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SPECIAL REPORT:
CARMEL PEBBLE BEACH ART GALLERIES - SHOWS - OPENINGS
AUTOMOTIVE FINE ARTS SOCIETY - CONCOURS D'ELEGANCE
08.18.07
The Automotive Fine Arts Society in association with the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance: The 22nd Annual Exhibition of the Automotive Fine Arts Society.
Artists: Larry Braun, Dennis Brown, Harold Cleworth, Ken Dallison, James Dietz, Ken Eberts, Art Fitzpatrick, Tom Fritz, Tom Hale, Jack Juratovic, Jay Koka, Charles Maher, John Francis Marsh, William Motta, Niles Nakaoka, Bill Neale, Richard Pietruska, Stanley Rose, Barry Rowe, Tony Sikorski, Craig Warwick, Bruce Wheeler, Nicola Wood.
Comment: Every year around this time, automotive fine art sculptor Tony Sikorski is gracious enough to invite me to the Automotive Fine Arts Society's annual exhibition at Pebble Beach Country Club, and every year, for some senseless reason unbeknownst to even me, I don't go. This year is different. I say to myself, "Self, this is the only way you're ever gonna get into Pebble Beach Country Club. If you don't go, you're an idiot."
"Who are you calling an idiot?"
"Who wants to know?"
"OK. OK. I'll go!"
So I go. And am I glad I do. Pebble Beach, the town-- what you can see of it from Seventeen Mile Drive-- is gorgeous enough, but the country club proffers an eye on opulence the likes of which is tough to come by for us intransigent urbanites, and, I might add, spending any length of time there is a consummate pleasure, even a privilege. But enough about me. Let's talk art.
To begin with, the Automotive Fine Arts Society is one of the best organized, most congenial, most successful alliances of artists I've ever encountered. They've got their own magazine, exhibitions, all-for-one/one-for-all website, and more-- and most importantly, they exemplify how effective a group of artists who share common concerns can be when they agree to work together. Specialized market, you may rejoinder, but then again, isn't every market specialized? The art world, notorious for its opaque fragmented nature, might have a gander at what a concerted effort can accomplish. Don't be afraid, my trepidatious darlings-- it won't hurt to look.
The show itself? It's totally automotive-- art about cars-- as good as it gets. The venue is an expansive tent just off the green on the world-famous Pebble Beach 18th hole, just below The Lodge (clubhouse), directly on the edge of the ocean. And it's one of the most bona fide delightful art events I've ever attended. Thank you Tony Sikorski and your colleagues at the Automotive Fine Arts Society.
Oh. Almost forgot to mention the Concours d'Elegance, the finest classic car extravaganza America has to offer. Talk about kinetic sculpture! Stupefyingly magnificent automotive icons of the past hundred years as well as concept cars auguring the next fifty, literally litter the landscape. Yes, we've got art, automobiles, beauty, grandeur, and meta-gentrified arcadian lifestyling at its finest. Don't believe me? Check it out...
Here we are. Shall we? In we go. Nice. Let's step out on the veranda. Sweet. This just keeps getting better. Wanna see some art? OK. Down the stairs and to the right. Looking back at The Lodge. There's the show tent. View along the 18th hole on the way to the tent. Almost there. Out front of the show tent. Wanna go in? OK. Woah. This is serious. Art (Tony Sikorski - chromed stainless steel, editions of 3). Art (Tony Sikorski). Art (Tony Sikorski - carved painted wood & metal detailing). Tony Sikorski - art. Bill Neale - art. Art. Artsters. Yo! Looks like an unveiling. Wanna watch? OK. Richard Pietruska (left foreground), about to unveil a new sculpture. Unveiling in progress. I can hardly wait. Nice! (not her, you doink... the car). Art. Art. Literature. More literature. Art (Art Fitzpatrick). Art Fitzpatrick fields questions from the fan base. Art. William Motta (right) - art. Art (Richard Pietruska). Pick. Tunes. Automotive legend Carroll Shelby in da house. Mrs. Carroll Shelby also in da house. Announcement time. Shhhh. Pay attention. AFAS President Ken Eberts introduces fellow society members. OK. Time for a break. Off to the swag shop. What do you think? Is it me? Meanwhile, back at the show... more art. Art. Lucky winner of free drawing for Richard Pietruska sculpture. Art. OK. Enough art. Time for the real thing-- bona fide classic autos. Parked in front of The Lodge. Concept cars. Concept cars. Concept car interior. Tasty. As for the classics... Concours d'Elegance. Classic automobile. Automotive classic. Gentleman demonstrates proper use of major babe magnet. Mini babe magnet. More classics. And more. I overhear a dude say the convertible to the right's worth $500K. OK. Enough for me. Bye bye from Pebble Beach.
***s