street art
INSA's SPACE GIF-ITI
Big ups to INSA...literally next level!
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ABOUT THE EXHIBIT: OBLIGADO A DESOBEDECER
“In order to truly delve into Satter’s
work, we must rid ourselves of prejudices and established conventions, to
recognize ourselves in our most human dimension, that which deteriorates,
guzzles and secretes; fragile and real, like it is to walk among the residual
fluids of modernity; even to explore our tanatological impulses, our
self-destructive condition that preys upon nature, that side which we would
like to hide, which produces nausea, shame and repulsion. Throughout history,
the abject has been banished from the conservative aesthetic ideal; the
disgusting was left outside the dominion of the beautiful and of art itself.
Nevertheless, many artists have immersed themselves in this dark and
transgressive realm, like Goya, Bacon or Lynch, to name a few.
Satter positions himself as an artist
of the urban realm who explores this dimension. He does this not only as
a game or as taking joy in repulsion, but as a critical space that permits a
consideration of the conflicts of globalized and industrialized society,
absorbed by a morbid capitalism masked by humanity, affection and desire.
The central axis in the series that Satter presents, relates to religion
as a body of double standards that hides the sexual impulse, as he devises
these forbidden references where religious symbols and sexual organs coexist
practically in a gratuitous way. We also see a critique of the conditions
of capitalist cultural circulation, from forms of consumption in eating, drinking,
dressing and shitting, to the canonized way we do cultural interpretations of
prehispanic, modern and contemporary art.
Satter’s sarcastic, abject and
unbounded recovery is in putting his sight on that ominous area which is always
denied, in the dismantling of a subjectivity that is squashed under the light
of recognition, like that mythical mirror that reflects an overwhelming, hybrid
and deformed image that is what we hide, but that is in reality, what we are.”
- Said Dokins 2012
"OBLIGADO A DESOBEDECER" a first time US solo exhibition featuring drawings, paintings, sculptures and an installation by Mexican street artist, Satterugly, opens Saturday, October 6th with an opening reception from 7-10pm. Show will be on view through October 28th.
For more info, email us at info@crewest.com
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SNEAK PREVIEW: STREET DEGREES OF SEPARATION
Here is a special sneak preview of artwork by street artists GAIA, Clown Soldier and Joe Iurato for our upcoming exhibit "Street Degrees of Separation" which opens Saturday January 8th, 2011:
Gaia, "Untitled", 30x 21, Linoleum block, $660
Marrying the animal and the human form, Gaia conjures mysterious figures that carry a heavy sense of mythology and recall a past when man and nature were once united.
Visit Gaia online at www.Gaiastreetart.com
Clownsoldier, "Clown Soldier", 22" x 30", Screen print and acrylic on archival paper, $220 unframed. $400 framed
Joe Iurato, "The Raven", 13" x 13", Hand cut stencil, acrylic and spray paint on glass and cardboard in a shadow box frame, 2010, $480
Joe Iurato, signs his work :01. He doesn’t do it to conceal his identity, though. It’s his belief that a single second is the most powerful measurement of time.
You can visit Joe Iurato online at: www.joeiurato.com
Artwork will also be on display by:
Chris Clark, Chris RWK, Clown Soldier, Damon Ginandes, David Flores, Ernesto Yerena, EyeFormation, FAKE, Gabe Copeland, GAIA, Hidden Moves, Joe Iurato, JMR, Philip Lumbang, Shai Dahan and special guest and pro-skater Danny Gonzales.
Hope to see you at this weekend's opening!
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COMING SOON: STREET DEGREES OF SEPARATION
Please join us on Saturday, January 8th, 2011 for the opening reception of Street Degrees of Separation.
Street Degrees of Separation is a group show with artists from around the world, coming together to kick off the new year. 2011 will bring amazing new work, new projects and new art by some of today’s greatest street-artists, and while artists prepare for what they will unleash on walls across the planet, they found themselves coming together for this show. Street Degrees explores the global connection of street-artists and their unified motive in the new year: Reinvention.
