From vivid color to works of contemplation… from faces to the faceless…LA Art Show serves up a tasty blend of quintessentially Los Angeles art. Exhibiting international flare and the socially prescient, the often large-scale exhibitions and performance art are both glitzy and grand. Here’s a look.
And so it begins.
Los Angeles’ major art fair season commences this month with the city’s largest and longest-running fair. That would be the LA Art Show celebrating its 25th anniversary, once again at the Los Angeles Convention Center on February 5, 2020.
According to the fair’s founder, Kim Martindale “Twenty-five years ago when I began the LA Art Show, there weren’t any big art fairs here.” Now of course, this major fair serves as the beginning to a wide array of art fairs throughout the city. And it’s still seminal.
There will be over 100 galleries from 18 different countries; the opening night preview and premiere party will donate a portion of ticket revenue to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Actress Sofia Vergara will helm the celebration.
The re-branded Feature Exhibitions area of the show includes the return of INK, the largest presentation of both contemporary and traditional ink painting of any art fair outside of Asia. New this year, the LA Art Show will be hosting a live ink painting demonstration, by Japanese master Sogen Chiba. Chiba is from Japan’s 2011 disaster-hit Ishinomaki district, and has created intensely moving imagery as an outgrowth of this experience that can only be expressed in calligraphy. Walker Fine Art will be presenting a the works of M.C. Escher, including never-before-seen VR experiences, and Oscar-winning artist Kazuhiro Tsuji premieres a brand new Iconoclast portrait sculpture.
Viewers will also find work the 70s era photographic work of John Wehrheim in his depiction of Taylor Camp: The Edge of Paradise.
The third edition of the DIVERSEartLA showcase focuses on cultural diversity from Southern California, around the Pacific Rim, and beyond, with over 20,000-square-feet devoted to these works which are not for sale. They include exhibitions from LACMA, The Broad, Japanese American National Museum, La
Neomudejar Museum from Madrid, MOLAA, Art Al Limite, LA Art Association, the UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center, and more, such as the Danubiana Museum of Bratislava.
Performance programming for the series includes work by PSJM Collective from Spain and artist Miss Art World, presented by the LA Art Association. Among the participants in the performance “Diversity Walks & Talks” will be LA sculptural and mixed media artist Chenhung Chen.
For the first time, LA Art Show will be hosting a special programming section named the European Pavilion, highlighting the world-class exhibitors hailing from Western Europe. Patrick Painter Gallery, SM Fine Art, Zeal House, Mizuma Art Gallery and Kamiya Co., LTD are all returning for CORE.
Presented by the Bruce Lurie Gallery, Lorenzo Marini presents his new art-installation ALPHACUBE.
Curator Sabino Maria Frassà explains that ALPHACUBE turns that paradigm of the the white cube as the best form for conveying contemporary art. The artwork is a large white cube, that immerses guests in a space animated by letters, light and sound.
Along with the LA Art Show’s global cutting-edge programming, a bevy of local artists will be exhibiting at BG Gallery, Coagula, and Wallspace.
AT bG Gallery, Susan Lizotte will show brand new paintings about LA; her aesthetic provides a visceral look at the city. Artists Barbara Kolo, Fred Tieken, Gay Summer Rick, and Hung Viet Nguyen with his Sacred Landscapes series will also be on display. Photographic artist Richard Chow will be at bG’s Gestalt Projects Wall with an image from his Distant Memories series. Each artist could be described as offering intensely unique work that is rooted in their home in Los Angeles.
