Redefine’s newest photographic contributor, Koury Angelo, had his first California solo show opening last night at the Loft 910 Gallery in the Santiago Art District. In a similar way to how the invention of the Polaroid changed the face of art photography, iPhone photography is now beginning to emerge as its own niche market; the ability of the iPhone to capture colors in a dramatic, yet grainy, way is unique.

Angelo’s statement on his solo show is as follows:

This photographic installation consists only of images I’ve taken using the iPhone as my camera. This new found freedom to explore and create has led me to some wonderful discoveries within the medium.

www.kouryangelo.com
www.santiagoartdistrict.com

Because m’girl, Swoon is in it.
And because artists are people, too. Sort of, not really.

Laemmle Music Hall 3
9036 Wilshire Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90211

www.ourcitydreams.com

Once upon a time, there lived a Redefine blog reader who had nothing to do.
Skipping rope and Freeze Tag were tasks far too complex for this reader to comprehend, much less attempt, for Reader’s ass was glued to a chair and Reader’s eyes glued to a screen.

“Oh, how I wish I could see the outside world,” Reader wept. “To do something other than sit and check my email is only but a dream…”

Suddenly, an alien-esque subject appeared before Reader’s eyes. Her hands, large and bold, were not at all threatening due to her eyes being closed in prayer. Or maybe her serenity was just a natural reflection of what surrounded her, dream-like sequences of untold places and colorful landscapes.

“Remove yourself from that chair, fair Reader,” she beckoned, “and visit Subliminal Projects next Saturday to see the new works of the ever-so talented Sam Flores. He will surely break this sorry curse you find yourself in every weekend.”

Reader Obeyed, realizing that this was where he was going to get his happily ever after.
And by jove, he is right.

www.samflores.com
www.subliminalprojects.com

On rare occasions, a gallery does such amazing things with its space that you kind of want to poop yourself with excitement. Gallery 1988, which has one branch in Los Angeles and one branch in San Francisco, makes me want to just that with their latest exhibits. They are doing such exciting things with their space that I kind of wish I was in California to be able to attend their openings more often. While tomorrow’s show will be about the current show at their SF location, this post will be about their current exhibit on display at the LA location, entitled Idiot Box. Prepare to be absolutely astounded by what these artists have managed to turn memories of your favorite childhood television stars into. Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Jem, Alf, Gumby, Ren & Stimpy, Urkel, and many, many more individuals are paid homage to, artistically, offensively, and ridiculously. Honestly, though, this group show is so amazing that this blog post CANNOT even come close to doing the show justice, so please rush over to the gallery’s blog about this show or to their website. Seriously.

Fan favorite Alex Pardee flexes his horror-art muscles yet again by turning Urkel from “Family Matters” into an infected (playful) beast in S.Urkel Jerk.

If all of the mishaps, misunderstandings, and formations of social circles from “Saved By The Bell” were present in this day and age, the playful high school television show might look a little something more like this bloody video game pixel mess. Raw as the idea for this piece is, Jude Buffum has managed to genius take on a classic television show.

Valued at $2,500, there’s a damn good reason this piece by Ewelina Ferruso has been sold. Waa, The Trash Heap Has Spoken is an oil on canvas exercise in patience. Brilliantly colored and masterfully textured, the piece is equally playful as it is technical, making it a solid tribute to “Fraggle Rock.”

“Schoolhouse Rock” has been parodied in many a television show, but it’s hasn’t been quite so present in the art world. Interplanet Janet Leaves The Boys Behind by Patrick Gannon features colored, cut paper marvelously arranged on wood.

Part of me thinks that Nickelodeon wouldn’t be too pleased at these plushies of Ren and Stimpy, but these 12″ tall plushies by Jen Rarey are just precious.

Believe it or not, there are 99 Seinfeld references in this piece by Kiersten Essenpreis. Ridiculous. The piece sold out quickly, as one might imagine, but prints will be available through Gallery 1988 soon. Keep your eyes peeled.