The show brings artists from Los Angeles, New York, Boston, Texas, UK, Sweden, Indonesia and much more. The artists list includes Chris Clark, Chris RWK, Clown Soldier, Damon Ginandes, David Flores, Ernesto Yerena, EyeFormation, FAKE, Gabe Copeland, GAIA, Hidden Moves, Joe Iurato, JMR, Philip Lumbang, Shai Dahan and special guest Danny Gonzales.
Exhibition runs through Sunday, January 30, 2011. Artwalk event takes place on Thursday, January 13, 2011 from 6-10pm.
Hope to see you there!
Crewest
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"THE POWER OF ART" SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2010
Through art, messages can be heard.
Creating possibility in someone that moves them to action where that possibility did not exist before, is the "Power of Art" we are experiencing.
On behalf of Crewest and Curator Luna George you are cordially invited to experience the "Power of Art" a fundraising event in conjunction wuth the currently runnin exhibition "Faces of Skid Row" benefiting The Midnight Mission and those who are currently living on Skid Row:
Date of Event:
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Time:
6 - 9 pm
Where:Crewest Gallery
110 Winston St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 627-8252
RSVP to skidrow@crewest.com
Entertainment Schedule:
With live painting by Sergio Rodriguez and live music by DJ Phyz Ed
Works by:
Bob Motown, Branded, Dash, Dave Kawano, Enik, Eriberto Oriol, Estevan Oriol, Euth, Ezra, Graham Walzer, Gregg Stone, James Gillette, Juan Balandran, Lalo Alcaraz, Man One, Michael Pizarro, Mike Street, Oscar Magallanes, Philip Lumbang, Preston Craig, Shing Yin Khor, Smear, Thomas the Messenger, Two Rabbits, Mas, Ruthie Pie and Featured artist Mason Brown
Delightful treats for the evening:
Complimentary delicious cupcakes donated by:
Big Man Bakes
Complimentary Tasty Vegan Cheesecakes donated by:
Earth Café
Refreshments provide by:
Jarritos and Roaring Lion Energy Drink
Fundraising Detail:
We are asking for a $10 donation at the door.
100% of door donations and 10% of all art and merchandise sales will all go to The MidnightMission on this night.
We leave you with the following, click to read entire story and see you on Saturday:
"New Art Exhibit Shows 'Faces of Skid Row" - Uprising Radio
"Skid Row is virtually synonymous with poverty, violence, and homelessness but in the midst of struggle also lies genuine humanity stripped down to its core" - Juxtapoz.com
"New exhibit showcases life on Skid Row" - USC Daily Trojan
Click here to view available works online
Artwork inquiries can be directed to info@crewest.com.
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Creating possibility in someone that moves them to action where that possibility did not exist before, is the "Power of Art" we are experiencing.
On behalf of Crewest and Curator Luna George you are cordially invited to experience the "Power of Art" a fundraising event in conjunction wuth the currently runnin exhibition "Faces of Skid Row" benefiting The Midnight Mission and those who are currently living on Skid Row:
Date of Event:
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Time:
6 - 9 pm
Where:Crewest Gallery
110 Winston St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 627-8252
RSVP to skidrow@crewest.com
Entertainment Schedule:
With live painting by Sergio Rodriguez and live music by DJ Phyz Ed
Works by:
Bob Motown, Branded, Dash, Dave Kawano, Enik, Eriberto Oriol, Estevan Oriol, Euth, Ezra, Graham Walzer, Gregg Stone, James Gillette, Juan Balandran, Lalo Alcaraz, Man One, Michael Pizarro, Mike Street, Oscar Magallanes, Philip Lumbang, Preston Craig, Shing Yin Khor, Smear, Thomas the Messenger, Two Rabbits, Mas, Ruthie Pie and Featured artist Mason Brown
Delightful treats for the evening:
Complimentary delicious cupcakes donated by:
Big Man Bakes
Complimentary Tasty Vegan Cheesecakes donated by:
Earth Café
Refreshments provide by:
Jarritos and Roaring Lion Energy Drink
Fundraising Detail:
We are asking for a $10 donation at the door.
