finearttrekkinInglewood

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Pieceable Kingdom Opens at Beacon Arts in Inglewood, California Feb 5, 2011. Photo Journal by Ginger Van Hook

Artist Devin Troy Strother, Beacon Arts Gallery Director Renée Fox
and Scott Lane of the Scott Lane Organization and Beacon Arts Building
attend the opening of Pieceable Kingdom Curated by David Pagel.
Photo by Ginger Van Hook©2011

Beacon Arts Gallery Director Renée Fox and Curator David Pagel
attend the opening reception of PEACEABLE KINGDOM for the
"Critics as Curators Series" at Beacon Arts Building Gallery in Inglewood, California
Photo by Ginger Van Hook©2011

Beacon Arts continues its Critics-as-Curators series with Pieceable Kingdom curated by art critic David Pagel, opening Saturday, February 5, 2010. The exhibition features works in a range of media by seven artists – Erin Cosgrove, Asad Faulwell, Maxwell Hendler, Laura Krifka, Mimi Lauter, Devin Troy Strother, and Matt Wedel – who capture the complexity of everyday life by giving form to its down-to-earth beauty and uplifting ordinariness, its tribulations and triumphs, its pleasures and pains. As a group, they piece things together, sometimes literally and sometimes figuratively, creating singular pieces that are complete unto themselves yet also openly invite all sorts of stories, from other times and places, to echo across their sensuous surfaces.

Pieceable Kingdom runs from Saturday, February 5, 2011 to Sunday, March 20, 2011. Exhibition special events include an opening reception on Saturday February 5, 6:00 – 9:00pm, an artists’ panel discussion on Sunday, March 6, which starts at 2:00pm, and a closing reception on Sunday, March 20, 1:00 – 4:00pm, which will include a catered brunch and a critics’ panel discussion. Beacon Arts is located at 808 N. La Brea Ave., Inglewood, CA 90302. Regular gallery hours are from 1:00pm to 6:00pm Thursday through Saturday, Sundays 1:00pm – 4:00pm. All Pieceable Kingdom events are free. For additional information please call 310-621-5416 or visit http://www.beaconartsbuilding.com/ as well as http://www.facebook.com/pages/Inglewood-CA/Beacon-Arts-Building/129817703733091?v=info. For additional Pieceable Kingdom photos, please see http://gallery.me.com/lynnhasty#100096.

Artists Luke Van Hook, Ken Ober and Michael Massenberg
attend the opening reception of
Peaceable Kingdom at Beacon Arts Building Gallery, Inglewood, CA
Photo by Ginger Van Hook©2011

Scott Lane with his wife Jan Lane attend the opening reception of
Peaceable Kingdom at Beacon Arts Building Gallery, Inglewood, CA
Photo by Ginger Van Hook©2011

Artists Marcie Kaufmann and Luke Van Hook discuss the artwork

at the opening reception of
Peaceable Kingdom at Beacon Arts Building Gallery, Inglewood, CA
Photo by Ginger Van Hook©2011

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Densities: Line Becoming Shape, Shape Becoming Object curated by respected art writer Peter Frank. Photojournal by Ginger Van Hook

Art Writer and Curator Peter Frank with Gallery Director for Beacon Arts Renée Fox
attend the opening reception of
"Densities: Line Becoming Shape, Shape Becoming Object".
Photo by Ginger Van Hook ©2010

Time	"Densities" Open House Saturday 1:00pm Saturday, January 22 · 1:00pm - 6:00pm

Location	Beacon Arts Building 808 N. La Brea Avenue Inglewood, CA

Created By	Beacon Arts Building

More Info	Beacon Arts will hold an Open House for "Densities" on Saturday 1/22 on the Art LA artfair weekend from 1:00pm-6:00pm.

Beacon Arts continues its Critics-as-Curators series with
Densities: Line Becoming Shape, Shape Becoming Object
curated by respected art writer Peter Frank, that opened
Friday, December 10, 2010. The exhibition featured works in a
range of media by artists Philippa Blair, Ran Harari,
Tom Jenkins, Joel King, John White, and Jae Hwa Yoo,
all with a sensibility that favors visual complexity driven
by a profusion of active linear forms.
Densities runs from December 10, 2010 to January 30, 2011.

Exhibition special events included an opening party on
Friday, December 10th and an open house on
Saturday, January 22, from 1:00pm to 6:00pm
plus a closing event on Sunday, January 30, 2011from 11:00am 4:00pm,
which will include a catered brunch and a panel discussion.

