Lauren Bergman, Future Perfect, acrylic on gessoed paper mounted on sintra, 40" x 60", 2008

Tonight, New York-based artist Lauren Bergman opens her exhibition CalHalla: Dreams of Future Passed, at Corey Helford Gallery in Culver City, California. After a lively political group show in New York City in November, Bergman turns her attention away from the White House in Washington D.C. to the cultural Mt. Olympus of California and its modernist architecture paradise. The exhibition, featured in the loft of the gallery space, will commence on Saturday, January 3, 2009 and run through January 21.  An opening reception will be held on Saturday, January 3 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. with the artist in attendance.

The idealized female ideology and feminine utopia of America has long been a focal theme for Bergman and continues to feed her fascination and curiosity.  For this exhibition, however, Bergman employs “a new menu of cultural touchstones in the architectural backdrop” as she strives to decipher the “California dreaming” mythology that enamors and resonates with our modern society, hence the splicing of “Valhalla” and “California” to become “CalHalla.” Even as a young girl, Bergman was drawn to the modern creations of architects like Richard Neutra, Pierre Koenig, John Lautner, and especially Frank Lloyd Wright.  “Their forms and lines were compelling and I would find myself drawing them over and over,” she says. “They [the houses] would appear to me like a vision of the future.”

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If you missed the opening of Idealist Propaganda, Glen E. Friedman’s major retrospective, and the chance to have Glen sign your copy of his books, Subliminal Projects is giving you another opportunity by extending the Idealist Propaganda show for one more day. Glen will be in the gallery Saturday, January 10th signing copies of his amazing books from 2-5pm.  They will have all five of Glen’s books available, including Recognize, which is no longer in print and only available at Subliminal Projects.  Below are some photos of the installation, courtesy of Subliminal Projects. Read Jeff Weiss’ opening night review and exlcusive interview with Glen in the LA Weekly, plus check out their featured slidehow.

THE INSTALLATION

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Hello people. So my “dorkasaurus” friend Justin has relapsed with Leukemia. The last time round they fought it with chemotherapy. This time he is in desperate need of a bone marrow transplant. None of his family members are a match. This is where all of us come in.

Please get tested to see if you are a match. To get tested is really simple and only requires a mouth swab or a very quick blood test. There is a $50 fee for processing the marrow sample, but if you donate blood too, then the cost is waived. You can also get a kit mailed to you.

If you get tested I will send you an original drawing. Its a great way to start the new year.

Here is Justin’s email. He can fill you in on the info you need to know.

justin@thedutchpress.com

If you are in the greater LA area, you can go directly to City of Hope to donate blood and get tested at the same time.

If you aren’t in the LA area, here are some links for registering with the National Bone Marrow Registry, the entire registry is a worldwide network and is also linked in with the Red Cross, so there are lots of places to go if you aren’t in the LA area. Here are links to figure out where the closest is for you:

http://www.marrow.org/HELP/Join_the_Donor_Registry/Join_Now/join_now.html
http://www.marrow.org/HELP/Join_the_Donor_Registry/Join_in_Person/index.html

A portrait of my girlfriend’s dog Kody

I am working with the publisher Nerdcore on getting my sketchbook released as soon as possible. i know it was scheduled for release in August, and believe me i am the most disappointed that this still hasn’t released yet. We have ambitious plans for the cover, which was more time-consuming than anyone imagined, then the printer in China closed down, apparently a casualty of the global recession. so now the book is somewhere in line at a new printer who is totally bottle-necked with books from other closed down printers.

The most frustrating thing about this process is that there is nothing for me to do about it. i have been contacting the publisher over and over again asking if there is anything i can do to expedite the process, but it is totally out of my hands. On top of all this, Chinese New Year is around the corner, so the printed closes down for about a month.

Nerdcore is now shooting for New York Comicon this spring to release. they are also offering additional free exclusive Ledbetter goodies to everyone waiting patiently on the pre-order list. Thank you again for waiting!!

Looks like GR2 is getting a lot of love from the blog today, but all deserving. Giant Robot has both a great last minute gift show up (see Post It) - and they just hosted art superstar David Choe for a signing of his newly released “Choegal” toy from Ningyoshi toys.

The wooden toy has hand painted parts (though not by Dave) and we were able to pick up ours along with a shiny autograph from Dave. It is really a great toy - and you should probably get online, or into GR2 to order one quick as it is limited to only 1000 pieces.

Fans were picking up Choe toys, GR posters and the new Giant Robot Magazine with Choe’s cover art, all in hopes of getting a sketch. The fan above (a DD contributor) actually brought a paint set. David was nice enough to paint a little something…

…David tells us he is off to China in a few weeks to begin shooting his new project. Have fun in Beijing…stay away from the street meat! Keep reading for our pics, or discuss David’s work here:

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We’re pleased to welcome Edwin Ushiro as Dailydujour’s newest guest blogger. As many of you already know, Edwin is an extremely talented LA painter who is certain to make his mark in short order. He’s got a quick wit and a wild sense of humor, so be sure to say hi if you see him out and about.

Dailydujour is pleased to welcome Ronnie Pirovino as a guest blogger.  Ronnie is actively involved in the art world in several capacities.  He’s a world-class KAWS collector, co-founder of TheArtCollectors web community and a partner in KRUNK.  To pay the bills (i.e. buy art), Ronnie is an independent interactive media designer.

Last night was the opening for Yoshitomo Nara’s new show at Blum and Poe in Culver City. A star studded crowd was easily eclipsed by the paintings and installation from Nara and his sidekick Graf. Upon entering the show we were greeted by an enormous painting on wood panel of Nara’s youthful superheroine rocking out on a guitar.

Turning into Gallery I, the “California Orange Covered Wagon” installation greeted us with an accompanying painting titled “Lonely” - which seemed to be the running theme for the show. The “Wagon” was filled with small pieces, toys, sketches, photographs, old mail and other knick-knacks that have had some personal touch with the artist. Check out the gallery below for images from inside the wagon…

Keep reading for much more coverage…

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Vinyl Collectible photographer Brian McCarty recently shot Yoskay’s “Koibito” prior to last weeks release party at Munky King. Thanks to our friends at HiFructose, Brian has a great interview talking about the shoot, cold water and shrinkage.

Check it out along with more pics and free downloadable wall papers at HiFructose.com.