100% of door donations and 10% of all art and merchandise sales will all go to The MidnightMission on this night.
We leave you with the following, click to read entire story and see you on Saturday:
"New Art Exhibit Shows 'Faces of Skid Row" - Uprising Radio
"Skid Row is virtually synonymous with poverty, violence, and homelessness but in the midst of struggle also lies genuine humanity stripped down to its core" - Juxtapoz.com
"New exhibit showcases life on Skid Row" - USC Daily Trojan
Click here to view available works online
Artwork inquiries can be directed to info@crewest.com.
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PRESS RELEASE: FACES OF SKID ROW
PRESS RELEASE
September/27/2010
For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Luna George
818.235.4598
luna@crewest.com
“We have homeless women, men, children, the young and the elderly, roaming the streets in Downtown Los Angeles without a home or shelter for the night or a cot to sleep in. Food is scarce and hard to come by to the homeless. We have those who are ill or who have been injured and most have very little medical resources if any at all.
We have seen these homeless people, whether sitting on the curbside picking at their dead skin on their hands or covered in a cardboard shelter for the evening. People of L.A., you are invited to explore the Faces of Skid Row and to participate in a large fundraiser for The Midnight Mission to benefit those living homeless.”
Los Angeles, CA – Crewest and Curator Luna George are proud to present Faces of Skid Row. Faces of Skid Row is an exhibition and fundraiser for The Midnight Mission to bring awareness and focus on the homeless living in the Skid Row area in Downtown Los Angeles. The exhibition’s artwork aims to raise questions to its viewers as to what we can do to further help the people of Skid Row. The artists in this exhibition are all LA based and form an eclectic union of diverse genres. Graffiti artists, photographers, illustrators, sculptors, street artists and fine artists have all come together as one to bring you an exhibition full of sincerity, hope, reality, essence and bringing forward core issues revealed through eye-catching, heartfelt art. The Opening Reception will take place Saturday, October 2nd, 2010 from 6pm to 9 pm and will feature a live spoken word performance by Mike the Poet who has written a piece exclusively for the show. His words are powerful and will affect the heart and the mind. The Exhibition runs through October 31st, 2010.
Curator Statement:
The concept of Faces of Skid Row was created because there was a “heart-felt and serious need to help those living on Skid Row” says curator Luna George. “Bringing together this wonderful group of artists was the best way I could accomplish getting the message out to help the people of Skid Row. These artists have a way of creating pieces which captures your eye because it’s fresh, bold and definitely different. Sometimes when a message needs to be said, art is the best way to say it.” Faces of Skid Row marks the very first curatorial work presented by Luna George. All artists in the show were carefully selected by the curator due to a charismatic talent each possess within their specific genre. Each artist has been carefully observed over the years and the curator knew this show would be perfect for them to express and display their charismatic works for the public to enjoy.
In the Featured Artist Room:
Mason Brown presents “Do you know what time it is? Clocky does…” an installation created purely using only cardboard featuring the world of “Clocky”. Clocky is a fortune telling machine cloaked under the guise of a temporal devise. Clocky is assumed to behold infinite wisdom and can predict future events. Powered by the unknown, Clocky is marked by emblematic symbols including – but not limited to: owls, stars, checkers, moons, and all seeing eye that eternally sits and watches over us all. Featured artist Mason Brown is a graphic artist and filmmaker. Brown founded Cardboard Robot as an extension of various milti-media projects developed by the artist. Resulting from exhaustive research into the realm of religious mysticism and secret questions, Clocky is the invention of Mason Brown – Founder and Creative Director of Cardboard Robot. A veteran of Desert Storm, much of Brown’s work is aimed at promoting social awareness through politically charged images. This is an installation you do not want to miss. Brown welcomes you to the world of “Clocky”.
