My Pick of the Week is the Robert Berman Gallery’s latest exhibition Transformation

The Robert Berman Gallery presents Transformation, its 2nd exhibition participating in Pacific Standard Time. The opening reception runs from 5:00 pm till 7:00 pm.

See Thursday’s Santa Monica Daily Press for my latest article about this show. Also Friday, Santa Monica Mirror will feature an article about Paid to Play, another Robert Berman Gallery exhibition which just opened last month. 

Transformation features conceptual photography from Robert Heinecken (see image. left) and Victor Landweber (see image, right) and is the companion show to Paid to Play.


Transformation focuses on art that was created from untraditional sources. Commercial art, which was altered, hence transformed into thought-provoking visuals.

The Robert Berman Gallery always has fun openings. Paid to Play will also be open, so pop into both exhibitions.  See more info below.

SAVE the Date….Wednesday Oct 19^th…I will be playing at Dannys Venice (23 Windward) with singer/songwriter Geoffrey J. We will share the evening with some special guests….so mark your calendars.

Wednesday October 12^th

Catalina Bar & Grill presents Brooklyn born pianist, Manny Moka at 8:00 pm. Playing with this incredible musician will be an 8 piece back-up band consisting of 4 horns, congas, timbales, bass and drums. Yeah baby, mama likes!

  
 

Catalina Bar & Grill provides a warm and inviting environment for its guests, while enjoying a superb meal and live entertainment by internationally known jazz artists.

There is a $15.00 charge. Catalina Bar & Grill is located at 6725 Sunset Blvd., 90028; 323 466-2210 http://www.catalinajazzclub.com/

Last couple of weeks to enjoy Guitarology at Melody Bar & Grill (9132 S. Sepulveda Blvd., 90045) They have been featuring some fantastic players from 8:00 pm till 11:00 pm.

Mistah Stevie Gurr is hosting and special guests will include "Mister Telecaster" Rick Shea All good things have to come to an end. Get there early, reservations suggested. 310 670-1994.

 

 

Thursday October 13^th

Don’t forget the Downtown Art Walk is tonight…..it’s really a fun event, where many of the galleries open their doors.….so check out their website and wear some comfortable shoes….http://www.downtownartwalk.com/

In Venice, LA Louver located at 45 N. Venice, right by the beach is having an opening featuring artist Gajin Fujita (see image) as well as a  group show.

 

They usually offer white wine and some hard liquor as well. Opening: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. 310 822-4955; http://www.lalouver.com

Tonight the Other Venice Film Festival starts tonight and will continue through the weeknd. It will be held at Beyond Baroque and yes you do have to buy tickets….see the website.

 

The Other Venice Film Festival has picked Venice artist Attaway as this year’s Maverick Spotlight Award. Billy Attaway is an incredible artist.

The Maverick Spotlight Award is presented to a Maverick filmmaker, Artist & Community service person who resides in the coastal community of Venice Beach.

The Other Venice Film Festival will include screenings (of course), music and more. Sunday the final day is open to all, so if you are interested head on over. Beyond Baroque, 681 Venice Blvd. See website for Festival schedule http://othervenicefilmfestival.com/

Or in Culver City, SPF:a Gallery presents B e y o n d : Transpersonal Photographs featuring the work of Marc Franklin from 7:00 pm till 10:00 pm. You must RSVP for this one at Toguz.ince@spfa.com

  

Studio Pali Fekete architects [SPF:a] is located at 8609 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232 www.spfa.com

Friday October 14^th

Ok this one sounds way cool….it’s a drive by art opening. Stay in your car and enjoy the art while you drive. But wait does that mean there’s no wine???

Lembeck Studios, in partnership with Galeria Obscura present DRIVE BY. Featuring the night photography of Jim Lembeck with a road theme, this unique experience is the ultimate is So Cal Cool. Cars, Art and No Parking Necessary...

Drive By is curated by James Landers and Jim Lembeck. The exhibition takes place on Pembroke Lane, between S. Flower and Hope St. one block from Staples Center 515 W Pico Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90715. It will be open 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm. It is only a half block long, drive thru and enjoy the show from the comfort of your own, car, motorcycle or scooter. http://lembeckstudios.com/album/drive_by

Another event downtown tonight, happens at SCI-Arc Exhibitions aka Southern California Institute of Architecture at 960 E. Third St., 90013.

SCI-Arc features Anisotropy Anisotropie by Paris-based architecture firm Odile Decq Benoît Cornette. Enjoy a discussion at 7:00 pm with SCI-Arc Director Eric Owen Moss and Odile Decq who will discuss the installation. Reception to follow till 9:00 pm. http://www.sciarc.edu/exhibition.php

Also tonight in Downtown L.A., if you’ve got the cash and want to support a good cause, stop by Bank of America Building, for The L.A. Art Experience.

 This event features works from 75 contemporary artists, enjoy an ice bar (don't ask me what that means) and meet some of the stars from "So You Think You Can Dance."

Bank of America Building is located at 650 South Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90014. $150-$200...ooch. I need to find me a sugar Daddy See website http://www.DizzyFeetFoundation.org

Gallery 1988 Venice, which is actually a Santa Monica gallery located at 214 Pier Ave. right off Main St.,

Tonight enjoy the exhibition the exhibition, Old School Video Game art show. Event runs from 7:00 pm till 10:00 pm.

Saturday October 15^th

Now for the Pick of the Week, which is Transformation, the Robert Berman Gallery’s latest exhibition at Bergamot Station 2525 Michigan Ave., in Santa Monica.

