Signal Hill Art Scene

"Aggregate" photo by Lisa Connell

The tiny City of Signal Hill has become a mecca for art.  The newest addition to the art scene in the city is Greenly Art Space where the good folks at this non-profit gallery are mounting an exciting new exhibition of two local artists--photographer Lisa Connell and mixed-media artist Kurt Hantzch.

And we are all invited to the opening reception this coming Saturday:

Saturday, May 19th, 7-9 pm


The Greenly Art Space
2698 Junipero Ave., Suite 113
Signal Hill, CA 90755 

"Eclexia" mixed-media by Kurt Hantzch 

Lisa Connel, an award-winning photographer, finds inspiration going back to the 1890s photographic work of her great grandfather.  In today's digital age, she artistically views and interprets her world through the lens and by "Massaging the pixels in a way that could compare to dark room developing."

The mixed-media artist Kurt Hantzch finds inspiration in the work of the renowned--some would say infamous--author and artist Henry Miller, who said "Paint as you like and die happy."

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We'll be reporting more on the  Signal Hill art scene in coming posts; there's so much going on in our little town of 11,000 residents, on the outskirts of L.A. 

To whet your appetite, let me give you a brief preview of what's in  the works here:  

   --  Beginning in the early 90s, the City has been steadily installing public art in connection with parks and other public and private spaces.  We want to take a closer look at those installations, perhaps interview a few people who can tell us how this came about, and something more about the artists, themselves.

   --  In addition to the Greenly Art Space mentioned above, there are other organizations in the city devoted to the promotion of art.  We want to get to know these organizations better: how they were organized, what are their missions, what are they accomplishing, who are their leaders, what is their art.  Among them are the Friends of Signal Hill Cultural Arts, led by Denise Damrow and Dramatic Results, led by Board of Directors President, Julie Mendell.

  --  Further, as libraries struggle to remain relevant in this digital age, many are re-defining themselves as "cultural centers."  We heard this during recent discussions to build a new library in Signal Hill.  The Signal Hill Library already promotes many cultural events.  We'd like to learn more.    

  --  Our interests do not stop at the city boundaries, nor are they limited to the visual arts. Not too far from our city limits--in the Los Altos district of Long Beach--can be found a used bookstore that has become a cultural and community center.  We want to get to know more about Gatsby Books, and its proprietors, Sean and Alisha Moor.

  --  And we will continue to share our interest in Active Arts of the Los Angeles Music Center, and in the arts, culture and heritage being promoted at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine.

  --  Finally, we are very interested in all the things we, as individuals, do to express our creativity--the jewelry we wear, the flowers we plant; and the little things we do to brighten up our lives--perhaps the plastic pink flamingo in the front yard, that weekly bouquet of flowers from Trader Joe's, or the wind chime that brings back pleasant memories of a distant summer vacation.

So stay tuned for more.  In the meantime, let's meet up at the Greenly Art Space on Saturday, the 19th.

           --  RCH

              

  

Can Art Change the World? Become Part of a Global Art Project to Create Community Join Me

The anonymous French street artist,"JR," won the 2011 Annual TED prize given to "exceptional individuals" devoted to changing the world.  He has discovered the "power of paper and glue," installing large-scale conceptual art projects worldwide to celebrate--for better or worse--social connectedness, or what has been dubbed "relational art."  In each of his projects the participation of local residents is central--not a means to an end. (See the YouTube video of JR's TED acceptance speech here.)

His images have graced the wall separating Jews and Palestinians, homes of Rio de Janeiro's oldest favela (seen in photo above) and the walls of Paris, New York, L.A. and Long Beach, among others.  They present images of human beings saying "Take notice.  I am here.  I am not a statistic. This is what I stand for."  And behind each image is a story to be revealed or to be imagined.

Now, as the remaining photos show, we can craft our own stories of our own communities.  JR has organized a worldwide art project called "Inside Out" where individuals and groups are encouraged to send in photos of individuals to be reproduced in large, black and white format, for displaying in public spaces.  You can click here to get a general pictorial idea of JR's "Inside Out" global art project, or go directly to his website to see how you can participate.

I am forming a group to participate in Inside Out.  So if you in any way relate to the community of Signal Hill, California and would like to participate, leave me a comment or send me an email expressing your interest.  I'm planning to have something up within the city by the end of February 2012.

I believe art can change our little corner of the world.

If you want to read more about JR and his art, look for the Nov 28 issue of The New Yorker magazine.

Also, here , one year later, is an update to JR's work, his "Inside Out" global project that is changing the world. 

      ----RCH

Community Art & Gift-Making for the Holidays

Finger Scarves, no knitting

required; yarn will be

available for purchase

or bring your own

The late musicologist Christopher Small (see earlier posts) spent most   of his 84 years trying to understand the meaning and significance of art.  In the process of writing three seminal books on the subject, he said, "All art is action--performance art, if you like--and its meaning lies not in created objects but in the acts of creating, displaying and perceiving."  Objects can be commodified and sold on a hungry and acquisitive market; but the more meaningful and personal processes of  art making cannot.

