Digging For Fire Tonight in Los Angeles

Craww

So wish I could go this show! It is all art inspired by the band - The Pixies, with a spectacular line-up of artists. Titled "Dig For Fire" it is a mixed media exhibition at Cave Gallery in Venice. The opening is from 6-9 PM, tonight, Sept. 9th, 2011.

Allison Sommers

Shaunna Peterson

Jennybird Alcantara

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

Art at Hal's Bar & Grill

We got hungry doing all the art hopping in Venice so we ducked into Hal's Bar & Grill for some munchies and libations. Incredible food and drinks and a few pieces of art knocked our socks off.

Took a  few photos (top and below) of this great 3 dimensional portrait by Mikel Alatza but they just don't begin to capture how arresting this work was. Apparently it is a portrait of Hal the owner.

A beautiful, large black & white photograph by Kwaku Alston also eluded a good shot, thanks to the glass frame. This soulful piece rocked - a reenactment and posed shot of blues great Robert Johnson. It captured a true vintage feeling with the roots of the musician in an elegant and authentic way.