Exhibiting Artists:
Bob Motown, Branded, Dash, Dave Kawano, Dytch, Else, Enik, Eriberto Oriol, Estevan Oriol, Euth, Ezra, Graham Walzer, Gregg Stone, James Gillette, Juan Balandran, Lalo Alcaraz, Man One, Michael Pizarro, Mike Street, Oscar Magallanes, Philip Lumbang, Preston Craig, Shing Yin Khor, Sims, Smear, Thomas the Messenger, Two Rabbits, Mas, Ruthie Pie, Mason Brown
Info about The Midnight Mission:
The Midnight Mission is one of the oldest continuously operating human services organizations in the Los Angeles region. Centered in the Skid Row area of downtown Los Angeles, the Mission runs one of the most efficient direct service operations in the country. With only four executive managers through out its ninety-five (95) year history, the Mission has been a consistent beacon of light for those with nowhere else to turn. The Mission offers a bridge of self-sufficiency for homeless people through counseling, education, training and job placement. For more information, visit http://www.midnightmission.org
Fundraising Details:
Crewest will be holding a special Fundraiser Night on Saturday, October 23rd, 2010 from 6pm to 9pm. $10 donation at the door. On this night, 100% of donations at the door and 10% of all art and merchandise sales will all go to The Midnight Mission. Drinks provided by Jarritos, Roaring Lion and cupcakes by Big Man Bakes. To attend, RSVP at skidrow@crewest.com. More details to follow.
Additionally, a donation jar will be located inside Crewest all month long and 10% of all art sales for the month of October will be donated to The Midnight Mission.
Crewest Gallery is located at 110 Winston St. Los Angeles, CA 90013. Crewest is a gallery that supports some of the most talented underground artists from the West Coast and beyond. The gallery's focus is on urban & graffiti art created through painting, sculpture, digital, and print medias. All of the exhibits housed at Crewest deal with what is current, and significant within the realm of the urban art experience. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Thursday: Noon to 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday: Noon to 8 p.m.; Sunday: Noon to 6 p.m. and Mondays are closed. For more information, please call 213.627.8272, email at info@crewest.com or visit www.crewest.com
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FLYER IMAGES BELOW
BLEK LE RAT
We are very honored to announce a true pioneer and inspiration to many street artists around the world, Blek le Rat, who will be showing with us next month for the Friends with Knives Exhibition alongside other artists Broken Crow, Chris Stain, Dave Lowell, E.L.K, Greg Boudreau, HAHA, Henry Quiara, Joe Iurato, Koleszar, Leckomio, Mefee, Nathan Phaneuf, PaperMonster, Peat Wollaeger, Scotch and Shai Dahan.
On display by Blek le Rat will be his ever so stunning and clever piece "Lunatic" (shown below)
Blek le Rat is noted in his bio as follows:
Blek le Rat, widely considered as the Godfather of modern Street Art, was the first to use stencils for silhouettes on the street. He studied engraving and architecture at Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris. He would leave his mark in the world's biggest museum, the urban landscape through his life-size stencils. Inspired by graffiti he had seen on a trip to NYC in 1971 and a stenciled portait of Mussolini from WW2 which he had seen in Italy in his childhood, he sprayed small black rats running along the streets of Paris in 1981. The rats made him quickly known in Paris but it was only two years later, with the silhouette of an Old Irish Man, that Blek and his stencils became recognized all over France. Blek feels very close to his characters and always tries to link them to the environment in which he is working. The interaction created between the image, the space and the beholder is essential to understand Blek's approach.
