Recommended openings to catch this weekend…

Sage Vaughn “Mudfight” / 22×30″ / Oil & Mixed Media
Featured at Richard Heller this Friday
Thurs, June 4th 7-10PM
Carmichael Gallery of Contemporary Art
1257 N. La Brea Ave in West Hollywood / 323.969.0600
“The Times Won’t Save You (This Rain Smells Of Memory)” featuring new works and a massive installation from Know Hope + “Mood Swings” featuring new works from Bumblebee, Imminent Disaster, Asbestos, Cena 7, Fefe Talavera, Labrona and Oddzoo
(On view through July 2nd)
www.carmichaelgallery.com

Thurs, June 4th 6-10PM
Ghetto Gloss
2380 Glendale Blvd in Los Angeles / 323.912.0008
“Travels In Time and Space” featuring new works and prints from Christopher Bettig
www.ghettogloss.com

Thurs, June 4th 7-10PM
MOCA Grand Avenue, Sculpture Plaza
250 South Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles / 213.621.1745
‘Color Chorus’ by OJO – part of the special ‘Engagement Party’ series at MOCA this summer featuring social events and performances by LA-based artist collectives – in ‘Color Chorus’, OJO will lead a participatory musical performance organized by the interplay of primary colors and the thump of an 808 drum machine, with the audience being split into 3 groups, with each audience member being assigned a specific color upon entry… it goes on, just know this sounds like a very cool interactive art experience and definitely a series worth keeping an eye on.
www.moca.org

Thurs, June 4th 7-10PM
The Art Show @ NEXT
8447 Wilshire Blvd., Penthouse in Beverly Hills
Benefit art show featuring a silent auction consisting of works from Mel Kadel, Retna, David Hinnebush, Oliver Pojzman, Alan Aldridge, Dominick Giullemot, and many more
RSVP to malikl@nextmodelmanagement.com

Fri, June 5th 7-10PM
Harvey’s Melrose
7955 Melrose Ave in Los Angeles / 323.795.9000
“Cheers Big Ears – An Art Show Celebrating Our Favorite Mouse” from Disney Bloc 28 featuring works from Chaz Bojorquez, Mike Kungl, Noah, Trevor Carlton, David Garibaldi, Suiko and Tim Rogerson + the launch of the summer ’09 seatbelt bag collection from Disney Couture

Fri, June 5th 8-11PM
La Luz De Jesus Gallery
4633 Hollywood Blvd. in Los Angeles / 323.666.7667
New works from Mark Bryan, Daniel Elson, Krystopher Sapp & Magda Trzaski
(On view through June 28th)
www.laluzdejesus.com

Fri, June 5th 7-10PM
Poketo Studios
510 S. Hewitt St, #506 in downtown LA
“F*ck Cancer – We Love Justin” a benefit show for artist/designer Justin Van Hoy featuring works from Christopher Bettig, Derek Albeck, Jeremy Baker, Sheli Ben-Ner, Tim Biskup, Kime Buzzelli, Ryan Callis, Josh Cochran, Michael Coleman, Leah Chun, Shepard Fairey, Jason Filipow, Sarajo Frieden, Zach Gibson, Matt Goldman, Josh Hart, Kristian Henson, Caroline Hwang, Jordan Isip, Katsuo Design, Mel Kadel, Phillip Lumbang, Blake E. Marquis, Bill McRight, Travis Millard, Jesselisa Moretti, Saejeen Oh, Saelee Oh, Jared Purrington, Ye Rin Mok, Casey Ryder, Ashkahn Shahparnia, Damion Silver, Skyrocket Studios, Jeana Sohn, Sumi Ink Club, Marissa Textor, Amanda Visell, David Weidman, Ernesto Yerena, Marco Zamora, Florencio Zavala as well as prints from Dalek, Saber & Giant and products from Poketo, Obey Clothing & Swindle – silent auction ends at 9PM / winners take their works home at 10PM – come out and support and some great names in the mix / please note auction is cash or check only, so come ready to spend and support
http://cancersuckshelpjustin.com/

Fri, June 5th 7-11PM
Ronin Gallery
1924 Echo Park Ave in Los Angeles
“Metallum” featuring new works on metal from Kofie and Codak
www.theroningallery.com

Fri, June 5th 5-8PM
Richard Heller Gallery
2525 Michigan Ave, Space B-5A at Bergamot Station in Santa Monica / 310.453.9191
New works from Derek Albeck, Hiro Kurata, Mars-1, G. Bradley Rhodes, Britton Tolliver, Sage Vaughn and Oliver Vernon – curated by Jeremy Kove with support from Vans
(On view through July 3rd)
www.richardhellergallery.com