(image: work by Jae Hwa Yoo)

See images at: http://gallery.me.com/lynnhasty#100036

Renée Fox and Scott Lane of Beacon Arts Building and Art Writer Peter Frank
attend the opening reception for "Densities"
December 10th, 2010. Photo by Ginger Van Hook©2010

In the first of a series of exhibitions coming up in 2011, Gallery Director, Renée Fox has coordinated a list of prominent writers and critics to curate shows exhibiting the talents and artworks of local artists in the Los Angeles community. In this particular exhibit, Peter Frank explores "Densities: Line Becoming Shape, Shape Becoming Object". In an effort to follow the pencil or the brush as it goes from a sketch on the canvas to a painting on a wall, Frank has selected works that demonstrate the values of Densities. With every mark an artist makes, comes a defining of the character of the work. If you get an opportunity to examine the works in this exhibit (within the latest gallery to open in Inglewood on La Brea), you'll discover these works reveal more than just the intricate marks made time after time to build up the canvases into elaborate abstractions and creative flights of fancy. These works depict the mood and tone of Los Angeles based artists. Defying the economic stresses and strains within the system, the artists selected reveal a playfulness and even a exuberant vibrancy to the color and the marks. With splashes of color and marks in the spirit of a new year, these paintings and drawings closed out the dismal aspects of 2010 and rang in the new year with fresh insights into economic renewal, new perspectives and enduring continuity of the art process. Come explore for yourself at the open house on
Saturday, Jan 22, 2011 from 1:00pm - 6:00pm!

Steven Bankhead and Kate Harding attend opening reception of "Densities"
at the Beacon Arts Building Gallery in Inglewood, California.
Photo By Ginger Van Hook©2010

Ken Ober (purple shirt) gives an art patron the tour of the Beacon Arts Building
for the opening reception of "Densities" curated by Peter Frank.
Photo by Ginger Van Hook©2010

Beacon Arts Building Exhibition "Densities: Line Becoming Shape, Shape Becoming Object"
curated by Art Writer Peter Frank. Photo By Ginger Van Hook©2010.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Chris Mercier Exhibition Inglewood Library Thru December 2010! Review by Ginger Van Hook

COLOR

{SPACE}

FORM

INVESTIGATIONS IN AND AROUND THE STRUCTURE OF SPACE IN PAINTING, SCULPTURE AND ARCHITECTURE

Chris Mercier, Artist and Architect displays

his current works in the Inglewood Library through December 2010.

Òafter all, the aim of art is to create space
Ð space that is not compromised by decoration or illustration, space

in which the subjects of painting can live. This is what painting has always been aboutÓ
(Frank Stella1986, 5; ÔWorking SpaceÕ)

ÒColor {Space} FormÓ is a creative exploration into the depiction/construction
of pictorial, sculptural and

architectural space. At its heart, it posits an exploration
into the vision of contemporary space. Within

Western thought there is a long tradition of
spatial development and exploration. From the early middle Ages,

through the Renaissance and up to modern time,
each eraÕs depiction/construction of space becomes a world or

window into how experience is perceived and portrayed.
In todayÕs global world, collapsed time, virtual reality,

reality T.V. and the internet all weave a Ònew immediacyÓ
where these developments act as cues in the

shaping of contemporary space.
My investigations into pictorial, cultural and physical space collectively seek an

understanding of the effects,
opportunities and outcomes these and other cues have or will have on

contemporary spatial expression, experience and development.

ÒColor {Space} FormÓ is a continued progression of my interest in the
SPACE of inspirational experience.

Compared to my previous works,
ÒPainting Towards FormÓ, it employs a similar language of color and form.

Here however, there is a focused effort to explore
and capture a much more exaggerated experience of actual 3-

dimensional physical space within the work.

This actual or real pictorial space, acts in a contemporary since

similar to the way other types of pictorial space
(flattened, perspective, etc.) did throughout history, as a place

for the Òsubject of painting to liveÓ.
This real pictorial space was achieved in two ways: first through the

physical sculpting and construction of paint into organized spatial relationships
(Ôpaint modelingÕ); and second,

the 3-dimensional manipulation of the painting panel itself.
While explored to a lesser degree in earlier works,

these panel manipulations (recesses/protrusions/etc.)
allow for the surface of the work to develop its own spatial

cues and as a further consequence can start
to be seen as potential sites for the building of paint.
With these two conditions a sort of game develops in which

panel and paint engage each other in a dialogue or a spatial

dance that defines the form of the work.
The result is not wholly dissimilar to the way pre-perspective and

perspective painting used various forms of
mathematical and or other techniques (GiottoÕs overlapping images,

Linear Perspective, etc.) to structurally organize/construct pictorial space.

Òthrough one pictorial device or another the greatest percentage
of the worldÕs painting has dealt with the

representation of spaceÓ
(William Seitz, from ÔChanging Images of Pictorial SpaceÕ by William V. Dunning,

1991).

