Go To Artswalk, Laguna Beach, April 4, 2013 April 2, 2013
Posted by jameselmore in All Canopy Gallery Links.Tags: artswalk, beach, first, gallery, laguna, month, museum, paintings, shop, thursday
add a comment
I attended Artswalk in Laguna Beach in February and highly recommend it. There are dozens of professional galleries that participate and the caliber of work is exceptional. The community is engaged, if generally an older and more sedate crowd than I am used to being from raucous Riverside, California. The event is fairly spread out, we chose an area (South Galleries) and explored it fully.
One artist, Jason Pearson, was shown at Art Cube, “The Problem with the World is Me.” His large fictional portraits focused on the commercialization of feminine beauty and all featured specific anomalies that focused on political and economic injustices in the world. Jason, who is a co-founder of Blender magazine, highlights the work of NGO’s championing human rights and issues of poverty , while acknowledging his place within affluent Orange County culture.
Metaphysically, where we place our focus collapses the wave of potential quanta to a fine point, narrowing a range of actions to look in at a specific event. In that sense, the problem with the world is all of us, by focusing on the negativity, horror and destruction, we lower and restrain everyone’s potential to a dark vision. Which is not to condemn Jason’s thoughtful, hard-hitting and even bitingly funny art, nor am I suggesting we bury our heads in the sand. However, by turning the focus away from evil systems and placing it on the heroic actions and life affirming victories also taking place daily, we can raise our own expectations and sense of what is possible. We empower ourselves to be the ones for whom we have been waiting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQddrj5WczM&feature=player_embedded
Michael Summers made an appearance at the Exclusive Gallery, painting a surfer robot during the event. While painting, Michael spoke of his passion for laying on the lawn and watching his garden up close. That surfer robot, grinning happily, may be a reminder to examine the ways we behave mechanically, the systems and habits that keep us from experiencing our world with the fresh presence of beginner mind, alive in the moment.
I also would like to thank the folks at the Fingerhut Gallery for taking the time to discuss their artworks and for making me feel so welcome on such a busy night.
Grand Central Arts Center April 2, 2013
Posted by jameselmore in All Canopy Gallery Links.Tags: art, arts, California State University, fine, gallery, Master of Fine Arts, paintings, professional, Santa Ana California, student
add a comment
Cal State University, Fullerton’s professional satellite gallery space in Santa Ana now features the artwork of its Master of Fine Arts Residents. The showing runs through April 21, 2013. The gallery is located at 125 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, 92701 and they can be reached at (714) 567-7233.
Grand Central Arts Center seeks to links its students to the professional arts world, while establishing a local community connection, which must ease the transition from student to professional for those selected to show.
CALL FOR ART: Conceptual / Installation Public Art March 4, 2013
Posted by jameselmore in All Canopy Gallery Links.Tags: artist call santa ana patchwork show 2013 california conceptual installation
add a comment
United Artists of Santa Ana and Patchwork Show cordially invite you to participate in the next Patchwork Show to be held on May 26th 2013 by submitting a formal proposal for a Conceptual/Installation Art piece. Open to individuals or collectives.
The deadline is March 15, 2013 and the winner receives $200.oo towards materials and a free booth at Patchwork Show Santa Ana to display and sell art, a write-up in the Santanero Zine and a $50 gift card to Art Supply Warehouse. For more info visit the United Artists of Santa Ana Facebook Page and the Patchwork Show.
Riverside Artswalk November 2012 November 27, 2012
Posted by jameselmore in All Canopy Gallery Links.Tags: 2012, art, artswalk, benefit, california, friends, innovation, november, paintings, photographs, Riverside
add a comment
Art on Time and Light at The Culver Art Center
The Riverside Art Museum featured the OrangeAID exhibit, made up of 100 globe-sized fiberglass oranges painted by local artists. Two of my friends were featured, Kiyomi (Zenutopia) Kajiyama and Mike Cuff. Sponsorships were $500 with the money being earmarked for quality educational events and future art exhibits.
Mike Cuff holds a B.A. in Graphic Design, lives in Perris and loves new and unusual things, as seen by his realistic orange that had one side peeled back to reveal sinister interlocking machinery. “You will be assimilated!”
Kiyomi (Zenutopia) Kajiyama is a graduate of Cal State University, Fullerton and considers herself a “flow” artist, bright colors swirling around life affirming phrases that empower the viewer, which is in perfect alignment as she is also a certified Chi Gung instructor.