Blek has been investigating the urban space for over 28 years and still continues to inspire urban artists all over the world
He also has an amazing history of solo shows and group shows he has participated in at galleries around the world. See below to see for yourself:
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
May 2010 show at White walls gallery San Francisco
2009 Solo show at Metro Gallery Melbourne Australia
2009 Installation at Phaiz, Chicago
2008 Paris—NY, NY—Paris. Jonathan LeVine Gallery. New York, NY
2008 Art Is Not Peace But War. Subliminal Projects Gallery. Los Angeles, CA.
2008 Blek Le Rat Retrospective. Black Rat Gallery. London, UK.
2006 Blek Le Rat in London. Leonard Street Gallery. London, UK.
2002 Blek Was Here. Urban Art Gallery. Berlin, Germany. (1st show since since 1993)
1993 La Belle et la Bête. Galerie Arnaud Brument. Paris, France.
1993 Grafitti in the Castle. Castle Paul Ricard. Paul Ricard, France.
1991 Blek le Rat from Paris to Tokyo. Takarashi Gallery. Tokyo, Japan.
1991 Stencils on Wood. Galerie Christophe. Paris, France.
1991 Exhibition Schabonen Graffiti Blek le Rat. Ephemere Gallery. Leipzig, Germany.
1991 Performance. Concert Hall of Elysée Montmarte. Paris, France.
1990 Permanent Exhibition. Galerie Christophe. Paris, France.
1990 Installation. Galerie Patrick Riquelme. Vannes, France.
1989 Installation. Huber Volker Gallery. Lisbon, Portugal.
1988 Exhibition. French Institute of Mainz. Mainz, Germany.
1988 Nuit du Palace. Le Palace. Paris, France.
1987 Performance. Salon du Livre. Sainte-Etienne, France.
1986 Installation. Forum of Rock. Montreuil, France.
1985 Peinture Sauvage. Galerie Saint Claude. Paris, France.
SELECTED GROUP SHOWS
2010 5th anniversary Jonathan Levine gallery NYC
2009 A Whole In The Wall (NYC) Galerie Helenbeck Paris
2007 Streets of Europe. Jonathan LeVine Gallery. New York, NY
2007 White Noise. Black Rat Press. London, UK
2007 Eleven: Group show of eleven contemporaries, Leonard Street Gallery, London.
2006 11 Spring Street. Curated by Marc & Sara Schiller of Wooster Collective. New York, NY
2005 Urban Wallpaper. Taipei Artist Village. Taipei, Taiwan
2003 Workshop in The Open City: Models For Use. Kokerein Zollverein. Essen, Germany.
2002 Installation with Lee Quineones. Reitschule. Bern, Switzerland.
1992 L'Art Vif, la Revue Parlée. Centre George Pompidou. Paris, France.
1992 L'Art Vif. Espace Carnot. Lille, France.
1992 Un Regard sur l'Art. Musée Creusot. Creusot, France.
1992 Fin de Millenaire. Espace Belleville CTFD. Paris, France.
1992 Graffiti in Cavern. Galerie Le Cailar. Le Cailar, France.
1991 Street Art. Globus Gallery. Leipzig, Germany.
1989 Les Rencontres de Marrakech. French Institute of Marrakech. Marrakech, Morocco.
1989 And der Wand (On the Wall). Kunstverein Wiesbaden. Wiesbaden, Germany.
1989 Schablonen Graffti (Stencil Graffiti). Kunstverein Heildelberg. Heildelberg, Germany.
1989 Schablonen Graffiti (Stencil Graffiti). Gemeentemuseum. Helmond, Netherlands.
1989 Cannes Biennial. Palais des Festivals Cannes. Cannes, France.
1989 Art Urbain (Urban Art). Hotel de Ville Buffemont. Val d'Oise, France.
1988 Graffiti in the Street, Exhibition in the Institute. French Institute of Naples. Naples, Italy.
1988 Histoire des Rockers. La Villete. Paris, France.
1988 Shadow and Light. Lara Vinci Gallery. Paris, France.
1987 Musée International de Graf. Galerie L'Autre Rive. Paris, France.
1986 Pochoirs (Stencils). Agnes B Gallery. Paris, France.
1986 Emotion. Ministry of Culture. Saint Quentin, France.
1986 Stencil Graffiti in Tulles. Peuple et Culture. Tulles, France.
1986 Urban Art Show. Galerie Jean Marc Patras. Paris, France.
1986 In Between Out. Palais des Papes. Avignon, France.
1986 Verbes d'Êtats. Centre National des Arts Plastique. Nice, France.
1985 Les Artistes au Téléphone. Galerie Pierre Lescot. Paris, France.
1985 Affiches Détournees. National Center of Contemporary Art. Paris, France
1985 Frescoes on Walls. French Ministry of Culture. Paris, France.
In addition to an amazing show history, Blek le Rat has been featured in top publicatations such as Time Magazine, New York Magazine, Juxtapoz, Swindle and more.
