"Intersections"

Ok, big-ish show, I've been working on the elements of the installation piece for the last couple weeks. Above are some pics both of the work in-progress and installed. Below is the information for the show/statement etc. it's a really good one, I promise. Also I have plans for the elements of the installation after the show comes down, (TBA) kind of a public art thing. Hope to see you there.

"Intersections" @ Cypress College Art Gallery

Opening Reception: Wed, March 12th 6-8PM

Cypress College Art Gallery
9200 Valley View StreetCypress, CA 90630
714.484.7134

It has become obvious that many young painters have shifted their concerns from traditional discourses within painting toward discussions that extend the medium toward new trajectories. Recent art school graduates—along with many emerging artists—have gained inspiration from the graphic languages of the commercial world. The return to the handmade and the hand drawn within the commercial fields of graphic design and illustration, are a reaction to the prevailing influence of computer technology in those fields.

While there is no doubt the artists being surveyed in Intersections are artists who work within the support structure of the art world, the influences one can see from the world of the larger visual culture is nothing but evident. Intersections brings to light these dichotomies, attempting to provide a platform for discussions on this new intersection within painting/design.

Intersections will be held in the new Cypress College Art Gallery. The new CCAG is located in the heart of the Cypress College campus. Intersections will open on Wednesday, March 12th and run thru April 10th.

Artists taking part in “Intersections”:Anthony ClarksonJordan CraneL. Croskey
Ekundayo
Tim Evans
Brent Harada
Kiel JohnsonTimothy KarpinskiKenneth Lavallee
Melanie Moore
Mike Park
Chris Ryniak
Juan Thorpe
Stephen Tomkins
P. Williams
Cherri Wood

Co-curated by Thinkspace Gallery and Giant Robot
http://www.thinkspacegallery.com/
http://www.giantrobot.com/

Brand New Gallery

Ok, so I'm in this show which is the grand opening of the new ISM gallery. I have no idea how the whole thing is going to go down or what it's going to be like. It is after all, a new gallery. They do have a lot of artists lined up, some of which you may even recognize, others you have never heard of, and a great majority of which will eventually drop out of the art scene when they get knocked up or get jobs as designers and teachers, and become hobbyists and such. Get 'em while they're hot!

"Hello My Name is ISM"

Jan, 26th 7-10pm
Ism Gallery
540 E. Broadway
Long Beach, CA 90802
ismcommunity.org

The Billboards Are Back In Town

Ok, Metro Pop is out and on newsstands now. Check it out and keep your eyes peeled for yours truly. They picked a fantastic image and a great writer, I will leave the rest a surprise. Also, the Billboard has been resurrected and is on the corner of Sunset Blvd and Las Palmas which, from what I hear is across the street from the LA Weekly so perhaps there will be a bit more press for the thing... I can dream can't I? I will head up there in a couple days and take some pics and post them here to save you the trip though I have to say, you really need to see the thing in person to fully appreciate the scale. the map above is designed to guide you to the location, pirate style!

In association with the billboards making their return to prime viewing locations throughout the city, there is an opening at the Eco-Logical Art Gallery on Pico which in addition to a four by four foot piece of mine there will be a ton of awesome artwork all painted on recycled billboard vinyl for your viewing and pondering pleasure. I'll be there, stop by and get a free high-five!

"ReVisions”
Saturday, January 12, 2008, 6 pm-11 pmEco-LogicalART
4829 West Pico Blvd
LA, CA, 90019
310.525.0676
http://eco-logicalart.org/
press release

Without A Hitch (almost)

After a few days of crawling around on the ground under the installation piece which really sucked by the way, and putting tons of effort and time in to finishing the thing, here's what we ended up with. I think it was absolutely amazing and as far as the piece was conceived, worked perfectly. It was, as designed: an interactive shooting-gallery installation piece. The big "however" is that we weren’t able to make as many of the ducks respond to the infrared gun as we had hoped, and in the end it was a simple power issue as I understand it. I can't sing enough praises for the assistance, dedication and good cheer of one Mr. N. Cohen who’s technical and electrical savvy is really what made this thing come to life. Without him, (pictured above in the second image with matted wet hair owing to the crazy storm which decided to hit the night of the opening) this just would have been another collection of painted and sculptural elements stuck in a corner and called an installation. There is something to be said about outsourcing elements of an art piece to someone in who can do a much better job making the concept a reality than I could. Next step, assemble a crack team of underpaid, over skilled and over educated artists, technicians and engineers to assist in realizing the next big project.

I just wanted to mention here that I ran a Half Marathon (the OC Marathon) yesterday which was pretty awesome. My ego wishes it was the full marathon which I would totally brag about, but I only started training a couple months ago and that would have been totally unrealistic. I will be running a full marathon in San Diego this June so the training goes on. I also want to thank anyone who showed up to cheer and support a runner, it’s hard to explain but there is a huge emotional boost from someone on the sidelines throwing out positive energy. Perhaps it's like that in the rest of life as well where we could all help each other out by being encouraging, but we're just not as aware of our internal dialogue as when pushing our limits.

