Time for the Weekend Update!!! Pick of the week is tonight, in Little Tokyo!

My PICK OF THE WEEK is tonight,

Kevin Break’s closing reception of  “The Bridges of DNTNLA” at 410 Boyd St from 7:30pm – 10:00 pm. Curated by Andie Villafañe, enjoy breathtaking photographs showcasing the distinct styles of the architectural structures that unite downtown with its neighboring districts.For years, Break has been documenting these monumental bridges that serve as a historical account of a young Los Angeles coming of age in the early 20th Century.

Located in Little Tokyo, it takes place in a wonderful restaurant 410 Boyd and it’s definitely worth the trip. Come early for their yummy happy hour (4pm-7:30pm), since the opening begins at 7:30, get there at 7:00 pm, and partake in a delicious meal. Then enjoy this fabulous exhibition. See Friday’s events for more info on the event and the artist.

A native Angeleno, Kevin Break picked up his first camera at age 15, and soon after immersed himself in film and video by assisting a wide range of photographers and directors.  Kevin produced a series of works that eventually led him to focus on the architectural design of the structure itself. The monumental bridges – as photographed by Break within their environment at distinct moments of the day – have been featured in select newspapers and other outlets that include the BBC, Friends of the LA River, City of LA Bureau of Engineering and The Los Angeles Conservancy.(213) 617-2491; http://www.410boyd.com/. http://www.kevinbreak.com/.

Before I continue with the rest of the week, I want to tell you about a wonderful new book of poetry that is available for purchase. So nice to see creative people achieve their dreams. Here is my review of the The New Now by Ava Bird. See ad on right of this website, it will take you directly to Ava Bird's website.


Poetry….some say it’s the highest of art forms….others consider it a bunch of nonsense. Whatever you believe, if it moves you, it has done its job.

Very much like an artist’s canvas, once the paint dries, the end result speaks to each person differently in a silent visual expression.

The book, The New Now is an exploration of the Feminine. This compelling, yet sensitive book of poetry and prose will not only shock you, but also tempt you to lament for the unspoken voice that rises up within you.

A true feminist, Ava Bird not only struts her feathers, but bears her red-feathered breast to all. While her prose consists of honesty flavored with cries of injustice, the language used is not for the faint of heart. Ava Bird’s targeted rants are obsessed with blatant Feminism, while allowing shadows of vulnerability (mixed with rage) to flicker throughout.

As you follow the path, you are carried off to the absurd, twisted with humor. At the same time, you witness tinges of sadness. Ava Bird scoffs at the man-made system set before us to follow. However, we are left smirking from her amusing observations of sexism and the decay of society.

Like an abstract painting, Ava Bird takes you to the extreme, yet surprises you with her quirky sense of humor. A wonderful piece of work, Ava Bird revels in her own femininity and encourages all women to do the same. It’s a beautiful book and definitely worth the read. Stimulate your senses and awaken your goddess!

For more info, or to purchase The “New Now”, go to http://ompoem.com/.


 

Friday May13^th

Back to the rest of the Week....If you are going to little Tokyo to my Pick of the Week, since you are so close, head to Chinatown, LeBasse Projects presents, LA based artist Nate Frizzell ‘To Become Myself’ from 7:00 pm till 10:00 pm. This exhibition will feature a series of works in charcoal on paper – the first time the artist has shown work in this form. LeBasse Projects Chinatown is located at 932 Chung King Rd. Los Angeles, CA 90012;  www.lebasseprojects.com.

The G2 Gallery (1503 Abbot Kinney) presents The Artists Behind the Photo: Eric Hanson and Greg Downing of xRez Studio. At tonight’s event will xRez Studio partners, Eric Hanson and Greg Downing discuss the use of emerging graphics technology to service conservation issues toward landscapes including their documentation of Yosemite Valley's granite walls in which 10,000 images were shot simultaneously over sixteen miles. Event begins at 7:30 pm. A $5 Admission at the door will directly support environmental charities. 310-452-2842; http://www.theg2gallery.com.

Cave Gallery (1108 Abbot Kinney Blvd.) celebrates their 3 year anniversary with a group show from 6:00 pm till 10:00 pm.

