“Speed – Speed – Speedfreak: A Fast History of Amphetamine” by Mick Farren Book release, reading, signing and story contest
Friday September 10, 6 pm – 9 pm La Luz de Jesus Gallery (Wacko / Soap Plant) 4633 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90027 323-666-7667 www.laluzdejesus.com www.soapplant.com
Elvis Presley, the Hell’s Angels, Hunter S. Thompson, Truman Capote, the Beatles, Judy Garland, Hank Williams, the Manson Family, Jack Kerouac, Johnny Cash, JFK, and Adolf Hitler. All of the above were, at one time or another, to put it bluntly, speedfreaks. Speed – Speed – Speedfreak: A Fast History of Amphetamine” traces the criminal and cultural use of amphetamine and its growing use through each new and destructive cycle. The book will be printed in rounded pill capsule form, like the vaunted “black beauty” of pharmaceutical history
Photo by Wendy Phillips
Author Mick Farren is a pillar of the counterculture and one of the last Bohemians standing. He is the author of close to forty books both fiction and otherwise and has released some 20 albums. His lyrics have been performed by Hawkwind, Motorhead, Metallica, Brother Wayne Kramer and others. The exhaustive research on “Speed – Speed – Speedfreak: A Fast History of Amphetamine” was helped by his own youthful taste for what was laughingly called the devil’s dandruff. For the reading part of the fun, he will be accompanied by master guitarist Andy Colquhoun.
Attendees are encouraged to come up to the microphone and share their favorite stories and tales involving amphetamines: real, imagined, personal, anecdotal, second-hand, historical, nightmarish and/or cautionary. While no one involved in this event advocates the use of narcotics, we recognize their pervasiveness–at a time when an estimated 40% of Montana’s youth is on speed, for instance, it is blatantly apparent that a great number of adults have either taken speed or know someone who has. Prizes will be awarded for the most popular stories told!
“Speed – Speed – Speedfreak: A Fast History of Amphetamine” by Mick Farren – Die cut paperback, 175 pages 8.4 x 4.3 x 0.4 inches, published by Feral House, www.feralhouse.com, English, ISBN 13: 978-1932595826
Make no mistake about it: the art world, the traditional art world is over. – Douglas Rushkoff
ART-TOYS is a massive collection of Brian McCarty’s meticulously composed photographs that uniquely chronicle the Art-Toy movement. For six years, McCarty worked alongside a host of international artists, photographing their toy characters in actual locations ranging from the Grand Canyon to Times Square. The resulting photos are sometimes dark, often funny, and always hinting at a deeper story. The moments that McCarty manufactures in front of the camera feel real, as if he’s simply documenting the day-to-day lives of toys.
Each of the over 100 photographs stand alone on a page, allowing viewers an unfettered look at the world from McCarty’s toy-based perspective. An extensive behind the scenes section is included at the back of the book, providing a narrative glimpse at McCarty’s methods and the artists with whom he collaborates. Snapshots taken on set reveal the brilliantly simple techniques behind some of his most magical and iconic images.
Because the toys that McCarty photographs are simultaneously art objects and consumer goods, many of his images were created to serve both creative and commercial goals. As such, they provide a unique perspective on the art and commerce of the Designer Toy / Urban Vinyl movement. A number of books have explored the content of the Art-Toy movement before, but this is the only collection that captures the energy and the attitude of a new era in Pop Art from the perspective of a fellow artist.
Artists with toy work included: Alex Pardee, Amanda Visell, Andrew Bell, Ashley Wood, Attaboy, Bob Dob, Brandt Peters, Craig Anthony Perkins, Frank Kozik, FriendsWithYou, Gama-Go, Gary Baseman, Greg “Craola” Simkins, James Jarvis, Jeremy Fish, Jermaine Rogers, Joe Ledbetter, Kathie Olivas, Lili Chin, Luke Chueh, Mario “MARS-1” Martinez, Mark Mothersbaugh, Mark Nagata, Mark Ryden, Meredith Dittmar, Michelle Valigura, mr clement, Noferin, Patrick Ma, Ralph Cosentino, Roy Miles, Sam Flores, Santa Inoue, Sara Antoinette Martin, Sebastien Roux, Sergey Safonov, Scott Musgrove, Scott Tolleson, Simone Legno, Tim Biskup, Wilfrid Wood, Yoskay Yamamoto, and others.