Coagula is helming four booths this year, showing six artists with two in each both. The gallery will be showing new work that includes a group show of Chouinard Art Institute alumni featuring Frederick Hammersly, Llyn Foulkes, Robert Irwin, Judith Stabile, Robert Williams, Chaz Bojoroquez and John Van Hammersfeld, including Williams’ limited edition skateboards. Contemporary LA artists Randi Matushevitz, with her expressionist HeadSpace body of work “combines pattern, figuration, and narrative to cultivate humanistic expressions,” she relates. According to gallerist Mat Gleason, “Todd Westover paints retro floral abstractions, Mark Dutcher is the pre-eminent Los Angeles painter walking the line between dream representations and abstract longing. Lavialle Campbell quilts geometric modernist abstraction that politically nudges issues of race and gender without sacrificing aesthetics. Melinda R. Smith paints the icon of houses… Gabriel Ortiz investigates the many ways in which racial issues have been co-opted and suppressed by imposed religion.”
ViCA, the Venice Institute of Contemporary Art, helmed by artist and curator Juri Koll brings motion pictures to the festival. “We have our own screening space for curated short films from Fine Arts Film Festival 2019 – films from Russia, Australia, the US and Norway.”
Wallspace Art Gallery, which like ViCA also has space in DTLA’s Bendix Building, is also featuring a booth that highlights Los Angeles artists; gallerist Valda Lake says this is the first year at the fair for the gallery. Fabrik Projects hosts two booths, one featuring the innovative richly decorative work of J.T. Burke.
The other booth features a range of artists that include Amadea Bailey,
Linda Stelling, Nancy R. Wise, Helena Hauss, Chris Bakay, Ted VanCleave, Cathy Immordino, Jung Yeon Bae, Jessie Chaney, Go Woon Choi, Jessus Hernandez and “guest artist” Eric Johnson. Immordino’s innovative photographic collage work is focused for 2020 on her Heads series. According to the artist “Heads features local Angelenos in collages with magazine elements conceptually discussing how society views others’ imperfections.”
Johnson’s dazzling large scale The Maize Project abstractly represents a lodge pole-like Native American structure, a sculptural gathering place that evokes a section of an ear of maize corn.
In short: art fair season has begun with a major bang from the LA Art Show.
OPENING NIGHT PREMIERE
Wednesday, February 5, 2020
Red Card & Patrons Preview 6pm – 11pm
Opening Night Premiere 8pm – 11pm
SHOW HOURS
Thursday, February 6, 2020 | 11am – 7pm
Friday, February 7, 2020 | 11am – 7pm
Saturday, February 8, 2020 | 11am – 7pm
Sunday, February 9, 2020 | 11am – 5pm
LOS ANGELES CONVENTION CENTER – SOUTH HALL
1201 South Figueroa Street Los Angeles, CA 90015
https://www.seetickets.us/event/THE-LA-ART-SHOW/381725
Located at the AC Hotel Los Angeles South Bay in El Segundo, AC Lounge makes a terrific get- away whether you’re staying at the hotel or not.
It’s a beautiful space with a sleek modern bar, cushy indoor seating – and a fireplace – and intimate outdoor seating with fire and water features. While the look is elegant and modern, it is also comfortable, which is in no small part due to the accommodating, friendly staff.
On a chilly winter (for Los Angeles) evening, we started with two wonderful locovore cocktails. Happy Hour, which runs from 3:30 to 6:30 weekdays make these well-made drinks an even bigger treat.
We had the Immune Boost and 72 Degrees. Immune Boost is a lighter spin on a gingery drink that is often made with whiskey. Here it is Tito’s Vodka, ginger beer, grapefruit bitters, turmeric, and a seasonal citrus, making it crisper and more citrusy, while not negating the lovely combination of tastes. 72 Degrees is also vodka based, with honey, passionfruit, basil, and lime, it is slightly sweeter, but again light and refreshing.
We started our dining with a surprisingly generous portion of warm olives marinated in-house in a fragrant citrus blend. Warning: it is almost impossible to stop eating them.
The roasted mushrooms with torn herbs were delicious; the flavors rich but not heavy.
Grilled salmon with spiced lentil stew was a perfect main course: the salmon was beautifully prepared and a surprisingly large portion for a very reasonable price. The lentil base was terrific, with a bite of spice and a texture that nicely contrasted with the silky fish.
