L.A. ART SHOW: BOURGEOIS AT ITS BEST
The annual show brings in celebrities with a dash of culture
BY CARLY CYLINDER
The opening, basking in the hyped-up splendor that is Hollywood semblance-- the “hype” is according to their promotional material via website and fliers, was just, well, mediocre. Andrew (photog extraordinaire) and I pulled up to the dirt parking lot outside of the Barker Hangar at the south side of the Santa Monica Airport, and were immediately hit by a wave of that distinct In-and-Out smell of heaven in a cardboard box (only to my dismay on the way out to find- after three strong tequila mixed drinks- that the truck was gone). A red carpet was set out with Getty Image photographers snapping away at seemingly nobody, and p.r. assistants checking away names at the front tables.
The entrance was lined with ornate mirrors and once inside, the hangar was transformed into a classy antique show a la a very expensive antique mall. Rows of “vendors” (upscale antique, furniture, art, and objects shop owners) were divided into sections, with onlookers’ noses at a two-o’clock hour observing the precious rarities.
Now imagine that feeling of being high/disoriented/amused (purely due to the atmosphere, I swear) and stumbling across the following: little black racist figurines you know a child used to play with, a clay “pin” by Dali made in a barter for an unpaid hotel stay, an erotic snuff box with a tiny picture painted inside of a naked man in only knee-highs doing his lady from the behind, and a sculpture made solely from wire and dolls eyeballs. Couple that with debutantes, b-list celebs including Nick Lachey and Nicky Hilton, flamboyant men, ladies bordering anorexic-chic, and hipster types. We small talk with Galen Lowe of Seattle, who tells us that the giant reflector mirror comes from a ship, which he placed on a custom-made stand. Then, my lovely date proceeds to spill his drink all over him, to which I throw my wool jacket in his face and say, “Here wipe it off!” He gave that aristocratic half-smile/digested look and refused my offer.
The vendors come from around the world to show their pieces, and many local stores are featured, mostly located on the west side and Melrose Ave. I noticed the same sellers from the L.A. Modernism show held at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in the spring. The selection is typical of a mid-century show; model-home appearances for furniture, and glass cases stuffed with precious gems, costume jewelry, pins, and vases.
For entertainment value more than the selection, this show is one where, although you could put a down-payment on a house or buy a crystal bunny rabbit, at least for one night you can act like money is dispensable, especially when it comes to that must-have snuff horn that everyone seemed to be selling. A word of advice, when instead of buying the antique table you try to buy the old man behind it, don’t ask if he is signed or numbered.
Los Angeles Art Show: LA Convention Center; January 27-31, 2010. http://www.laartshow.com/
The annual show brings in celebrities with a dash of culture
BY CARLY CYLINDER
The opening, basking in the hyped-up splendor that is Hollywood semblance-- the “hype” is according to their promotional material via website and fliers, was just, well, mediocre. Andrew (photog extraordinaire) and I pulled up to the dirt parking lot outside of the Barker Hangar at the south side of the Santa Monica Airport, and were immediately hit by a wave of that distinct In-and-Out smell of heaven in a cardboard box (only to my dismay on the way out to find- after three strong tequila mixed drinks- that the truck was gone). A red carpet was set out with Getty Image photographers snapping away at seemingly nobody, and p.r. assistants checking away names at the front tables.
The entrance was lined with ornate mirrors and once inside, the hangar was transformed into a classy antique show a la a very expensive antique mall. Rows of “vendors” (upscale antique, furniture, art, and objects shop owners) were divided into sections, with onlookers’ noses at a two-o’clock hour observing the precious rarities.
Now imagine that feeling of being high/disoriented/amused (purely due to the atmosphere, I swear) and stumbling across the following: little black racist figurines you know a child used to play with, a clay “pin” by Dali made in a barter for an unpaid hotel stay, an erotic snuff box with a tiny picture painted inside of a naked man in only knee-highs doing his lady from the behind, and a sculpture made solely from wire and dolls eyeballs. Couple that with debutantes, b-list celebs including Nick Lachey and Nicky Hilton, flamboyant men, ladies bordering anorexic-chic, and hipster types. We small talk with Galen Lowe of Seattle, who tells us that the giant reflector mirror comes from a ship, which he placed on a custom-made stand. Then, my lovely date proceeds to spill his drink all over him, to which I throw my wool jacket in his face and say, “Here wipe it off!” He gave that aristocratic half-smile/digested look and refused my offer.
The vendors come from around the world to show their pieces, and many local stores are featured, mostly located on the west side and Melrose Ave. I noticed the same sellers from the L.A. Modernism show held at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in the spring. The selection is typical of a mid-century show; model-home appearances for furniture, and glass cases stuffed with precious gems, costume jewelry, pins, and vases.
For entertainment value more than the selection, this show is one where, although you could put a down-payment on a house or buy a crystal bunny rabbit, at least for one night you can act like money is dispensable, especially when it comes to that must-have snuff horn that everyone seemed to be selling. A word of advice, when instead of buying the antique table you try to buy the old man behind it, don’t ask if he is signed or numbered.
Los Angeles Art Show: LA Convention Center; January 27-31, 2010. http://www.laartshow.com/