The special, limited edition of ART-TOYS features an alternate cover free of text, packaged in a vinyl slipcase. Each book is individually numbered and signed by Brian McCarty and eighteen world-known artists whose work is showcased inside. Included are Attaboy, Gary Baseman, Tim Biskup, Hugh Brown, Luke Chueh, Lili Chin, Bob Dob, Frank Kozik, Joe Ledbetter, Patrick Ma, Mark Nagata, Craig Perkins, Mark Ryden, Greg “Craola” Simkins, Scott Tolleson, Michelle Valigura, Amanda Visell, and Yoskay Yamamoto. Mario “MARS-1″ Martinez and Sam Flores are also included in a rare number of “chase” books.
We have been living for too long in the wake of Walter Benjamin’s prescient but ultimately depressing essay, “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction.” He correctly demonstrated how photographs of art remove works from their original contexts – the media successfully diminishing a painting’s original “aura” of context and place. Now, and thanks to the Art-Toy movement, we may actually be entering an era when a work of art’s aura is not diminished but enhanced or even *created* by the media supporting it. – Douglas Rushkoff
Hard cover, 240 Pages, 10.5″ x 9″, Published by Baby Tattoo Books, Los Angeles
Brian McCarty
Brian McCarty (mccartyphotoworks.com, brianmccarty.com) is a Memphis-born photographer currently living and working in Los Angeles. McCarty studyed at the Parsons School of Design in New York City and the Benetton-supported creative research center Fabrica in Treviso, Italy. According to McCarty, “About the time I was supposed to grow up and stop playing with toys, they transitioned into subjects for my photography.” In the twenty years since, his toy photography has been exhibited internationally and seen via commissioned projects for clients such as Rockstar Games, Cartoon Network, MTV, and Kidrobot. In addition, McCarty spent nearly four years as in-house photographer at Mattel.
McCarty’s postmodern integration of concept and character has earned his photography a prominent position in the growing Urban Vinyl / Art-Toy movement. McCarty is featured in several books chronicling the artistic movement such as Vinyl Will Kill, Dot Dot Dash, and Toys: New Designs from the Art-Toy Revolution. McCarty’s work has earned notable praise from such places as Bizarre Magazine (July, 2010),L’Uomo Vogue (February, 2007), ABC World News(October 31st, 2006), FHM Germany (April, 2010), and XLR8R Magazine (January, 2009). In addition to his still photography work, McCarty recently co-created, produced, and art-directed an animated series based upon his photography that went into development for Nickelodeon.
Continuing to expand his work, Brian is currently developing a documentary film and photo essay on children’s experiences of war as expressed by principles of play and art therapy.
Picture Mechanics is an artist’s collective consisting of 30 of the world’s most innovative illustrative talents. Their work is published in major publications, on book covers, ad campaigns, merchandise, civic projects and is regularly exhibited internationally. Over the years, Picture Mechanics has created group shows, products, books, and a web portal, picturemechanics.com. KABOOM! Is a collection of new work from the group. This is their first show in Los Angeles.
http://www.picturemechanics.com/index.php
Works by:
Michael Bartalos
Cathie Bleck
Juliette Borda
Calef Brown
Marc Burckhardt
Richard Downs
Ann Field
Vivienne Flesher
Geoffrey Grahn
Amy Guip
Eddie Guy
John Hersey
Jody Hewgill
Anita Kunz
Greg Mably
Mark Matcho
Adam McCauley
Joel Nakamura
Christian Northeast
Dan Page
Edel Rodriguez
Ward Schumaker
Jeffrey Smith
Katherine Streeter
Gary Taxali
Mark Ulriksen
Sam Weber
Noah Woods
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It’s a LOVE weekend at two L.A.book stores next Friday, July 9 and Saturday, July 10 in honor of the debut of John Einarson’s book “Forever Changes,” which features Arthur Lee’s autobiographical notes released for the first time!
