Went with some friends to Andrea Zittel's opening at Regen Projects last night. Really enjoy the worlds she straddles in her work and her compelling command of design that always seems to fall just on the right side of the non functional art object. The work is beautifully informed and inspired by nature, the power of craft and the gift of exchange. If you felt so compelled there was a series of black hand crocheted necklace like sculptures and tokens that could be exchanged for a personal object of equal value. I left a white Marc bangle, a friend left a red satin coin purse and my husband pondered leaving a check he had been given by Sean Avery for $2000.00 to pay for a tattoo, fortunately better judgment prevailed.


 

The LACE Re:Present Auction, as predicted brought some amazing art bargains. If you were in the market for an under priced Barry McGee, Edgar Arceneaux, James Welling or Jim Isermann, this was your lucky night. Some pieces went for almost half of their retail value. My personal favorite was the edition by Christopher Wool that read "If you don't like it you can get the fuck out of my house." Unfortunately, that was a crowd favorite and fetched a pretty penny. Ann Magnuson kicked off and closed the night with her notoriously original and at times ear piercing, yet refreshingly bizarre performance. All the art handlers sported iconic T's from Mason Martin Margelia, love that. Here are some shots of how it went down.




 

Every year LACE turns out an impressive collection of artworks ripe for the picking. I have scored big here, landing artworks that I have been coveting for far under their value. Shake a leg, because it all goes down tomorrow night.

LACE and the Re: PRESENT HONORARY HOST COMMITTEE

Amy Adler & Kate Nielsen, Edgar & Sascha Arceneaux, Barbara Bestor,Dorit Cypis, Alison Dickey & John C. Reilly, Sean & Arwen Duffy, Harry Gamboa Jr., Martin Kersels & Mary Collins, Josh Kun & Ceci Bastida, Suzanne Lacy, Paul & Karen McCarthy, Steve & Sari Roden, Malgorzata Romanska, Barbara T. Smith, Joe Sola & Erin Wright, and Susan Traylor & Jesse Dylan

 invite you to







Re: PRESENT ~ LACE ANNUAL BENEFIT ART AUCTION
Thursday, May 22, 2008
6522 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles CA  90028

A celebration of the moment
Representing three decades of excellence with a toast to the future!

It is with great pleasure that we invite you to join us for LACE's Annual Benefit Art Auction on Thursday, May 22, 2008 to celebrate our 30th anniversary. With Ann Magnuson as our MC, Re: PRESENT will feature both silent and live auctions and special entertainment to link LACE's historical foundations with the exciting new cultural production abounding in our city right now. This annual signature event offers patrons the opportunity to purchase 100+ original artworks by some of the most important established and emerging artists working today.

TICKET DETAILS
Presenters Circle ~ $1,000+general
Silver Circle ~ $500 duo/$250 solo
LACE Bundle ~ $500 (10 tickets in advance)
General ~$50 advance/$75 door

To purchase tickets: call 323.957.1777 or order online, www.welcometolace.org
Proxy bidding available

View artworks online www.welcometolace.org <http://www.welcometolace.org/>
Gallery preview: Wed - Sun 12 - 6pm, Fri 12 - 9pm through May 21
Featuring Ann Magnuson, Mistress of Ceremonies, with Kristian Hoffman, Alexander Rannie, Phranc and more special guest performers!

CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS
Vito Acconci, AK-Ami, Cathy Akers, Andy Alexander & Kathleen Johnson, Eleanor Antin, Kevin Appel, Edgar Arceneaux, Michel Auder, John Baldessari, Uta Barth, Alicia Beach, Justin Beal, Walead Beshty, Joe Biel, Sanford Biggers, David Brady, Matty Byloos, Jedediah Caesar, Jane Callister, Ian Campbell, Steve Canaday, Enrique Castrejon, Terry Chatkupt, Rebecca Clark, Jacqueline Cooper, John Copeland, Kimberlee Cordova, Sister Corita, Mario Correa, Alison Cortson, Emily Counts, Zoe Crosher, Alex Da Corte, Flavia Da Rin, Sue de Beer, Lucy I. Dodd, Tomory Dodge, Harry Dodge & Stanya Kahn, Mari Eastman, Bart Exposito, Fallen Fruit, Ed Fella, Samantha Fields, Chris Finley, Rob Fischer, Kim Fisher, Mark Flores, Robert Fontenot, Alison Frey, Francesca Gabbiani, Jeff Gambill, Aaron Garber-Maikovska, Paul Gellman, Luke Gilford & Tanner Cohen, Mark Hagen, Skylar Haskard, Nathan Hayden, Edgar Heap of Birds, Drew Heitzler, Richard Hoblock, Channa Horwitz, Darren Hostetter, Phung Huynh, Jim Isermann, Adam Janes, David Kitz, Branden Koch, Alice Könitz, Jeff Kopp, Fay Ku, Kulov, Eli Langer, Sherrie Levine, Mark Licari, Miranda Lichtenstein, Matt Lipps, Laura London, Nick Lowe, Brenton Maart, Martin Margiela, Keith Mayerson, Paul McCarthy, Barry McGee, Martin McMurray, Juanita Meneses, John Ryan Moore, Ivan Morley, Tabitha Morris, Aaron Morse, Amitis Motevalli, Dragan Mrdja, Carter Mull, Chris Natrop, Pat Ngoho, Robert Olsen, John McGuire Olsen, Mary O'Malley, Michelle O'Marah, Marjam Oskoui, Tony Payne, Synderela Peng & Vincent Ruiz-Abogado, Renée Petropoulos, Danica Phelps, Kelly Poe, Pruitt-Early, Yuval Pudik, Michael Rashkow, Richard Renaldi, Ry Rocklen, Steve Roden, Amanda Ross-Ho, Christopher Russell, Anna Sew Hoy, Peter Shire, Fran Siegel, Alex Slade, Joe Sola, Matthew Spiegelman, George Stoll, Kirsten Stoltman, Misato Suzuki, Ami Tallman, Mateo Tannat, Henry Taylor, Stephanie Taylor, Ultra-red, Linda Vallejo, Monique Van Genderen , Henry Vincent, Robert Walker, James Welling, Erica Lee Wheelock, Luke Whitlach, Margeaux Williamson, Brian Wills, Goody-B Wiseman, Eve Wood, Christopher Wool, Bruce Yonemoto, Carrie Yury, Bari Ziperstein, Andrea Zittel/Smock Shop, Marina Zurkow, Katie Salen & Nancy Nowacek)

I was up in northern California getting a dose of inspiration and took myself to the Headlands Center for the Arts in Sausalito. Breathtaking somehow doesn't really even cover it....dramatic, beautiful, sublime, dare I say even magical. Driving down a quiet one lane road flanked by rolling green hills and the mist of salt water, it occurs to you how transforming nature can be.

The Art Center is a series of historic army barracks that have been rehabilitated and renovated by architects and artists such as David Ireland, Bruce Tomb and Leonard Hunter. One of the highlights is the communal dining room in the basement that was designed by Ann Hamilton, if you call a couple days in advance you can participate in their family style dinner. Chef, Juliette Delventhal serves up rustic meals with organic and locally grown produce. Meals are a reasonable $20 per person....yum!

So, my talented and lovely friend Louise Bonnet has got a show opening tomorrow in Echo Park at SUBLIMINAL PROJECTS. Run by Shepard and Amanda Fairey, the Gallery focuses on new forms of graphic art, illustration, photography and time-based media and has hosted exhibitions by Ryan McGinness, HunterGatherer and David Ellis to name a few,

Louise hit it big with her incredible line of cosmetics Poole, recently she has switched back to her roots in graphic design, showing her work at Collete in Paris and Silho in LA.

Here is a sneak preview of one of the pieces in the show.

Check her out!!!

