Arbor Day: Sick-Amour

TAM's California Sycamore tree, planted by Joel Tauber in March 2008 as part of the "Sick-Amour" project


To celebrate Arbor Day on this final Friday of April, I figured we would look at the California Sycamore tree right outside of our museum. It was planted in March 2008 by artist Joel Tauber as a part of his "Sick-Amour" project.

The motivation behind "Sick-Amour" is a Sycamore tree trapped among the asphalt of the Rose Bowl parking lot in Pasadena. Incapable of propagating itself in such a sterile environment, the tree had little hope of creating offspring. But, just as human activity had thwarted it, so too could human assistance help it out. So, the artist took the seeds and planted them throughout the Los Angeles area.

And Torrance is the proud caretaker of one such young tree.

Here's a trailer for the documentary of the "Sick-Amour" project:

Come down to the TAM to give good wishes to our little tree and check out some fine works of art. We're looking forward to seeing you!!!

The Rose Blossoms in the Night

Adam Bateman's As the Rose (2010), seen at night


Last month, I shared a few photos of As the Rose (2010) by Adam Bateman. It's the featured sculpture at the TAM patio. During the Opening Night of our current shows, I wandered out to take a few nocturnal shots of this engaging work.

So, here are some images for you all. ;-)

As the Rose (2010) by Adam Bateman, lights and shadows



As the Rose (2010) by Adam Bateman, close-up to the curves

Enjoy!!!

Between the Knowing: Opening Night

Opening Night for "Between the Knowing" at the Torrance Art Museum

Finally, the waiting is over. "Between the Knowing" and "Two-Headed Monster" are open for viewing. We had a modest but engaged crowd turn out to celebrate the show, which will be running until June 2nd. That's only seven weeks away!

You've seen some installation photos, but check out the art with people in the mix. ;-)

Opening Night view, besides Beth Lipman's Centerpiece with Bananas, Pears and Grapes (2011)

A group of viewers watch Rick Cluchey's video performance.

Viewing the central alcove featuring Chuck Moffit's sculpture

Tiempo (2011) by Steve DeGroodt delineates the front of Gallery 1

Good stuff, but photos don't do justice to the exhibition's layout or to the works themselves. So, come on down to the TAM and see them in person.

We're looking forward to seeing you at the TAM!!!

Between the Knowing: Sneak Peek

Installation view along the inner wall of Gallery 1 for "Between the Knowing"

The unofficial muse for the TAM's exhibit, "Between the Knowing", is Samuel Beckett. Incidentally, Beckett was born on April 13, 1906. So, in celebration of his birth date, here's a sneak peek of the show.

But come down to the museum for tomorrow's opening, from 6 to 9 pm, to see these works in person. It's definitely a thought-provoking exhibition.

An engaging diversity of artworks, from photographs to sculpture, from film to glass work

Installation view along the outer wall of Gallery 1



Projections of Sara Ramo's work in on the back outer corner of Gallery 1

Installation view of the central alcove of Gallery 1

And don't forget "Two-Headed Monster" in Gallery 2

We're looking forward to seeing you at the opening, Saturday, April 14, 6-9 pm.

Enjoy!!!

Two-Headed Monster in Gallery 2

Featuring CamLab and Davis & Davis

Our most recent posts have been focusing on the existentialist-themed exhibit "Between the Knowing" but the TAM has two galleries. So, you may be wondering about the contents of Gallery 2.

Let it be known that Gallery 2 has become the lair of the "Two-Headed Monster"!!!!!

Curated by Jason Ramos, this exhibit will feature a two team, four person show. Team One is CamLab, comprised of Jemima Wyman and Anna Mayer. Team Two is Davis & Davis, comprised of Denise and Scott Davis.

With such imaginative minds given creative free range over Gallery 2, who knows what impossible things may happen that the world has never seen before?!! ;-)

For now, let's look at clips of Jemima Wyman's Whak'emall.

Whak'emall (2006) by Jemima Wyman

We're looking forward to seeing you at the TAM!!!

Waiting for the Show

Image from Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett
Lawrence Held as Estragon, Bud Thorpe as Vladimir



"Have you not done tormenting me with your accursed time! It's abominable! When! When! One day, is that not enough for you, one day he went dumb, one day he went blind, one day we'll go deaf, one day we were born, one day we shall die, the same day, the same second, is that not enough for you?"


And one day, soon, on April 14, the Torrance Art Museum will be open to visitors, open with two excellent shows, "Between the Knowing" and "Two-Headed Monster". The opening reception will be this Saturday, April 14, from 6 to 9 pm.

Well? Shall we go?

Here's a vid of Rick Cluchey discussing Samuel Beckett and the San Quentin Drama Workshop:

Enjoy!!!