Transformation features conceptual photography from Robert Heinecken and Victor Landweber and is the companion show to Paid to Play. Transformation focuses on art that was created from untraditional sources. Commercial art, which was altered, hence transformed into thought-provoking visuals.

Robert Heinecken (image, left) was one of the few early photographers to practice, Post-Modernist: appropriation, a commonly used art technique in today’s art scene. This provocative photographer was ahead of his time. Heinecken revolutionized the art world, creating unusual techniques that were once scoffed at, and now acknowledged and widely used as a proven art practice.

Victor Landweber (image, right) has also been an influential figure in the art world. Landweber is known for taking the ordinary, then placing it in the context of an unusual realm. He plays with a subtle touch of sexuality that is masked behind a blatant ambiguity. Landweber’s photographs capture what the viewer cannot see, forcing them to question what they are looking at and why.

Both of these men have used unconventional methods and transformed commercialism into art. They combined imagery and photography in a way that transformed the and had quite an impact on the world of art

The opening reception, (at D-5) runs from 5:00 pm till 7:00 pm. Paid to Play (at C-2) will also be open, so pop into both exhibitions.

Paid to Play is a wonderful exhibition which features artists who earned their living as illustrators. This was a genre looked down upon by many in the art field. Artists who were involved in such commercialism were considered to be “selling out” by many in the fine art world.

See image of the famous Millard Sheets mural (26th and Wilshire) which is part of the Paid to Play exhibition.

 

Paid to Play was the first of several exhibitions to appear at The Robert Berman Gallery as part of Pacific Standard Time. This unprecedented collaboration, initiated by the Getty, brings together more than sixty cultural institutions from across Southern California for six months beginning October 2011 to tell the story of the birth of the L.A. art scene. http://www.robertbermangallery.com/

Right next door, TAG Gallery (D-3) offers a group show. Opening receptions runs from 5:00 pm till 8:00 pm.  310.829.9556; http://www.taggallery.net

 

 

Fig (G-6) will also be having an opening reception for artist Sara Wylie Walsh from 5:00 pm till 7:00 pm. 310.829.0345; http://www.figgallery.com/

 

 

One more opening will be held at Rosamund Felsen Gallery (B-4) from 5:00 pm till 7:00 pm. Here, artist Gegam Kacherian will be on display. 310 828-8488; http://www.rosamundfelsen.com

Yes most of them end early at 7:00 pm, but the Robert Berman Gallery will usually go on a bit longer.

Then stop by Copro Gallery (T-5) which always runs a bit later.Tonight’s opening features a group exhibition, featuring artists Mark Garro, Dan Quintana and Chet Zar.

Event runs from 8:00 pm till 11:30 pm. 310 829-2156; http://www.copronason.com/

Also in Santa Monica

Santa Monica Art Studios kicks off their 7th Annual Open House starting tonight from 6:00 pm till 9:00 pm.

 

 

More than 35 painters, printmakers, photographers, sculptors and mixed media artists will open their studios for the event. Be sure to stop in ARENA 1 Gallery, as well which features the exhibit Unruly, curated by Lisa Little and Emily White.

The event includes live music tonight, refreshments, and a silent auction featuring small works from each studio artist. 310-397-7449; Santa Monica Art Studios, 3026 Airport Ave. 310-397-7449; http://www.santamonicaartstudios.com/

Or in Culver City…. There are a few going on….will have more listed for the weekend update….so check back.

The George Billis Gallery will be having an opening reception Alex Blas, Matt Condron and Danny Heller (see image).This one starts a bit earlier, 5:00 to 8:00 pm. George Billis Gallery LA at 2716 S. La Cienega Blvd, 90034. 310 838-3438;  www.georgebillis.com/ 

Western Project, located at 2762 S. La Cienega Blvd., will be having an artist reception for Carole Caroompas from 6:00 pm till 8:00 pm.310.838.060; http://www.western-project.com/

And at Scion the exhibition USE ME features designers Altar Native, Bea Valdes, Carl E Smith, Chad Wright, Eneri Abillar, Kevin Craford and more.

 

The reception runs 7:00 – 10:00 pm at Scion Installation L.A., 3521 Helms Ave. (at National), Culver City, CA 90232. RSVP is encouraged for the opening night reception at http://www.scionav.com/artshow

Sunday October 16^th

Topanga Canyon is a lovely place to spend a Sunday. Enjoy an opening reception at Topanga Canyon Gallery for artists Kate Browning & Rebecca Catterall from 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm.

Topanga Canyon Gallery is located at Pine Tree Circle 120 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Suite 109, Topanga, CA 90290; 310-455-7909; http://www.topangacanyongallery.com/

Santa Monica Art Studios continues their Annual Open House today from 1:00 -5:00 pm. More than 35 painters, printmakers, photographers, sculptors and mixed media artists will open their studios for the event. Be sure to stop in ARENA 1 Gallery, as well which features the exhibit Unruly, curated by Lisa Little and Emily White. Santa Monica Art Studios, 3026 Airport Ave. 310-397-7449; http://www.santamonicaartstudios.com/

Digital LA hosts Oktoberfest at Alpine Village. German Miss fraulines serve up frothy steins and sausage at long wooden tables, while the lederhosened oom-pa-pa brass band plays on stage so you dance the chicken dance and compete in the stein-holding competition. Get into the act and wear some costumes…relax, it’s optional, but come on… wear your lederhosen, suspenders, frock, etc

FREE admission, but not the booz & food….you gotta RSVP too…so get on it. http://bit.ly/nv1rjZ

More events this weekend....so check back on Friday for the Weekend Update!