Friday July 9 at 7 p.m., STORIES Books * Cafe * Goods (1716 Sunset Boulevard, Echo Park) will feature a LOVE DJ night featuring mid-’60s L.A. scene discs spun by people who are huge fans of LOVE, including Lee Joseph, Tita Ortega, Ian Marshall, Kara Wright, Steve Stanley & Cheryl, Domenic Priore, Becky Ebenkamp, Renee Hendrie, Erik Bluhm, Kari French and surprise drop-ins. Every few songs, you’ll hear one by LOVE.
Saturday’s event at BOOK SOUP (5 p.m., 8818 Sunset Strip) promises to be a legendary moment in the history of the band as LOVE guitarist Johny Echols and drummer Michael Stuart-Ware will be joined by ’60s Elektra Records president Jac Holzman and other close associates of Arthur Lee in an interview-question and answer session featuring “Forever Changes” author John Einarson, moderated by Domenic Priore (author of “Riot on Sunset Strip: Rock ‘n’ Roll’s Last Stand in Hollywood,” foreword by Arthur Lee). Live acoustic music will be provided by members of Baby Lemonade, who spent the last bunch of years touring with Arthur around the globe.
Friday, July 9: Stories, 1716 Sunset Boulevard, 7 p.m. (213) 413-3733
Saturday, July 10: Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Strip, 5 p.m. (310) 659-3110
Damian Fulton “Surfploytation“ Robert Palacios “The Game of Life“
July 2 – Aug 1, 2010
Reception for the artists, Friday July 2, 2010, 8pm – 11pm
La Luz de Jesus – Gallery I (Gallery II will be having a six-artist show- and there will be a free Independence Day BBQ in the back!)
4633 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles CA 90027
323-666-7667
info@laluzdejesus.com
www.laluzdejesus.com
Damian Fulton is fascinated by the dichotomy and duality of Los Angeles seaside culture. The proximity of one of the world’s most diverse and congested cities to the Pacific coast provides fertile material for Fulton’s dark take on the California dream. Perhaps it’s in the water.
Surfploytation continues Fulton’s twisted ride down Pacific Coast Highway where Surf City is way more gritty than groovy. Car chases, girls with guns, noir nostalgia, a visual narrative that reads like conceptual art for a fictional surfploytation movie. For this show, experimentation with new materials native to his environment, balsa wood and fiberglass, skate decks, and surfboard fins, have this new work amped up to 11.
Fulton’s imaginative blend of storytelling, scrambled pop imagery, and painterly technique belie a respect for traditions of the past. Inject in his love of the ocean and urban experience and you have a distinctly original vision.
Fulton grew up land-locked in Orange County, California and painted his way through college at Cal State Fullerton doing custom art for vans, spontaneous wall murals at parties in the OC and self publishing Thrust, the Magazine of Narrative Sequential Art.
Out of college, Ocean Pacific hired him to paint surf posters and in 1982 commissioned him to create the official poster for the Op Pro Surf Contest. His counterculture comic strips like “The Shred Brothers” running in Surfer Publications’ Snowboarder and the original extreme sports classic “Radical Rick” which rode for 15 years in BMX Plus! Magazine. Fulton has had careers working for Oglivy and Mather Advertising, Marvel Comics and has directed television spots for Pepsi, Mattel and Universal Interactive.
