After their excellent first piece on Kelsey Brookes, The Creative Lives continues its video profile series with an feature on LA area artist Mark Dean Veca.  The piece focuses on Veca’s formative years as well his recent breathtaking Phantasmagoria installation @ Otis as well as his .  Next up from The Creative Lives – Megan Whitmarsh.  This new video series is well worth watching – just do it.

This month, contemporary art website thecreativelives.com adds a new documentary series to its informative offerings. A feature on  San Diego painter Kelsey Brookes, available now, will launch the series, while future presentations will explore the work of Mark Dean Veca, Megan Whitmarsh, Porous Walker, Barry McGee, and more.

Saturday afternoon THIS los angeles welcomed Kelly Lynn Jones of Little Paper Planes and the Sumi Ink Club to their gallery space.  We went down to participate, make some fun ink drawings, and hang out.  If you haven’t checked out or heard about the Sumi Ink Club, then I really encourage you to participate if you get a chance.  It’s super fun, relaxing, and mellow. You even might get to take home one of the collaborative works.

from http://thislosangeles.com/blog/

The Sumi Ink Club is a los angeles-based drawing collective founded in 2005 by Sarah Anderson and Luke Fischbeck. The group holds regular open meetings to execute topsy-turvy, detailed, collaborative drawings using ink on paper. In each of its permutations, sumi ink club uses group drawings as a means to open and fortify social interactions that bleed into everyday life. sumi ink club is non-hierarchical: all ages, all humans, all styles.

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Ron English has released the short and blunt “How to Explain the Art World to a Dead Hare” video as an homage to Joseph Beuys’ celebrated 1965 performance art piece, How to Explain Pictures to a Dead Hare.  The piece was shot on location in McAllen, Texas  during the filming of scenes for ‘The Emperor’s New Art’, English’s 3rd full length film.  The piece was filmed by Chunwoo Kae of Nueue Films and Produced by Justin Kerson of ToTT Global.

Check out the above interview with New York-based artist Logan Hicks, a participant in Scion’s Installation 5 Tour, for insight into his artistic process and high dynamic range photography, among other things.

Known for exploring the dynamics of the urban environment via hand-sprayed stencils, Hicks comments, “The dirty and gritty nature of the spraypaint thoroughly depicted the decay of the city while the muted shine of metallic paint mirrored the faint glimmer of hope and life within the city. Within my work, I try to draw a parallel between the cold, harsh city and a warm, vibrant organism. It is alive; a breathing creature where the people do not exist within it, but rather along side of it. It is this symbiotic relationship with the city the fuels my work.”

One of the perks of this job is getting to work with truly amazing people all of the time. But occasionally, I get to collaborate with people who have had a direct impact on my life. Such is the case with Dave McKean.

Dave McKean is what we used to refer to as a “hyphenate.” He’s a multi-talented illustrator-photographer-comic-book-artist-graphic-designer-filmmaker-musician, who just happens to excel at each one of his specialties.

As an artist, Dave McKean changed the look of comic books when his illustrated-photo-assemblage works began gracing the covers of Neil Gaiman’s reboot of the Sandman character at DC Comics. He next tackled an incredibly ambitious Batman tale that focused not on the caped crusader, but instead on the mental institution that housed the more macabre among his rogues’ gallery. That story written by Grant Morrison was Arkham Asylum, and it quickly became (and remains) one of the best selling graphic novels of all time. His comic book works have won numerous well deserved accolades and awards, but he’s also won a World Fantasy Award for “Best Artist,” three Spectrum Awards in the categories of “Advertising”, “Book”, and “Comic,” A British Science Fiction Award in “Short Fiction” (shared with Neil Gaiman), and his film directorial debut, MirrorMask premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2005. His concept designs shaped the look and feel of two entries in the Harry Potter film series, and if your CD collection veers on the darker side of pop, metal, and avant-garde, odds are you’ve got a few Dave McKean images there, too. Did I mention that he’s an accomplished jazz musician and discerning foodie?

So it would be an understatement to say that I’m feverishly proud to welcome Dave McKean this weekend at two incredible events:

On Friday, February 12th, from 6-9 PM, Dave is signing comics, books, DVDs, CD’s and limited edition art prints at La Luz de Jesus Gallery (inside the Soap Plant / Wacko complex at 4633 Hollywood Blvd., LA, CA 90027). For every item that purchase at the signing, Dave will sign one item that you bring from home. NO EXCEPTIONS! So don’t bring your entire collection of Sandman comics for him to autograph unless you plan on buying 75 items at the signing. He’s a wonderful guy and he’ll be happy to speak with you and answer questions -especially about his new body of work, which is debuting on Saturday night at Billy Shire Fine Arts.