My love for homewares and pottery has led to my near obsession with Heath Ceramics, I have made many a pilgrimage to their factory outpost in Sausalito, California for their in-store factory discount of 30% (and sometimes more) on all their seconds and overruns, if you are doing over your bathroom or kitchen the deals on tile can be insane!!! Every piece in their line is made on site and many of the techniques they use, are the same ones Edith Heath developed over 50 years ago. The simple utilitarian beauty of their products has landed them in collections such as the MOMA in NYC. This coupled with their responsible and accountable small business values makes them an inspirational company on many levels. Mum is the word, but I even got a sneak peak of some of their upcoming new glazes for next season and let's just say, I put my order in already...

Clocking all this driving in LA is so utterly inactive, can't let my brain turn to mush too. That is why I love 89.3 KPCC, listening to news instead of reading the paper almost feels like cheating, it is such a pleasant way to absorb information. Got hooked on an interview with the sassy, outspoken Pamela Paul talking about her new book Parenting Inc.. If I waited to read it myself before blogging about it, well not such a promising prospect. Better to send the message forth and let you sort it out.

Anyway, the basic premise is right up my alley, Paul asks the question, do we really need to be buying all this shit for our kids? Not only that, she makes the argument that in doing so we are doing them an incredible disservice. So far I am fully on board. Okay now she asks, did you really need to buy the $800 stroller??? Well, honestly, I kinda did. She tried to shame me over the airways, but with some thought I concluded her disapproval was not half as bad as the shame I would have endured pushing around that hideous lack luster, un-stylish plastic Greco stroller from Babies R Us. Listen, I agree, all the plastic crap toys with bells and whistles coupled with all the mindless baby videos created to keep our babies occupied so we can have an extra half hour on our computers, well...shame on us. But, as to all the aesthetic, design and green advances made in the baby industry in the last couple of years, I say hallelujah!!

So, here is a little ditty that talks about my hood, Atwater Village. It was written my dear friend, Sarah Cohen. Originally written for a magazine (that shall remain nameless) that cut and shredded it down to a sound bite, I wanted to give it its proper do and help spread the good word about this charming little secret tucked away on the boarder of Glendale. When you are at home one night fighting with your friends or mate over were the hell to go for dinner. Pick your ass up, get in the car (again) or get on your bike (if you dare) and come check it out. The vibe is good, there is food within walking distance and the rents are still manageable, maybe I should have kept it to myself.....


Over the River
by Sarah Cohen


As an art advisor and independent curator I'm often drawn to neighborhoods in transition because I'm likely to find a burgeoning community of creatives looking for large, inexpensive spaces and seeking a close knit community to call home. And Atwater Village is a perfect example. Most often referred to as "Los Feliz Adjacent" and sandwiched between the grand mansions in the hills surrounding Griffith Park, Glendale's Brand Boulevard of Cars and close to the 5 and 2 Freeways, Atwater Village is one of the few remaining small Los Angeles neighborhoods with big time appeal. Take, for instance, the Beastie Boys who, always ahead of their time, had their studio in Atwater in the mid-90s. Back in 2001, the band Black Eye Peas auditioned Fergie at their studio on Glendale Boulevard.Their attraction to Atwater Village anticipated an influx of boutiques, restaurants, artist's studios, and families lured by wide tree-lined streets and two of LA's greatest assets, Griffith Park and the Los Angeles Zoo, around the corner.

Even though Atwater Village has seen tremendous growth during the booming housing market of the past several years, it has managed to retain its Pleasantville character. It boasts a Post Office with no lines (or attitudes), a public library, yoga, dance, and Pilates studios and has one other perk rarely found in other LA neighborhoods - free parking.  

