Gen Art NY hosted a private party last week to launch the pop-up exhibition of LeBasse Projects ‘Go East’ show. Artists were in attendance and spoke to the crowd about their work. Artist Nate Frizzell provided the attendees with hand pulled silkscreens while Yoskay Yamamoto was handing out buttons and postcard sets from his recent solo exhibition.

Mia wowed the crowd with her largest painting of her career, measuring 3×4′ of surreal details and depth. The show is still online at the LeBasse Projects website, but more images of the Gen Art Collectors Circle event after the jump.

More Images + Info »

In this difficult economic time, with decreased support from corporate America, Gen Art is looking to its loyal supporters of the past 15 years as well as new friends to help it to celebrate its successes and to come together to support the organization in its time of need.

I ♥ Gen Art: 15th Anniversary Benefit will feature an exhibition of the works of over 60 of today’s most exciting artists working in mixed mediums who either are Gen Art alumni artists or have been affiliated with or supportive of Gen Art programming over the years. Ranging from emerging to world-renown, the artwork will be exhibited and available for sale with prices ranging from $150 – $5,000.

Honorary Chairpersons
Zac Posen, Adrian Grenier, Nick Cannon, Georgina Chapman, William H. Macy,
Adrien Brody, Rebecca Taylor, John Leguizamo, and Alan Cumming

Wednesday, June 24
7:00pm – 8:00pm: Preview for VIP ticketed guests
8:00pm – 11:00pm: General Admission

7 West
7 West 34th Street, 11th Floor
(Near 5th Avenue)

More Images + Info »

The Inaugural Exhibition has been announced for the new gallery:

Opening Reception:
Saturday, March 21st from 7-11pm

LeBasse Projects will be launching their inaugural gallery exhibition ‘Vous Avez Eté Juste Servi’ at a newly remodeled 2400 sq/ft gallery space in the heart of Culver City’s Art District. Over the past two years, the former project:gallery has established itself as a center for developing some of the most highly talked about emerging talent. The inaugural exhibition will showcase an exciting array of international artists that will be showing with the gallery in 2009.

The show will include Yoskay Yamamoto (Japan), Meryl Donoghue (UK), Tessar Lo (Indonesia), Koralie (France), Melissa Haslam (Australia), Brian Donnelly (Canada), Ryuichi Ogino (Japan), Lisa Alisa (Russia), Kentaro Hiramatsu (Japan), Nate Frizzell, Edwin Ushiro, Amanda Visell, Eric Fortune, Jason Redwood, Scott Belcastro, Alicia Ross, Jack Long, Michele Valigura, Laura Ball and more to be announced.

More Images + Info »

Music and art collide. Worlds on Fire featuring 25 portraits of Grammy nominated artists from some of the top names in lowbrow and pop surrealism opened on Monday night at the Pacific Electric Lofts in Downtown LA.  Presented by will.i.am of the Black Eye Peas, curated by Shooting Gallery and Kris Lewis, and produced by Gen Art, the show’s VIP opening drew a large crowd and was definitely the place to be Monday night.

To my eye, standout pieces included Lori Earley’s ethereal take on Madonna, Colin Christian’s stunning relief sculpture of Mia, Van Arno’s smokin’ vision of B.B. King and Mr. Brainwash’s unusual record vinyl mosaic of Jay-Z. There were plenty of strong pieces, hit the jump for a look at nearly the entire show.

Each of the show pieces will be sold by silent auction with the proceeds going to the Peapod Foundation. Worlds on Fire runs through Sunday February 8th, so there’s still time to catch the show if you missed the opening.

Pacific Electric Lofts
610 S. Main Street
Los Angeles, CA 90014

More Images + Info »

Friday night DD attended the LA Art Show. The show probably would have been more impressive had we not just come from Art Basel in Miami a few weeks ago. Certainly a handful of impressive work, but not anywhere close to the scale and “bling” of Miami. Galleries were pulling out all the stops in Miami, but seemed to be just trying to mitigate their costs here in LA. No one seemed to be beaming as bright as DJ Hall’s photo-realistic ladies (pictured above).

After arriving early it seemed to be a light crowd for a Friday evening, until the GenArt “Art of Fashion” event started kicking in to gear. With well placed bars and Don Julio tequila tasting stations placed around the convention center, the crowd swelled quickly. While not as shiny as the Miami Fair, with over 130 galleries participating in LA, the show still had plenty of work to view including pieces from Damien Hirst, Crash and a selection of Chinese pop-art stars.

More Images + Info »

This past Thursday, December 4th, Gen Art, the national arts and entertainment organization, opened its doors to their first annual Vanguard New Contemporary Art Fair. Held during Art Basel Miami Beach, the inaugural fair presented by FAGE Total, which took place in Charcoal Studios in the heart of the Wynwood Arts District, provided a fine art exhibition platform and global spotlight for emerging artists and eight leading North American galleries representing the New Contemporary art movement. The fair concluded on Sunday, December 7, after a successful four-day debut.

James Marshall (Dalek)

Murphy Fine Art Editions

“The Vanguard Fair is a big step for the rising New Contemporary art movement,” stated Fair Director and Curator, Francesco LoCastro. Based on the overwhelming public response to the fair, boasting nearly 3,000 guests at the Official Vanguard Party and a VIP Press preview which attracted more than 500 attendees, Gen Art and LoCastro are convinced there is an audience eager to experience more from this promising class of up-and-comers and are already planning a larger format fair for Miami 2009. “We want the Vanguard Fair to grow organically,” stated LoCastro. “So we are considering all opportunities as we take the next critical steps to build the future of Vanguard.”

More Images + Info »

I’m on-site at the inaugural Gen Art Vanguard New Contemporary Art Fair! Our VIP and Press preview this afternoon launched the fair programming and events. In the morning, FAGE Total hosted the first Lunch and Learn program with artist AJ Fosik to benefit Art for Learning. Artists James Marshal (Dalek), Gary Baseman, and AJ Fosik were on-site for photos and interviews with the media. Graffiti Research Lab’s James Powderly and Evan Roth (who Gen Art and Francesco LoCastro flew in from Hong Kong) were on-site putting finishing touches on their wall installation, using conductive ink on canvas. Graffiti Research Lab will be performing at the Official Party tomorrow night, 8pm to midnight, which will also feature live painting from artist LEBO, Bombay Sapphire cocktails and sounds from DJ Ray Milan. Afternoon panel discussions were rescheduled for Saturday, December 6 from 2 – 6pm and are open to the public. Panels include ‘Outsider to Insider’, ‘The Art of Branding’ and ‘Graffiti Research Lab’ (see details are below and be sure to pencil these panels in your itinerary! Enjoy complementary cocktails, smartwater, and all the FAGE Total yogurt you could desire). Later in the afternoon Bombay Sapphire got the attention of fair guests with a special presentation of Synchronized Swimmers. James Marshal (Dalek), Gary Baseman, and AJ Fosik were on-site for photos and interviews with the media. More soon to report tomorrow, plus additional photos once I get a chance to sync my iPhone! Check out www.genart.org/x/vanguard for additional information about the fair and to purchase tickets to the Official Party on Friday, December 5.

FAIR DATES: December 4 – 7, 2008

LOCATION: Charcoal Studios 2135 NW 1st Avenue, Miami, FL 331 (across from PULSE art fair )

Keep reading…

More Images + Info »