Subterraneans: Opening Night Photos

The Subterraneans opened on Saturday, September 22, at the TAM.


Last weekend, the TAM opened a set of new exhibitions. In Gallery One, "The Subterraneans" is on view. In Gallery Two, we have "XYZ: The Geometric Impulse in Abstract Art" running. Finally, we've premiered our video gallery, The Dark Room, which is currently featuring works by Yoshie Sakai.

Here are some photos from Opening Night.

XYZ in Gallery Two, including Jessica Halonen's Rx Garden: Sticky Ends (6)

The Dark Room Presents: Yoshie Sakai

The Subterraneans viewed from behind Elonda Billera Norris' Theory of Transformation

Dance and music from Pieter



TAM's Sculpture Patio, featuring Ichiro Irie's RX-Heaven



The Subterraneans viewed from behind Audrey Moyer's This Is My Place



The Subterraneans viewed from behind Mario DiDomenico's Visions and Revisions



Mobile Arts Platform (MAP) charting the Los Angeles experience



The Subterraneans viewed from behind Bianca D'Amico's Planter Study #253 (should be a real plant, but we are without windows)


These shows will be running until Saturday, November 3rd.

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

Empty Gallery

The Torrance Art Museum is temporarily closed for installation of the next exhibit

Well, another show has wrapped up and we're in that empty space between exhibitions. However, although it looks like there is nothing going on at the TAM, it is actually a hive of activity as preparations are underway for a huge show that opens on Saturday, September 22.

In Gallery 1, we'll be exhibiting "The Subterraneans: The Artists behind LA's Artist-Run Spaces." This will be joined by "XYZ: The Geometric Impulse in Abstract Art" in Gallery 2. Moreover, we will be unveiling our new space, the Video Gallery with recent works by Yoshie Sakai. And in the Hallway Promenade, TAM will be hosting an installation by MAP, "Mobile Art Platform."

Yeah, it'll be a big event with lots of engaging art on view for your edification and enjoyment. ;-)

I'll be writing up some articles over the next few weeks to provide more details, artist lists, photographs and other teasers.

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

Sandra de la Loza: Mural Remix; Artist Unknown

Sandra de la Loza
Mural Remix; Unknown, Artist Unknown, c.1970s
2011
Duratrans in lightbox
Courtesy of the artist

Sandra de la Loza's Mural Remix series is an enthralling reappropriation of the 1970s Los Angeles chicano aesthetic vocabulary. Utilizing imagery from mural paintings, this series highlights thematic elements by focusing upon the details, repeating and reflecting them in geometric patterns. Although evocative of traditional Latin American tile work, the illuminating element of placing these images over a lightbox brings to mind stained glass windows.

It's an interesting style in which to explore and reutilize traditions of previous eras, such as the 1970s chicano movement or colonial era Catholic crafts. Through "remixing" the context and arrangement, Sandra de la Loza creates a new vision, looking back at tradition but forging ahead in search of new aesthetic expressions.

There are three of her works on display in "Baker's Dozen 4." Come check them out!!!

Sandra de la Loza
detail of Mural Remix; Unknown, Artist Unknown, c.1970s
2011
Duratrans in lightbox
Courtesy of the artist

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

Unconventional Location

Luis G. Hernandez
Untitled (This Work Is Meant to be Installed in an Unconventional Location Inside the Gallery)
2012
Framed drawing
10 x 8 inches
Courtesy of the artist


Luis G. Hernandez's Untitled is part of TAM's Gallery Two exhibit, 80 Days: A Declaration of Customs.

Enjoy!!!

Baker's Dozen: Curatorial Discussion

Panelists included (left to right) Robert Fontenot, Neha Choksi, Madison Webb, Grace Kook Anderson, and Sean C. Flaherty

On Saturday afternoon, the TAM hosted an engaging panel discussion regarding the curatorial concerns involved in putting together a show like Baker's Dozen 4. For instance, since every curator works within a framework of their own interests and biases, what are the methods by which these inclinations may be minimized? Or should a curator embrace their particular vision, pushing it to the forefront of their exhibits as a developing premise?