Hey if you are near Sherman Oaks or feel like taking a drive, Bruce Sanborn performs at The Complete Actor's Place at 9:00 pm. Doors Open at 8:30pm Now there is a $15 Cover but it includes ALL You Can Drink! Sounds great, but how the heck to do you get home from the valley….???? Great if you live close, but if you don’t pick a designated driver and the rest of you pay for his ticket and go crazy and get your money’s worth. Don’t forget to bring some pepto bizmo! The Complete Actor's Place is located at 13752 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91423. Reserve your Tickets & Table by Calling 818-990-2001; http://www.TheBruceSanbornBand.com.

Saturday, May 14th

LACMA Muse’s major annual event is happening from Noon till 8:00 pm. It attracts audiences of all ages to the museum for a day and night filled with exciting programs. Live music, dance performances, large-scale installations, and interactive art projects proliferate around LACMA’s campus in conjunction with a number of unique events in the neighboring galleries along the Miracle Mile. Check their website for a full listing.  http://bit.ly/lOgj4w.

OR if you prefer Santa Monica, Bergamot Station at 2525 Michigan Ave in Santa Monica. Several galleries will be having some openings and as always they are pretty early.

You’ll want to start at Craig Krull Gallery (B-3), for an early opening from 4:00 pm -6:00 pm for artists, Robert Weingarten (see image) and Richard Miller. 310.828.6410
http://www.craigkrullgallery.com.

The Rose Gallery presents the opening reception for artists, Nicola Dill and Rinko Kawauchi (see image) from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. 310.264.8440; http://www.rosegallery.net/.


Track 16 (C-1) features the exhibition, Overs and Unders: Paintings by Bob Neuwirth. Opening reception is from 6:00 pm till 9:00 pm. (310) 264-4678; http://track16.com/. 

From 8:00pm - 11:30 pm, gotta check out Copra Gallery, (T-5) Paul Frank is featured in a solo art exhibition "Characterrific".This will be Paul's largest show since he exhibited with Copro almost 10 years ago! This one ends later, well thank goodness for that. Should be a fun one. 310 829-2156   http://www.copronason.com/.

You may want to head back to Venice to Obsolete is a unique, eclectic store that hosts interesting and edgy openings. Located at 222 Main Street, they usually have very nice wine and sandwiches. The opening reception for Goran Djurovic will run from 6:00 pm till 9:00 pm. 310 399-0024; http://www.obsoleteinc.com/.


L&M Arts presents recent works by Barbara Kruger from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. This is the artist’s first exhibition in her hometown since her solo presentation at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles in 1999.

The East Gallery will feature the multi-channel video installation The Globe Shrinks, 2010. In the West Gallery, the artist will create a room “wrap” that visualizes and spacializes her idea around money, power and desire. On the exterior of the gallery, Kruger will also create a projection using two recent works, You Want it and In Violence. L&M Arts is located at 660 Venice Blvd. in Venice. Reception runs from 6:00 pm till 8:00 pm. 310-821-6400; http://www.lmgallery.com/.

Then in Santa Monica, you can stop in this one on the later side, deyermond art + books, 2801 Main Street is starting a new concert series….with performances by The Anti-Job, featuring Zanja Madre at 7:45; Von Folta at 9:00 pm. They always put on a fun party here, with free booz. (310) 450-4400; www.deyermondbooks.com.

 Now there is also some openings in Culver City,

Mihai Nicodim Gallery presents Zsolt Bodoni’s solo exhibition starting at 6:00 pm, goes till 8:00 pm. Mihai Nicodim Gallery is located at 3143 S. La Cienega Blvd. Unit B, entrance is on Blackwelder. http://nicodimgallery.com/.

 

Artist Heather Cook (see image) is celebrated at David Kordansky Gallery, 3143 S. La Cienega Blvd., Unit A) from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. 310-558-3030 ; http://davidkordanskygallery.com/.

Then stop in to see the work of Vincent Ramos, Diego J. Garza as well as a group show at Las Cienegas Projects (2045 S La Cienega Blvd.) 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm. 213.595.8017; http://lascienegasprojects.org.

Sunday May 15^th,

Bleicher/Golightly Gallery (1431 Ocean Ave in SM) celebrates the closing exhibition Summum Bonum by artist Leora Lutz.. Emphasized by her use of text, paint, and thread, Lutz creates an exceptional visual language which explores the human experience. Deriving inspiration from Plato’s Timeaus, Lutz explores human treatment of emotion through her own visual vocabulary. The opening reception runs from 4:00 pm till 7:00 pm 310 878-2784; http://bgartdealings.com.