The Final Farewell: A Tribute to Polaroids.

I'm sure that all of you know by now that Polaroid is discontinuing its line of instant film products this year to focus on rebranding shitty digital cameras and consumer electronics. I personally know of a handful of people that started stockpiling film for the land cameras and Polaroid backs the very same day they heard the sad news.

After the initial shock has worn off, I'm glad to see that some people have stopped brooding and have started celebrating the life and death of our favorite auto-developing film Irish wake-style. Echo Park's L'Keg Gallery will be host to The Final Farewell: A Tribute to Polaroids, a group show composed entirely of photographs shot on Polaroid instant film. The artists showing includes Whisper friend Jennifer Pacia and Whisper acquaintance Keeley Higgins. The show will also have musical performances throughout the night.

The opening reception takes place on September 12th at 8PM. There is a $5 cover charge, but there will be free beer. Look at it this way, that cover charge is at least a dollar less than a tall can bought at most Los Angeles bars, so two drinks more than makes up for it.

Flock Shop: Technical Difficulties.

Los Angeles-based retail boutique, Flock Shop, is celebrating its one year anniversary and upcoming renovation by having an art show in its retail space. The artists chosen to exhibit and do live painting all seem to have a graffiti-slant towards the work, so if that's your thing, make sure to go.

Personally, I'm interested in the band that is performing that night, Whisper friends and favorites, Blue Key Coretet. Delivering their own brand of jazz-tinged instrumental hip-hop (or is it hip-hop tinged instrumental jazz?), the Blue Key boys know how to put on a great show, so make sure to check it out.

There will be complimentary beer and wine and it's free. There's no excuse not to go.

The show goes up on September 6th, from 7-11PM. For more information, check out Flock Shop's MySpace page.

ian francis @ kinsey/desforges gallery.

Bristol-based mixed media painter, Ian Francis, will be having his second solo show at the Kinsey/DesForges (formerly BLK/MRKT) gallery in Culver City. The opening reception is on Friday, September 6th from 6PM to 9PM. The show itself runs until the 4th of October. One of my favorite up and coming artists, Francis is able keep his visual narratives fresh and alive by at once showing just enough, but revealing very little.

For more information about the artist and more examples of the work itself, I recommend reading this interview on Fecal Face regarding his inspirations and process. Also, check here for a step-by-step documentation of the creation of one of his paintings.

sea no evil.

This Saturday, July 12th, the Sea No Evil Art Benefit will be exhibited at the Riverside Art Museum. The show is meant to raise funds and awareness for The Sea Shepard Conservation Society. Paul Watson, the founder of the society will serve as a guest speaker, Matt Costa will be crooning on the rooftop, while Shepard Fairey of Obey Giant fame will be spinning inside.

The participating artists are a Who's Who of this blog's favorites (i.e. Templeton, Oh, Cheuk, etc.), but I have to say I'm kind of proud that one of the people I constantly see while roaming the halls of Art Center, Theodora Allen is exhibiting her work. Theo is making quite a name for herself nowadays with her fine art photography, so I suggest that you check her stuff out.

Black Swan Presents: It's Pop, It's Art

Here are some pictures from Black Swan's: It's Pop, It's Art show in Los Angeles. The event is going on all week with different hosts such as Agent V, Hit + Run, LA Record and Laddies Lotto.

These pictures are from Wednesday night for Hit + Run.

more like a fart gallery

with free bushmills whiskey all night! woop woop holla.

The Big Sad: Barry Mcgee & Clare Rojas

riverside art museum is having a barry mcgee/clare rojas show.

in riverside.

i'm as surprised as anyone of hearing that something cool is happening in my hometown.

the opening exhibition is on sunday, march 30th from 4-7PM. the show runs through the 17th of may.

i'm going for sure. make sure to say hello.

Bikes and such

Not into the whole dancing thing? That's okay. How 'bout bikes? You like bikes?

Cyclists Inciting Change thrue Live Exchange (C.I.C.L.E.) will be hosting the Pasadena Art Ride at 6 PM on Friday, March 14th. It's an easy-paced ride that welcomes cyclists of all levels of gnarliness. Whether you're a fast-paced hustler or a cool cat that likes to hang toward the back, this ride's for you! The ride will stroll through the lovely streets of Pasadena and will include stops at many of the city's fine galleries and museums. For this night only, they'll all be open and they'll all be free! The ride meets at 6 PM at the One Colorado Courtyard in Pasadena and leaves just a half hour after. More info at bikenow.org.

Where: One Colorado Courtyard, Pasadena

When: 6 PM

Why: 'Cause you're awesome, that's why.

Be whimsical.

Year of the Rat

YEAR OF THE RATOVER 50 ARTISTS PARTICIPATING
March 15, 2008 - April 16, 2008
Reception: Saturday, March 15, 6:30 pm - 10:00 pm

GR2

22062 Sawtelle Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90025

gr2.net

(310) 445-9276

Giant Robot is proud to host Year of the Rat, a group art show celebrating year 4706 on the lunar calendar. Pieces will include oils, pencils, prints, sculpture, and other media–all dedicated to the first sign on the Chinese zodiac cycle.

Contributors will include (but are not limited to) the following:

Andrice Arp

Derek Ballard

Sasha Barr

Gary Baseman

Robert Bellm

Chris Bettig

Kelie Bowman

Aaron Brown

Jeffrey Brown

Buff Monster

Martin Cendreda

Shawn Cheng

Jo Dery

Dutch Door Press

Theo Ellsworth

Austin English

Noel Freibert

Susie Ghahremani

Leif Goldberg

Tim Gough

Katherine Guillen

Gunsho

Lizz Hickey

Andrew Holder

Yellena James

Kaori Kasai

Dan-ah Kim

Diana Kwok

Olaf Ladousse

Jesse Ledoux

Travis Lampe

David Magdaleno

Le Merde

Thom Lessner

The Little Friends of Printmaking

Jay Ryan

Tyler Parker

John Pham

Emilio Santoyo

Ashira Siegel

Ryan Jacob Smith

Daniel St. George

Hannah Stouffer

Deth P. Sun

Daria Tessler

Elisabeth Timpone

Kelly Tunstall

Edwin Ushiro

Steven Weissman

A reception for will take place from 6:30 - 10:00 on Saturday, March 15.