...Jake, it's Chinatown

I received this invite last week:

It turned out to be a guerilla exhibit in the middle of the sidewalk. I couldn't take any pictures so imagine a structure made of cardboard such as these:

...only a bit taller, much neater, and filled with art!

The box was a portable gallery. I don't have any images so try to visualize one of these sample images surrounded by wine sipping, cracker nibbling viewers drawing participants from the torturous film features from nearby "official" galleries. The culprits were an Art Center trio- Connie Wong, Saejean Oh, and Wendy Cogan-Toyoda. This spectacle succeeded in several ways. The subversive action of squatting on some prime gallery real estate has a long history and this event is notable for its timing and use of materials. Evenings other than opening nights on this side of tourist Chinatown are bleak, providing an opportunity to set up camp without having to fight for space with noshing opening lemmings. The quality of the work rivalled any of the upcoming artist galleries offer- precisely crafted, loaded images, honest and personal content.

This was an experience and a good one at that.

This display works as a dark echo of our gloomy economic situation. The conversations at openings these days are often filled with negative views on the future of art as a viable economic element but this cardboard venue is a positive response in that it truly celebrates the art for the entertainment and diversion that it evokes. It portends a possible way of exhibiting in case the recession collapse into a depression. There are the echos of NY happenings, Fluxus street events and Soho performance in this modest production.

I normally avoid installations and outdoor events. I probably would have thought against going Saturday night if it were not that I am a sucker for the art. The entire experience was a pleasant surprise- very honest and refreshing without seeming cute or quaint. Another event is in the works for another artburb in LA. I'll be there...and armed with cameras this time.