“Puppetmaking workshop with Beth Peterson, puppet maker extraordinaire. Inspired by Corita and Jan Steward’s Learning by Heart, Teachings to Free the Creative Spirit, Beth has been creating puppets, masks, pageants and parades all over Los Angeles for over 16 years with schools, community and professional theatres. Join us for puppet-making and story telling from 11am until 2pm at the Courtyard Galleries. Next stop, Sunset Junction!”
If you know me, you know that I’m not just a huge fan of Sister Corita’s amazingly bold art. You would also know that I was fortunate enough to re-team with our Beautiful Losers crew early last year to edit a short film about Corita’s illustrious and inspirational life with Become a Microscope: 90 Statements on Sister Corita. We were able to help raise the Corita awareness by showing people just how influential Corita was as an artist, nun and as a person. And now this weekend even more people will be able to get their hands on Corita’s work, literally, as the Corita Art Silkscreen Mash-Up goes down at Blue Rooster Art in Los Feliz.
Featuring the use of elements from Corita’s silkscreens for the first time ever and sponsored in part by some very good peeps at the Corita Art Center, Fresh Pressed and Gelato Bar among others, this afternoon of art making in my hood is one that I’m so sad to miss but truly hope you can make it to go create yourself!
From the ever loving Sasha Carrera at the Corita Art Center:
“The Corita Art Center and Blue Rooster Art Supplies in Los Feliz are offering a first time ever MASH UP of elements Corita used in her own mid-1960s pop prints. Best known for her innovative and provocative juxtaposition of images and words, Corita combined day-glo colors with spiritual statements, pop song lyrics with shapes from traffic signs and food packaging. On July 24th, we’re offering fans and friends the chance to recombine these elements in their own unique ways.
The resurgence in Corita’s life and work (she died in 1986) suggests that her anti-war stance, her pop aesthetic, her iconoclastic methodology and her new age spirituality have tapped a chord that’s resonating in the world today. Participants will be able to silkscreen their own tee shirts, tote bags, posters and canvases. Proceeds will benefit the Corita Art Center of the Immaculate Heart Community, Corita’s former religious order.
So what are you waiting for? Get with the Action! For more information please visit www.corita.org or call Sasha Carrera 323-466-2157 ext 1021, sasha@corita.org.”
Corita Art Silkscreen Mash-Up
Saturday, July 24th, 2-5pm
Blue Rooster Art
1718 Vermont Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90027
Early last year we followed up our documentary Beautiful Losers with a short film just as inspiring and heartfelt about Sister Corita Kent-a revolutionary nun who shared her unique vision of creating art with her friends and students in 1960’s Los Angeles. During a time when the Catholic church was none to pleased with these new and off-beat ideas, Sister Corita excelled. The film, titled Become a Microscope-90 Statements on Sister Corita, was created in association with the Corita Art Center in honor of what would have been Sister Corita’s 90th birthday.
Crafted by most of our Beautiful Losers crew, the film was deftly directed by Aaron Rose; produced by do-it-all-man Jon Barlow; features a hauntingly beautiful original score by Money Mark and Becky Stark; great graphic design by our great pal Keith Scharwath; stellar sonics by sound designer extraordinaire Eddie Kim; Corita’s work come to life through a small After Effects army including Alex Dervin, Max Erdenberger, Miguel Bautista and a ton of other skilled individuals; and edited by yours truly-me (Lenny Mesina).
Graphic design created by Keith Scharwath. See more of Keith’s “90 statements” here.
Corita’s art also received the After Effects treatment courtesy of Alex Dervin, Miguel Bautista and many, many more.
We were also very fortunate to have access to an archive of material made about Sister Corita including films by Haskell Wexler, Baylis Glascock, Cal Bernstein and Alex Singer.
“Join us for a fascinating panel discussion about artist, educator, and “rebel nun” Sister Corita! Hear from Corita’s students and former sisters who defied the Cardinal, renounced their vows, and redefined themselves as an independent ecumenical community – dedicated to those radical ideals of
peace and justice! This year marks the fortieth anniversary of the independent Immaculate Heart community.”
A bit of loveliness for you before your Valentine’s weekend begins as the lovely and multi-talented Ariana Delawari presents intimate excerpts from her debut album, Lion of Panjshir. The following series of filmed vignettes was directed by David Lynch who is also distributing the album through his record label David Lynch MC. Recording since 2007, Ariana’s journey making Lion of Panjshir began in her homeland of Afghanistan where she recorded at her parents home in Kabul and where she continues to return to film and document her family’s life in Afghanistan.
“ARIANA WRITES GREAT SONGS - THEY ARE FILLED WITH FEELINGS AND THOUGHTS FROM HER LIFE - HER LIFE IN HOLLYWOOD AND LIFE IN AFGHANISTAN WHERE HER ROOTS ARE - ANCIENT AND MODERN FLOW TOGETHER HERE - THIS MIXTURE OF CULTURESAND HER MELODIES AND LYRICS CONJURE A GREAT UNIQUE FEELING IN PEOPLE - PEOPLE ARE SURPRISED AND EMOTIONALLY MOVED BY THIS MUSIC — ARIANA’S GOT SOMETHING TO SING ABOUT AND SHE DOES IT REAL WELL - IT’S A BEAUTIFUL DEBUT ALBUM SHE’S MADE.”
The 2nd weekend of the new year brings a plethora of group shows to Los Angeles along with a Hamburger weekender.