In 2005 on the 50th birthday of Disneyland, Fulton was commission to paint several prints commemorating the event. Fulton currently resides in Los Angeles, CA. www.damianfulton.com
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Robert Palacios The Game of Life
“Game of Chance“
Drawing inspiration for his paintings from his childhood impressions and memories, life experiences and an American/ Latino heritage, Robert Palacios’ work is whimsical, playful and childlike with thoughtfully crafted characters. “Before beginning a painting, I sketch out my ideas. When the story is fully realized, I take those sketches and put them on canvas. At that point it’s a cerebral process; I’m thinking, concept-color-composition. When that part of my brain is satisfied, that’s when the mood comes into play and settles over me. Each painting is a vivid story of a world that I’m bringing to life. The viewer is introduced to a cast of characters and subplots often put into humorous situations that characterize as visual narratives of daily life, with a comical twist; the object being, to invite an interaction with the paintings” states Palacios
One of Palacios’ abiding inspirations is been a board game called that he played often as a child called “La Loteria” (the Mexican lottery game) which is played similarly to bingo but with a deck of cards. “The cards have numbers on them as well as wonderful, mystical, magical symbols and drawings. I still bring out that deck and peruse them for inspiration” states the artist who was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. www.robertpalacios.com
This Saturday, June 19 – The Bullet featuring The Dolly Rocker Movement, an Australian psychedelic garage band now based in LA with a new lineup consisting of members of Hot Hot Heat! Also DJs Soulshaker, Lee Joseph, Jason Pandora, Jackie Hoodoo, DJ Ladybug and Dr Ray laying down top Mod, Soul and Garage vinyl sounds! FREE b4 10pm! – Hollywood Studio Bar and Grill – 6122 W Sunset – Los Angeles, CA – plenty of free parking!
Rick Araluce, JAW Cooper, Jessica Dalva, Bonni Reid, Krystopher Sapp
June 4 – 27, 2010
Reception for the artists, June 4th 8 – 11 PM
La Luz de Jesus Gallery
4633 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles CA 90027
323-666-7667
info@laluzdejesus.com www.laluzdejesus.com
Rick Araluce “The Poetry of Unreason”
Rick Araluce makes miniature constructions. That means he makes everything himself by hand, including the boxes that contain the collections. He’s spent years inventing methods to fashion (from scratch) a turned table leg, door hardware, a light bulb, a clock case, elaborate trim moulding, and whatever else is required to complete the illusions. Rick has created flutes less than an eighth of an inch in length, functioning miniature clocks measuring less than a quarter inch in diameter, and light switches that illuminate rooms seventeen miniature floors beneath them. No detail is sacrificed by the diminutive scale -even if those flourishes go largely unnoticed by the casual observer; however is nothing casual about the art of Rick Araluce, who makes his return to La Luz de Jesus after more than a decade abroad.
JAW Cooper’s series “Tarnished” explores the allure of imperfection. “I’ve created a world inhabited by the deformed, tainted, injured, and alien, where external imperfections are echos of internal struggle, and beauty is undeniably in the eye of the beholder. Behind every flaw is a story waiting to be discovered,” states the artist. Cooper was born in England and grew up in Africa, Sweden, Ireland, various other locations throughout Europe, and California. She has always cultivated a deep curiosity for the natural world and is inspired by forms found in nature, curio cabinets, fashion photography, and nipples in general. Cooper currently lives and works as an illustrator and gallery artist in Los Angeles, California. The artist will be in attendance.
Jessica Dalva’s new series of sculptures and oil paintings is only her second featured exhibition at La Luz de Jesus, but marks one of the most anxiously awaited series of new work from an emerging artist in recent memory. The centerpiece of “Tie Strings Into Knots” is an eerie, hanging chandelier that instills a sense of wandering for home, while illuminating a lost sense of virtue. Sometimes a lamp is just a lamp. But this is not one of those times. Dalva’s marionettes and mobiles inject their surroundings with instant nostalgia via a modern craft-esthetic rooted deeply in antiquity. The artist will be in attendance.
“Gone West” was an expression used in the air force during wartime to describe a brother-in-arms who was shot down and killed in combat. When pilots gather, they often open meetings with a toast to those who have “gone west”. They face the west and drink to those who have died. West, in this case, refers to the place the sun sets and extinguishes; the metaphor is clear. This somehow softens the reality of death in a line of work rife with mortality. Bonni Reid has co-opted this expression ion titling her most recent body of paintings. Representing transformation, passage, and change, the title takes on an added, metaphysical tone, not unlike the Death card in a tarot deck. this exhibition features all new, never-before-seen work. Bonni Reid lives in the West End of Vancouver, British Columbia. When not brewing her own visual concoctions, she freelances as a color designer for animation productions including six seasons of Cartoon Network’s “Ed, Edd ‘n Eddy”.