We can't say enough when it comes to Blek.
To check out more on Blek le Rat, you may visit him online at:
http://bleklerat.free.fr/
If you are a serious collector and have any questions, email us at info@crewest.com .
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GUSMANO CESARETTI: VIDEO PREVIEW OF HIS ART MAKING
"Before the Revolution"
Gusmano Cesaretti @ Crewest Gallery
Opens: May 1st - 30th, 2010
View his amazing images at:
www.gusmanocesaretti.com
For more:
info@crewest.com
www.Crewest.com
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Gusmano Cesaretti @ Crewest Gallery
Opens: May 1st - 30th, 2010
View his amazing images at:
www.gusmanocesaretti.com
For more:
info@crewest.com
www.Crewest.com
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“Love and Guts” Exhibition Ends This Weekend!
August is soon to end and so is “Love and Guts”.
Great pieces still available:
2009
COFFEE TABLE
OAK TABLE UNDER
GLASS & PLASTER
48 X 32 X 20
By Lance Mountain
Doughboy Rodriguez
by Lance Mountain
Wheat paste / Acrylic / Spraypaint / Wood box
Hemi Coupe
by Steve Caballero
Acrylic / India Ink / Spraypaint on canvas
Emblem
by Steve Caballero
Digital Print on Wood
Check out this slideshow for more images of the art..
If you are interested in purchasing artwork, please email us at info@crewest.com.
*Show ends Sunday August 30th, 2009
www.crewest.com
**
Great pieces still available:
2009
COFFEE TABLE
OAK TABLE UNDER
GLASS & PLASTER
48 X 32 X 20
By Lance Mountain
Doughboy Rodriguez
by Lance Mountain
Wheat paste / Acrylic / Spraypaint / Wood box
Hemi Coupe
by Steve Caballero
Acrylic / India Ink / Spraypaint on canvas
Emblem
by Steve Caballero
Digital Print on Wood
Check out this slideshow for more images of the art..
If you are interested in purchasing artwork, please email us at info@crewest.com.
*Show ends Sunday August 30th, 2009
www.crewest.com
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Happy Bday to us!
This month we turn 5 Years old and we're celebrating!
In the past 5 years we've seen alot of things happen: galleries come and go, shops open and close, writers start and stop, homies celebrated and mourned, wars starting and unfortunately still going on....Yet some how we've not only been able to keep our doors open, but expand and grow to a new Downtown location which is thriving and flourishing.
We thank all of you for all your continued support and helping our dream of supporting artists and expanding L.A. graff and urban art throughout the globe.
Join us every weekend in May as we throw a little sum' sum' to be festive about.
In the past 5 years we've seen alot of things happen: galleries come and go, shops open and close, writers start and stop, homies celebrated and mourned, wars starting and unfortunately still going on....Yet some how we've not only been able to keep our doors open, but expand and grow to a new Downtown location which is thriving and flourishing.
We thank all of you for all your continued support and helping our dream of supporting artists and expanding L.A. graff and urban art throughout the globe.
Join us every weekend in May as we throw a little sum' sum' to be festive about.
Crewest in the L.A. Times!
"Off the streets, into the gallery"
By Alex Chun, Special to The Times
Street art in Los Angeles has become as ubiquitous as bleach-blond hair and personalized license plates, so it's no surprise it has infiltrated art galleries as well.