New Works from Early Cinema is showing in conjunction with Nitrate & Kinogeists, an event sponsored by Chicago’s Century Guild and includes highlights from their inventory of historically significant and undeniably beautiful silent film posters, most of which have been lost and unseen by the public before now. In addition to large format paintings, Dave has included a series of ten smaller ink illustrations that are priced for fans. Believe me -you can totally afford these, so check out the preview on Thursday evening. Whether you’re a comic book fan or a patron of the fine arts, if you’ve been looking to add a McKean original to your collection, this is your opportunity to do so. There are also some limited edition prints for which this will be a Release Event.
Since the exhibition references and pays tribute to lost films from the silent era, there will be Video Installation with two screens playing footage of recently unearthed and restored films previously thought lost.
The artist’s reception is Saturday, February 13th, from 7-10 PM at Billy Shire Fine Arts, 5790 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232. A full and complete preview will be available by Thursday evening. The paintings and posters are live on site now.

Mastodon Maze opened at the Pacific Design Center January 29th.  It featured a labyrinthine group showcasing pre-existing pieces from some of our favorite artists: Philip Cameron, Christian Cummings, Michael C. Hsiung, Daniel Ingroff, Alison O’Daniel, Paul Pescador, David Maupin, Mike Metzger, and Donnie Luu.

Mastodon Maze runs concurrent to the Art Los Angeles Contemporary at the Pacific Design Center. The show will be up from January 29 – February 11, with an opening event at 5:00pm on January 30th.

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Check out Scion ART’s interview with LA’s Souther Salazar, a participant in Scion’s Installation 5 tour, for insight into his artistic process (and ripping off the Mona Lisa). Scion.com reports that Salazar, whose initial work consisted of photocopied cut-and-paste microcomics and ‘zines, “…exhibits his collages, paintings, drawings, and sculptures in dense, frenzied installations that encourage exploitation and participation by the viewer.”

Hello everybody!
I’m Matt Kennedy, the director of La Luz de Jesus Gallery. Some of you O.G. scenesters may remember me from back in the golden age of lowbrow when I was the manager at Billy Shire’s original Melrose location where I worked alongside gallery director Alix Sloan (and actually hired artists like Aaron Smith and Christian Clayton as gallery personnel) until 1995, when Billy Shire relocated the whole Soap Plant / Wacko operation to Los Feliz, and I entered the entertainment business.

I did a lot of acting, a bit of recording, a healthy amount of producing, and ran a few video labels that earned me the type of Geek street-cred that I’d always longed for. I even moled myself into the studio system and somehow managed to keep aware of the emerging and established  talent in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Tokyo, London and elsewhere. As a patron I probably kept a few of the smaller galleries in business, and consider myself fortunate to have been presented with an opportunity to return to my roots in the Shire Empire and reacquaint myself with the artists whose careers were launched in those heady days of the early to mid 90s.

Back in May, I was presented with the opportunity to become a columnist here on Daily Dujour, and after nine months of waiting, I’ve finally been given my login info …and just in time for the 4 person exhibition that opens this Friday at La Luz de Jesus:

Danni Shinya Luo, Kim Scott, Miran Kim, Transmission Atelier

This is the first show that I’ve assembled completely on my own. When I first stepped back into the position as gallery director, the majority of the 2009 schedule was in place. As sometimes happens, there were a few re-schudules (and one rather public dropped show) that allowed me to bring some new talent to La Luz de Jesus and Billy Shire Fine Arts. I’m proud to have been the person that brought Christopher Ulrich and Myron Conan Dyal to BSFA, and to have given first shows to Jessica Dalva and Misato Otake at La Luz de Jesus. But mostly the position was one of a clerical/sales nature; managing the artists’ deadlines, contacting buyers, overseeing publicity and booking the ads. As I approach the close of my first year back, the role is much more of a balance between gallery director and show curator. I booked this Friday’s show back in July, and the joy of watching it open is difficult to express in words -least of all words that serve as an introduction.

Having seen the work in this show, I couldn’t be prouder of Shinya, Miran, Kim and Jim (aka Transmission Atelier).

