Wednesday, September 7, 2011

An "Altered Space" in Venice

Altered Space Gallery, Venice, Ca

Altered Space Gallery had the most varied, eclectic and solid exhibits going on of all the galleries we visited along Abbot Kinney Blvd. It is a large space and they featured very creative jewelry, sculpture, cool cards, etc. - as well as artworks. Nice people working there and a nice feel to the place.

Keba Konte
Our first fantastic fave was (surprise!, a home boy from Oakland) - Keba Konte. He had a stunning display of photo emulsions transfered onto old, yellowed plywood and found boards. These were softly shadowed with velvet blackest-blacks,  vintage-feeling and beautiful. Loved the way the lightest parts of the photos just bled into the wood grains.

Keba Konte

Keba Konte, detail from above

Keba Konte

Keba Konte, detail shot

Keba Konte

Keba Konte

The next pieces were water based sculptures by Tanya Clarke. Fun and odd segments of water pipes and faucets, vintage meters and glistening glass pendants forming the water drips. Many of them would light up, she has a number of large interesting industrial light sculptures - "Liquid Light" on her website.

Tanya Clarke

Tanya Clarke

The final artist we loved was Michele Mikesell, whose works were concentrated in the rear area. Some creepy, some sullen, some pretty - all were fun little characters with loose and fleshy strokes and one intense  "stink eye" looking at you. Delightful.

Michele Mikesell

Michele Mikesell

Michele Mikesell

Michele Mikesell, detail from above

Michele Mikesell

Michele Mikesell

Michele Mikesell, detail from above