Krystopher Sapp’s mixed media assemblage is a sculptural study in discarded ephemery. His workshop is a literal hereafter for broken toys, liberated fixtures, and kippered insects. Rich dioramas of recontextualized doodads transform into a steampunk nirvana of Victorian futurism, both resplendant and refined, but with a secret tinge of horror within each dark dimension. La Luz de Jesus is proud to welcome back Krystopher Sapp for his third featured exhibition, for which he’s dialed back volume but escalated detail to produce a collection of ambitious perfection. The artist will be in attendance.
Start summer off right with another all DJ Bullet dance party! Join Bullet DJs Arthur Allblack, Lee Joseph, Dan Electro, Jason Pandora,Jackie Hoodoo, Dr Ray and DJ Ladybug who will be laying down top Mod, Soul and Garage vinyl sounds all night!
Saturday, May 22, 2010 at 9:00pm
Hollywood Studio bar and grill
6122 W. Sunset
Los Angeles, CA
- Big dancefloor
- Booth seating
- Intelligent lighting fx
- 60s video projections
- Outside smoking/drinking area
- Food Service til 1030pm
- $5 Jack n Cokes / $3 Stellas before 10pm
- FREE PARKING
HELP SPREAD THE WORD! INVITE YOUR FRIENDS TO THIS EVENT! RSVP / INFO
Featuring Alan Wadzinski, Bibus, Brian Poor, Brooke Weston, Elizabeth McGrath, Enrique Gomez De Molina, Jeanie M, Jessica Joslin, Melissa Dixson, Mirmy Winn, Robert Marbury, Sarina Brewer
Liz McGrath “Flying Squirrel”
Opening Reception: Friday, May 7th, 8-11 pmLive Squirrel Masterclass & Chili Gamefeed: Saturday, May 8, 6pm – 9pm
La Luz de Jesus Gallery – 4633 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles CA 90027-323-666-7667
Rogue Taxidermy is the creation of oddities, using traditional taxidermy materials and techniques.
Guest curator Robert Marbury (along with his partners Scott Bibus and Sarina Brewer) coined the term in 2004, upon forming the Minnesota Association of Rogue Taxidermists. Road kill becomes a central part of their “recycled” philosophy, as are discarded livestock, destroyed nuisance animals, casualties of the pet trade and animals that have expired from natural causes. Other sculptures utilize taxidermy materials with custom stitching to fashion beasts from the recycled pelts of toy stuffed animals. Elements of technology and decoration combine to create ornaments that approach high art not only in craft, but in concept. Materials and even species are mixed, helping to broaden presumptive definitions; pieces in this exhibition span Steam Punk to Rococo – from playful to elegant.
On Saturday, May 8, there will be a Minnesota Association of Rogue TaxidermistsLive Taxidermy Masterclass & Chili Gamefeed Featuring Robert Marbury and special guests from 6pm – 9pm.
The Squirrel Masterclass/Gamefeed with be led by Scott Bibus, with help from Jeanie M. Following the Demo, Chef Winter Rosebudd will be serving up Squirrel Chili. A vegan “Mock-Squirrel” Chili will also be available. Beer sponsored by Schmaltz Brewing Company.
“Everything But the Kitschen Sync” 13th annual juried group show.
March 5 – March 28, 2010
Reception for the artists: Friday, March 5, 2010 8 pm – 11 pm
La Luz de Jesus Gallery
4633 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90027
323-666-7667 Fax: 323-663-0243
www.laluzdejesus.com
La Luz De Jesus Gallery proudly presents its 13th annual juried group show, “Everything But the Kitschen Sync“. This grandiose exhibition features work from what the gallery feels are some of the today’s most relevant artists. Commercial illustrators, tattooists, scenic painters, students, and animators have been invited to submit work of a more personal nature. The show includes artists previously exhibited at La Luz de Jesus and also features a large selection of work from a brand new batch of undiscovered talent culled from months of submissions to the gallery. “Everything But The Kitschen Sync” is a wonderful forum for the gallery and its fans to check out new and upcoming art trends and get the first glimpse of tomorrow’s stars. It is also an incredible opportunity for art collectors to peruse more than 150 pieces of juried artwork by over 100 artists all in one viewing, and obtain undiscovered art at a very affordable price. Many Kitschen Sych artists have gone on to be in La Luz group and solo shows and have launched their art career from this yearly show. Please join La Luz de Jesus Gallery in supporting the latest and most original efforts from the nation’s alternative art scene.