After leaving RAM we stopped off at the Life Arts Center, where I met painter and photographer, Albert Aguirre, who’s paintings of Buddha drew me into his loft space. “I like these,” I said with enthusiasm, “buy one,” he challenged. We quickly came to an agreement and I walked away a very happy owner of a shimmering buddha head, all three of us smiling contentedly.
We finished off at the Barbara and Art Culver Center of the Arts, where following our viewing of the immensely entertaining showing of Ecce Homo: The Paintings of Edward Beardsley, we were drawn upstairs to participate in a photographic experiment on light and time, where I gifted them with a photo that was nothing short of demented (not shown – absolutely not shown).
Given this successful Artswalk evening, where I ran into a dozen friends also enjoying the carnival atmosphere , Riverside has truly earned and is deserving of the title, City of Arts and Innovation. Part of what makes Riverside innovative is our much awarded sustainable green practices. The next Artswalk will be on December 6, 2012.
Artist Roger Allen Baut September 10, 2012
Posted by chasingtao1 in All Canopy Gallery Links.Tags: artist tao photographer video, Contemplation, Earth, Master of Arts, National Honor Society, Photograph, photography
add a comment
Before the Gate
My friend, Roger Allen Baut, and I met on Twitter and formed both a friendship and alliance. Roger has a wonderful way of celebrating life and honoring folks. I thought I would return the favor here by featuring his biography.
Roger has an eclectic and diverse background, ranging from metaphysics and spirituality, to education and social studies, and creative arts. He has been a long-time photographer, who has over the past several years, begun to develop his photographic work, into a collection of what he terms: “contemplative photographic art.” Roger defines contemplative photographic art, or contemplative photo/art, as “certain photographs, which may lead the viewer into a calm, thoughtful, peaceful, and/or lightly meditative state.”
Roger goes on to say, “In this contemplative state an individual may connect, gain access to, or come into resonance with his, or her, own ‘inner’ being, and from this connection, perhaps gain insights that may assist that person, on their journey of life on Planet Earth.” As you view his images, take your time, and see what lies within the realm of each photograph, as each image holds a message for the person viewing it.
Perhaps a photograph will rekindle memories from one’s bygone days, lead one to experience a period of relaxation, or guide one to an important personal insight that will manifest while viewing an image. This is the hope, or intent, of the contemplative photographic art of Roger Allen Baut™.
Roger’s academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies (Psychology and History: major, and Poli-Sci: minor) graduating Cum Laude and with departmental honors, and member of the Golden Key National Honor Society, in 1989. He completed a Master of Arts, in 1993.
To view some of Roger’s contemplative photographic art and projects, please go to: http://chasingtao.zenfolio.com/
Ends of the Earth July 2, 2012
Posted by jameselmore in All Canopy Gallery Links.Tags: art, Earth, Ground, Land, MOCA, painting, Retrospective, Scuplture, video
add a comment
Running until September 3, 2012, is the Museum of Contemporary Art’s Ends of the Earth, Land Art to 1974. A retrospective of artists who have engaged with Terra Firma to express their creative selves. An example: An artist perches on a cliff side, boards and hammer at the ready, he places his back against the wind and begins to build a sculpture; as the wind changes direction, the artist adjusts and the sculpture is built out in a slightly new direction. Another artist addresses what it means to be on site and off site, an examination of where art begins and ends. A photographer releases gases into the environment, documenting the colorless, invisible escape — should he be trusted or is he full of hot air?
Creating art to display cleverness never impresses me much, I understand the party banter allure all too well. There is much here that is both ”clever,” and dated, however, there are also pieces that manage to both make a statement and deploy graphic punch.
A brass tracing of the changing maps of the Middle East in newspapers during the Six Day War, manages to evoke, not only how borders are transient and superficial, but also how addresses are little more than placards and trophies, a shiny button of prestige and ownership. Being reflective, we see how we are still influenced today by our past, while the repetition of country outlines begets a charm bracelet greed – you want to own just one more.
Connected to the gallery is the relevant and impressive work of Cai Guo-Qiang, whose own forays into land art are explosive!!! Be sure to enjoy both the installation and the accompanying films. Through July 30th, 2012.