Other Updates/Shameless Promotion

Other things going on lately... I am supposed to be getting some ink in the next month or so, there is a little blurb and some pics in the new issue of Metropop. (I don't think it's out yet) My billboard which will rise again and go back up on some yet to be named location in LA around the 12th of January is featured in a spread about Peter Schulberg (the brains behind the operation) and Eco-Logical Art Gallery in BPM magazine. (see above) I also have a spread in the new issue of Faesthetic (sneak peek on their website) so keep your looking balls on the newsstands!

the other two pics are of an "installation" I did for the December show at the Hive. Ok, so while I'm happy with the way it turned out and how easy it was to throw together, it's not really an installation, more like some paintings on a wall with some related paint on said wall. I will be the first to come out and say that merely painting on a wall does not make an installation, used to be that such a thing was simply called painting. Nor for that matter does hanging, paintings in a particular manner against a wall or installing art into a space necessarily indicate an installation piece. There are a lot of cool things being made these days and while they may break the grid of the canvas or incorporate sculpture or mural like elements. I think it's little more than euphemism in calling these works "Installation pieces". I think we should revise the vocabulary to include terms for describing varying degrees of painting/installation/sculpture/paradigm shifting, or just drop the descriptors and euphemisms and just let it be art, and subsequently worry about whatever that may be.

Where Has The Time Gone?

Let's face it, I must be one of the worst bloggers out there. I'm not ashamed of it, that's just the way it is. I'd like to imagine that I required some time to recoup after a busy summer full of painting and who can remember what else. Though I have been doing little painting or making of things for that matter, I have been thoroughly busy so don't get on my case just yet.

I've been teaching graphic design and animation at the Orange County High School of the Arts, which is absolutely awesome! However what they don't tell you about teaching is there is a lot of time invested in lesson plans, curriculum, planning and general strategy. I also inherited a couple classes which despite having been taught at OCHSA for the last 20 years by various instructors, no preexisting projects, or lesson plans had apparently been handed down so I’ve had to invent the program from the ground up and am constantly making corrections and improvements if I can. Perhaps I'll post some student work up here at some point. As I've been feeling a bit more comfortable, I've had a bit of time to think about making my own stuff.

So here's what's been on my plate lately. I was invited to build an installation piece at Thinkspace for their National Bird Day show several months ago and after thinking about a few different options for a while, I decided upon creating an interactive installation, and so, for the last couple months now I've been building a shooting gallery. I've had to enlist the Help of one of my friends N. Cohen, with the electronic and mechanical aspect of the thing which I very likely don't have the skills patience, focus or whatever else is required to make things respond properly when a button is pushed. Mr. Cohen the genius he is arrived at a system of infrared sensors and light focused by parts of a dissected flashlight to trigger the motors. Tonight we convene at the space to finalize installation and to make it work. The show opens on Friday (tomorrow) and if everything goes well should be totally awesome! Here’s some info should you like to attend and shoot at ducks. (Prizes will be awarded) Oh yeah, the pics are progress pics of the installation and the crappy little mockup I built beforehand.

FIGHT FOR FLIGHT
Group Show with Installation by P. Williams January 4th 7-11pm

Thinkspace Art Gallery
4210 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90029
(323) 913-3375
http://www.sourharvest.com/thinkspace/

Do it Now: Live Green

I have a large 5 foot long painting in the "Live Green" show at Otis opening on August 25th. The scope of the exhibit is huge and the line up of events promises to be much more entertaining and interesting than your average art show. In order to avoid typing more I've pasted the press release below. Hope to see you there!

Do it Now: Live Green
Otis College of Art and Design
9045 Lincoln Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90045
310.665.6905
galleryinfo@otis.edu, www.otis.edu/benmaltzgallery
Visitor parking in structure on La Tijera