We also enjoyed an avocado, tomato, and fresh crumbled cheese bruschetta on chiobatta bread – a meal in itself.
Along with an extensive small bites menu, lunch is served in the AC Lounge space as well. Both locals and hotel guests frequent, adding to the vibe of the welcoming servers and bartender. The hotel’s design team created the space, nicely melding the clean lines of minimalism with relaxing seating and sparkling fire walls and small waterfall outside. The variety of seating options means that guests can enjoy a serene space or a lively one.
All in all, it’s a vacation from the everyday in a modern new hotel you may just be vacationing in to begin with – or it makes a perfect spot for after-work drinks and noshing, or a relaxing date night.
AC Hotel and the AC Lounge is located at 2130 Maple Ave. in El Segundo
SLO – San Luis Obispo – is far more than a half-way point between Los Angeles and San Francisco. If you haven’t discovered it yet, you should – it’s a food haven, a paradise for wine and beer afficiandos, and a town with delightful, uniquely different accommodations.
It would be hard to think of a destination that’s more of a one-stop pleasure. Take Amtrak, leave the car at home – or drive – either way, SLO is an easy and engaging destination that offers so much to explore we’ll be featuring this charming city in several articles in the next month.
Valentine’s Day sweetheart stay? President’s Day Getaway? Winter break or spring fling – SLO is a great choice.
We loved staying at SLO Brew Lofts in the center of town. The sleek urban lodging is more cool apartment than it is hotel.
Beautiful hip furnishings, a full kitchen, and bathrooms that will make you want to bask are enhanced by touches such as a blue velvet sofa, Edison lights, cushy leather dining room chairs, sleek industrial-style Smeg refrigerators and stoves, cozy, tile rimmed fireplaces, and a state-of-the-art espresso and coffee maker.
Another fun feature: rooms come with Crossley record players – replete with lp choices in the rooms, and additional selections available in the hallway.
Exposed brick walls, unique and artful lighting features, high-end furnishings all win large points; loft sizes range from one to three bedrooms, with the largest unit including a private, creek-side patio. They’re romantic, but with the space they offer, the lofts also make for an excellent friends’ getaway or family gathering.
Although the lofts make it incredibly tempting to just stay in and enjoy a 70s-era 33 rpm and a blazing fire, SLO itself is well worth exploring.
Besides, you might only have to take a short walk to one of the top restaurants in town. These five luxury short-term rentals are positioned over one of them, The Carissa.
The Carissa occupies a space that was once the more casual SLO Brew gastropub. It was terrific too, but this change is particularly sweet.
With a lovely outdoor patio that overlooks the creek, and location offers both fire pits and comfortable, cushioned alcove seating, making the restaurant a vacation in and of itself. Inside, it feels hip and airy.
The Carissa is named for the classic building in which it and the lofts themselves are located; the interior reflects its heritage with bright white and blue floor tiles, the space’s original white-washed brick walls, wood-plank flooring and pressed tin ceilings.
The Carissa has a definite California-cool feel with both beachy artwork and cozy nooks within the large room, providing a sense of intimacy.
A mezzanine level includes a pool table.
We sat outside for dinner, warmed by heat lamps and thoughtfully provided soft lap blankets, as well as inventive craft cocktails to start our meal. SLO Brew beers are also on tap, and an intelligent wine selection is available.
We went with a Salty Dog – a refreshing, vodka-based drink with bitters, grapefruit, and a sea salt rim; and the Cigar Smoke, which arrives in a dramatic, covered presentation that literally features aromatic wood chip smoke. I’ve enjoyed smoked drinks before, and this one is outstanding. Rod & Hammers straight rye, orange, sugar cube, and that richly satisfying smoke.