Participating artists:
Adam Strange
Adrian Dominic
Alan Kocharian
Alyson Souza
Amy Jeeye Lee
Amy Young
Andy Steele
Antonio Roybal
Apricot Mantle
Aya Masuda
Barry Fitzgerald
Ben A. Vierling
Bob Dob
Bonni Reid
Brad Parker
Brandon Morino
Brandon Steen
Brendan McCarthy
Brian Poor
Brienne Hranek
Bruce Gossett
Bryce Yoshito Takara
Caroline Hwang
Carl Lozado
Carlos Ramos
Cecilia Granata
Celene Petrulak
Chris Athens
Chris Roberts Antieau
Christopher Umana
Conrad Haberland
Cristina Paulos
Da Kim
Damara Kaminecki
Damian Fulton
Dani Manning
Daniel Lim
Dara Harvey
Dave Dziemian
David K. Rose
David Russell Talbott
Davidd Batalon
Delphia
Dennis Larkins
Dion Macellari
Domenick J. Calligaro
Eben Dodd
Edward Kunze
Eric Richardson
Eunbyul Kwak
Everett Davidson
Flip Hayes
Frijol Boy
George Peaslee
George Thomas
Glen Davies
Gloria Chiu
Heather Watts
Henry Stinson
Howard Hallis
Hsin-Han Su
Hyejoo Son
Jack Howe
Janet Kim
Jared Tharp
Jasmine Worth
JAW Cooper
J.D. Fiedler
Jennifer Jelenski
Jessica Dalva
Jessica Ward
John Stewart Berger
JoKa
Jon MacNair
Joseph Daniel Fiedler
Julia Romanenko
Junichi Tsuneoka
Katerina Perdue
Kathy Braceland
Krys Sapp
Kyle Henry
Lance Richlin
Laura Borchert
Laura Einowski
Lea Barozzi
Leslie Ditto
Liane Shih
Liz Brizzi
Liz Mamorsky
Lyle Motley
Mark Gleason
Martin Kanshige
Mary Fleener
Mary Syring
Matjames Metson
Max Grundy
Megan Majewski
Michael Brown
Michael Pukac
Michael Stansell
Michelle An
Mickey Edtinger
Mike Maas
Mike Sosnowski
Mikel Parton
Miles Thompson
Nathan Ota
Nicholas Harper
Nicole Bruckman
Norbert H. Kox
Olga T. Mosque
Partricia Anders
Patrick “Star27” Deignan
Patrick Fatica
Paul Barrow
Peter Adamyan
Pol Turgeon
Rachel Bensimon
Rachel Fujii
Raya Golden
Richard Frost
Robin Fuqua
Rodrigo Cifuentes
Ron Adkins
Ron Velasco
Ruel Pascual
Rusty Sherrill
Scott Holloway
Shark Toof
Sheri DeBow
Stephanie Henderson
Stephen Holman
Steve Bartlett
Sunny Gu
Tamara Guion-Yagy
Tammi Otis
Taylor Christensen
Tennessee Loveless
Thea Saks
Thomas Lynch III
Trevor Brown
Walter Hall
Winifred Johnson Brewer
Zachary Schoenbaum
Jennifer “J3″ Jelenski, ” Avalokiteshvara and Wrathful Companions” triptych: each panel 60 inches by 20 inches each base 10 1/4 inches by 25 inches, panels are acrylic on canvas, bases are Acrylic on wood
Heather Watts,” The Decision”, acrylic on velvet, 9″ by 12″
Leslie Ditto “The Wedding” oil on canvas 12” by 16” $750.00
