BRAUNSTEIN/QUAY - TOGONON - HIMMELBERGER - CCRIDER
GARAGE BIENNALE - GALLERY THREE - SOAP - CHARLES LINDER
11.15.08
(with assistance from Jessica Whiteside, Julia Haas, and R.W. Miller)
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Braunstein/Quay Gallery: Robilee Frederick - Mapping Light.
Comment by AB: Robilee Frederick, inspired by a recent trip to Bhutan, creates a series of organic abstract panels, some backlit, others incorporating butterfly-like seeds she collected during her trip. The works are meant to exemplify the "commitment of the indigenous people to Buddhism and their profound acceptance of every aspect of the life-cycle." But uh oh. I made a mistake and missed the opening. Special thanks to Shannon Trimble of Braunstein/Quay for agreeing to appear in the photographs.
Art by Robilee Frederick. Art. Art. Art.
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Togonon Gallery: Art In Your Backyard.
Artists: Peter Forakis, Leo Valledor, Sam Provenzano, David Johnson, Malcolm Lubliner, Yue Ying Zhong, Hilda Robinson, Brigid McCabe, Servando Garcia, Jessica Skloven.
Comment by AB: Group show of local artists, both established and emerging.
Art. Art. Art. Art.
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Himmelberger Gallery: Alessandro Tofanelli My Land, New Oil Paintings.
Comment by AB: Soft subtle serene idyllic landscapes by Italian artist Alessandro Tofanelli make perfect escapes for trying times. They're so well painted, they almost look real, even though you know they're not. Or maybe you just wish they were real. Tofanelli has exhibited his art internationally, and also works as a photographer and videographer. He's produced a number of videos for Italian television as well as the award-winning film, "Unnatural."
Paintings by Alessandro Tofanelli. Art. Art. Art. Art.
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Garage Biennale: Girls on Film. Curated by Kathrine Worel.
Artists: Adrienne Pao, J. D. Beltran, Jennifer Locke, Jennifer Reeder. Kathrine Worel, Marissa Aragona, Monique-Marie Deschaine, Morgan Konn.
Comment by AB: Group show examines the artist-camera-subject relationship in still photography and video with respect to women, with particular focus on feminism, gender politics and the like.
Here we are. Art. Art. Art. Mini video monitor in the table art. Mini video monitor art closer. Art. Art.
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CCRider: Bott Scarry (Scott Barry) - Weezing the Juice.
Comment by AB: Bott Scarry (Scott Barry) festifies CC Rider's walls with labyrinthine black and white pattern swatches and proficient pen and ink illustrations, ostensibly influenced by a variety of antecedents including Op Art, psychedelia, and American graphic design icon Milton Glaser.
Art by Scott Barry. Art. Scott Barry - art. Art closer. Art pinkie cam close.
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Soap Gallery: Kathryn Kenworth - Boxcutter.
Review and images by Julia Haas: While humble in stature, Kathryn Kenworth's show, Boxcutter, is nothing short of opinionated. Miniature and meticulously crafted cardboard boxes are displayed on small ledge shelves along two walls of the gallery, mimicked in her drawings of cardboard trees, wood-grained fire hydrants and newspaper dispensers. Though she manipulates scale to involve the viewer, the show's real commentary evolves from her choice of materials.
Review by R.W. Miller: Though Kathryn Kenworth's art is made of recycled materials, her ideas are not necessarily recycled. They remind the viewer of what we waste in the normal course of our lives. It can be reclaimed.
Art by Kathryn Kenworth. Art closer. Art. Art closer. Turnout.
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The Charles Linder Residence: Fundraiser for 826 Valencia - The Writing Center.
Comment by AB: Charles Linder-- artist, Lincart proprietor, patron of creative impulse everywhere, and all round exemplary dude-- opens his august estate (all four levels, panoramic views, and considerable art collection) to the cause of 826 Valencia, an organization "dedicated to supporting students ages 6-18 with their writing skills, and to helping teachers get their students excited about the literary arts," co-founded and co-captained by noted author Dave Eggers. Very healthily attended, including Eggers of course, and well worth the drive to the top of the hill.
Upstairs. Going down a level. Downstairs. All the way down - everybody's out back having dinner. Speaking of dinner, it's mashed potato time. Yum! Barry McGee up for silent auction. Marcel Dzama up for silent auction. Host Charles Linder hams it up. Sorry... couldn't resist. There's a do-it-yourself photo booth. Looking down from a top rear window. View from the deck looking down. View from the deck looking out.
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Gallery Three: Erik Foss - Smokem If U Gottem.
Review and images by Jessica Whiteside: This is artist Erik Foss' first West Coast solo show. His work encompasses every medium imaginable and is a composite of images which he says represents all he has been exposed to growing up with a Marine Corps father and strict Catholic upbringing. Many of his images have historical war references, political images, religious iconography, pop culture references and pornography. Because of the graphic nature of his work Erik gets a lot of attention and questions asked about his motivation for displaying these images, because for some, the issues he evokes can be very sensitive. For example, he uses a range of subjects to create collages of crosses that can truly be appreciated for the complexity of the imagery upon close inspection. Erik is a quiet and unassuming, very thoughtful artist who explains to me that he is simply reflecting upon what he has been surrounded by growing up as an American.
To me Erik's work, as a collection of images from a lifetime of growing up in America, all come together in an amazing album of powerful imagery to awaken your senses and sensitivity to all that is around you.
Art by Erik Foss. Art. Erik Foss - art. Art closer. Art. Art.
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