Monday, May 17, 2010

Opening June 4: Karen Frimkess Wolff & Carlos Ulloa






june 4 – july 31, 2010


opening reception friday, june 4, 6-10pm

KAREN FRIMKESS WOLFF: Calm Ideas & Mortal Things

In our main space, Karen Frimkess Wolff offers new graphite and pencil drawings specifically made for Happy. Known primarily for her sculpture and installation work, this is a rare opportunity to experience the Los Angeles artist’s haunting works. Using pure white gesso on press board as her surface, Karen’s landscapes convey a complex visual vocabulary that combines flora and fauna and a treasury of objects that sometimes soar, sometimes lay perfectly still, but always possess deep meaning. A brilliant draftsman and master storyteller, Karen returns to the simple act of drawing with a sense of aplomb, a hand that is always present and the soul of a gentle soothsayer. Whimsical and unapologetic in her approach, Karen creates meditative encouragements to thoughtful reflection. According to the artist “I want to notice carefully, to be grateful for beauty, to balance nature, artifice and my human contrivance.” Karen lives and works in Los Angeles. She received her B.A. in Painting from UCLA and her M.A. in Art History from California State University, Northridge.

CARLOS ULLOA: Schrank

Carlos Ulloa invades Happy with a menagerie of his signature collage silhouettes. Schrank (German for closet) presents these fragmented, ghost-like hybrids as secrets, memories, nightmares, antagonists or good friends that imbed themselves in Happy’s project room. Some fade into the woodwork while others expose themselves, shamelessly reminding the viewer of the skeletons we keep in our own closets. By creating these works and then repositioning them in our space, Carlos gives himself the opportunity to come to terms with the art he has created; he is able to further manipulate and re-investigate the work and ultimately exploit the delicate balance between the artist and subject. Limited-edition impressions are available in the Schrank. Come in and see what’s in Carlos’ closet. Carlos lives and works in Los Angeles. He received his B.F.A. from Hartwick College, NY and his M.F.A. from Vermont College of Fine Arts, VT.

happy
4675 hollywood blvd.
los angeles, ca 90027
323 661 2200

hours: sun-fri 12-6pm, sat. 11-7pm, closed tuesdays

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Meet the Artist: Rochelle Botello




Artwork (or artist ) that changed your life and why?
In the mid-1990s I moved to LA and one of the first exhibitions I saw was work by Annette Messager at LACMA. I found her work to be beautiful, mysterious, odd, and disturbing. She created these amazing installations using knitted materials, fabric and photography. I was completely affected by her work. I just remember being under these strange forms hanging from the ceiling and just wanting to stay still. I still remember this experience so vividly. It was the first time I really thought about the possibilities of art making and definitely questioning the meaning of “art.”

When did you first know you wanted to be an artist? That is a funny question. As a child I liked to do two things: lie and pretend. I liked to think of myself as a storyteller, but I was mostly a liar. I would spend hours with my sister creating stories and then acting them out. My sister didn’t like playing “pretend” with me. I would tell her she wasn’t pretending right and make her do it over again. I still love telling stories...to straddle the lines between fiction and non-fiction. So much hasn’t really changed, except that now I call myself an “artist.”

What do you like about making art in Los Angeles? I like meeting other artists and discovering how they look at the world or understanding their artistic process. In LA there is a sense of “do- it- yourself” resilience that I just love. Galleries close and artists open up their homes and create other spaces to show work. Times are difficult but I also see artists supporting each other and creating a much stronger art community.

What do you dislike about making art in Los Angeles? I suppose it has to be the economic realities of having to work a day job and not spending more time in the studio. So it takes a real commitment…a commitment to the work, to keep working and to push the work in new directions.

Favorite Books, Films, Food?

Books: Writings by Agnes Martin (constantly re-reading), Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, The Accidental Masterpiece by Michael Kimmelman, Willful Creatures by Amiee Bender, Written on the Body by Jeanette Winterson.
films: The Red Balloon, Harold & Maude and The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant.
food: Nabeyaki Udon, Korean BBQ and Indian Food.

Favorite website? Pandora Radio.

Best art advice? Trust your artistic process and keep working.

Come and see Rochelle's world in our closet. Yesterday's Combover is on view until May 30!