Talks, Discussions, and Demonstrations

Jason Ramos (left) moderates a panel discussion on painting in Los Angeles, with Catlin Moore and Grant Vetter

We had a very eventful day at the Torrance Art Museum on Saturday, February 9th. The afternoon started with a sculpture demonstration by Karen Cope, providing information as to technique and context to her works currently on view, One Gross Face. Then, Grant Vetter gave a talk on his book, The Architecture of Control, discussing the influence of ideology on a wide array of subjects.

Our "main event' was the "Painting in Los Angeles" panel discussion. Moderated by Jason Ramos, the panel was comprised of Catlin Moore, Christopher Pate, Max Presneill, and Grant Vetter. Conversation ranged among various topics, from questioning why art critics recurrently claim that "Painting is Dead" to considering the role that commercial pressures, specifically when establishing gallery representation, plays in how a painter approaches the art of painting.

Yeah, the panel had a lot of "artist's art talk" but it was a lively conversation and presented many engaging opinions and compelling observations.

Karen Cope demonstrated her sculptural technique in Gallery Two.

It was a good time. The TAM thanks all of you who came out to participate in the events, artists and art lovers alike. ;-)

For more information on this panel discussion, you ought to check out "Panel and Paradox at the Torrance Art Museum" at the Painting In L.A. site.

Although the talks and demonstrations are past, the shows continue. Paradox Maintenance Technicians, Theatrical Dynamics, One Gross Face, and Dark Room Presents: McLean Fahnestock, these exhibits all continue until March 9, 2013. So, there are a few more weeks left to come check them out.

Don't miss 'em!!!

Christopher Pate (l) and Max Presneill (r) were panelists at "Painting in LA"

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

Torrance Art Museum: Paradox Maintenance

The Torrance Art Museum will be exhibiting Paradox Maintenance Technicians until March 9, 2013.

The TAM's annual survey of contemporary painting from Los Angeles (and beyond) is now on exhibit. This year, we're calling it Paradox Maintenance Technicians. Yes, there are a whole lot of abstract works on display. ;-)

We have twenty-six paintings on view. It's hard to lump them together into a tidy thesis statement, but we wouldn't be too far off track to say that these works are expressions of the aesthetic conflict which a painter faces in transforming a noumenal inspiration into a manifest phenomenal communication. The vague idea takes shape through the craft of painting into an artistic statement.

It is an interesting concept, which is examined with great variety and distinction by the works collected into this exhibition.

View from the back of Gallery One, featuring Esmeralda Montes' The Formation of Crag

Artists included in Paradox Maintenance Technicians are:

Nicholas Aguayo

Kevin Appel

Sarah Awad

Trudy Benson

Matthew Choberka

Kent Familton

Andrew Foster

Helen Garber

Julienne Hsu

Laura Krifka

Christopher Kuhn

Tom LaDuke

David Leapman

Works by Trine Wejp-Olsen, Sarah Awad, and Summer Wheat

Joe Lloyd

Heather Gwen Martin

Claudia Morales McCain

Esmeralda Montes

Marcus Perez

Monique Prieto

Juan Carlos Quintana

Lisa Sanditz

Aaron Smith

Tyler Vlahovich

Trine Wejp-Olsen

Summer Wheat

HK Zamani

That's a good survey sample by my reckoning. ;-)

Gallery view of work along the inner wall facing the rear

So, come on over to the TAM to check out Paradox Maintenance Technicians and experience the paradox for yourself.

Moreover, we'll be having a panel discussion about the state of contemporary painting in Los Angeles this upcoming Saturday, February 9th, from 3 to 5 pm. The scheduled panelists are Kevin Appel, Catlin Moore, Max Presneill, Christopher Pate, and Grant Vetter.

There will be much to discuss.

Works by Tyler Vlahovich, Helen Garber, and Christopher Kuhn

Remember, this exhibit runs until March 9, 2013. Don't delay!!!

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

Paradox Maintenance Technicians: Opening

Paradox Maintenance Technicians opened at the Torrance Art Museum on January 19, 2013.

Here at Torrance Art Museum, we're starting off our yearly rotation with a painting exhibition, Paradox Maintenance Technicians, in Gallery One. Showcasing the works of twenty-seven artists, we're continuing our exploration of emerging trends that can be found within the Los Angeles art scene, with a special focus upon new approaches towards abstractions. From the expressive to the minimalist, from the geometric to the organic, there are so many styles and ideas percolating through the realm of the contemporary abstract.

Well, the show opened this past weekend to a large and enthusiastic crowd. Along with Theatrical Dynamics in Gallery Two, Karen Cope's One Gross Face in the Presentation Hall, and McLean Fahnestock's In The Offing in the Darkroom, we've got a very full set of works on view.

So, here are a few photos of Opening Night.