From the earliest cave drawings to the anarchy of today's street art, Small observes, "It is an activity--an urge-- in which human beings take part in order that they may come to understand their relationships--with one another and with the great pattern that connects."

The role of art, he explains, is to "Explore, affirm and celebrate the relationships of the living world that bring us together."

Nesting Orgami Boxes, for wrapping or as presents
Will use heavy scrap booking paper

This is made most clear during this approaching holiday season.  It is interesting that at least three of the world's major religions--Christianity, Judaism, and Buddhism--celebrate sacred events in the approaching months, and their art during these times reflects a great communion amongst ourselves and with the mysterious.

You have the opportunity to add this kind of meaning to your gift-giving by crafting your personalized holiday gifts for your loved ones.  While your hand-crafted gift may lack great market value, it is priceless in personal and communal value.

Two community arts organizations in Signal Hill are
holding holiday gift making workshops:

---  On December 3, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. the Greenly Art Space will be holding its "Handmade Christmas Gift Workshop," for all ages, at 2698 Junipero Ave, #113 in Signal Hill.  Click here for a flyer on the event, and for more information or to register call Kimberly Hocking 562-533-4020, or email her at kimhocking@aol.com.  Click here to learn more about The Greenly Art Space.

---  On December 11, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. the Friends of Signal Hill Cultural Arts will host its "Winter Art Workshop," for children ages 4 to 15, at the Discovery Well Park.   For more information you may call 562-989-7330 or go online to the City of Signal Hill Website .

Happy Holiday Creating!


--- RCH

Click on the labels "art" and "arts and culture" below for more posts on those topics.

Chuck Close Portraits---A Showing @ Blum & Poe in Culver City

An evening gallery hopping in Culver City with Jeff & Elena Endlich. The highlight was a visit with the "star of the show," Chuck Close, Jeff's uncle, who does these amazing portraits in oils and tapestry.  http://www.blumandpoe.com/exhibitionpages/close11/index.html

It's the cells and stitches that fascinate. Up close (pardon the pun), they are squiggles and bits of yarn. Back up and compelling character emerges. You'll see Paul Simon, Laurie Anderson and many self portraits of Close himself, among others.


Click here if you want to read a bit more about Chuck Close and his technique.

 ---RCH

9/11 "Cry," another artist's response to that tragic day

Annie Stromquist, Long Beach artist, produced a series of mixed media pieces on paper.

Here are two.  Go to her One Artist's Life blog for much more of her fine work.

9/11, one artist's response

Ten years ago, as we were trying to come to grips with the horrors of the World Trade Center attacks, artists throughout the world were coping with the tragedy.  Here is the response of Sacramento artist Maggie Jimenez.

A somber figure, hands thrust helplessly into the air.  And written on its torso:

"We have seen a sight we will not forget

There are ashes everywhere

The souls of lost lovers are everywhere

A flag is planted in rubble

There will be war somewhere

A land united in sorrow

There is sadness everywhere

SEPT 11   20001"

(RCH)

Beautiful Objects To Make Beautiful Music

John Monteleone,  "Grand Triport
Model,"  Archtop Guitar, 1999

The Metropolitan Museum of New York just wrapped up an exhibit that
thrilled guitarists and art lovers, alike.  To see this wonderful show, click on Guitar Heroes: Legendary Craftsmen from Italy to New York.


My nephew and niece just returned a few days ago from a visit to the East Coast and the Met, and brought me a copy of the exhibit's catalogue.  I'm enthralled.

We've all heard about Antonio Stradivari violins from Italy, known for their magical tone and sensual beauty.  Less known is the lineage of equally-talented, fine Italian-American acoustic archtop guitar makers--luthiers--from the New York area, that blossomed in the jazz age and continues today.

James D'Aquisto, "Blue Centura Deluxe"
Archtop Guitar, 1994

The acoustic archtop guitar, like the violin, is crafted by carving the top of the instrument, requiring more skill and craftsmanship from its builder than for the more common flattop guitar.  The edges of the top are thicker than the middle, achieving the resonance--with strength--required for a rich, balanced acoustic sound.


The iconic Gibson L-5 was the original archtop, built in the early 1920s, and provided a big, "punchy" sound for the rhythm sections of big jazz bands of the era.  Jazz guitarists like Charlie Christian and Eddy Lang made the instrument a mainstay of the jazz tradition.  It also sold at a higher price than flattops, giving the transplanted Italian luthiers an opportunity to apply their consummate skills, by first copying the L-5, then improving upon it.

John D'Agelico, "Excel"
Archtop Guitar, 1951

The Met show featured three master luthiers--John D'Angelico (1905-1964); his protege, James D'Aquisto (1935-1995) and John Monteleone (b. 1947)--who crafted these commissioned works of art for the likes of Pete Townshend, Grant Green, Chet Atkins, George Benson, Anthony Wilson, Mark Knopfler, Eric Clapton, guitarists for Frank Sinatra, Perry Como and Nat "King" Cole, and many more.


Click on this link to learn more, and to see and hear some of these beauties.

--RCH

Gibson K-5 Archtop Guitar, 1928