Fri, June 5th 8-10PM
Secret Headquarters
3817 W. Sunset Blvd in Los Angeles (Silver Lake area)
“Guilty Pleasures” featuring new drawings from Aiyana Udesen
http://www.thesecretheadquarters.com/

Sat, June 6th 7-10PM
Chango
1559 Echo Park Ave in Los Angeles
“Nuovo Mundus” featuring new works by Paul Torres
(On view through June 30th)
www.myspace.com/changocoffeehouse

Sat, June 6th 8-11:30PM
Copro Gallery
2525 Michigan Ave, Space T-5 at Bergamot Station in Santa Monica / 310.398.2643
“The Glass Menagerie” from Nathan Spoor + “Death and Taxes” from Joe Ledbetter + “Immortality” from Vincent Cacciotti
(On view through June 27th)
www.coreyhelfordgallery.com

Sat, June 6th 2-5PM
Corey Helford Gallery
8522 Washington Blvd in Culver City / 310.287.2340
Special signing event with COOP featuring his books ‘The Big Fat One’ and ‘The Devil’s Advocate’ as well as a chance to pre-order his new “Lil’ Mort” figure
www.coreyhelfordgallery.com

Sat, June 6th 6-9PM
Crewest
110 E. Winston Street @ Main St in Los Angeles / 213.627.8272
“The Legendary Belmont Tunnel: A tribute to the birth of Los Angeles Graffiti Art” featuring works from Acme, Aloy, Antonio Pelayo, Axis, BaBa, Besk, Bumper, Cab, Cale, Charlie, Cre8, Dash, Danny D, Defer, Duster, Earnone, Elser, Eriberto Oriol, Fearo, Fever, Frame, Frank Martinez, Gabe, Genius, Ghostone, Gilone, Graf One, Grande, Hex, Hyde, Jero, Jiro, Kopy, Make, Mandoe, Man One, Mosh, Nuke, OG Abel, Omega, Pale, Panic, Relax, Relic, Retna, Rickone, Risky, Ruets, Saber, Sacred194, Shandu, Siner, Size, Skept, Skyone, Sleez, Swan, Teler, Volt, Vox, Vyal, Wisk, Zender & many more…
(On view through June 28th)
www.crewest.com

Sat, June 6th 9PM-Midnight
Hairroin Salon
1553 N. Cahuenga in Los Angeles
“Bye Bye Birdy” featuring new works from Vanae Rivera with special guest DJs
www.hairroinsalon.com

Sat, June 6th 8PM-12:30AM ($8 at the door)
Hive Gallery
729 S. Spring St in downtown Los Angeles
Monthly group show and performance with featured artists Treiops Treyfid, Steven Sattler, Brian Smith, Sara Brum, Marlon McWilliams and Muffinhead + live painting, music, burlesque dancing, DJ action & cash bar
(On view through June 27th)
www.thehivegallery.com

Sat, June 6th 7-10PM
Kinsey / DesForges
6009 Washington Blvd. In Culver City / 310.837.1989
New works from Cole Sternberg
(On view through July 11th)
www.kinseydesforges.com

Sat, June 6th 7-10PM
New Image Art Gallery
7908 Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood / 323.654.2192
“Constant Flow” featuring new motion works, paintings and sculpture from David Ellis
www.newimageartgallery.com

Sat, June 6th 7-11PM
Nucleus Gallery
210 E. Main St., Alhambra / 626.458.7482
“The Art Of Bob Peak” – a retrospective collection from the late illustrator Robert Peak featuring original works and a rare selection of iconic movie posters and advertising work
(On view through June 25th)
www.gallerynucleus.com

Sun, June 7th Noon-6PM
33Third / Mid-City Arts Gallery
5113 West Pico Blvd in Los Angeles
Live painting and art exhibit from Retna & The Mac

October 11th art adventure…

We went out this Saturday and hit up most of the big openings about town. We started the night off at the Ben Maltz Gallery on the campus of OTIS. They were in the midst of their Alumni weekend celebrations and the focul point of the whole event was Phantasmoria which featured a massive mural installation from Mark Dean Veca… images below…

The mural was sprawling and really must be seen in person to really appreciate the scope of it… the man of the hour is seen below chatting it up with Ben Maltz curator Meg Linton (also curator of In The Land Of Retinal Delights)…

After taking in all the details of Phantasmoria we headed over to Culver City to take in the 2nd show at the new location of Roberts & Tilton to take in Flowers As They Are In The Field (Hana Wa No Ni Aruyouni) featuring new works from Ai Yamaguchi as well as a killer installation in the middle of the gallery with a beautiful wrap around painting within…

