As Manufactured was rounding out, I realized that despite the psychological cacophony that thrives within L.A.'s vast landscape, extremes come in many forms, and L.A. offers beautiful, thriving niches that, once tapped and linked into, can create for a beauty like no other. Sure, this city can eat you up in an instance, but cliches aside, L.A's underground stands tall like a leaning tower of dark, smokey crystal; a shining beacon for those stomping triumphantly through the dystopian landscape called home.
As I peruse through Mike Kelley's post-death retrospective at the Geffen Contemporary museum, I stop in front of a wishing well, and I suddenly have the thought, what would it mean to infiltrate another artist's work by adding my work to it, in a covert matter that may or may not go unnoticed. Obviously, I'm going out on a limb here, because 1) who would notice, 2) more importantly, who would actually give a fuck. However, all it would take is a single observer to notice something that wasn't there before; instantly, in a Kubrickesque type of monolithic manifestation, all would change forever; thus paving the way for something truly, truly, "wonderful".
Anyways, it's just a thought.
Way back, some time ago, I stumbled upon this website. It's so incredibly informative, it saddens me that more people haven't discovered it(especially the mainstream, and there ever convoluted idea surrounding the word,"emo"). I could on and on about what I learned, and all the great music I discovered.
Almost twenty years of history here, kiddies, so get to it.
Manufactured was a three day long event, taking place at The Complex, in Glendale. Showcasing a specific niche of electronic artists hailing from the greater Los Angeles area, this was one of those events that will help shape and define, a burgeoning scene that seems to be ever increasing in it's momentum and influence. So, take note kids.
Sadly, Glendale isn't exactly in my backyard, per say, though I wish The Complex was(Then again, the South Bay is a dismal place in many aspects, it's probably best The Complex stays put). I digress. Point being, over the period of three days, I missed most of the opening acts. Thankfully, the best do come last(nothing personal to the opening acts, anyone who had the opportunity to play this event should be very proud, to say the least).
Closing out day one was Tearist, I can't say enough great things about this duo. Yasmine Kittles, and William Strangeland, evoke a power and sensitivity that is unrivaled. Again, take note kids.
As I gear up to apply for grad. school, one thing I decided that I need to do was get a few exhibitions added onto my CV. I participated with Cannibal Flower back in March, and around the same time I had a few metalsmithing projects chosen for the El Camino College Student Art Exhibit. (As of recent I've been denied every entry into what I refer to as, "pay to play", juried exhibitions. I will know longer enter these types of exhibitions for two reasons: 1) I know longer feel the need to give someone money, so that they can have the power to "judge" my artistic merit, nor do I feel that these types of exhibitions should qualify as some sort of professional prerequisite 2) I've decided it's best to seek out other professional avenues to exhibit my work. So, in theory 1+2 should = dignity and wallet intact.)
Cannibal Flower:
Degenerate Art Exhibit? I wish. I'm on the bottom left. C-Print(from the series, An Experiment In Guerilla Tactics), X-Ray, Acrylic, Spray Paint, on Matte Board pressed into glass/wood frame.
What used to appear merely as romantic gestures reserved to the artist studio, suddenly morphed into a highly politicized event and lecture. Turrell points out, how easily the mind/eye/senses are both deceived, and manipulated. Minimalist in approach, monumental when put into [political]context.
BTW, these images were taken without the consent of LACMA.
In the future humanity will learn to achieve a higher sense of spiritual development through the use of technological advancements, namely those associated with virtual realities; Techno-Spiritualism, thus will be born.