In addition to the spatial developments discussed above,
the use of color, various paint types (oil, enamel, latex, latex enamel, ink, etc.),

states of drying as well as various application techniques have also been explored in the

work. These materials and techniques further the spatial
development of the project by either enforcing

conditions already in place or creating new unexpected
color-relational opportunities. In particular, the

relation between paintÕs particular drying state,
its level of viscosity (solidified, semi-solidified, gel/paste, liquid,

watery, etc.) and its application method including
timing and positioning within a work, has been examined at

length.
This has led to an understanding not only of the different paint types,
but of their particular properties

in terms quality of color rendition, adherence and the 3-dimensional/textural abilities under various dried and

semi-dried states.
The final positioning/application of paint;
the act of painting, is based on the type, thickness,

color, solidity and texture as well as conditions already inherent/developed in the work.
The intent being to

uncover a spatial/color condition that might provide insight
into the contemporary structure, organization or

pattern of spatial experience.

ÒOur job, as architects, builders, (artists),
citizens, is to create this life in the air and stones and rooms and

gardens Ð to create life in the fabric of space itself.Ó
(Christopher Alexander, 2002, Page 425, ÔThe Nature

of Order- Book One Ð The Phenomenon of LifeÕ)

ÒColor {Space} FormÓ investigates the experience of contemporary spatial structure.
It does so through a crossing of what are understood to be three different
types of spatial conditions: Painting, Sculpture and

Architecture.
The belief is that although these three disciplines operate in
different arenas of life they actually

share a similar spatial tradition and foundation.
Furthermore, through the interweaving of their processes and

theoretical development, this project explores opportunities in how a more holistic and vibrant condition of

contemporary space might be experienced.
The goal being, to unveil the potential for an alternative spatial

understanding, one that might better address the myriad of contemporary life as a positive, imaginative and engaging experience.

An understanding that starts to question our basic belief of what SPACE is,
what itÕs

made of, how we shape it,
and how these beliefs affect the value it brings to the celebration of life.

ÒSpace as a mindless, wisdom less, lifeless void
was not a common notion at any time before the scientific

revolution,Ó
(Owen Barfield, 1965, Page 149. ÔSaving Appearances; a study in IdolatryÕ)

ÒIt is simply LIFE, a quality which appears to be an attribute of space itself.Ó (Christopher Alexander,

2002, Page 424, ÔThe Nature of Order Ð Book One Ð The Phenomenon of LifeÕ)

Chris Mercier Mar. 20, 2010

Curriculum Vitae

CHRISTOPHER L. MERCIER
curriculum vitae
Christopher L. Mercier
1159 East Hyde Park Blvd.
Inglewood, CA 90302
310-672-4749
310-672-4733 Fax

chris@ferstudio.com

Website on Art Slant:

http://www.artslant.com/la/artists/show/12199-christopher-lawrencemercier

EDUCATION:
Southern California Institute of Architecture,
Master of Architecture, January 1991
Architecture Intermundium (Daniel Libeskind),
Milano, Italy, October 1987 - May 1988
Lawrence University, Southfield, Michigan
Bachelor of Science in Architecture, 1987

ARTS EXPERIENCE:
SCULPTURE PROJECTS:

HSI Productions Building Sculpture
ÒEdges and EndsÓ Site Sculpture
Culver City, CA
Design Collaboration w/Tom Farrage
Completed 2000

PAINTING EXHIBITIONS:

One-person Exhibits
ÒColor {SPACE} FormÓ works by Christopher Mercier
The American Institute of Architects Los Angeles Chapter Gallery
3780 Wilshire Blvd Suite 800
Los Angeles, CA 90010

Nov. & Dec. 2010
ÒColor {SPACE} FormÓ New works by Christopher Mercier
Lawrence Asher Gallery
5820 Wilshire Blvd Suite 10
Los Angeles, CA 90036

April. 2010
Two-person Exhibits
ÒChristopher Mercier & Joseph Justus Ó
Skinner Howard Contemporary Art
732 ÔSÕ Street
Sacramento, CA 95811

June. 2010
ÒTowards Form: New Works by Christopher Mercier & Joe DavidsonÓ
Lawrence Asher Gallery
5820 Wilshire Blvd Suite 10
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Oct. 2008

ÒChristopher Mercier & Courtney Reid : New PaintingsÓ Fluxco
2042 Bay Street, Los Angeles, CA
Nov. 2005
ÒWesley Studios Show Ð Christopher Mercier & Colby MaysÓ Wesley
Studios, Culver City , CA,

2002
Awards:
ÒART SLANT Ð 2010 Ð 5th Show Case Juried Winner -
Art Slant Ð www.artslant.com

Sept 2010
ÒART SLANT Ð 2010 Ð 4th Show Case - Winner -
Art Slant Ð www.artslant.com

