Faces + Traces

May 16, 2018

What’s in a face — what is it, really? Some holes, some circles, a bit of hair, a sprinkling of lines, some skin, some bone, some muscle.

What’s in a painting — what is it, really? Some globs, some slashes, a sprinkling of lines, some canvas, some color, some texture.

Trude Viken’s mesmerizing new works at Fortnight Institute effortlessly beg these questions with a combination of humor and horror. Her anonymous portraits are both clownish and skeletal, depicted as they are in textural whimsies of thickly applied pigment.

It’s as if she is pulling the abstract into the figurative, or vice versa, ever aware of the physical reality of the paint and its capabilities of rendering illusion — and, as a result, has created a ghostly limbo from which her characters grin out at us. They seem to laugh, or plea — their skin is made of pockmarked paint, but their emotions still resonate across the distance of Viken’s veil.

Text by John Martin Tilley
Images coutesty of Fortnight Institute

Faces and Traces will be on view through June 17th at Fortnight Institute.

Art

Wolfgang Tillmans: “Concrete Column”

November 17, 2021

Exploring curiosities that have made Wolfgang Tillmans a contemporary artistic genius, his latest exhibition re-cements his recognizable perspective connecting decades of work. Located at Regen Projects in Los Angeles, Tillmans presents his latest exhibit, "Concrete Column," a collection of work that focuses on changing states of matter and our relationship with the universe. Accompanied by his debut album "Moon in Earthlight," a meditation on the celestial phenomenon, Tillmans curates a show threading lifelong observations.

Identified as one of the most prominent image makers today, Tillmans continues to champion unparalleled insight into the world's vastness. Although the German photographer is often associated with capturing 90s party scenes and portraiture of the influential, his work does not exist on a single plane. Offering images that appear boundless, Tillmans successfully examines a chaotically changing world crystallized in his career.

Text by Michael Hall
Photos by Jesper D. Lund

"Concrete Column" continues Tillmans's lifelong practice of sharing moments hinging on the zeitgeist and his love of astronomical connections. The exhibit ranges from his early work of social interaction and worldly discoveries to recent images of concrete pouring, bridging his observation of the transmutation of states of matter. This pictorial survey is further exemplified with images of photochemical reactions and eclipses, among others.

Speaking to a room full of attentive eyes, Tillmans elaborates on his journey as an artist and the chapters connecting ideas and modes of creation. Asked about the parallels of moon cycles and the cycles of his career, the artist states, "I feel my work develops in evolution rather than revolution, and I'm grateful for that. That I never felt that I had to break this in order to move on. Usually, when I feel like, 'Oh wow, I'm onto something new,' I develop it further and then realize I was in that headspace ten years ago."

Marking his 8th show at Regen Projects, Tillmans utilizes the entire gallery embellishing every wall with work that stretches from his adolescent years of photographing eclipses to familiar scenes of dinner outings and intimate moments. Other images center architecture, landscapes, abstractions, and a revisited photo of San Francisco in the 90s. Having the ability to speak to the complexities of society and the natural world has been one of Tillmans's strengths, creating work that elicits tender sensibilities and occasional goosebumps. Located in the back of the gallery sits a listening room where viewers have the opportunity to not only listen to his debut album but watch visuals contextualizing each track.

Compiled of field recording, jam sessions, and studio productions, Tillmans assembled a debut album representing his artist range. Over three years, the multi-hyphenate has approached music in similar ways as his image-making. "I don't photograph in one way, and everything goes through the same levels of production. In my exhibitions, there's something that seems very fleeting, but maybe it was highly produced, and there's something that looks highly complicated, but it may have been just a fleeting moment and the varying degrees of staged and unstaged. All of that I actually really like and sound. This summer, I came back to bring those different elements together and mix them, not in a DJ kind of way, but connect them, weave them together," Tillman explains. Preparing for a monumental show at the Museum of Modern Art in New York beginning September 2022, the German artist continues to carve out his legacy.

Check out Wolfgang Tillmans's latest exhibition, "Concrete Column," at Regen Projects in Los Angeles, from November 6 through December 23, 3021.

Art

Rex Sees the Devil In Us All

Working out of his studio on the infamous Skid Row in Downtown Los Angeles, Rex spent time looking inwards to create this show. His famous character, born out of heartbreak and experiences in his real life, was the focal point of this exhibit. She took on new lives, personalities and even morphed into Donald Trump. Rex wants us to remember that there is a little bit of a devil in all of us and to never be afraid to let that dark side out from time to time. He also has an NFT that will become available for purchase in the coming weeks, so be sure to keep an eye out for that.

Check out office's exclusive interview with Rex below.

How did you get started making art? What did that look like for you?

It’s actually funny, it’s almost full circle that I have this animation here because I always thought I would end up working at Disney. My grandma would have me paint the VHS covers so I always thought I would work for them and, who knows maybe it could still happen, but that’s how I got started really making art.

This caricature is so amazing and central In your work, how did she come to be?

It’s, well, a lot of real life experiences with relationships and stuff kinda started it, but I feel like as I grew up with it its just more symbolic for this devil that’s in all of us. So that what I feel like she means now

You have the NFT in the front, how do you feel about making that transition into a more digital space with NFTs and everything?

I know people in the art world are pretty split. I’m for it. I am pro block chain, keep your shit, give the artists their rights back you know. You see pieces that sell for millions of dollars and the artists don’t get any of that. Now we can have royalties and even with a psychical piece you can attach a token to it and I’m linked to it for life.

What is next? Any more digital pieces, a new character?

I am actually dropping a toy in Taiwan next month. It’s my first toy, I’m bummed I won’t be able to make it to the show, but they’re amazing vinyl figurines so keep an eye out for that.

Art

Vans x MOCA

November 16, 2021

After Hours at the MOCA, Museum of Contemporary Art, Geffen building in Los Angeles, brought out the city’s art scene in celebration of Vans newest collection honoring three Southern Californian artists. Brenna Youngblood, Frances Stark, and Judy Baca were all tapped to take their recognizable work and collaborate on renditions of iconic skatewear from classic shoes to hoodies.

Vans continue to lead initiatives throughout California to connect with the community and uplift narratives often minimized or disregarded. While other brands have started becoming more conscious and vocal about issues, Vans stays under the radar focusing on ways to help and elevate culture. This collaboration with MOCA was a beautiful partnership where art is deeply appreciated and stories are heard. While attendees had the opportunity to check out the newest collection in person, the MOCA allowed guests to view their latest exhibit, "Pipilotti Rist: Big Heartedness, Be My Neighbor."

Text by Michael Hall
Photos courtesy of MOCA

After exploring the exhibit that included large video installations, interactive art pieces, and colorful sculptures, each guest gathered underneath sparkling lights in front of the museum. The night was a beautiful affair where Manuela Downtown Los Angeles served a decadent array of cuisine and mouthwatering dessert. Accompanying the dinner spread was an open bar where you could choose between crafted cocktails or beer and wine. Setting the atompshere of the outdoor event was a live DJ, showcasing the vibrance that makes up the Los Angeles area. Each selected artist centers limitless creativity connecting communities, themes, and stories that make California a rich landscape for authenticity to thrive.

While the night came and went, you can check out each artist and shop the colorful collection ranging between $35 and $140 at vans.com