PLACE Performance Co-Op June 3, 2011
Posted by jameselmore in All Canopy Gallery Links.Tags: arts, california, Dance, entertainment, excitement, Inland Empire, innovation, live, modern, program, renaissance, salon, urban
add a comment
Back to the Grind. Do you know it? If you live in Riverside, California, center of the Inland Empire, you really need to come hear it’s beating heart.
Cool? Check. Inclusive? You bet. Good music? Hell, yes.
Last Sunday, I was wandering the downtown looking for something, anything, to do, when it suddenly dawned on me. Riverside, rocks. I don’t need to run to the O.C. or L.A. in order to be part of an innovative art scene. It’s happening here.
I wander into Darren’s establishment, he’s the tall, hip guy behind the bar who’ll chat you up, if you give him a second. I’m thinking I’ll just go get a tea when I realize this guy is bobbing up and down between tables, swaying and then he does a back bend. Really? Yeah, it’s modern dance at 4:00pm on a Sunday afternoon and the place is packed and grooving on the dancers performing around them. And on the saxophone player. And on the espresso brownies, (good grief - mouthgasm).
P.L.A.C.E. stands for Possibility, Location, Artistry, Collaboration, and Evolving and there is a Summer Workshop being planned, so check them out.
Arts Walk in my Hometown April 11, 2011
Posted by jameselmore in All Canopy Gallery Links.Tags: art, art walk!, artist, Back to the Grind, Cinco de Mayo, Culver Center of the Arts, Division 9, event, fine art, gallery, Healthy Heritage Cultural and Wellness Center, Mad Marionettes, Mario's Place, painting, photography, Riverside
1 comment so far
If you have taken the opportunity to attend Arts Walk in Riverside, California, then you already know it is well attended. Far from being an elitist event, it attracts a diverse group of people all gathered together to mix and mingle, engage with side-walk artists, devour cupcakes and even dance! The theme for Riverside Arts Walk in March, “Celebrating Mardi Gras!” conjured the exhilarating Mad Marionettes, who puts the groove in the down beat, French Quarter style.
A few months back, an old friend from high school visited and since it was the first Thursday of the month, I called up as many of our old classmates as I could get hold of and we made the plan to meet downtown at Riverside Arts Walk. Not only did the art gallery crawl stimulate conversation and allow us the chance to catch up, but the excellent restaurant and bar, Mario’s Place, was having a retro 80’s night on the back patio, which was great, since we knew all the words!
Riverside Arts Walk in April began with a look in at Division 9 Gallery, featuring artist Jesus Cruz, Jr.’s linocut prints. Bold black-and-white graphics draw from Dia de los Muertos as well as seventies graphics. Cruz was on hand to explain his process and share tips, which was much appreciated. Jumping over to the Life Arts Center provided a peek in at my favorite local artist, Patricia Sablak Korzec. Sablak paints landscapes primarily, beautiful jewel toned tapestries on black backgrounds, which she frames in gold. Her impressionistic style is irresistible and you really have to see them in person to get the full impact.
It was a cooler evening than usual and on my way to my favorite coffee shop, Back to the Grind for a tea, I stopped to chat with friendly sidewalk artist, Justin Deines, a leather worker who enjoy bringing in vintage style to modern pieces. Justin is currently apprenticing, following in his artisan father’s footsteps. Deines has a line of accessories and accommodates custom orders.
The Barbara and Art Culver Center of the Arts thrives on innovation and enjoys engaging with its audience. Featured were several artists who provided interaction via electronic devices, like Thumbafōn by Christopher Lavender, whose program connected to “smart” phones allowing the audience to jam musically with him as he played guitar by pressing color-blocks on their screenpads. No smart phone? No problem, Lavender had spare phones on hand.
On 9th Street is the Healthy Heritage Cultural and Wellness Center, which provides screenings, workshops and talks on many health issues, with special focus on diabetes and empowering the black community. Phyllis Clark spoke with me regarding the importance of promoting art and artists at the Healthy Heritage Cultural and Wellness Center and believes that art is itself healing. The Wellness Center currently showcases the works of two artists, Charles Bibbs and Maurice Howard. Bibbs figurative paintings are vibrant and powerful, filled with color and motion. Howard’s work featured folk art palm bark masks and highly decorative portraits.
The next Riverside Arts Walk will be on Thursday, May 5th, 2011. What better way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo?
