Art/Culture
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Latin Heritage Alive & Kicking It in NoHo
by Anthony McBride
The Lankershim Art Gallery is at it again and this time they’ve gone loco, or I should say crazy for Latin art. The L.A.G. has been responsible for many diverse shows that almost single handedly have been the core source for the proliferation of the art movement in this culturally mixed district, save a few other spaces that are following in it’s preeminent footsteps.
Latino Heritage has almost become a commercialized theme in Los Angeles, with the public using every opportunity to have a beer, in the name of freedom for another country or getting off work early to celebrate a migrant union leader’s accomplishments. Is the point being lost on some? Depends on how you look at it. The Latino Heritage being celebrated at the L.A.G. is true to form, whereas there is no flag waving or any exploitation, but a real sense of pride and community when artists of different Latin cultures explore their own.
Ten local artists express themselves freely and vibrantly in this exhibition that helps solidify the Latin presence in L.A. Three of the ten artists that are most notable are Ann Vincent Vila, Tony de Carlo and Mark Vallen.
Vallen’s is the more traditional Latin subjects we are familiar with, yet they still remain iconoclastic in the suffering and revolutionary manner, specifically in his “Zapata’s Revenge”. De Carlo and his male subjects are very personal and extremely unselfish in color and texture, while Ann Vincent Vila’s less bold but more intriguing pieces are more to a point and layered with much depth. Having Vila in this show a year ago would have been considered a milestone for the NoHo district, but today her presence is perfectly aligned with where the L.A.G. is going and the district itself. A blind folded nun in Noe Marcelo Torres’ “Effigy” is a striking work almost touching on the Catholic Church’s recent scandal probably without even trying to. One of my favorite photographs in this show is Rony Armas’s “Korda”, a triptych of the famous photographer of the same name who was Fidel Castro’s main shutterbug, incidentally the same Korda who shot the world renown photo of Cuba’s revolutionary Che Guevara.
I have to mention Joe Bravo and his tortilla art witch was very appetizing and as authentic as you can probably get, with a real relic effect, the tortillas really brought the show home. The rest of the artists combinations all add purpose and form to this show and I suggest a stop at the L.A.G. to enlighten your position in this multi cultural city that is undeniably as diverse as ever, and you may as well know who your neighbors are!
The L.A.G. is also having its first annual community open house on May 25, and this current show will still be up. Next Month: a kids collaboration art show curates by Dover. 5108 Lankershim blvd. NoHo Gallery hours are Tue, Thursday, and Friday from 11 am to 5 and Sat 12-6. 818 766 0529.
First Andy Warhol Retro in Los Angeles
“Andy Warhol Retrospective” is the first comprehensive exhibition of the work of Andy Warhol t
o be presented in Los Angeles in over 30 years. The only American venue for the retrospective, MOCA will bring together more than 200 paintings, drawings, and sculptures by the influential 20th Century artist, forming on of the most extensive surveys of Warhol’s work ever mounted in the Unites States. This dynamic exhibition will shed light on an artist whose work changed the context and vocabulary of contemporary art. MOCA 250 S. Grand Ave., Downtown L.A. Tickets available though Ticketmaster at 213-365-3500, ticketmaster.com. May25-Aug 18.
The Art 0f The Devotion
Daniel Martin Diaz is a self-taught painter who began to explore painting in his early 20’s. Mysteries, fears and vivid memories of his past find a home in his present work. Diaz’s artwork has been published in various magazines incusing Millennium, Equilibrium, and Low Rider and has been featured in various TV shows. Diaz made his debut in L.A. at the Art by Commercial Artist group exhibition, 2001. “The Art of the Devotion” marks his first solo show in L.A. May 3-Jun 2; La Luz de Jesus Gallery 4633 Hollywood Blvd. 323-666-7667.
Rock Rose
From the scrap yard to the gallery by J.C. Peters
Emerging out of a once run down community is a new art scene that has heart and the spirit that every artist dreams to be involved in. The community of Highland Park is struggling to keep art alive in their area. There are new grass roots galleries in the surrounding areas one of the work horses of the group is the Rock Rose Gallery. Much like its name suggests, emerging from the rocks is a wonderful gallery that is a pleasure to see in a somewhat hash environment. This is not your flashy L.A gallery. They have quality work that is affordable and allows everyone to come and see its beauty. There are no velvet ropes here. Walking in to this gallery/café/
bookstore you are welcomed by the owner and taken care of as if you are a friend. The owner, Rosa Maria who has been in the art game for a long time has put a lot of love into this place and wants it to be accessible to every one. There are comfortable couches there to rest and enjoy the art. The show that she has in there now is two wonderful metal artists that approach their craft from opposite sides.
Joyce Kohl’s art is large abstract wall hangings that have a great sense of movement and earthy textures in them. I stood in front of her piece called “Wedge/Arc” for a long time. The shapes gave it a modern feel but then the adobe clay that fills some of the space brings it back to a primitive piece. The natural rusts of the metal and clay blend very naturally.
The other artist Ellard Alfred makes animals out of found metal objects. These whimsical animals surround you as you drink in the café, there are large cranes made out of plow blades. Smaller birds are made out of car parts with their proud tails made from typewriter keys. He has made a goat with the body made out of a Honda gas tank, and horns out of horseshoes. Landed on a table is a large dragonfly with a tail pipe body and ceiling fan wings. The Rock Rose makes view art a pleasure. It’s a place to hang out for a few hours and soak up the atmosphere of a small town even if you are in La La land.