Baker's Dozen 4 is a case in point on how to explore curatorial bias. In previous years, TAM's curator, Max Presneill, would select thirteen artists that he felt were creating compelling works that were representative of current and emerging trends within the context of the Los Angeles art scene. These shows were very interesting, but reflected Presneill's particular focus and awareness. This year, twelve other local curators were invited to participate in the selection, with each suggesting an artist. The result is a sharp but engaging variety of works.

Before the panel: (back) Neha Choksi, Sean C. Flaherty, (front) Madison Webb, Grace Kook Anderson


The thirteen curators that have put together Baker's Dozen 4 are:

Max Presneill (Torrance Art Museum)
Grace Kook Anderson (Laguna Art Museum)
Carl Berg (Irvine Fine Arts Center)
Scott Canty (Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery)
Miki Garcia (Santa Barbara Contemporary Arts Forum)
Julie Joyce (Santa Barbara Museum of Art)
Lisa Melandri (Santa Monica Museum of Art)
Aram Moshayedi (Redcat)
Pilar Tompkins Rivas (18th Street Arts Center)
John Spiak (Grand Central Arts Center)
Tyler Stallings (UCR Culver Center for the Arts & Sweeney Art Gallery)
Aandrea Stang (formerly of MOCA)
Irene Tsatsos (Armory Pasadena)

Baker's Dozen 4 runs until September 1, 2012. Come check it out!

Robert Fontenot and Neha Choksi with Micol Hebron of X-TRA magazine

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

Baker's Dozen 4: Opening Night

Opening Night: Viewing the works of April Street

Our annual "Baker's Dozen" kicked off last night at a full and enthusiastic opening reception. We at the TAM are excited to have had such a successful start to this exhibition, and we give our thanks to the artists, curators, and all of our friends who came by to support the show. It was a good time with great people and fine art.

The show will be running until Saturday, September 1. So, if you were not able to see the exhibit last night, come by and check it out. Likewise, if you did attend the opening reception, this show is well worth repeat viewings. ;-)

And here are some photos of the evening's festivities to whet your interest.

View of Madison Webb's work



View of Neha Choksi's work



View of William Kaminski's work

View of Max Jansons' work



View of Haruko A Tanaka's work



View of Robert Fontenot's work



View of works by April Street and Sandra de la Loza



View of Sean C. Flaherty's work


Again, the TAM thanks everybody who helped make this exciting show take place.

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

Baker's Dozen 4: Opening July 21

Works by William Kaminski, Neha Choksi, and Max Jansons

We're on the eve of our next show, Baker's Dozen 4, an annual tradition here at the TAM, wherein we showcase thirteen emerging artists. In years past, the selections were all determined by our own TAM curator, Max Presneill. This time, there's a twist.

Max invited twelve other curators to each make a selection. As a result, we have a very diverse group of artists on display. The "Baker's Dozen" are:

Neha Choksi
Fiona Connor
Sandra de la Loza
Sean C. Flaherty
Robert Fontenot
Max Jansons
William Kaminski
Brandon Lattu
Jorge Oswaldo
Ry Rocklen
April Street
Haruko A Tanaka
Madison Webb

It's an interesting collection of works. I was able to view some of the pieces during set up and the staff walkthrough. I figured you all might like a sneak peak. So, here are a couple photos. ;-)

Works by Madison Webb, Ry Rocklen, Jorge Oswaldo, and Robert Fontenot


The opening reception will be on Saturday, July 21, from 6-9pm. The show will run until Saturday, September 1.

Moreover, on Saturday, July 28, at 2pm, TAM will be hosting an exhibition talk, featuring some of the artists in the show, including Neha Choksi, Robert Fontenot, Max Jansons, William Kaminski, and Madison Webb. It'll be an interesting discussion.

Works by April Street and Sandra de la Loza


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