Monday, November 30, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Meet the Artist: Chelsea Dean
Artwork (or artist) that changed your life and why?
As an insanely neurotic drawer I was immediately attracted to Vija Celmins work. As it turned out, she had a retrospective at the Hammer Museum while I was working on what seemed to be the most challenging drawing of my life---a reflection in water. Standing in the presence of her effortless drawings made me short of breath. That day I gained a whole new respect for her artistic process and I was reminded that I wasn’t alone on my journey.
When did you first know you wanted to be an artist?
When I was very young! I have a picture hanging in my studio of me when I was 2½ years old painting outside in one of my father’s dress shirts. For me, it serves as a reminder that this is what I’m supposed to be doing.
What do you like about making art in Los Angeles?
I feel totally inspired by my friends and the spaces that surround me. Through my exploration of architecture here I’ve developed a taste for finding beauty in the decay. Lucky for me, there’s no shortage of that in this city.
What do you dislike about making art in Los Angeles?
The politics-- but you find that in any type of business.
Favorite book, film and food?
Shel Silverstein’s Where the Sidewalk Ends
'80s John Hughes movies
Vietnamese food
Favorite website?
Trust the process!!!
We trust you'll head over to Happy to see Vestiges of the Original Plan, on view until November 29.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Chelsea Dean Vestiges of the Original Plan
Now showing at HAPPY until November 28, 2009,
Chelsea Dean's Vestiges of the Original Plan
detail
detail
Chelsea Dean - Vestiges of the Original Plan
HAPPY is pleased to present “Vestiges of the Original Plan”, an exhibition of new work by Los Angeles artist Chelsea Dean. Dean offers drawings and photographic light boxes showcasing the mid-century modern architecture of Rudolph Schindler, Richard Neutra and John Lautner - three influential architects of the twentieth century whose most important work can be found in South California. Dean’s pristine drawings and photographs of selected Southern California structures honor and document these aging and, in some cases, deteriorating monuments. As the elements and years of neglect wreak havoc on these symbols of perfection, Dean comes to terms with her own artistic concerns by allowing the elements (rain, sun, pollution) to wreak havoc directly on her photographs. In addition, Dean’s painstakingly rendered drawings are further manipulated by the artist in an act of self-defiance that allows her to collect, re-create and ultimately let go. Dean’s celebration of these icons is cautionary and situates the artist as detective, conservator, historian, performer and martyr. “Vestiges of the Original Plan” is a memorial to passing perfection. Chelsea Dean was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona and has a BA in Studio Art from the University of Puget Sound and an MFA in Drawing from Claremont Graduate University.
And in Happy's Project Space
Donald Krieger - A Garland for Walt Whitman
Donald Krieger - A Garland for Walt Whitman
In our project room Donald Krieger produces a site-specific installation entitled “A Garland for Walt Whitman”. Using a series of quotes and images pertaining to and taken directly from the life and work of the celebrated American poet Walt Whitman, Krieger honors the writer with a garland that will emerge from Happy’s closet and travel the span of the showroom. Krieger collaborates with Whitman creating intimate keepsakes with striking imagery that is political, subversive, cryptic and whimsical. Krieger takes the essence of Whitman’s work and gives us a fusion of writer and artist, mentor and messenger. Donald Krieger is a painter, performance artist, curator, graphic designer and musician born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He received his BFA from UC Irvine and an MFA from the California Institute of the Arts. He lives and works in Los Feliz.
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