I See Salt Water People September 27, 2010
Posted by jameselmore in All Canopy Gallery Links.Tags: aquarium, arts and crafts, broccolli, dancing, diver, environment, feed, fish, jewelry, moompetam, pacific, singing, vacation
add a comment
diver, photograph taken by Reinis Traidas
I recently decided to pay a visit to Long Beach’s Aquarium of The Pacific and I was so grateful to have chosen to go on Sunday, as it was the 6th Annual Moompetam: Gathering of the Salt Water People, inclusive with regular admission.
After a hilarious scenic tour of the downtown area courtesy of whatever bicycle race kept us driving in circles like escapees from Autopia, we arrived at the Aquarium—in third place! All told we were at the Aquarium for five hours and thought we had seen at least a cursory viewing of everything (we hadn’t), but there is so much to do and see here you could easily spend the entire day. Beautifully designed exhibits entertain and educate, while live shows and hands-on tidal pools create once-in-a-lifetime memories to be treasured.
I’ll share two of my favorite moments. The first stand-out experience involved watching divers in huge coral reef tanks hand-feed flurries of exotic fishes, sharks and sea turtles. Note: fishes eat their broccoli — which may by itself justify the expense of bringing your family. Fish are also keen on nibbles of lettuce, bits of other fish and exposed fingers and ears, so the volunteer divers keep covered up. Interestingly, they train different species to eat from specific places in the tank, which involves some clever fake outs of freeloaders who try to double dip. There was a surprising amount of interaction between the staff, divers and audience and I’m grateful for the Aquarium representative who appeared to speak with the audience and answer questions one-on-one.
The second spell-binding event we witnessed was the beautiful Tongva Singing featuring Gabrielino Tongva Tribal Chairwoman, Virginia Carmelo, and her family, who blended chanting with complex harmonies as they danced and played percussive instruments in full tribal gear and face-paint. (Baskets seriously make great hats.) Drums weren’t used by southern coastal native peoples, who instead used split-reed clackers, struck against the palm, to keep the beat. This special event was part of Moompetam (meaning “People of the Ocean” in Tongva), which celebrated using “traditional music, storytelling, dance, cultural demonstrations, and festival cuisine…in this one-of-a-kind intertribal maritime cultural event.” I highly recommend visiting the Aquarium of the Pacific’s website prior to visiting, since they frequently feature special events.
Visit their website: Long Beach’s Aquarium of The Pacific
Bright Lights, Dig City – Upcoming Art in Santa Monica September 27, 2010
Posted by jameselmore in All Canopy Gallery Links.Tags: art, artist, event, fine art, glow, light, sage gallery, santa monica, sculpture
add a comment
Joella March – Chandolier, LIT
At 1431 Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, California, lives a Siamese-twin gallery known as Hamilton Galleries and Bleicher/Golightly. One entrance serves all. And what are they serving? Incandescence. On September 25, 2010, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Bleicher/Golightly will be holding a reception for LIT, a group exhibition curated by Joella March. Lit “will display a variety of artwork from formal to conceptual including: neon, found objects, L.E.D. text, video, light projection, interactive video and installation, fiber optics, microprocessors and machines.” Many of the artists, including March, were on hand for their last exhibit, TURNED ON, and it was a pleasure to discuss processes and politics with the group while noshing. LIT will spark your appetite for something even bigger and brighter and you will not be disappointed.
Santa Monica’s biannual GLOW is being held the same evening, beginning at 7:00 p.m., so when you leave the gallery, cross the street and enter optic nirvana, where you will be bathed in extravagant displays of light on the beach.
“Glow is an all-night cultural experience featuring original commissions by artists that re-imagine Santa Monica Beach as a playground for thoughtful and participatory temporary artworks.”
As an example, artist Christopher O’Leary describes his piece, ALTER EGOS, as “a video-based time machine,” which measures the flow of traffic and turns that information into a video that references science fiction and comic book characters.
If you are a hoarder trapped beneath your collection of Baywatch memorabilia, do not despair, the complete soundscape can be downloaded online thanks to KCRW and its music director, Jason Bentley. The Glow Festival features brilliant innovation, dancing, music, and although I personally can’t vouch for unicorns or rainbows, it will be magic — so wands to the ready!
Links:
Santa Monica’s GLOW
KCRW
Bleicher Golightly Gallery: Santa Monica
Glow Festival Santa Monica Pier ’08 – YouTube video by irvbuzz57,
music by Lettuce
