Julian Callos

OTIS hosted its graduate show this past weekend and I had a few minutes to blaze through. I was happy to catch up with a bunch of talented young artists, including several that are in this year’s Kids Are Alright Tour like Julian Callos and Mylan Nguyen.

Also impressed by Jessica Dalva’s sculptures and Mylan’s giant Nara-esque installation. I would say go visit the show, but its already gone. Congratulations to the graduates…

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Mark Dean Veca unveiled his breathtaking Phantasmagoria site specific installation at Otis College of Art and Design’s Ben Maltz Gallery this past Saturday night.  The large rectangular space’s four white walls are now emblazoned with fiery oranges and reds.  Over 17 days of work and with the help of several assistants, Veca created the huge wrap-around wall murals featuring a tidal wave pattern along the bottom and intricate characters throughout.  While the murals could easily stand on their own, they serve as elaborate frames for several individual hyper-detailed paintings on pvc panel featuring a heady mix of iconic figures drawn from religion, pop culture, and some of the brightest artists working today including Damien Hirst, KAWS, and Jeff Koons.

In between gawking at the work, we held the finger down on the shutter release and brought back a bunch of pictures.  If you’re in SoCal, consider this a preview.  You need to go down and check it out for yourself.  It’s one thing to look at the pretty pics, but it’s quite  another to stand in the middle of the room surrounded by this impressive piece of art.   The installation will remain up until December 6th, so there’s plenty of time to catch it. Just do it.

Ben Maltz Gallery
9045 Lincoln Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90045
310.665.6905

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Otis Alum Mark Dean Veca has moved back to Los Angeles just in time for his appointment as the Fall 2008 Jennifer Howard Coleman Distinguished Lecturer and Resident.  In addition to his work with students throughout the fall, Mark has been hard at work on Phantasmagoria, a massive site-specific install that spans the entire Ben Maltz Gallery at Otis.  In case you had overlooked it or are just hungry for more here’s a small preview of the show pieces including a look at Mark’s efforts to transform the normally white staid walls of  the gallery with his  wild hyper-kinetic vision.

Cast in bright orange with strong black details, the installation features intricate floor to ceiling wall painting that serves as the expansive frame for several original paintings.  The paintings put culture, pop and otherwise, into a blender  on high with impressive results combining disparate elements such as Damien Hirst’s legendary Diamond Skull, Popeye, Charlie Tuna, Jesus and Mary, Michaelangelo’s David, Kaws’s X eyes  and Jeff Koons’  Bunny Rabbit. While the combinations are noteworthy it’s the execution that separates Mark’s work – the characters are shapes to be filled with immense and varied detail – sort of figurative canvases.    All the original paintings are available for sale through the retail gallery that reps Veca’s work.

Judging by the preview paintings, the WIP shots of the installation and his previous room installations, the opening of Phantasmagoria this Saturday from 5- 7 PM is not to be missed.

[Source Ben Maltz Gallery + additional info from Supertouch Art.  Photos – Chris Warner (paintings) & Daniel Davidson (installation)].

Ben Maltz Gallery
Bronya and Andy Galef Center for Fine Arts
9045 Lincoln Blvd.
Los Angeles CA 90045

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