Facing the Patio, with works by Matthew Choberka and Heather Gwen Martin

The Eastern Wall with works by Helen Garber and Tyler Vlahovich

Along the Southern Wall with works by Lisa Sanditz and Summer Wheat

And it is only proper to start the new year off with some performance art, courtesy of Hannah Schwadron as part of Theatrical Dynamics, curated by David Leapman.

Hannah Schwadron performs among the works of Theatrical Dynamics in Gallery Two

We had a great time at the show. We thank all the artists who came out to support the opening, the TAM's staff for all their hard work, and all you art enthusiasts who joined us to celebrate the beginning of yet another fine year down here in the South Bay.

The show runs until March 9, 2013. So, come check it out and help us maintain the Paradox. ;-)

Paradox Maintenance Technicians in on exhibit at the TAM until March 9, 2013.

One Gross Face by Karen Cope

Along the North Wall with works by Tom LaDuke and Esmeralda Montes

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

View towards the West Wall, featuring works by Sarah Awad and Juan Carlos Quintana

Lawrence Manning: Flames / India

Detail of Flames / India (2011) by Lawrence Manning
Digital archival print
48 X 72 inches


With just a few more days left to TAM's South Bay Focus 2012, I figured we could spotlight another artist. This time, let's appreciate the work of Lawrence Manning, one of the few photographers selected for this exhibition.

Given that the selection steered away from representational works, it is important to take note of the special use of color and geometric pattern within these photographs. Although clearly and effectively documenting people, places, and objects, Manning also constructs compositions that go beyond mere representation.

Be it by capturing the trails of smoke or the smudging of paste, the play of shadow and light, these photographs have intriguing nonrepresentational elements. They can be appreciated for their abstract qualities. Their beauty goes beyond mere objectification, although they can equally be enjoyed for that as well. ;-)

Detail of Here I Am / India (2011) by Lawrence Manning
Digital archival print
20 X 24 inches


Remember, this show ends on Saturday, December 15.

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

South Bay Focus 2012: Closing December 15

Works by Arzu Arda Kosar, Michael Chomick, and Vanessa Madrid


The TAM's annual show, South Bay Focus, will be wrapping up this weekend. When the doors shut on this exhibition, they also close on the museum for the year. Yeah, we'll be back next year, bringing all sorts of fascinating works of art, engaging panel discussions, and raising plenty of thought-provoking ideas about culture and aesthetics in the South Bay.

But don't wait until January comes to enjoy the riches that our local museum has to offer. With only a few days left, don't miss out on viewing the current show. And, if you've already had the opportunity to see it, come back and give it another look. ;-)

Here are a couple videos of Grace Kook Anderson, the juror behind this year's show, discussing how she went about selecting the exhibited works:

It's an interesting show.

But it wraps this upcoming Saturday, December 15. Don't miss out!!!

South Bay Focus 2012


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

Jesus Max: The Messenger & Time Warp

Detail from The Messenger (2012) by Jesus Max
Oil on canvas on panel
41 x 25 inches

Here's a brief "spotlight" post for our South Bay Focus exhibit, which is running at the Torrance Art Museum until December 15th. This time, we're looking at a couple of works by Jesus Max, The Messenger and Time Warp (After Roger Van Der Weyden). These two works have rich symbolic imagery and interesting references to historical themes of traditional art.

The contrast between the traditional and contemporary elements raises questions for the viewer. Are we to evaluate the painting's premise as commentary upon "Old Master" topics? Or is this a play on the absurd, a parody? Or, perhaps, it is an appropriation of an established visual vocabulary used in expressing something totally new, informed by art history but looking towards emergent aesthetics?

Whatever the case, these works are stimulating and engaging images. Come by the TAM and check them out. ;-)

Detail of Time Warp (After Roger Van Der Weyden) by Jesus Max
2012
Oil on canvas on panel
24 x 77 1/2 inches


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

South Bay Focus 2012: Opening Night

South Bay Focus 2012: Opening Night


It's time for the Torrance Art Museum's annual celebration of our local art scene, the South Bay Focus. Although the exhibit has been open for a few days now, last night was our official opening. It was a fun time, with plenty of engaging art and delicious treats. ;-)

The show runs until December 15. That's not much time to enjoy this special show. So, don't delay coming around to check it out.

And here are some more images from the reception to give you all a taste of the fine works on display, representing the tastes and talents of our homecrowd artists.

Snacks along Video Row



Along the North Wall of Gallery One



Along the South Wall of Gallery One



Looking at Michael Chomick's Doghouse (2012)

Looking at Lindsey Schulz's Keep Out of Reach (2012) in Gallery Two



Along the East Wall in Gallery One


Remember, this is a short exhibition, ending on Saturday, December 15. Don't miss it!!!

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