This past weekend I went to see Liza Lou’s groovy new show at L&M Arts in Venice. I have a touch of the OCD (if you must know) and her dense, time-intensive, slightly obsessive work really appealed to me. She works primarily with beads, creating pieces that reveal the imperfections inherent when making anything by hand with this many tiny parts. I particularly love the pieces where she explores and almost celebrates the flaws. Oh, and the spinning wheel is pretty insane, too…

In the East Gallery, you will find a 150-square feet of small, beaded sheaves of wheat. It took nine million beads to create this piece called Gather (one million), and the result is both enticing and overwhelming. I kept having the impulse to throw myself onto the sculpture because it creates the illusion off a soft, cushy field of wheat. I’m glad I didn’t for so many reasons (painful and copious impalement sitting at the top of the list)… In a third, smaller gallery, Lou’s drawings were on display and I really dug their intense detail: If you find yourself in the Venice area, I recommend a trip so you can get up close and personal. If that isn’t possible for you, check out her beautifully illustrated catalogue. Enjoy!