“The Persistence of Memory: Salvador Dali and His Influence” at Muckenthaler Cultural Center

The Persistence of Memory: Salvador Dali and His Influence

On view March 4 through April 8

The Muckenthaler Cultural Center
1201 W. Malvern Avenue
Fullerton, California 92833

You know the name, you’ve seen the melting clocks and you remember the mustache. Salvador Dali (1904-1989) resides somewhere in the upper echelon of famous artists – the ones that need only one name. His dreamy, surreal paintings, sculptures, literary works and films pushed the boundaries of reality and explored the subconscious mind, echoing his outlandish public persona. Dali, a controversial, glittering, intense artist and theorist, was always one step ahead of everyone else. His artworks shocked and dazzled, twisted reality and found their way into the most impressive art collections around world. As Dali’s career progressed and his antics grew more outlandish, the quality and authenticity of his work came into question. This only fueled the public fascination with this mysterious and eccentric artist.

Despite the controversies and farcical behavior, Dali remains an immense influence on artists around the globe. Like so many other boundary-pushing visionaries, Dali’s visual manifestation of the subconscious has influenced the artworks, practice and aesthetics of generations of artists. The Muckenthaler Cultural Center is proud to host this original exhibit on one of the seminal artists of the 20th century and the artists that carry on his extraordinary spirit. On display to the public from March 4- April 8, 2021 in the Muckenthaler Galleries by appointment.

Featuring work from the following Thinkspace Family members:
Anthony Clarkson
Anthony Solano
Curiot
Dan Lydersen
Hilda Palafox (aka Poni)
Ian Robertson-Salt
Koz Dos
Nicola Caredda
Spenser Little
Wiley Wallace

View available works from the exhibition here.

The Muckenthaler Cultural Center:
Walter and Adella Muckenthaler built the 18 room mansion in 1924 atop this hill in Fullerton and it served as the center of their citrus and nut farming business, as well as their family home, for more than four decades. In 1965, their son Harold Muckenthaler donated the mansion and the surrounding 8.5 acres to the city with the proviso that his childhood home be used to provide the public with experiences that stimulate creativity and imagination, while conserving the heritage and architecture of the estate. And in 1999, The Muckenthaler Mansion received designation by the National Registry of Historic places. Today, though the City of Fullerton maintains ownership of the property, it is managed by The Muckenthaler Cultural Center Foundation and its elected Board of Directors.

https://themuck.org

Pow! Wow! Antelope Valley 2020

Pow! Wow! Antelope Valley returned for its third year in Lancaster, California this past month. From September 5th through September 12th a dozen talented artists added to the 31 murals and installations, created during 2016 and 2019 editions of the festival, which can be discovered around the city.

In blistering heat and under a smoky sky, these twelve amazing artists: Allison Bamcat, Carlos Mendoza, Carlos Ramirez, Casey Weldon, Chloe Becky, Gustavo Rimada, Huntz Liu, Kim Sielbeck, Manuel Zamudio, MJ Lindo, Spenser Little, and Victoria Cassinova; brought their vision to life and infused the streets of Lancaster with their distinct creative voices.

For the safety of the artists and the general public and in compliance with the Los Angeles County Health Department’s COVID-19 protocols, no public events were held during POW!WOW! AV. While the expansion of the Antelope Valley’s outdoor museum is exciting and visiting the murals offer some escape for all that have been trapped indoors these past several months, we ask that you wear a mask while touring the new murals.

The Lancaster Museum of Art and History is dedicated to strengthening awareness, enhancing accessibility and igniting the appreciation of art, history and culture in the Antelope Valley through dynamic exhibitions, innovative educational programs, creative community engagement and a vibrant collection that celebrates the richness of the region.

Pow! Wow! Antelope Valley is made possible due to the support and sponsorship of the Lancaster Museum of Art and History and Thinkspace Projects from Los Angeles, California.

Special thanks to the City of Lancaster, Destination Lancaster, The BLVD Association, Signs & Designs, and all who help bring POW! WOW! AV to life.

For further details please check www.lancastermoah.org and www.powwowworldwide.com

Videos by Birdman

Spenser Little’s Illuminated Wire Sculptures featured on Colossal

Big thank you to Colossal for featuring Spenser Little’s exhibition ‘Illumination Devices‘ at MOAH Cedar. Please click here to read ‘Illuminated Wire Sculptures Nest Inside Larger Kinetic Works by Artist Spenser Little ‘ on the Colossal site.

