Seeing Things

There is, as usual, some really great exhibits around town. Three in particular, I really want to see:

Robert Rauschenberg
June 28 – August 16, 2008
Artist Reception: Saturday, June 28, 5 - 7 pm

Greenfield Sacks Gallery
2525 Michigan Avenue, B6 (Bergamot Station), Santa Monica, CA 90404
http://www.greenfieldsacks.com
Tuesday – Saturday, 11am-5:30pm

This exhibit presents twelve new, original prints entitled The Lotus Series, were completed March 23 of this year shortly before he passed away.

This series comes from images that were recently rediscovered when Bill Goldston, Director and Mater Printer at Universal Limited Art Editions asked Rauschenberg if he would be interested in having an exhibition of new prints in Beijing in 2008. The images used in this exhibit came from trips Rauschenberg took to China in 1982 and 1985, in the latter year Goldston accompanied Rauschenberg.

I enjoy Rauschenberg's work, and I am privileged to work in a house that has several pieces adorning several walls through the place. It would be really nice to see his latest work, especially since this is the last work of his we'll ever have.

Also at Bergamot, which is convenient for a one-stop visit of good art:

“Passage” Solo art exhibition by Dennis Mukai
June 21, - July 19, 2008

Robert Berman Gallery
Bergamot Station Art Center
2525 Michigan Avenue, C-2, Santa Monica, CA 90404
http://www.robertbermangallery.com
Tuesday through Saturday from 11am until 6pm

I've never heard of Dennis Mukai before, but this Hiroshima born, LA-based artist's new work is actually created using sandpaper to remove layers of paint to gradually reveal the white of the original surface. From the press release, "Inspired by primitive photos from the advent of photography, Dennis’ realistic yet distressed images trigger the emotions of recollection."

Seeing the image with the press release, I initially thought it was a photograph, which somewhat piqued my interest. After reading the description, I was even more intrigued, and would very much like to see these works in person to be able to see what I expect to be somewhat tactile pieces of art.

Also at Bergamot is the Rose Gallery, which is a gallery devoted to photography. Every time I've been there, they have great exhibits up, and have shown some of my favorite photographers such as Martin Paar.

What I most want to see, however, is The Huntington's current exhibition:
This Side of Paradise: Body and Landscape in L.A. Photographs
June 14 – Sept. 15, 2008
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108



You've got me at photography, you've got me at Los Angeles at the theme. But what most intrigues me to this exhibit is that I really don't see The Huntington presenting a contemporary photography exhibit like this with that particular subject matter. Even more intriguing is the fact that part of this exhibit features some of The Huntington's photo collection. Apparently, The Huntington has an "extensive photographic archive," something I never would have expected. I always thought that the Huntington pretty much had a collection of "classical" paintings, much like the works that are call the Huntington House its home (ex. Blue Boy, Pink Lady). I guess they're not unlike the Getty, where J. Paul's personal collection is a bit too pastoral and stuffy for me, but The Trust has one amazing collection. Either way, the trifecta of The Huntington showing a photography exhibit about LA is way too good to pass up. I'm already pretty sad I didn't take advantage of the member preview showing on the past Friday, the 13th, since I am a member, after all.

Should anyone want to see this show, let me know, and I can get you in for free ;)

In fact, should anyone want to see any of these shows, let me know!