Also has jazz, poetry readings, and comedy nights, call for more info - Rock Rose Gallery, Café & Arroyo Books 4108 N Figueroa St, Highland Park 323-222-4740.
by Anthony McBride
The Lankershim Art Gallery is at it again and this time they’ve gone loco, or I should say crazy for Latin art. The L.A.G. has been responsible for many diverse shows that almost single handedly have been the core source for the proliferation of the art movement in this culturally mixed district, save a few other spaces that are following in it’s preeminent footsteps.
Latino Heritage has almost become a commercialized theme in Los Angeles, with the public using every opportunity to have a beer, in the name of freedom for another country or getting off work early to celebrate a migrant union leader’s accomplishments. Is the point being lost on some? Depends on how you look at it. The Latino Heritage being celebrated at the L.A.G. is true to form, whereas there is no flag waving or any exploitation, but a real sense of pride and community when artists of different Latin cultures explore their own.Ten local artists express themselves freely and vibrantly in this exhibition that helps solidify the Latin presence in L.A. Three of the ten artists that are most notable are Ann Vincent Vila, Tony de Carlo and Mark Vallen.
Vallen’s is the more traditional Latin subjects we are familiar with, yet they still remain iconoclastic in the suffering and revolutionary manner, specifically in his “Zapata’s Revenge”. De Carlo and his male subjects are very personal and extremely unselfish in color and texture, while Ann Vincent Vila’s less bold but more intriguing pieces are more to a point and layered with much depth. Having Vila in this show a year ago would have been considered a milestone for the NoHo district, but today her presence is perfectly aligned with where the L.A.G. is going and the district itself. A blind folded nun in Noe Marcelo Torres’ “Effigy” is a striking work almost touching on the Catholic Church’s recent scandal probably without even trying to. One of my favorite photographs in this show is Rony Armas’s “Korda”, a triptych of the famous photographer of the same name who was Fidel Castro’s main shutterbug, incidentally the same Korda who shot the world renown photo of Cuba’s revolutionary Che Guevara.
I have to mention Joe Bravo and his tortilla art witch was very appetizing and as authentic as you can probably get, with a real relic effect, the tortillas really brought the show home. The rest of the artists combinations all add purpose and form to this show and I suggest a stop at the L.A.G. to enlighten your position in this multi cultural city that is undeniably as diverse as ever, and you may as well know who your neighbors are!
The L.A.G. is also having its first annual community open house on May 25, and this current show will still be up. Next Month: a kids collaboration art show curates by Dover. 5108 Lankershim blvd. NoHo Gallery hours are Tue, Thursday, and Friday from 11 am to 5 and Sat 12-6. 818 766 0529.
First Andy Warhol Retro in Los Angeles
“Andy Warhol Retrospective” is the first comprehensive exhibition of the work of Andy Warhol t
o be presented in Los Angeles in over 30 years. The only American venue for the retrospective, MOCA will bring together more than 200 paintings, drawings, and sculptures by the influential 20th Century artist, forming on of the most extensive surveys of Warhol’s work ever mounted in the Unites States. This dynamic exhibition will shed light on an artist whose work changed the context and vocabulary of contemporary art. MOCA 250 S. Grand Ave., Downtown L.A. Tickets available though Ticketmaster at 213-365-3500, ticketmaster.com. May25-Aug 18.The Art 0f The Devotion
Daniel Martin Diaz is a self-taught painter who began to explore painting in his early 20’s. Mysteries, fears and vivid memories of his past find a home in his present work. Diaz’s artwork has been published in various magazines incusing Millennium, Equilibrium, and Low Rider and has been featured in various TV shows. Diaz made his debut in L.A. at the Art by Commercial Artist group exhibition, 2001. “The Art of the Devotion” marks his first solo show in L.A. May 3-Jun 2; La Luz de Jesus Gallery 4633 Hollywood Blvd. 323-666-7667.
Rock Rose
From the scrap yard to the gallery by J.C. Peters
Emerging out of a once run down community is a new art scene that has heart and the spirit that every artist dreams to be involved in. The community of Highland Park is struggling to keep art alive in their area. There are new grass roots galleries in the surrounding areas one of the work horses of the group is the Rock Rose Gallery. Much like its name suggests, emerging from the rocks is a wonderful gallery that is a pleasure to see in a somewhat hash environment. This is not your flashy L.A gallery. They have quality work that is affordable and allows everyone to come and see its beauty. There are no velvet ropes here. Walking in to this gallery/café/
bookstore you are welcomed by the owner and taken care of as if you are a friend. The owner, Rosa Maria who has been in the art game for a long time has put a lot of love into this place and wants it to be accessible to every one. There are comfortable couches there to rest and enjoy the art. The show that she has in there now is two wonderful metal artists that approach their craft from opposite sides.
Joyce Kohl’s art is large abstract wall hangings that have a great sense of movement and earthy textures in them. I stood in front of her piece called “Wedge/Arc” for a long time. The shapes gave it a modern feel but then the adobe clay that fills some of the space brings it back to a primitive piece. The natural rusts of the metal and clay blend very naturally.
The other artist Ellard Alfred makes animals out of found metal objects. These whimsical animals surround you as you drink in the café, there are large cranes made out of plow blades. Smaller birds are made out of car parts with their proud tails made from typewriter keys. He has made a goat with the body made out of a Honda gas tank, and horns out of horseshoes. Landed on a table is a large dragonfly with a tail pipe body and ceiling fan wings. The Rock Rose makes view art a pleasure. It’s a place to hang out for a few hours and soak up the atmosphere of a small town even if you are in La La land.
Also has jazz, poetry readings, and comedy nights, call for more info - Rock Rose Gallery, Café & Arroyo Books 4108 N Figueroa St, Highland Park 323-222-4740.