I recently had the pleasure of attending art week, the Los Angeles equivalent to New York Fashion Week. Many warehouses and hotels across the city have been transformed into mini-galleries, and art collectors are out in full force. Bask in the artwork, outfits, people, and galleries as we step into SPRING/BREAK together.
This is the third consecutive year I've attended the show, and yet every year I manage to find something new to love about it. SPRING/BREAK, originally started in New York by Ambre Kelly and Andrew Gori, highlights up-and-coming artists whose works are priced low. For collectors, the show is an opportunity to find new works and artists to support before they become "mainstream." As you enter the space, a converted warehouse in Culver City's arts district, you encounter a floor-to-ceiling tapestry and a palm tree made from tufted yarn (pictured right). These pieces, called Tuftworks, are made by Norwegian mixed-media artist Nina K. Ekman.
One of my favorite exhibits at the show was Hicham Oudghiri's interactive "Welcome to the Oracle.'' Oudghiri, a software designer, used AI to
create a program that reads your email header lines and offers up a personalized tarot reading. Situated within a tent of sumptuous fabrics and wafting incense, the program mimics that of visiting a psychic. However, rather than a misty voice reading your fortune, you are met by an AI-generated one, similar to that of the iPhone's Siri.
In addition to this unique experience, I was also captivated by the booth, Who is Loren Eiseley, curated by Jack Henry, featuring works from Michael Handley. I briefly spoke to the Philadelphia-based artist about his works, the majority of which entitled "Untitled" (pictured left). While it is somewhat difficult to tell in the image, all of Handley's works feature a grainy, almost sand-like texture. According to the artist, his works are made from color pigment, wildfire ash, and wildfire retardant, which is the substance firefighters use to slow the fires that ravage the LA hillsides during the fall. His works reflect this motif of fire through their orange and red tones and the illusion they create of paper being melted and burned away by flames.
Although the show will be closed at the time of publishing, I highly recommend that readers visit SPRING/BREAK's website to view the impressive works featured and consider attending next year. While much of Los Angeles' art world may feel intimidating and inaccessible, SPRING/BREAK serves as a wonderful first foray into the world of fine art collecting.
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