With the consolidation of BSFA back into La Luz de Jesus, I feel like I’m finally getting a chance to do what I do best, and that’s to take the years of experience I have (marketing niche media) and steer it into the heart of my greatest passion -art. I’ve been overseeing a complete redesign of the La Luz de Jesus website, I’ve set up Artofficial: the official La Luz de Jesus Gallery Art Blog, and most recently launched a La Luz de Jesus Art YouTube page. The first video I’ve produced for the new blog and YouTube page is a studio visit with Danni Shinya Luo. It’s something of a trailer for her Spiritual Deficiencies exhibit, which opens this Friday alongside Miran Kim’s Uncomplicated Treats, Kim Scott’s Peep Holes and Magic Boxes, and Transmission Atelier’s If the Shadows Could March.
We’ve got a new beverage sponsor, NAKHON, and we’re expecting a special visit from a very special catering truck, too. We know how to throw a party around here and I encourage you all to come on down.

I also had my friend Jennifer do a Studio Visit with Karen Miso Hsiao, whose The Cold Returns show will be closing at CHG this Saturday. It’s a great show and I encourage you to check it out while you still can. If the link doesn’t work, you can access her video on the La Luz de Jesus Art YouTube page.

See you this weekend in the flesh, and back here next Wednesday!

Mastodon Maze is a labyrinthine group showcasing showcasing pre-existing pieces from some of our favorite artists: Philip Cameron, Christian Cummings, Michael C. Hsiung, Daniel Ingroff, Alison O’Daniel, Paul Pescador, David Maupin, Mike Metzger, and Donnie Luu.

Mastodon Maze runs concurrent to the Art Los Angeles Contemporary at the Pacific Design Center. The show will be up from January 29 – February 11, with an opening event at 5:00pm on January 30th.

Art Mosh is a successful series of rotating art exhibitions. It’s an exclusive, invitation only event, hosted in original and unusual spaces across selected European cities including Dublin, London, and most recently, Paris (08-09). Art Mosh showcases a one-off collection of photography, sculpture, live painting and sketches, ensuring a diverse and arresting range of work from some of today’s most talented artists. Art Mosh discovers and showcases talent, both established and emerging. Their important crossover relationship within the music sector also ensures a multimedia event, with DJ’s and live acts performing dangerously close to the art.
ArtMosh just released this video recap of the recent Paris show.

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Roberts & Tilton will kick off their 2010 schedule with “Projections,” a festival of rare and hard to see films organized by Aaron Rose. Opening on Saturday, January 16th and running through February 20, 2010, Projections will feature short and feature length films by 31 filmmakers. Filmmakers included are: Bruce laBruce, Chris Johansson, Aaron Rose, Tobin Yelland, Roman Coppola, Jo Jackson, Thomas Campbell and more.

This show looks to be a collection of who’s cool in skate art/culture so expect a large contingent of hipsters at the opening. Check the Gallery website for a schedule of film screenings as well.

Projections: A Festival of Rare and Hard To See Films
Roberts and Tilton
5801 Washington Boulevard
Culver City, California 90232
Opening Reception Saturday, January 16th, 6 – 9pm

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Debuting on Jan. 23, Scion launches the sixth edition of its successful art tour, “Installation 6: Video”. The tour opens in Los Angeles at Scion’s own 4,200 square foot Installation L.A. Space gallery in Culver City.

The annual tour, designed to expose established and emerging artists and their work to audiences across the country, features a distinctive selection of international talent and visits Los Angeles, New York, Minneapolis and Austin, as well as a newly added stop in Wichita, Kansas.

For 2010, the tour focuses on the video medium, which emerged in the 1960s and has since expanded galleries into more experimental, kinetic and interactive spaces. “Installation 6: Video” challenged 10 artists to create non-narrative video installations that will transform five unique exhibitions. Artists include: Dust la Rock (Brooklyn, NY), Eric Nakamura (Los Angeles, CA), Saelee Oh (Los Angeles, CA), French (London, England), Ill-Studio (Paris, France), Josh Graham (New York, NY), Monihan Monihan (New York, NY), Mark Mothersbaugh (Los Angeles, CA), PMKFA (Tokyo, Japan) and Sage Vaughn (Los Angeles, CA).

The opening reception takes place on January 23, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. and is free with complimentary valet parking and an open bar.

Scion Installtion 6: Video
3521 Helms Blvd. Culver City
Opening: Saturday Jan. 23rd 7-10pm

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