We began our meal with the vegan tortilla soup – thick, creamy, and delightful; redolent of cilantro and with just the right bite of spice offset by silky avocado. The Refreshing Salad lives up to its name. Spring and spinach mix with raspberries, Asian pear, candied walnuts and the lovely bite of a mint jalapeno vinaigrette, the palette is both original and just right – sweet and spicy and cool. We shared a salmon plate with fries and cucumber slices with a dusting of chili powder as our sides. Pan-seared in shallot ginger butter, the salmon was intensely flavorful, tender and fresh.
We left room for dessert: mini churros and a banana fritter. The churros came with a rich chocolate dipping sauce and more than delighted. The banana fritter far exceeded expectations – I’m not a banana fan – a fluffy fried banana with the restaurant’s signature waffle batter, caramel, strawberries, and a scoop of vanilla Van Leeuwen ice cream.
With twinkling white lights strung across the patio and feeling cozy we concluded our meal with two more cocktails – one the sensationally inventive Head in the Clouds. Featuring a pouf of pink cotton candy, Asian pear, aloe, and watermelon, this vodka based treat is also Instagram-ready. I opted for a more traditional off-menu Irish coffee, made sweeter and lighter with Amaretto in the mix.
Although shops and a bevy of other lively clubs abound on SLO’s main street, we retired to our loft suite for a great night’s sleep.
Morning found us at the lovely, bright Joliene Bakery located in The Creamery complex, where owner Chloe Fertel offered us pastries such as a lemon tartlette and honey almond cake.
The bakery features beautiful breads such as Meyer Lemon Herb, sandwiches, and French macarons. Flavors on macarons vary; we had pistachio, chocolate, and raspberry – all terrific.
We browsed shops and took a long walk along the Cerro San Luis Lemon Grove Loop. Vast views of SLO reward a steep but well laid out four-mile trail.
We’ve taken this trail at sunset as well, when the westward-facing heights make a stunning view point.
Rewarding ourselves for our hike, we had another terrific al fresco meal at 1865 Craft House & Kitchen.
For starters: Crispy Cauliflower, a dish that has been over-used in many venues was a treat here – dusted with Cajun seasoning and coconut flour, with a dipping sauce of bracing chipotle aioli. The Dip Duo is a classic appetizer that could make a meal. Comprised of both roasted corn elote and guacamole, it’s an elevated take on a casual nosh that’s hard to stop eating.
But then came the beet salad with shrimp: made with sweet greens and gorgonzola; and a mushroom truffle flat bread featuring earthy crimini mushrooms.
The restaurant added a Beyond Meat sausage topping that made the dish even heartier. To drink? The Ciro peach vodka based Pismo Fog with muddled strawberries was beyond delicious, and alluring served with dry ice for a stunning effect. The light Cambria Pines was gin based, and included fresh squeezed lemon, a quite wonderful rosemary infused simple syrup, and a splash of Brut.
The restaurant is multi-leveled, with two patios back and front; the fresh, modern look embraces its catch phrase of “eat, drink, be happy.”
Late afternoon found us just south of town in the Edna Valley, enjoying the sunny outdoor tasting tables at Saucelito Canyon Winery. Crafting fine red wines from 13 acres of Zinfindels, Bordeauxs, and a handful off off-estate Cabernets and Merlots, the winery is unique in the region which often features Pinot Noir as its signature red. In fact, Saucelito is the only winery in the region that doesn’t produce Pinot; their Zinfindel was planted in 1860 and remains a centerpiece.
Their flagship Zin is produced from 40-year old vines from Croatia, a part of the U.C. Davis Heritage Collection.
My favorite was the late harvest Zin which was sweet and delicious with the taste of berries and chocolate notes. The Rose was crisp, bright and tart; the unique Dos Mas introduces Grenache to the winery’s line-up, blending Zinfandel with Petite Syrah and Grenache.
Open from 10-5 daily, the winery offers generous pours and an astonishing variety of tastes.
From a luxurious loft stay to wine tasting and fine dining – SLO is easy to visit and fabulously easy to enjoy.
Always reinventing and reinvigorating its historic spaces, there are more stories coming up on SLO — a Central Coast original.