Seen below is one of the two ‘benches’ featuring in the exhibit… how nice would that be to have sitting about the ol’ home? Just not sure how one would really display and fight dust, seems you’d have to put it in a large case… regardless, very nice to behold and they really pop the exhibit off along with the install in the middle of the room…

Seen above is an interior shot of Flowers As They Are In The Field… beautiful show. After grabbing a quick bite we resumed our art adventure and headed down to Kinsey / Des Forges (formerly BLK/MRKT) to take in the debut LA solo show of local artist Lisa Solberg

Definitely a different show for Kinsey and crew, but super colorful and huge works, worth a visit if over in Culver City for sure. After that we headed over to see the new joint venture between Project: and Cerasoli (ex-Lab 101), the new Cerasoli : LeBasse Gallery. The Blender group show was laid out really nicely and featured a very intensive installation from Japanese artist Ogi (aka Ryuichi Ogino). Blender also featued works from Vincent Hui (whose work didn’t photograph well due to glare on glass, but must be seen – great find there for sure), Melissa Haslam (grouping of works featured below, and all had sold by end of night I hear… believe Hung-Hei from the Artchival board/Arrested Motion first found her and started posting about her work), Deth P. Sun and Mari Inukai (work pictured directly below) plus in gallery 2 they had new works from Jennifer Davis and Suzanne Sattler…

Above is the one and only Jack from Vinyl Pulse and Beau’s camera shy wife Christine… almost got her 🙂

Above is Ogi‘s floor to ceiling install and below is the collection of smaller works from Australia’s Melissa Haslam

After hangin’ out a bit at Beau and Freddi’s new digs, we headed up the street a bit to take in the new show at BSFA (Billy Shire Fine Arts). They were featuring the 2nd solo show at their gallery from collage artist Miriam Wosk. Paradise and Wildlife featured sprawling collage works and a simply stunning install in the middle of the gallery (see below 2 shots)…

After taking in the show at BSFA we headed out towards downtown Los Angeles to a deserted area where one would never imagine to find an art show. Down a dark part of East Washington we came upon the BOXEight rental spot to take in Native Sons featuring new works from Sage Vaughn that was curated by his European representatives Galerie Bertrand & Gruner. Due to this, all the works were priced in Euros and definitely a huge increase over last year’s showings… but word has it that he’s been doing great over in the UK and Europe and this tour de force show was testament to that… one stunning over-sized work after another lined the walls of what turned out to be a very cool spot to have an underground art show…


The exhibit featured a great array of both his ‘Wildlife’ and ‘Wildlives’ series and also featured almost a dozen of his nail bat sculptures that we were lucky enough to have exhibited a few of back in one of our Picks of the Harvest group shows… just love the bats!

The man of the hour is seen below with my wife Shawn in front of one of his massive showstoppers… big ups to Sage for really delivering one hell of a show…

We headed out from the depths of nowhere LA on the outskirts of downtown into downtown proper to hit up the Zero One Gallery… far removed from gallery row near a strech of new lofts. On the way to the spot, we strolled into what we thought was another opening but we quickly figured out it was someone’s loft party.. we could have crashed it, but we had art shows to see damn it! So onward to Zero One it was to take in the one and only Mear One‘s new solo exhibit. Upon entering you were greated by a sprawling wall of his new works along with segments of his new DVD (also being released this night) being projected upon the upper portions of the gallery’s wall….

The downstairs featured Mear One‘s larger acrylic and oil works on canvas and board (seen below from the upstairs balcony) to smaller acrylic and ink works on paper in the loft/balcony area (seen above)

After taking in Mear’s show and finally tracking him down to offer up congrats on a great show we loaded into the ol’ VW to head over to Bergamot Station in Santa Monica to hit up our final stop of the night to catch Copro Nason‘s new show with Laurie Lipton. Day of the Dead was a full on display of skill. Laurie’s graphite works were just intense. I highly suggest swingin’ through Copro to catch this show next time you are out at Bergamot this month…

On the way to Copro, we almost threw in the ol’ towel since it was close to 11PM and we’d been hitting up shows since 5PM, but upon arriving we ran into good friend and mega-collector Ryh-Ming Poon (with my wife Shawn above) and also collector Chris Ward – both of whom have a great eye for the works they chose to add to their collections…

I will leave you with Laurie’s masterful “Angel of Death” (shown above)… my photo doesn’t begin to do this work justice. Be sure to go out and catch this show in person.
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