Louis Vuitton Time Capsule, Century City, Ca., Photo Romi CortierLouis Vuitton Time Capsule, Century City, Ca., Photo Romi CortierLouis Vuitton Time Capsule, Century City, Ca., Photo Romi CortierLouis Vuitton Time Capsule, Century City, Ca., Photo Romi CortierLouis Vuitton Time Capsule, Century City, Ca., Photo Romi CortierLouis Vuitton Time Capsule, Century City, Ca., Photo Romi CortierLouis Vuitton Time Capsule, Century City, Ca., Photo Romi CortierLouis Vuitton Time Capsule, Century City, Ca., Photo Romi Cortier
The Louis Vuitton Time Capsule in Culver City was a revealing experience for those who are new to the brand, and a heartwarming and reaffirming experience for those who know it well.
I’ve attended a few of their recents events thanks to a friend who now works at Louis Vuitton on Rodeo Drive, in fact, that’s how I heard about the time capsule exhibition. Founded in 1854, important works were on display from their impressive archives. The exhibition demonstrated the ways in which Louis Vuitton has anticipated changing needs and desires over the last 160 years.
One of my favorite pieces in the show was the turn table seen above, with a plexiglass top and LV branded sides. Can you imagine a DJ walking into a club and laying that puppy on the table to spin? It would be amazing. I also love the clear acrylic make up case seen third from the top.
The multimedia room towards the end of the show was very exciting, but difficult to capture with only still photos. Taking video was problematic, as I try to protect the faces of those who don’t choose to knowingly be a part of my blog.
Louis Vuitton Time Capsule, Century City, Ca., Photo Romi Cortier
Prior to arriving in L.A., ‘Time Capsule’ debuted in Hong Kong in 2017, then Bangkok, Berlin, Singapore, Dubai, Shanghai, Melbourne and lastly Madrid. The exhibit has closed in L.A., and as for its next stop… no one really knows, at least not yet.
David Hockney, 82 Portraits and 1 Still Life, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 2018
David Hockney:82 Portraits and 1 Still life, is a tour de force.
Let me be honest… there’ve been times that I haven’t loved the work of David Hockney, namely the time that I saw his large scale landscape in Paris, possibly at the Pompidou Center. While that particular installation was colorful, it felt crudely executed when in the presence of the more traditional fine art paintings in that gallery. I wanted to love it… but I didn’t.
That said, these current works are both energizing and poignant, and had me smiling from the moment I walked into the gallery. The shear force of all of that color flooded my eyes and made for an amazing presentation . The alternating background colors behind his subjects, in shades of blues and greens, hanging against the saturated red-orange gallery wall, created a visual rhythm between each portrait. The overall gestalt was one of strength and happiness. However, after looking at each portrait up close, a deeper sense of appreciation emerged. While the brush work was loose, the proportion and perspective was spot on. And then of course there’s the emotional life of each of his subjects.
Rita Pynoos, Acrylic on Canvas, David Hockney, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 2018
Rita Pynoos: Friend of David Hockney
Benedikt Taschen, Acrylic on Canvas, David Hockney, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 2018
Benedikt Taschen: Founder and managing director of the publishing house Taschen, one of the most successful international publishers.
Larry Gagosian, Acrylic on Canvas, David Hockney, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 2018
Larry Gagosian: Owner Gagosian Gallery, an upscale chain of art galleries.
Margaret Hockney, Acrylic on Canvas, David Hockney, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 2018
Margaret Hockney: Sibling to David Hockney
John Baldessari, Acrylic on Canvas, David Hockney, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 2018
John Baldessari: American conceptual artist featured in more than 200 solo exhibits in the U.S. and Europe.
J-P Goncalves De Lima, Acrylic on Canvas, David Hockney, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 2018
Jean-Pierre Goncalves de Lima: Studio manager for David Hockney
Still Life, Acrylic on Canvas, David Hockney, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 2018
Eighty two friends and business associates agreed to sit for Mr. Hockney in his Hollywood Hills art studio, for up to 3 days per portrait. The Still Life seen above was created on the day that one of his guests wasn’t able to make the scheduled sitting. For any artist to take on a project like this, it’s a remarkable and ambitious feat. Hockney just turned 80. I can’t imagine taking on a project like this at the age of 75. Hockney says that when he’s in his studio painting, he feels 30 again… so naturally he spends as much time there as he can.
Organized by the Royal Academy in conjunction with LACMA, the exhibit opened in London in 2016, then traveled to Venice, Italy: Bilboa, Spain: and Melbourne, Australia. The only U.S. stop is L.A. and will close on July 29, 2018.
Romi Cortier, David Hockney Exhibit , Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 2018
If you live here in LA, I highly urge you to attend this exhibition… you may find yourself inclined to visit it more than once. Personally, I can’t stop thinking about the show.
Peter Shire Studio, Echo Park, Ca., Photo Romi CortierPeter Shire Studio, Echo Park, Ca., Photo Romi CortierPeter Shire Studio, Echo Park, Ca., Photo Romi CortierPeter Shire Studio, Echo Park, Ca., Photo Romi CortierPeter Shire Studio, Echo Park, Ca., Photo Romi Cortier
Stepping inside the Peter Shire Studio in Echo Park, is like walking onto a playground for art geeks. It’s a kaleidoscope of color and texture everywhere you look. Shelves are lined with completed sculptures and pottery waiting for a new home. Other areas are work zones with active projects being completed for upcoming art exhibits in New York and Milan. And the most surprising element in the room…. Peter, actively working on a massive table sculpture, for a show opening in a few weeks.
