October 24, 2011

Nye + Brown

One of the coolest shows I have seen as part of the Pacific Standard Time juggernaut that has taken over the LA art scene this fall is “The Lords & the New Creatures” at the spanking new Nye + Brown gallery. Located in the heart of the heart of the popping Culver City Art District, this gallery has a great, industrial vibe with lots of natural light and open space. According to the press materials:

Artists featured in the show demonstrate what it meant (and still means) to willfully engage in the sometimes beautiful and terrible conditions of the late industrial age in L.A. Drawn from at least three generations, selections include work by the historic vanguard of West Coast finish-fetish, pop art and conceptual art, placed alongside contemporary art. Often made of industrial materials, concerned with matters of light, perception and the problem of being, much of the selected artwork utilizes the car as a central motif for inspiration, for critique and comment or straight up play.

It sounds heady, I know, but in reality, the pieces are quite beautiful and tactile and engaging. I highly recommend a visit before the show closes this Saturday, the 29th. Below are some of my faves to whet your appetite:

Peter Alexander, Alhambra 1991
Peter Alexander, Covina 1988
Peter Alexander, Diptych (8/15/11) 2011
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October 12, 2011

Vasa at the Getty

I just went to the Getty website to check out the hours for the Pacific Standard Time show and guess what I discovered they are selling? Vasa! Frequent readers of MollyLoot know what a passion I have for these slick, candy-colored sculptures and I will be certain to leave enough time after the show to scoop up a few for my very own.

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September 27, 2011

Richard Dorso Auction at LAMA

I got an email from my fellow blogger and interior designer, David John (of the fabulous you have been here sometime) letting me know he has curated a temporary exhibition space for LAMA’s upcoming auction. I was intrigued, natch, so I clicked on over to LAMA’s site and was totally wowed. I had no idea about this auction, Mr. John, so thanks for the hook up!

The collection being sold is that of Richard Dorso, a power player in the Los Angeles midcentury entertainment scene, and the sale is timed to coincide with Pacific Standard Time. While Mr. Dorso’s works don’t fall exactly within the confines of the PST range (1945-1980), LAMA has chosen to focus instead on “what a typical collector was interested in during this period”. I approve!

Check out this shot of the Dorso’s home from the catalogue. How I love a place just chockfull of art on every surface! It’s crazy and exhuberant and passionate to me.
I am looking forward to seeing Mr. John’s tableaux incorporating pieces from the sale. Here’s a little taste:
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September 13, 2011

Pacific Standard Time

Last week I attended a fascinating lecture at the Soho House about a massive art collaboration spearheaded by the Getty called Pacific Standard Time. The ambitious goal they set for themselves was to get as many Southern Californian galleries and art institutions as possible to dig in and really expore every major art movement that happened in Los Angeles between 1945-1980. It was a massive undertaking but as of October 1st, it is on! More than 60 SoCal arts and cultural establishments are participating and you had better believe that I will be checking out as many as possible.

A special treat for you design devotees is a rare opportunity to visit the iconic Eames Case Study House in Pacific Palisades:

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