SOME SHOWS WE THINK YOU SHOULD SEE

A smattering of Los Angeles galleries, with Andrew Berardini

Perhaps the art fair brought you to LA, or maybe you live here but are looking for a little international flavor from the coterie of foreign art dealers caravanning in art from far-flung lands. There is a certain, dynamic allure to any assembly, party, fair.

But in the end, nobody really loves an art fair. There's the art fairs in the Grand Palais in Paris, whose beautiful glass dome certainly takes the sting out, but as a rule a convention hall will only ever be a conventional hall: harsh overhead lighting built more for general purpose display of sundries from motorhomes to porn, the endless snaking aisles and the cubicled walls, the crush of crowds and the cruisey look of dealers ripe for a deal. Didn't we get into art to escape Kafkaesque commercialism and bland corporate conclaves?

Romantic yearnings aside, permanent galleries (both commercial and public) at least tend to show art a touch more considerately, in spaces that accrue memories and arranged with vision over time (or at least that's the hope).

Here's a handful of gems around the city we think are inspired, if you’re looking for a contemplative art space to escape the fair...

...Read more...

[sponsor]

CECI N'EST PAS

An interview with French artist Aude Pariset, by James Thompson

Aude Pariset isn't taking part in ALAC, and most likely none of her work will be on display at any stall throughout it. She does however have a show at Favourite Goods gallery supported by Ceci N'est Pas. As an integral part of programming around ALAC this programme shows how an art fair isn't simply a commercially driven sharkfest but can also be a powerful driver of internationalism and offer the opportunity for young artists to both show their work and broaden their experience. I asked her a few questions around the idea of cultural exchange.

If you met John Baldessari what would you like to ask him?

I would ask him what he means by "possessed" when he states "you have to be possessed but you can't will it."...

...Read more...

Los Angeles-based artist Ry Rocklen will have a big presence at ALAC this year. With work presented by both UNTITLED (New York) and Thomas Solomon Gallery (Los Angeles) as part of the Solo Projects section of the fair, on Saturday Rocklen will also be giving a presentation of Trophy Modern, the expansion of his seminal sculpture Second To None. Exactly one year ago, Ana Finel Honigman interviewed Rocklen about reviving cast-off objects, humor, and the LA art scene...

...Read more...