July 2010
ÒART SLANT Ð 2010 Ð 3rd Show Case - Winner -
Art Slant Ð www.artslant.com

April 2010
ÒART SLANT Ð 2010 - 2nd Show Case - Winner -
Art Slant Ð www.artslant.com

March 2010
ÒART SLANT Ð 2009 Show Case Juried Winner -
Art Slant Ð www.artslant.com

March 2009
ÔART WITHOUT BORDERSÕ - Third Place Winner, juried on-line competition
by Peter Frank, Dawne Camera, Ilaria Kostandi Sillangierri and Licka
Brakhovsky.
LarkGallery Online Ð www.larkgalleryonline.com

Jan. 2009
Group Exhibits:
Ô2010 Los Angeles Juried ExhibitionÓ
Los Angeles Municipal Gallery
Barnsdall Park
4800 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90027

August 2010
ÔRevisiting BeautyÓ
Orange County Center for Contemporary Art
117 N. Sycamore Street
Santa Anna, CA 92701

May 2010
ÔOZ: New Offerings from Angel CityÕ
Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery & The Department of Cultural Affairs City
of Los Angeles.
Regional Museum of Guadalajara
Mexico

Nov/Dec 2009
ÔFRESHÕ Silent Auction, MOCA
The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA - Museum of Contemporary Art
152 North Central Ave.
Los Angeles CA 90013

May 2009
ÔOPEN SHOWÕ , Los Angeles Art Association - juried show by David Pagel
Gallery 825
825 North La Cienega Blvd.
Los Angeles CA 90068

Dec. 2008
ÒAbbott Kinney Art Walk Ð Group ShowÓ EIS Studio
Abbott Kinney, Venice, CA

Dec. 2006
ÒArt, Furniture & Wine Ð Group ShowÓ Giraffe Home
7007 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA

Oct. 2003
ÒVenice Group Show Ð An evening of Art & ArchitectureÓ
424 North Venice Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA

July 2003
ÒItalformÓ 8844 Beverly Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90048

2002
ÒSmall TreasuresÓ Don OÕMelveny Gallery, West Hollywood, CA,

Dec. 2002
ÒTexture & GrainÓ 87th Annual Gensler Art Exhibition (3 person show),
Gensler Architects Offices, Santa Monica, CA, 2002

Ò2001 Juried ShowÓ Gallery 57 Underground, Pomona, CA, 2001

ÒSuspending DetachmentÓ The Hatch Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, 2001

ÒSculpture/Collage/Mixed Media ExhibitÓ Long Beach Arts,
Long Beach, CA, 2000

ÒArtist Spectrum Juried ExhibitionÓ Agora Gallery, NY, 1997

Ò100 Dollar ShowÓ Post, Los Angeles, CA, 1997

ÒOpeningsÓ Spanish Kitchen Studios, Los Angeles, CA, 1996

Ò3X3 Competition ExhibitionÓ, Honorable Mention
San Francisco, CA.

May 1991
ARCHITECTURAL EXPERIENCE:
(fer) studio L.L.P.
Form Environment Research
1159 East Hyde Park Blvd.
Inglewood, CA 90302
P-310-672-4749 F-310-672-4733

Fall 2006 to Present
Title: Partner/Design Principal
Christopher Mercier Studio (fer)
Form Environment Research
1159 East Hyde Park Blvd.
Inglewood, CA 90302
P-310-672-4749 F-310-672-4733

July 2002 to Fall 2006
Title: President/Design Principal
Gehry Partners L.L.P. (Formerly Frank O. Gehry & Associates, Inc.)
12541 Beatrice Street
Los Angeles, CA 90066
310-482-3000

1993 to 2002
Title: Senior Associate/Project Architect

LECTURES:
Southern California Institute of Architecture, Los Angeles, CA.
Final Lecture in the 2002 Lecture series,
ÔArchitecture/Computer/Design/ManufacturingÕ, April 2002
Museum of Architecture, San Juan Capistrano, Lecture
ÔArchitecture in the Digital AgeÕ, Guest Speaker, Sept. 2001
Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden, KTH
Lecture/Discussion Ô Conde Nast in the MakingÕ, Guest Speaker, March

2001
Technical Research Center of Finland(VTT) Dipoli, Espoo, Finland, VTT
Symposium ÔTechnologies in ArchitectureÕ, Guest Speaker, March 2001
Harvard University, Graduate School of Design, ÔNew Technologies in
Architecture SymposiumÕ, Guest Speaker, Oct. 2000

TEACHING POSITIONS:
Woodbury University, Architecture Department
Thesis Studio, Spring 2001

UCLA, Architecture Department, Design & Construction of
Complex GeometryÕs, Team taught Seminar/Studio, Spring 1999

Woodbury University, Interior Architecture Department
Senior Project Studio, Spring 1998