‘tis the season. We’re all trying to be festive so we can drown out the obvious shit show coming our way. Finding joy…and sharing good things with others. We’ve been having some fun holiday oriented activities at The Makery, which has been a welcomed distraction. And chocolate too. And lots of art. It’s a good season for art, and gifts. As I said, ‘tis the season.
Over at Poet’s Place Linda and her ever-growing group of poets and writers are letting everyone know about the upcoming year, and times. Art conquers all, right? There is quite a bit of great art around town right now, so if you find yourself in town for this holiday season check some of these shows out.
As usual, for right now, The Getty’s PST:Art and Science Collide is happening all over Southern California. Try to see all of the exhibit, I dare you. I’m sure you’ll enjoy yourself, as well as learn some cool science stuff. All good.
LA ART SHOW WRAPS UP ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR AND
ANNOUNCES 2025 DATES
© Laurence Jones. Infinite Horizons, 2024. Acrylic on Linen, 43 1/2 x 63 in (110 x 160 cm). Courtesy Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery.
LA Art Show 2024
West Hall, LA Convention Center
The LA Art Show, LA’s largest and longest-running art fair, wrapped up its 29th iteration
following a triumphant return to the Los Angeles Convention Center from February 14
through 18, 2024. Guided by producer and director Kassandra Voyagis, the fair kicked
off the city’s art season, uniting galleries, curators, collectors, and celebrities alike.
LA Art Show presented another spectacular international lineup with over 100
exhibitors from countries including the Philippines, Italy, Israel, Peru, and South Korea.
“LA Art Show is a one-stop destination for the public and collectors to view art work
from all over the world as we continue our commitment to delivering the most
comprehensive and international contemporary art experience possible,” says Voyagis.
The fair debuted with a successful Opening Night Premiere Party on Valentine’s Day
hosted by award-winning actress Lucy Hale, benefiting LA Art Show’s new charity
partner, American Heart Association, which received 15% of ticket sales in support of
the organization’s Life is Why™ campaign.
Artificial intelligence and Black History Month played significant roles in this year’s fair
as well as key initiatives that support the next generation of artists from “Athletes for
Life” founded by former NFL’s Greg Bell to the featured exhibition of Young Masters
Art Prize, presented by Cynthia Corbett Gallery, London, supporting emerging talents
from diverse backgrounds.
LA Art Show’s educational platform, DIVERSEartLA, partnered with seven international
art institutions to explore the intersection of memory and AI. Projects included the
Nevada Museum of Art that presented “The Journey” by Guillermo Bert, featuring 20
life-sized wood sculptures of immigrants employed as frontline workers during the
pandemic as a way to explore how ancient traditions and AI merge to create narratives
of identity and memory. AAL Museum (Santiago, Chile) presented a hypnotizing visual
narrative, “Be Water,” led by esteemed artist, Antuan, highlighting the essential
collaboration between humanity and AI to create a new network of human
consciousness.
A few other LA Art Show 2024 highlights included:
• A musical performance by Korean artist Choi Sori who through drumming and
manipulation of metal surfaces, Choi creates an abstract interplay of light, color,
and sound.
• Iconic LA artist Robert Vargas was onsite live painting his powerful mural –
inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.’s “The World House” – which honored Black
History Month and conveyed a message of peace and unity.
• The Tanya Weddemire Gallery exhibited “Give Us Our Flowers” by acclaimed
Haitian American artist, Guy Stanley Philoche, who found art as his refuge at an
early age.
• Fremin Gallery from New York showcased inspiring works including female
Turkish artist Ardan Özmenolu’s “Blue” a stunning sculpture of a tree on a
wooden stump, created from layers of glass panels and nail polish.
• LP Gallery from South Korea featured renowned artist Dain Yoon known for
painting on her skin to create surreal self-portraits.
• Licht Feld Gallery presented photography from award-winning celebrity
photographer, Markus Klinko, including his iconic image of Mariah Carey,
recently projected on stage at the 2024 Grammy Awards.
• Fabrik Projects Gallery showcased ‘The Soul of Your City” exhibition, the
culmination of a global photography competition capturing the hidden spirit and
true identity of cities through the lenses of local photographers.
• DIVERSEartLA presented the second Museum Acquisition Award for Emerging
Artists participating at the fair. The award-winning artist was Barcelona-based
Juan Escudero on behalf of Pigment Gallery selected by Ana Maria Matthei, AAL
museum director & AAL Magazine founder, along with DIVERSEartLA curator,
Marisa Caichiolo.
Mark your calendars for next year's 30th anniversary show at the LA Convention Center
from February 19 to 23, 2025