ART, ART EVERYWHERE…
By Tracy Spicer
Pasadena Weekly, CA
Aug. 9, 2006
…in museums, on the street and even in the most unexpected places
When it comes to art, the San Gabriel Valley is truly blessed. Works
by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and Andy Warhol are practically in
your backyard at the Norton Simon Museum. Cutting-edge, contemporary
artwork can be found in intimate galleries tucked in between cafes and
shops throughout the streets of Old Pasadena. The city is a creative
flagship not only for local artists showcasing their works, but also
for renowned international visionaries.
Art is truly accessible for those in Pasadena as Monica Bonvicini’s
"Not for You" exhibit hits the Shops on Lake Avenue in a retail
space previously occupied by Organized Living. This one-of-a-kind,
site-specific installation (on view until Oct. 1) features Bonvicini’s
extensive and impressive series of work. The Italian-born, Berlin-based
artist addresses issues of space, gender and power through mixed
media, drawings, collages and video installations. "Not for You"
is the second installment of Emi Fontana’s "West of Rome" series,
which takes artists’ projects outside the physical location of her
gallery in Milan. Just be sure to keep an eye out for the sporadically
but purposely placed holes in the drywall floor while perusing the
unusual display of construction harnesses and provocative language
on the walls.
The Pacific Asia Museum is currently housing an exhibit that puts a
contemporary twist on an ancient art form with "From Heart to Hand:
Japanese Modern Prints From the George and Marcia Good Collection,"
which runs through Nov. 12. The 15 post-World War II-era prints
represent a variety of styles and techniques, from the vibrant,
psychedelic Ay-O "Untitled" piece to Joichi Hoshi’s scenic wood
engraving "Three Trees and Red Sky."
"From Heart to Hand" also features a smaller selection of works by
the founding members of the Sosaku Hanga (Creative Japanese Print
Movement), such as Unichi Hiratsuka and Kanae Yamamoto. This helps
guide visitors through the ever-changing artistic spirit in Japan.
The Pacific Asia Museum will also unveil its new Gallery of Japanese
Art on Sept. 8. Besides displaying the museum’s renowned Japanese art
collection, the permanent space will also include some unique touches,
including a traditional tatami mat area with a tokonoma (alcove), art
and floral displays, and a 15th-century Buddhist temple ceiling. The
gallery’s first rotation, "Splendor and Simplicity: An Introduction
to Japanese Artistic Style," presents visitors with principal Japanese
aesthetics, from simple tea bowls to decorative kimonos.
Situated in a 1925 Pasadena home, HAUS is known as one of the
area’s most innovative alternative galleries by contemporary art
aficionados. It will truly live up to its reputation as it kicks off
its fourth year of exhibitions with a solo show from artist Gegam
Kacherian. Though he has participated in a number of group shows
around the globe, Kacherian’s stint at HAUS from Sept. 14 through
Oct. 7 is only his third solo exhibition in a commercial gallery.
This self-taught Armenian artist uses a vibrant palette with an
ability to merge both tranquil and chaotic elements in each of his
dreamlike paintings.
Amidst the works of Rembrandt, Rivera and Rauschenberg found at the
Norton Simon Museum lies "The Collectible Moment: Photographs in the
Norton Simon Museum," on view from Oct. 13 through Feb. 26. This
exhibit is the first survey of the museum’s extensive photography
collection, which was originally gathered by the Pasadena Art
Museum, its institutional predecessor. The installation showcases 163
photographs by 104 artists, including Ansel Adams, Imogen Cunningham,
Judy Dater, Arthur Siegel and Minor White. The photographs – ranging
from captivating portraits and landscapes to abstract, experimental
images – are displayed chronologically and include sections that
delve into non-silver and mixed-media processes and monographic
concentrations. A series of public programs such as lectures,
exhibition walkthroughs, adult education courses and activities for
families are also offered.
After checking out "The Collectible Moment," you may ask, "What are
some of the artists in the exhibit doing now?" The Pasadena Museum of
California helps answer that question by pairing with the Norton Simon
for "Advancing the Moment: Recent Work by California Photographers,"
which features current works by 12 artists in "The Collectible Moment,"
including Donald Blumberg, Anthony Hernandez and John Spence Weir. This
exhibit, which will be held from Oct. 13 to Jan. 21, helps further
map the evolution of contemporary photography in California.
Pasadena Art Weekend will definitely be the artistic crescendo
this fall and is already creating quite a buzz throughout the arts
community. The three-day event begins Oct. 13 with ArtNight, where
cultural institutions such as the Armory Center for the Arts, the
Pacific Asia Museum and the Norton Simon Museum welcome the public
free of charge to explore art, artifacts and music.
On Oct. 14, the Pasadena Playhouse District debuts ArtWalk, an
eight-hour outdoor event in the heart of Pasadena with hundreds of
artists’ works on display, as well as food and entertainment.
One Colorado’s Design Open ArtMarket ends the artist-friendly weekend
on Oct. 15. The event focuses on work exclusively from Art Center
College of Design, Pasadena City College and the Armory Center for
the Arts. ArtMarket gives patrons an exclusive opportunity to witness
innovative works by up-and-coming artists, illustrators, ceramicists
and environmental and industrial designers.
Believe it or not, that’s only a taste of what’s going on in the
area. Take a look at our listings to truly grasp a sense of how much
artistic activity is occurring this fall. Whether it’s in a museum,
on the street or in a mall, art is everywhere you turn.
It’s just up to you to take the time to discover it.