"A lot of galleries used to be scared to put in street artists — they thought people coming in would tag up the outside of their galleries and cause chaos," says Freddi "Freddi C" Cerasoli, proprietor of the Lab 101 Gallery in Culver City. "Then people like me began to put these artists in nice-looking galleries and proved that's not true, and in the last three years I've begun to see high-end galleries start to show these same artists."
These days, L.A.-area galleries such as Crewest, Thinkspace Gallery, Gallery 1988, Lab 101, BLK/MRKT Gallery and the Corey Helford Gallery are featuring notable street artists such as Shepard Fairey, Buff Monster, Greg Simkins, Asylm and Kofie.
"My generation grew up with culture jamming and MTV, and this is what we relate to," says Cerasoli, 37. "Rather than wanting a Warhol, they want to hang an icon from their own era."
Street art encompasses spray-painted graffiti, stencil graffiti, sticker art, posters and even performance art in public spaces. Though it's illegal in many cases, purveyors of the form are quick to distinguish it from tagging and other gang-related activities.
"In contrast to gang graffiti, artistic graffiti has nothing to do with territory, threats or violence," says Crewest owner Alex "Man One" Poli. "Artistic graffiti is all about expression."
A respected graffiti artist in his own right, Poli moved his 5-year-old gallery from Alhambra to a bigger location in downtown L.A. last March and says his new gallery has been well received by the artistic community and is part of Gallery Row and the Downtown Art Walk.
"The new location brings people into the gallery who normally wouldn't think twice about a gallery featuring graffiti art," he says. "The art's really powerful and bold, and it really captures people's attention once they see it, and when they learn it's done with a spray-paint can, it really blows their mind."
For the artists, showing in galleries affords them the opportunity to flex their creative muscles.
For example, at a show a year and half ago, Buff Monster, who is best known for his silk-screen posters often featuring a character sprouting breast-like ears, built a fountain in the middle of a pool composed of six breasts rendered in 3-D.
"When you're driving on the street at 60 miles per hour, you have to be able to read what I say in a split second, and it doesn't show all my visual vocabulary," says the 27-year-old Hollywood artist, who opens a solo show at Gallery 1988 on Feb. 1. "The galleries offer a nice opportunity to create something really ambitious that you couldn't do on the streets."
weekend@latimes.com
*
Current and upcoming shows
"BMG Artists' Annual" (current group show includes street turned studio artist Jeff Soto), BLK/MRKT Gallery, 6009 Washington Blvd., Culver City. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. Ends Feb. 17. (310) 837-1989, www.blkmrktgallery.com.
"Buff Monster: One in the Pink," Gallery 1988, 7020 Melrose Ave., L.A. Opening reception, 7 to 10 p.m. Feb. 1; regular hours, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. Ends March 1. (323) 937-7088, www.nineteeneightyeight.com.
"007" (group show that includes street artist Asylm), Crewest Gallery, 110 Winston St., L.A. Opening reception, 5-9 p.m. Feb. 3; regular hours, noon-7 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays; noon-8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays; noon-6 p.m. Sundays. Ends Feb. 24. (213) 627-8272, www.crewest.com.
"The Hunted" (solo show on Blaine Fontana, a street turned studio artist), the Lab 101 Gallery, 8530-B Washington Blvd., Culver City. Opening reception 7-10 p.m. Feb. 3; regular hours, 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, noon-4:30 p.m. Sundays. Ends Feb. 21. (310) 558-0911; www.thelab101.com.
"Charity by Numbers" (viewing of items for an online charity auction includes works by artists Shepard Fairey, Greg Simkins, Jeff Soto, Buff Monster, Sam Flores), Corey Helford Gallery, 8522 Washington Blvd., Culver City. Opening reception, 10 p.m.-midnight Feb. 10; regular hours, noon-6 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. Ends Feb. 17. (310) 287-2340, www.coreyhelfordgallery.com.
By Alex Chun, Special to The Times
Street art in Los Angeles has become as ubiquitous as bleach-blond hair and personalized license plates, so it's no surprise it has infiltrated art galleries as well.
