LA and Las Vegas!

16 April 2013

Another type of earthquake has hit LA and this wave comes in the abundance of emerging talent and genius. It was an incredible high to see all this in just a couple of days.

LA and Las Vegas!
Jeffrey Deitch and LA MOCA is an explosive combination - no wonder- he is revolutionizing the whole of the museum world and he is doing this by simply reflecting what is actually happening in LA and USA now in a strong way, giving the majority of the public what they really want - an interactive experience.I was struck hard by the permanent collection which Rothko’s and Jackson Pollock’s but as equally as strong was Urs Fisher retrospective. Jeffrey very much part of this great work – here a table full of sculptures attempting to create his image in clay to no avail.All these wonderful clay works produced by 1500 separate artists, it was quite a delicious grey feast for the eyes.
LA and Las Vegas!
Every corner there was something interesting going on, one of the colourful human candle sculptures placed carefully within this melting, metropolis of oozing figures.
LA and Las Vegas!
Jeffrey’s favourite the Magritte train emerging from its clay counterpart fireplace.
LA and Las Vegas!
My favourite the clay sculptures in one of the many sculpture gardens.
LA and Las Vegas!
Also this lovingly created head.
LA and Las Vegas!
I particularly liked the Urs Fisher wallpaper of Josh Smiths studio.
LA and Las Vegas!
Then it was the galleries and they were very impressive. Honor Fraser showing Kaz Oshiro’s work, paintings that actually are more sculptural than painterly.
LA and Las Vegas!
Later in the evening we bumped into him in a pop up restaurant I thought very cool called “Slow Bateau” where 20 guests were entertained together as one dinner party. They served some unusual food.
LA and Las Vegas!
Takashi Murakami at Blum and Poe - the sculptures were amazing. The most magnificent healthily breasted sculpture I have ever seen.
LA and Las Vegas!
Little Takashi with his dog.
LA and Las Vegas!
Big gold sculpture reaching to the sky with many little skulls buried in the eyes.
LA and Las Vegas!
Talking of shoes again… here are Friedrich Kunath’s monster shoes with a huge happy orange tucked in them for good fortune.
LA and Las Vegas!
Regen Projects new space is beautiful, I remember when we first visited in the mid-nineties her was space no bigger than a cupboard. It is wonderful to see galleries be as successful as much as their loyal artists. The Marilyn Minter show was striking.
LA and Las Vegas!
In the back room the mature sculpture Jennifer Pastor.
LA and Las Vegas!
Then it was a visit to the Made in Space at the Night Gallery where another successful curated show was on view. I like this work by John Seal called Orpheus singing to Pluto for Eurydice’s Release.
LA and Las Vegas!
We went to visit the astonishing Mark Bradford at work.
LA and Las Vegas!
He showed us his wonderful studio and his work for the up and coming show at White Cube also his commission for LAX.
LA and Las Vegas!
Regen Projects
LA and Las Vegas!
The highlight of our trip was our visit with Shaun Regen to Ryan Trecartin and Lizzie Fitch's studio where they had just finished filming their first leg of production. I felt like I had walked into the set of Big Brother UK reality show.
LA and Las Vegas!
Before visiting Sam Falls studio we dropped into Michael Benevento Gallery and saw his alluring videos.
LA and Las Vegas!
Then we headed straight to his studio where there was an abundance of magical works in every corner.
LA and Las Vegas!
Sam showing me his treasure trove.
LA and Las Vegas!
Then Las Vegas where down town is really happening. The show stopping Frank Gehry building down town housing the Lou Ruvo centre for Brain Health
LA and Las Vegas!
Fun outside the Plaza Downtown where Hangover and Casino were filmed.
LA and Las Vegas!
Everything goes in Down Town Las Vegas, Brain Health, Great Architecture and great music. Bono singing Frank Sinatra songs. Michael Caine, Quincy Jones, Whoopee Goldberg and Stevie Wonder.
LA and Las Vegas!
This is now the place to be creative and real, any ideas there are 34 million tourists and a city of two million culture hungry residents to try them out on! Followed by DJ Pauly D and DJ Aviccii all coming down town!
LA and Las Vegas!
Real Art starts to show its face, Artist Designer Jennifer Henry in her gallery making her dresses out of fabric.
LA and Las Vegas!
Amanda Harris opening her art gallery in downtown Las Vegas and there will be many to come.
LA and Las Vegas!
Talking about Shoes in Las Vegas they serve food in shoes.