Los Angeles Art Association is proud to present Personal Vacation , An all-media exploration of cultural identity, juried by Chris Davies, CEO/Publisher Fabrik Media, Inc. Opening Reception is Saturday, October 21 from 6-9pm at Gallery 825.
Above images by Cathy Immordino, Stuart Needman and Annie Terrazzo
Personal Vacation will feature artists: Mark Acetelli, Janine Brown, Ellen Cantor, Chenhung Chen, Chung-Ping Cheng, Katherine Cooksey, Astrid Frances, Thomas Garner, Rob Grad, Maureen Haldeman, S.P. Harper, Gina Herrera, Sandy Huse, Cathy Immordino, Jeff Iorillo, Chris Ito, Linda Kunik, Esther Kwan Simon, Stu Needman, Tom Pazderka, Lori Pond, Osceola Refetoff, Linda Stelling, Annie Terrazzo, Devin Thor, Ken Weingart and Torie Zalben.
In addition to the group show, Personal Vacation LAAA will present three solo exhibitions by Erika Lizée, Gin M and Susan Swihart. All shows will open on Saturday,October 21 at Gallery 825 and run through December 1, 2017.
Erika Lizée's new body of work Eternally Searching (0,1,1,2,3,5,8,13) explores the breathtaking beauty, magic and power of the natural world. The artist is in a constant state of yearning; longing to understand the connections between things, to be able to grasp the complex and intricate web that is life. Lizée builds her installations from the idea that gallery walls can serve as symbolic thresholds between life and death, between what is known and unknown. Beyond the wall's surface, mysterious and complex biomorphic forms coalesce within the structures of sacred geometry, while other forms expand and emerge into the physical realm of the viewer. When we study mathematical sequences like the Fibonacci numbers, we can see how number patterns and geometry begin to reveal the framework of the world around us. Visually, the Fibonacci numbers manifest in form of the Golden Spiral, which can be observed throughout nature and serves as the centerpiece of this work of art. These mathematical clues give us a glimpse into the depths of the unknown, and speak to the deep-rooted questions we have always faced in relation to the existence of the universe and our role in it.
Gina M. ambitious work Midway combines hand built ceramics, found objects, painting, and photography to create trompe l'oeil "fool-the-eye" sculptures of faded plush toys and vintage carnival games. Step right up and enter Midway, a dream-like carnival-themed merchandising landscape emphasizing the human connection between midway games of chance and the disposable plush victory prizes they offer. Passersby are drawn into the space by the large, blue-and-white lacey bearskin rug and a wall of plush toys in the background. A pedestal lifts a jack-in-the-box clown to eye level. A corduroy elephant slumps in the corner. Toddler-sized bears with bows hang from the walls and doors. A midway carnival game and a giraffe on skates complete the amusement atmosphere. Upon closer inspection, the toys are faded, worn, used and abused - eyes pleading, arms reaching out for comfort.
Susan Swihart's exhibit About Face is a series of conceptual photographs that chronicles the evolution of her identical twin daughters as they transition from childhood to adolescence. As a mother, she has been observing the phenomenon of her daughters' connectedness since birth. As a photographer and participant observer in their lives, she has set out to explore the complex psychological components and the similarities and differences of her daughters' union. For Swihart, this work is both about capturing the girls' closeness and struggles, as it is about her role as parent in both encouraging their bond, as well as supporting their individual growth.
When: Opening Reception: Saturday, October 21, 2017. 6 - 9 pm (show runs through December 1).
Where: Gallery 825, 825 N. La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90069
Admission: Free and open to the public.