Peter Shire, Peter Shire Studio, Echo Park, Ca., Photo Melanie Engle
Here’s his inspiration, compliments of Shire’s Studio…
Peter Shire Painting, Compliments Peter Shire Studio
This is an actual working studio, which is very different than a gallery setting. That’s what made this experience so special for me. In a gallery setting, works are placed on pedestals and are beautifully lit, having been curated with a specific point of view. As you can see by these photos, it’s about creating and storing the works of art, until they’re ready for their next exhibition. That’s why stepping into Peter’s Studio was so exciting, my eye could do the editing, jumping from piece to piece. I also felt like I was on sacred ground, invited to see the master at work. God knows I could never do a painting with someone standing over me, I need to be in a very comfy and quiet environment.
Peter Shire Studio, Echo Park, Ca., Photo Romi Cortier
If Peter’s work looks familiar to you, it’s because he’s been around since the 1980’s. He first burst onto the scene with The Memphis Group, an Italian design and architecture group founded in Milan, in 1982. He was the only American sculptor invited to be a part of this international group. And several of his pieces were included in the movie Ruthless People starring Bette Midler and Danny Devito. But his work hasn’t stopped there. He’s continued his iconic style, making chairs and other everyday items, into major works of art. And in case you haven’t been to one of Peter Shires exhibition’s, here’s a glimpse of a his recent show that closed on Saturday.
Peter Shire Installation, Kayne Griffin Corcoran Gallery, Photo courtesy Kayne Griffin Corcoran Gallery, Photo: Flying Studio, Los Angeles
As for L.A. experiences, this is on par with meeting famed photographer Julius Shulman in 2004. Artists shape the world in which we live, giving it life and meaning, and sometimes a whole lot of humor… which we can certainly use these days.
Thank you Peter for letting us spend a very special day in your studio.
Romi Cortier, Melanie Engle, Coco (aka MalibuPom) and Peter Shire, Photo courtesy Peter Shire Studio
Untitled, Acrylic and Charcoal, Carla Jerome, 2018, Photo Romi CortierUntitled, Acrylic and Charcoal, Carla Jerome, 2018, Photo Romi CortierAbstract Art by Carla Jerome, 2018, Photo Romi CortierUntitled, Acrylic and Charcoal, Carla Jerome, 2018, Photo Romi CortierUntitled, Acrylic and Charcoal, Carla Jerome, 2018, Photo Romi Cortier
I recently attended the art opening of client Carla Jerome at FIG Gallery in Santa Monica at the 26th Street Art Center, formerly known as the Bergamot Station Arts Center. Yes, as of January 1, 2018 the Arts Center is now under new ownership with a new name.
Carla’s exhibit explored abstraction, inspired by her previous figurative work. To quote Carla, My work is a continuous conflict, balancing challenges and seeking equilibrium. I avoid creating art that dictates a certain response. I believe that ‘art’ allows each of us to interject ourselves into it, to find a unique meaning. She uses layers of charcoal and acrylic paint to build her painting, until it’s complete.
One of the things that resonated with me about Carla’s work, is her use of color. The emotional quality of her color palettes are either soothing, think cool lavender and blues tones, or energizing, with her use of red and orange tones. I also like the subtle line work that references her love of architecture. Shapes of buildings and chairs overlap, creating layered landscapes that shift into and out of focus. The end result are works that are easy to live with, and works that could fit into a wide range of architectural environments.
Buddha by Metis Atash, L A Art Show, 2018, Photo Romi CortierBuddha by Metis Atash, L A Art Show 2018, Photo Romi CortierBuddha by Metis Atash, L A Art Show, 2018, Photo Romi CortierBuddha by Metis Atash, L A Art Show, 2018, Photo Romi CortierBuddha by Metis Atash, L A Art Show, 2018, Photo Romi CortierBuddha by Metis Atash, L A Art Show, 2018, Photo Romi CortierBuddha by Metis Atash, L A Art Show, 2018, Photo Romi CortierLA Art Show, Romi Cortier, Recio Young, JD Miller, and Melanie Engle
The Buddha’s of artist Metis Atash took the L A Art Show by storm. Covered in nearly 20 thousand Swarovski crystals, her Buddha’s radiated light in every direction, enticing patrons to take countless photos and videos of her sculptures. JD Miller of the Dallas based Samuel Lynne Galleries, was a fantastic host on both days of our visit to the art show.
We were there opening night, and then again on the fourth and final day of the show. Opening night was fun and very conversational with several gallery owners and artists. Therefore, we didn’t make it to every booth. So we returned early Sunday morning and made our way to the booths that we’d missed. Our last stop was back were we’d begun… at the Buddha’s!
Atash sculpts in fiberglass, covers her creations with acrylic paint, and then meticulously bathes each piece by hand in upwards of 20,000 Swarovski crystals. The completed works can be an homage to icons like Chanel, Lichtenstein, Warhol, or Hirst, with a zen vibe rooted in Daoism. Her artwork has been exhibited in select galleries throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe, and has been featured in Vogue, Elle Decor, Architectural Digest and Haute Living. And most recently her work has been seen on CNBC’s the Secret Lives of the Super Rich.
If one of these beautiful creations is in your future, then reach out to Samuel Lynne Galleries in Dallas and tell them Romi sent you.