"A lot of galleries used to be scared to put in street artists — they thought people coming in would tag up the outside of their galleries and cause chaos," says Freddi "Freddi C" Cerasoli, proprietor of the Lab 101 Gallery in Culver City. "Then people like me began to put these artists in nice-looking galleries and proved that's not true, and in the last three years I've begun to see high-end galleries start to show these same artists."
These days, L.A.-area galleries such as Crewest, Thinkspace Gallery, Gallery 1988, Lab 101, BLK/MRKT Gallery and the Corey Helford Gallery are featuring notable street artists such as Shepard Fairey, Buff Monster, Greg Simkins, Asylm and Kofie.
"My generation grew up with culture jamming and MTV, and this is what we relate to," says Cerasoli, 37. "Rather than wanting a Warhol, they want to hang an icon from their own era."
Street art encompasses spray-painted graffiti, stencil graffiti, sticker art, posters and even performance art in public spaces. Though it's illegal in many cases, purveyors of the form are quick to distinguish it from tagging and other gang-related activities.
"In contrast to gang graffiti, artistic graffiti has nothing to do with territory, threats or violence," says Crewest owner Alex "Man One" Poli. "Artistic graffiti is all about expression."
A respected graffiti artist in his own right, Poli moved his 5-year-old gallery from Alhambra to a bigger location in downtown L.A. last March and says his new gallery has been well received by the artistic community and is part of Gallery Row and the Downtown Art Walk.
"The new location brings people into the gallery who normally wouldn't think twice about a gallery featuring graffiti art," he says. "The art's really powerful and bold, and it really captures people's attention once they see it, and when they learn it's done with a spray-paint can, it really blows their mind."
For the artists, showing in galleries affords them the opportunity to flex their creative muscles.
For example, at a show a year and half ago, Buff Monster, who is best known for his silk-screen posters often featuring a character sprouting breast-like ears, built a fountain in the middle of a pool composed of six breasts rendered in 3-D.
"When you're driving on the street at 60 miles per hour, you have to be able to read what I say in a split second, and it doesn't show all my visual vocabulary," says the 27-year-old Hollywood artist, who opens a solo show at Gallery 1988 on Feb. 1. "The galleries offer a nice opportunity to create something really ambitious that you couldn't do on the streets."
weekend@latimes.com
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Current and upcoming shows
"BMG Artists' Annual" (current group show includes street turned studio artist Jeff Soto), BLK/MRKT Gallery, 6009 Washington Blvd., Culver City. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. Ends Feb. 17. (310) 837-1989, www.blkmrktgallery.com.
"Buff Monster: One in the Pink," Gallery 1988, 7020 Melrose Ave., L.A. Opening reception, 7 to 10 p.m. Feb. 1; regular hours, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. Ends March 1. (323) 937-7088, www.nineteeneightyeight.com.
"007" (group show that includes street artist Asylm), Crewest Gallery, 110 Winston St., L.A. Opening reception, 5-9 p.m. Feb. 3; regular hours, noon-7 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays; noon-8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays; noon-6 p.m. Sundays. Ends Feb. 24. (213) 627-8272, www.crewest.com.
"The Hunted" (solo show on Blaine Fontana, a street turned studio artist), the Lab 101 Gallery, 8530-B Washington Blvd., Culver City. Opening reception 7-10 p.m. Feb. 3; regular hours, 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, noon-4:30 p.m. Sundays. Ends Feb. 21. (310) 558-0911; www.thelab101.com.
"Charity by Numbers" (viewing of items for an online charity auction includes works by artists Shepard Fairey, Greg Simkins, Jeff Soto, Buff Monster, Sam Flores), Corey Helford Gallery, 8522 Washington Blvd., Culver City. Opening reception, 10 p.m.-midnight Feb. 10; regular hours, noon-6 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. Ends Feb. 17. (310) 287-2340, www.coreyhelfordgallery.com.