STUSSY - BARBER LOUNGE - 01.24.09

Braunstein/Quay Gallery: Peter Voulkos - The Montana, Los Angeles, & Berkeley Years, 1950s - 70s; Stephen Vincent - ACCESS Program - Haptics.

Comment by AB: In the main gallery is a sumptuous retrospective of vintage ceramics by influential artist Peter Voulkos. The styles range from fifties modern to Ab-Ex and it's a superb show. For you geography hounds in the audience, Voulkos produced his early functional pieces in Montana, then things began to loosen up when he moved to LA, then he really went haywire in Berkeley. Today he's considered to be the "grandfather of the contemporary ceramics movement." Quick question-- who's the father? Prices range $10K-$125K. The show is being held in conjunction with a major survey exhibition at Diablo Valley College. In the rear gallery, Stephen Vincent's ephemeral india ink drawings called "Haptics" are artistic responses to simultaneously occurring outside events.

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ArtZone 461: William Wolff - Paintings from the Estate; Jane Fisher - Hotel Redux.

Comment by AB: William Wolff's uncommon figural stylizations contrast nicely with Jane Fisher's realistic paintings and drawings.

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Soap Gallery: Greg Lowe - One Off Stimulations and Dirty Thoughts.

Comment by AB: Greg Lowe tells me his luminescent particulate abstractions are closeup photos of high-end Czechoslovakian glitter. It's that simple and no more complicated. And affordable too... $150-$500. Kinda like 'em.

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Stussy: Oliver Fader & Ando.

Comment by AB: A gritty lowdown uncompromising look at streetwise Ess Eff with significant skate scene overtones courtesy of Oliver Fader and Ando, both born and raised here. Fader handles the black & white perspective while Ando colors it up. I'm here a bit early, but so is Oliver Fader who's kind enough to fill me in on the particulars.

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The Barber Lounge: 2nd Anniversary Party + 3rd Annual Art Event.

Artists: Yvette Buigues, Manny Fabregas, Georgianne Fastaia, Madeleine Fitzpatrick, Anthony Garcia, Serge Gay Jr., Matt Howse, Christophe Paillat, Kelly Tunstall, Jim Winters.

Comment by AB: I'm confused. If this is the 2nd anniversary party, then how can it be the 3rd annual art event? 'Cuz if you do the math, that would seem to indicate that there was an art event at the Barber Lounge a year before it opened. And that's not possible. But wait. My cognitive cogs are crankin'. Suppose the 2nd anniversary party is celebrating the anniversary of their first party rather than the opening of The Barber Lounge and that they've been open for longer than two years-- three at least-- and that they had their first art event (which apparently wasn't a party) a year before they had their first party (which they had simply because they felt like having a party rather than to celebrate the opening of the gallery)? And then later they decided to combine the two. Maybe that's it. Anyway, The Barber Lounge is a rather remarkable and spacious facility where you can come to get all manner of pampering, not the least of which has to do with your 'do. And tonight there's art on display everywhere-- some of which is pretty decent too-- and myriads of admirers, adherents, proselytizers, hipsters, hep cats, hoop skirts, and hot tamales... and a fine time was had by all. Stop on by; you won't be disappointed.

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