Although the real MacGuyver would have been equipped with some items more useless than duct tape and a Swiss army knife (such as a clothes hanger and some chewing gum), Wade Schin’s one-of-a-kind acrylic MacGuyver is a terrific creation. Kudos.

Lolcats meet Alf? Casey Weldon’s We Can Has A.L.F.? is horrific and awesome at the same time.

The sheer number of amazing pieces in Idiot Box is amazing and this post could honestly be three or four times longer, but I will close it out with Another Battle For My Affection by Roland Tamayo, which references Gumby, The Twilight Zone, Ninja Turtles, and many other lovable television shows.

Again, though, head over to Gallery 1988 now if you’re in the Los Angeles, or at the very least, scope out their blog and be prepared to be extremely amused by this remarkable group show, which is on view now until April 23rd and features one freaking hundred artists!!! (Although I’m sorry, for your sake, that you’ve probably by now missed the art opening, which was hosted by Dennis “Mr. Belding” Haskins, formerly of “Saved By The Bell”.)

www.nineteeneightyeight.com
idiotbox88.blogspot.com

“Raw, Imma give it to ya/ With no trivia/ Raw like cocaine straight from Bolivia.”
Cherri Wood should really consider bumping the Wu-Tang at her exhibition at Thinkspace in Santa Monica.
I’ll tell you why: because they both get it. They both get the fact that shxt doesn’t need to be polished to  be good. You could start off with a refined concept, carefully attempt to execute it, and finally realize that you don’t have the discipline to finish it clean. So you dirty it up. And if you’re Cherri (or the Ol’ Bastard), it definitely works in your favor.

Drop by the Thinkspace gallery if you feel what I’m getting at.
And for those of yous punks that have no idea what I’m talking about, take a looksee anyway. The gallery is also exhibiting some Brandi Milne freaky-ness in their main gallery. I’m telling you, Milne’s Run Rabbit Run show is straight up Nickelodeon after-hours business.

www.thinkspacegallery.com
cherri wood’s flickr setup
www.brandimilne.com

On April 9th, from 7:00pm to 10:00pm, the Carmichael Gallery is proud to present the first U.S. solo exhibition of UK street artist, Boxi. The show will feature spray paint on canvas and MDF, sculptures, limited edition prints, and site-specific installations.

The “Grey Area” refers to ambiguity and blurred truth in everyday life, so there’s no doubt that the exhibit’s black and white works will be rather somber. There is, however, some semblance of comfort one can glean from an image of two individuals embracing… even if they’re in Hazmat suits.

www.carmichaelgallery.com
www.boxi.eu.com

Floating Seattle / Los Angeles ragamuffin, Joseph McSween, aka 2H, now has his solo show on display at the Ronin Gallery in Los Angeles. 2H has come a long way stylistically and technically since his days of striking but simplistic black and white drawings. While his new works still feature beautiful women as the primary objects of his affection, they are more immediately engaging, with more photo-real drawings of women juxtaposed on contrasting backgrounds. The upgraded pricing of his pieces also speaks loads to how much 2H’s name and art have grown within the past year.

But enough about the large-scale, colorful painted pieces; let’s get to some limited edition 2H screenprints which might strike a little closer to home to us Seattlites who have seen his work grow through the years.

The black on white print is limited to 25 copies, on 90 lb paper. $40.
The silver on black print is limited to 10 copies, on 90 lb paper. $50.

www.myspace.com/2hatred
www.theroningallery.com

If you’ve nothing to do tonight, head on over RIGHT NOW to the Munky King to check out the DIY Pusher Show, which will be going on from 7:00pm to 11:00pm. For non-So-Cal-lites, the show will be online this evening.

The DIY Pusher Show is dedicated to different artists’ takes on Thomas Han’s “Pusher” vinyl toy. Check out a couple examples below.

Dave Pressler’s “The Death Of Whimsy.”

Nathan Spoor’s “Candy Push.”

Drive to Los Angeles now, or hop online tonight to see more Pushers!!

www.munkyking.com
www.thomashan.com
www.davepresslerart.com
www.nathanspoor.com