Check it out…

Life Between Painting

Where?
6767 Bright Ave.
Whittier, CA 90601
562.696.9493
When?
August 11 – September 1, 2007
Gallery Hours: Tues.-Sat. 11:30am-9pm
How much?
FREE
I STILL don’t get it.
This show focuses on the pieces of four artists from the California College of Arts and Crafts: Ryan Martin, Nohemi Espinoza, Ramiro Hernandez, and Mick Farrell. Each with his/her unique perspective and concentration, this show exhibits merely a peak at the inner psyches of these distinct talents. From the abstract layered compositions Hernandez presents and explains to be reminiscent of his childhood to the almost surreal perfection of Martin’s portraits which exude a type of nostalgia for the beauty of innocence. Espinoza’s mixed media works express the juxtaposition of naivete and perversion while Farrell’s ink renderings add a dark humor which he explains are influenced by a mixture of found objects such as “a yearbook from the 1970s.”

Overall this was a really fun show to see. The Bluebird Art House is quaint and intimate, which makes for a great experience. The artists were all great to talk to, and my Aunt and I had fun arguing whether the abstract shape in one of Espinoza’s pieces was a pelvis or intestines. Even though the space was so small, I ended up sticking around for a couple of hours (4 total). The people were great, the art was great, and the DJ was great.

So, my camera ran out of battery basically right when I got there so I was only able to take one picture:

Yup. That’s the DJ. P Looks like you’ll have to go to The Bluebird Art House yourself if you want to see any art. But I must say, the DJ was pretty amazing. Never have I heard a DJ go from playing the Fugees to retro Indian music to Salsa. Talk about a treat for the ears. All in all the evening proved to be an amazing one and absolutely inspirational to the fans of art (–> Me.)

“It only costs $1 to see the giant horse!”

So the roommate and I decided to embark on the crowd attracting phenomenon that is the Orange County Fair this weekend. Because I don’t do fair rides, my main thrills come from the abundance of greasy, caramel-coated and fried foods. Oh gluttonous gluttonous day. Makes me feel gross just thinking about it; but hey, it’s not everyday I eat 10,000 calories in the span of 3 hours.

Other than the junk food, I always love the contests. Mainly, the quilting contest. One day I will enter in it, but for now I will just continue admiring. Also! Added bonus… some amazing person embroidered a picture of none other than Elizabeth I.

One contest I was very confused by was what seemed to be a “stuff” contest. Really. Display after glass display of themed stuff. Beach Boys stuff, Elvis stuff, a collection of Heinz cans?! My first thought was, ‘oh! They’re installations of some sort. Ready-made art! I get it…’ but no. I don’t think it was that complicated. So Kendra and I decided that we will enter in this “stuff” contest next year. She is probably the biggest collector (at least that I know) of Vivien Leigh memorabilia. And I am a moderate collector of Lucille Ball memorabilia. We’ll see what happens. It’s on!

We then headed over to the photo and painting exhibit, where we continued to be amazed and inspired. This piece was probably my favorite. It also reminded me that I need to do laundry.

The last adventure that we embarked on was the animal section. I am not a big fan of farm animals because, well, they smell. But I did see a cute bunny. That was neat. That area was mostly just sad. I know the animals are probably taken care of considerably well (especially since I saw a few PETA signs here and there), but their cages were so tiny. Main complaint: Why the hell did it cost $1 to see the giant horse? And more importantly, why was said giant horse in the smallest tent imaginable, with barely any sunlight? I mean, yeah, that was a huge friggin horse. Wow. But, after being in the tent for 10 seconds I started feeling really bad for this horse, and so did the 7 other people in the tent. Kendra wanted to bring it home with us, but I told her that it wouldn’t even fit in our living room. Ultimately this horse made me think of the following scene from the critically acclaimed film, Follow That Bird (1985):
Big Bird: Say, there’s a lady named Miss Finch who’s chasing me. Do you mind if I hide in your fun fair?
Sam Sleaze: Why, no, not at all. We have the perfect place for you to hide. Right here in our hiding cage.
Sid Sleaze: You’ll be safe here.
Sam Sleaze: Yeah, real safe.
Big Bird: Gee, thanks. Oh, gee, I sure am a lucky bird.

Are you crying yet?

Sometimes I wish I had been born 50 years ago…

so I could have experienced the 1960s and 1970s. All of the intense movements and changes happened then (in my opinion). From the Weathermen to Womanhouse in Los Angeles to the creation of a punk fashion culture (ahem…Vivienne Westwood). Lately it feels as if a lot of museums are showing works from that culture-shifting time period. And it makes me jealous. Don’t get me wrong, I’m proud of my generation, and the fact that I was able to participate in the ongoing third wave feminist movement (or tried to do my part, at least); I would really have liked to be at the forefront of all of that change. And I would have LOVED to see Elvis in concert. Damn.

Ok, end of the rant. But this brings me to the newest exhibit at our very own Orange County Museum of Art. I haven’t visited this museum since, oh, the John Waters: Change of Life exhibition which in my opinion was one of the best exhibits I have ever witnessed. John Waters is a hero indeed. But for the good year and a half since that show everything there has looked pretty boring, to be honest with you. Until now! ::cheers:: Opening this Sunday…

Art Since the 1960s: California Experiments

Where?
Orange County Museum of Art
850 San Clemente Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
When?
July 15th 2007- September 14, 2008
(Museum hours: Wed – Sun 11-5pm; Thurs 11-8pm)
How much?
Ten big ones.
I STILL don’t get it.
Well, this exhibit will highlight pieces from the museum’s permanent collection that focus on post 1960s contemporary art. What am I excited about? Of course seeing more of Eleanor Antin’s work. When I saw her Carving: A Traditional Sculpture piece at the WACK! exhibit a few months ago, I was incredibly moved. (The entire friggin exhibit was moving. It’s open for a few more days kids!!!) She makes the concept of crash-dieting over 36 days highly unglamorous and real juxtaposing the classic idea of a Greek sculptor chipping away excess marble to reveal an “inner beauty”.

I can go on forever about Antin, but there are handfuls of other artists to see at this contemporary exhibit. So go, and be sure to share your thoughts.