Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
Art Efforts Noteworthy In 2008
By Julian Bermudez
Gazette Arts Writer
It’s 2009! And, even though there is a lot to look forward to throughout the year — new exhibitions, events and gallery openings — I think it’s really important to reflect on what 2008 was like for the visual arts in Long Beach.
From groundbreaking exhibitions to revolutionary partnerships, last year was an exciting time for museums, galleries, artists and the public.
The Long Beach Museum of Art, under the new leadership of Ron Nelson, mounted two major exhibitions, transforming the institution from a quaint “house of crafts” into a major player in the modern/contemporary art world. “About Face: Portraiture Now” examined traditional and cutting-edge examples of portrait-making, and included a plethora of local living artists. “Modernism and the Milton Wichner Collection” highlighted the museum’s collection of European and American modern art works.
At the University Art Museum at California State University, Long Beach, success kept seeping out from the walls. The marriage of art and technology led to stellar exhibitions such as “Tamper: Gestural Interface,” which allowed visitors to move virtual images through touch, and “art/tapes/22” featuring recently restored works by groundbreaking video artists. In addition, the Warhol Foundation gave 152 photographs in the form of a portfolio, featuring original Polaroid and silver gelatin prints produced by Andy Warhol.
Photography has now become an official collecting area for the Museum of Latin American Art. Due to an art donation from the Puerto Rican artist Carlos Betancourt in 2006, MoLAA’s photo-based art collection has grown to include more than 20 works of photo-based art. Celebrating this event, the museum presented “Photoshopping and More: MoLAA Collects Photo-Based Art,” which featured traditional photography, digital manipulated photographic images, videos and photo-installations.
Local galleries enjoyed their fair share of success, too.
2nd City Council Art & Performance Space continued to mount impressive exhibitions featuring works by local artists, as well as those from across the country. Long Beach Arts found a new home, now in the Bixby Knolls neighborhood.
Both DDR Projects and Alpha Cult acknowledged the importance of “street” art as more than a low-brow alternative. And, a happy surprise was finding Shelter Surf Shop and Gallery, where art and films relating to surf life is celebrated every day.
2008, however, also brought some devastating blows.
Due to the economic crisis, Gallery 33 East closed, despite the need for a high-end haven for local artists. Its last exhibition, “Transcending,” celebrated the works of artist/owner Michael Stearns.
The Comic Book Guys also closed, which is truly sad given the rise in popularity of comic art and graphic novels.
2009 poses many challenges and opportunities for the arts. Museums will partner to create historically significant exhibitions. Artists will continue to be instrumental in shaping our environment. Public support will be crucial in determining the fate of local institutions.
Having the opportunity to experience all these events first-hand is extremely priceless. From meeting and interviewing artists like Peter Zokosky, Sandow Birk and Bill Viola to discovering a fresh, new gallery or witnessing a museum transform itself. This is what Eye on Art is all about.
From groundbreaking exhibitions to revolutionary partnerships, last year was an exciting time for museums, galleries, artists and the public.
The Long Beach Museum of Art, under the new leadership of Ron Nelson, mounted two major exhibitions, transforming the institution from a quaint “house of crafts” into a major player in the modern/contemporary art world. “About Face: Portraiture Now” examined traditional and cutting-edge examples of portrait-making, and included a plethora of local living artists. “Modernism and the Milton Wichner Collection” highlighted the museum’s collection of European and American modern art works.
At the University Art Museum at California State University, Long Beach, success kept seeping out from the walls. The marriage of art and technology led to stellar exhibitions such as “Tamper: Gestural Interface,” which allowed visitors to move virtual images through touch, and “art/tapes/22” featuring recently restored works by groundbreaking video artists. In addition, the Warhol Foundation gave 152 photographs in the form of a portfolio, featuring original Polaroid and silver gelatin prints produced by Andy Warhol.
Photography has now become an official collecting area for the Museum of Latin American Art. Due to an art donation from the Puerto Rican artist Carlos Betancourt in 2006, MoLAA’s photo-based art collection has grown to include more than 20 works of photo-based art. Celebrating this event, the museum presented “Photoshopping and More: MoLAA Collects Photo-Based Art,” which featured traditional photography, digital manipulated photographic images, videos and photo-installations.
Local galleries enjoyed their fair share of success, too.
2nd City Council Art & Performance Space continued to mount impressive exhibitions featuring works by local artists, as well as those from across the country. Long Beach Arts found a new home, now in the Bixby Knolls neighborhood.
Both DDR Projects and Alpha Cult acknowledged the importance of “street” art as more than a low-brow alternative. And, a happy surprise was finding Shelter Surf Shop and Gallery, where art and films relating to surf life is celebrated every day.
2008, however, also brought some devastating blows.
Due to the economic crisis, Gallery 33 East closed, despite the need for a high-end haven for local artists. Its last exhibition, “Transcending,” celebrated the works of artist/owner Michael Stearns.
The Comic Book Guys also closed, which is truly sad given the rise in popularity of comic art and graphic novels.
2009 poses many challenges and opportunities for the arts. Museums will partner to create historically significant exhibitions. Artists will continue to be instrumental in shaping our environment. Public support will be crucial in determining the fate of local institutions.
Having the opportunity to experience all these events first-hand is extremely priceless. From meeting and interviewing artists like Peter Zokosky, Sandow Birk and Bill Viola to discovering a fresh, new gallery or witnessing a museum transform itself. This is what Eye on Art is all about.