Interview with Spenser Little for ‘Illumination Devices’

Spenser Little’s ‘Illumination Devices‘ at MOAH Cedar presented in collaboration with Thinkspace Projects is currently on view and available to enjoy from the comfort at your home through a video, photo, or virtual tour.

Little is a self-taught artist who has been bending wire and carving wood for almost 20 years, allowing his creativity to morph into sculptures and images that range from simple wordplay to complex portraits.

To celebrate the opening of ‘Illumination Devices,’ our interview with Spenser Little discusses misconceptions, creative process, and his talent for satire.

SH: For those not familiar with your work, can you tell us a little bit about your background?

SL: My background in the arts can’t be talked about without discussing my parents’ influence on my life. My father was a master metal fabricator, mechanical engineer, and all-around tinkerer. My mother was an English professor and a lover of the drunk Irish classics, mainly James Joyce. So my childhood was filled with critical analysis mixed with an engineer’s outlook to the manipulation of elements. Other then my parents’ influence, which was huge, I have had zero training and I am a high school drop out never returning to academia after the age of 15. 

SH: The pieces in this exhibition represent the layers we develop throughout our lives, and what we show or hide from people. What do you think is an assumption or misinterpretation of one of your outer layers? And what is a layer of yourself that you most enjoy sharing with people (outside of your work)?

SL: People often think I’m angry. I have a sincere case of resting bitch face. And many times when I’m daydreaming or calculating future ideas people will ask me ‘are you ok?’ ‘Everything all right?’ when I am perfectly happy and just thinking!

SH: How long did it take you to create the pieces for Illumination Devices? Do you work on multiple pieces at once, or are you a one sculpture at a time kind of man?

SL: I worked on the pieces for Illumination Devices on and off for a year, split up by traveling for art exhibitions and festivals.  In all, I would say I spent a solid six months building the show. I always work on multiple pieces at once. Helps my flow to bounce back and forth. Especially between mediums.

SH: What was the most challenging piece in the exhibition and why?

SL: By far the Inner Defense Mechanism Lamp! Fucking look at that thing!  Damn. So happy that war is over.

SH: What is your least and most favorite part of the creative process?

SL: My least favorite part of building the show was by far the bending, welding’ snd grinding of the leg bases of the two largest lamps. Each leg is about 8 hours of solid grinding to get the effect I want. Torture. My favorite part is wire bending. Comes the most naturally to me.

SH: Lewis Latimer, the inventor of the carbon filament for incandescent lightbulbs, rarely gets the notable credit he deserves in regards to his impact on modern electricity. Who is another inventor or creator you think deserves more credit and or notoriety?

SL: Hhhhmmmmm….. without using the internet I can’t think of any. So I have no honest answer to that other then I’m sure there are many!

SH: How would describe the power and importance of art / the arts in society to an alien who has just touched down to our planet?

SL: I would look that alien straight in the eye and say ‘welcome to earth friend, enjoy the food!’.

SH: You are a satirical mastermind and 2020 keeps rolling out moments ripe for humorous commentary, what would be your slogan for January 2020, July 2020, and December 2020.

SL: Satirical mastermind! Shit! Pressure is on!

January 2020 – I’ll have to steal Joni Mitchell’s line ‘you don’t know what you got till it’s gone’

July 2020 – where we going and why am I in this hand basket!

December 2020 – Being home is better than being in Miami surrounded by people grinding their teeth!

I feel I didn’t prove my slogan skills!

SH: We are in the middle of a global pandemic, it’s an unprecedented time, and it’s a weird time – I know you’ve been very active locally in terms of marching/protesting and witnessed first-hand some intense police brutality. What is your approach to life during this time? What is your favorite local spot to pick up some take out?

SL: My approach to dealing with this hard time is what my approach to life always is. Make Art. I’d probably draw a picture in my blood as the state oppressors beat me to death!  Underbelly Ramen here in San Diego is delicious.

Virtual Tour for Spenser Little’s ‘Illumination Devices’ at MOAH Cedar

We’re thrilled to share our virtual tour through Spenser Little’s ‘Illumination Devices’ at MOAH Cedar.

Visit https://players.cupix.com/p/WFRCuPWV for a self-guided tour experience through the museum.

Illumination Devices is presented in collaboration with Thinkspace Projects (Los Angeles)

On view July 18 through September 20, 2020 at:
MOAH Cedar
44857 Cedar Avenue
Lancaster, California 93534

Tour Created by Birdman