Here are some of my highlights:

































Canele (pronounced can-eh-LAY) a restaurant opened by two former New York restaurateurs a little over a year ago put Atwater on the culinary map. Named for a small French pastry with a soft custard center and a dark, thick caramelized crust, which are offered a parting gift, Canelé has a hearty French bistro inspired menu featuring local and seasonal ingredients.  They don't take reservations but it's worth the wait. 3219 Glendale Blvd., www.canele-la.com, 323 666 7133

An offshoot of Silver Lake's Soy Café, Viet Noodle Bar is likely to become another local obsession.  The menu is small and the décor is simple but there's an air of true authenticity that permeates the food, service and experience. The food is healthy, simple and delicious. Cash only! 3133 ½ Glendale Blvd., 323 906 1575


























 Spring comes with verdant days and cool evenings that begin the months of outdoor living Los Angeles is famous for and whether your style is bohemian, urban or minimal, Potted is a one-stop shop for all your green garden needs. You'll find pots, vintage garden furniture, books, fountains, sculpture and my personal favorite, the Flattop Wok outdoor fireplace for cool LA nights. For the environmentally conscious Potted offers recycled wares so you can doll up your garden without sacrificing your style or beliefs. 3158 Los Feliz Blvd, www.pot-ted.com, 323 665 3801

WOOF, formerly located in the Burbank Towne Center, moved to Atwater when their previous landlord mandated a "no dogs allowed" policy and for a pet store that prides itself on being pet-friendly, that was simply unacceptable. The store is packed with every conceivable collar and leash for the teacup pup to the largest beasts. Gourmet dog snacks and food, sweaters, and of course costumes for every occasion and holiday, WOOF is a treasure trove for the hip pooch. And, as expected, the owners give back by working with local animal shelters to help lost pets find their way home. 3172 Glendale Blvd., www.woofdogboutique.com, 323-661-7722

Opened by a former set designer, Grain, one of the first and best-known stores to open in the neighborhood, specializes in mid-century modern furniture, contemporary sculpture and accessories.  Large wood organically shaped sculptures and outdoor furniture from the 50s and 60s dominate the space.  Small and well-edited, make it regular stop on your Atwater visit as inventory moves quickly. 3133 Glendale Blvd, 323 664 3130



















Named for the neighborhood in which the studio is located, Atwater Pottery founded by RISD graduate Adam Silverman, is the poster child for the Atwater's chic transformation. Hand thrown and fired with the most delicate glazes, such as the Volcanic glaze that resembles hardened lava, the forms are both brutal and refined.  Silverman's work is so refined that every piece is both an object and a sculpture. While Atwater Pottery can be found in local high end design stores such as OK on Third Street, Silverman has made the leap from Master Potter to influential contemporary artist showing at important international contemporary art galleries such as Tomio Koyama in Tokyo. 3609 Edenhurst, www.atwaterpottery.com, 323 666 3963

































Karen Kimmel has been a fixture in the worlds of art, design and fashion for years. Kimmel was first known in Los Angeles as one half of the couple that owned KBond from 1999-2003 (husband James Bond, her partner), a groundbreaking menswear store/art gallery/performance venue.  Primarily a fine artist and designer, Kimmel moved her studio to Atwater Village several years ago. Kimmel's practice is rooted in drawing and the use of stencils. Stencils, typically thought to guarantee precision and uniformity, as employed by Kimmel offer a starting point to explore the aesthetic and social boundaries of individual expression. Recent group exhibitions include Above Ground at Mary Goldman Gallery, Los Angeles and Wall Works 3 at Traywick Contemporary in Berkley, CA. Kimmel's work is currently on view in the group exhibition "Renaissance" at the Salvatore Ferragamo Gallery located in its flagship Madison Avenue store in New York. 3201 Casitas, www.karenkimmel.com, 323 459 5324

CalArts Graduate Geoff McFetridge's work moves seamlessly between visual art and graphic design.  While working in Atwater Village as art director for the Beastie Boy's Grand Royal Magazine in the mid to late 90's, McFetridge founded his own graphic design studio, Champion Graphics. Champion Graphics, located on Glendale Boulevard, focuses on innovative commercial design working with such style and fashion giants as MTV and The New York Times. Other commercial projects include designing billboards, logotypes and graphics for skateboards, toys, wallpaper, and even a shoe for Nike. His paintings and drawings provide the inspiration for his famed design work and he often exhibits both practices together pairing paintings and drawings with wallpaper and graphics. 3003 Glendale Blvd, www.championdontstop.com, 323 666 1897