Do it Now: Live Green
Exhibition Dates: August 25 – October 20, 2007
Opening reception: Saturday, August 25, 4-7pm
Featuring live music by DJ Paul V. of Indie 103.1, special appearance by the Chico Bag Plastic Bag
Monster, and food and gifts courtesy of Whole Foods Market, Plaza El Segundo. Plus LA Biodesel
Brigade: Caravan to Otis. All are invited to bring their alternative fueled vehicles to Big Imagination
Group, 3603 Hayden Ave, Culver City 90232 on Saturday, August 25 at 3pm. Caravan to Otis where
vehicles have prime parking for viewing during opening reception.
Do It Now: Live Green opens at the Ben Maltz Gallery at Otis College of Art and Design August
25 and is on view through October 20, 2007 and focuses on the home, featuring products made
from renewable, recycled, and repurposed sources by individuals and companies who are
manufacturing and distributing their goods with environmental integrity in our community. The more
individual consumers making informed choices on how they spend their money, the sooner economic
structures can evolve from a “take what you can, don’t give anything back” model to one of cyclical
renewal and longevity. This exhibition is a celebration of changing consciousness and innovation
that is being implemented today, not tomorrow. Do It Now: Live Green is curated by Colette Brooks
of Big Imagination Group and Biobling, Meg Linton of Ben Maltz Gallery at Otis, and Yvette
Roman of Beyond the Lawn.
Participating artists, designers, architects and vendors: Arbor Sports, Babysoy, Big Imagination
Group, Big Shrimpy, Biobling, BoGo Light, Bring Your Own, Calfee Design, Cardboard Robot,
Caroma USA, Chico Bag, Dianna Cohen, Crate and Barrel, DJ Paul V, Eco-Me, Empire Solar
Solutions, epOxy green, epOxy box, Glad Rags, Global Inheritance, Green to Grow, H3
Environmental, Homeblown US, IKEA, Jill’s Paints, Landis Kaufman, Knoend Inc, LA Biodiesel Coop,
Levi Strauss, Linda Loudermilk, Little EV Radio, Living Green, Living Homes, Amanda Lovelee,
M Designs, Holly Mackay, Martin Guitar, Native Organic, Natural High, Otis Fashion Department:
Jessica Mead/ Fanny Adams and Heather Pfeiffer/ Camille French with Natalie Chanin, Patagonia,
Topher Paterno, Project 7ten, Ralph Pucci, ReCellular Inc, Yvette Roman and Beyond the Lawn,
Rubbersidewalks, Peter Schulberg, ECO-LA, SEA David Hertz Architects, SIGG, Skeuter, Sonic
Fabric/Alyce Santoro, Sustainable Solutions Inc, Ventura Printing, Voltaic Systems, Roger White,
Whole Foods Market Plaza El Segundo, ZIA Natural Skincare, and more. . .
Public Programs in Conjunction with the Exhibition:
Sunday, September 9, 2007, 10am
Green Tour I: Learning to Live Green
Tickets: $69, Lunch and transportation provided. To register, please call 310.665.6350. www.otis.edu/ce
Visit a private residence and learn how to grown an organic, drought resistant urban garden while
reducing water usage by 85%; tour Little EV Radio and see the popular ZAP Cars; explore
(more)
a functioning biodiesel fueling station; speak with the owners of epOxy box and epOxy green about
green building materials; tour a sustainable housing complex created by Mark Baez; and a green
home designed by Roger White.
Sunday, September 16, 2007, 4pm, Otis Forum
Conversation Zero Waste
A panel of experts discusses the challenges that face modern cities in reducing pollution and how we
can all live a life of zero waste. Panelists: Andrew Basmajian, Environmental Outreach Coordinator
for the City of Santa Monica, Kreigh Hampel, Recycling Coordinator for the City of Burbank, and
Keith Ropchock, Business Development Manager for WM Upstream; moderated by Colette Brooks
of Big Imagination Group and Biobling.
Thursday, September 20, 2007, 7:30pm, Otis Forum
Conversation: Greener Transportation
A lively discussion about the future of sustainable transportation and vehicle technology with
experts, Bill Reinert of Toyota and Reverend Gadget, founder of Left Coasts Electric, Inc.,
moderated by Colette Brooks.
Saturday, October 6, 2007, 10am
Green Tour II: How Green is it on the Other Side?
Tickets: $69, Lunch and transportation provided.
To register, please call 310.665.6350. www.otis.edu/ce
Join us as we tour a green home in Malibu and speak with the owners Colette Brooks and Eric
Cadora about living a sustainable lifestyle; stop by a client’s home of Architect Roger White;
explore a prefab residence in Venice designed by Living Homes; visit a beautiful residence created
by David Hertz of Syndesis, Inc.; and finally, speak with the owners of Living Green and see their
showroom of sustainable goods and building supplies.
Sunday, October 7, 4pm, 2007, Otis Forum
Screenings: Ecology, Art:21 – Art in the Twenty First Century
Artists Robert Adams, Mark Dion, Iñigo Manglano-Ovalle, and Ursula von Rydingsvard address the
impact of human activity on the natural world and question scientific authority and the impact of
technology on society. Art:21 – Art in the Twenty-First Century is a groundbreaking documentary
television series focusing exclusively on contemporary visual art by artists working in the United
States today.
Sunday, October 21, 4pm, 2007, Otis Forum
Lecture: Radical Simplicity: Jim Merkel
Jim Merkel is author of Radical Simplicity, and is the Sustainability Coordinator at Dartmouth
College, and founder/director of the Global Living Project (GLP) in Vermont. Merkel initiated the
GLP Summer Institute where teams of researchers attempted to live on an equitable portion of the
biosphere. www.radicalsimplicity.org
Location: Otis College of Art and Design, 9045 Lincoln Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045
Parking & Admission: Free. Visitor parking in structure on La Tijera
Hours: Tue-Sat, 10am-5pm / Thu, 10am-7pm. Closed Mondays and major holidays (Sept 1-3)
Information: 310.665.6905, galleryinfo@otis.edu, www.otis.edu/benmaltzgallery
Gallery Tours: 310.665.6909 to schedule tours for school, museum or other groups.