Gallery 1988 on Melrose has been pumping out art shows depicting some of our most recognizable pop culture heroes and villains over the years (I AM 8-BIT, Crazy 4 Cult, Lost, etc.) so it comes as no surprise that our favorite childhood muscle bound bowl-cut hero from Eternia has over 100 artists making pieces of him and his pals for the show Under the Influence: He-Man and the Masters of the Universe.
(Click image for more info and full artist lineup)
You Can Heal Your Life! at the Circus Gallery on Lexington that is at their group show which features the works of Sister Corita among others. Curated by Emma Gray, the “art works in this show seek to address issues of religion, spirituality and self-help through performance, sculpture, painting, video and printmaking.“
(Click image for more info and full artist lineup)
For animal and art lovers alike, Thinkspace in Silver Lake is putting out A Cry For Help, a group show of over 100 artists with the goal of raising awareness about the plight of animals in our modern world. *20% of all proceeds will be donated to Born Free USA.
(Click image for more info and full artist lineup)
A Cry For Help
Opening reception: Friday, January 8th, 7-11pm
Thinkspace
4210 Santa Monica Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90029
Show runs from January 8 through February 5, 2010
(Click image for more info and full artist lineup)
Put Your Finger on the Button
Opening reception: Saturday, January 9th, 7-10pm
New Image Art
7908 Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90046
Show runs from January 9 through February 6, 2010
Speaking of Deanna Templeton, her husband Ed Templeton will be featured in the show for the Japanese publication Megane Zine at the HVW8 Art + Design Gallery off of Melrose. In addition to a limited edition HVW8 x Megane t-shirt designed by Ed for sale, comic zine’s will be given free to the first 20 people on January 9th.
(Click image for more info and full artist lineup)
And finally wrap up your weekend with family, laughter and Hamburger as the Cinefamily on Fairfax extends their Comedy Death Ray series with Neil Hamburger’s tribute to Frank Sinatra, Jr. I repeat Frank Sinatra, JUNIOR. In honor of Frank Jr.’s birthday, Hamburger has assembled this evening of rare, vintage Frank Jr. TV variety specials and film appearances!
Wow, quite an overdose of art on both coasts awaits this weekend. Los Angeles and New York have got their hands full with some major (and minor) art openings and events going down featuring amazing things to see, hear, touch, create and even eat.
The boldly inspirational artwork of pop artist, teacher and nun, Sister Mary Corita goes on display at the Zach Feuer Gallery in New York City. Some of her more prominent pieces from the work she created from 1960-1986 will be given an east coast home to inspire people who have yet to discover her art.
Sister Mary Corita1960-1986 Works
Sister Corita Talk: Saturday, November 7, 3 PM
Zach Feuer Gallery
530 West 24th St. New York, NY 10011
Show runs from October 23 through December 5, 2009
The children of some of today’s most creative artists have been unleashed to form their own group show consisting of an exhibition of Halloween masks in the appropriately titled Chip Off the Old Block at Synchronicity Space on Melrose. Featuring the offspring of Tim Biskup and Seonna Hong, Cleon Peterson, Megan Whitmarsh, Christian Clayton and more.
Chip Off the Old Block
Opening reception: Friday, October 23rd, 7-10pm
Synchronicity Space
4306 Melrose Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90029
Show runs from October 23-30, 2009
Three Apples
All day event: Saturday, October 24th, 10am-10pm
Royal/T Cafe
8910 Washington Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232
Exhibition runs from October 23 through November 15, 2009
New York artist Marilyn Minter spits out new paintings, photographs, and her film Green Pink Caviar at Regen Projects on Santa Monica.
Marilyn Minter
Opening reception: Saturday, October 24th, 6-8pm
Regen Projects
633 North Almont Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90069
Show runs from October 24 through December 5, 2009
Jim Houser-Make Room For The Emptiness
Opening reception: Saturday, October 24th, 7-9pm
Jonathan Levine Gallery
529 West 20th Street, 9E New York, NY 10011
Show runs from October 24 through November 21, 2009
True Self-A Group Exhibition Curated by Gary Baseman
Opening reception: Saturday, October 24th, 7-9pm
Jonathan Levine Gallery
529 West 20th Street, 9E New York, NY 10011
Show runs from October 24 through November 21, 2009
Familypresents Main Street
Opening reception: Saturday, October 24th, 7-10pm
Space 15Twenty
1520 N. Cahuenga Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90028
Show runs from October 24 through December 6, 2009
And last, but definitely not least, is the premiere of my old pal Rich Newey’s short crime drama Breathe screening as part of the short film lineup for the Hollywood Film Festival screening at the Arclight. Read more on Rich’s cinematic short as well as his filmmaking process in this exclusive interview.
Breathe
Sunday, October 25th, 1pm
Arclight Cinemas
6360 W Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90028
Sister Corita was a highly influential and inspirational art teacher and nun who created controversial pop art in Los Angeles during the 60’s. Earlier this year I edited a short film directed by Aaron Rose with a score by Money Mark to commemorate what would have been Corita’s 90th birthday. Today the art of Sister Corita will be on display and for sale at Landis Gifts & Stationery in Hollywood’s Larchmont Village. A percentage of sales all day will benefit the Corita Art Center.
Find yourself watching unintentional comedy and painting words while writing images in Hollywood, and then eat, drink, and be merry on the Westside before the cops come to harsh your mellow.
Stop watching the Youtubes because the Found Footage Festival is back and ready to celebrate “laughably bad videos rescued from garbage bins, garage sales, thrift stores, and warehouses across the country.”
The always inspiring Corita Art Center opens it’s doors to the public for Saturday’s Smithsonian sponsored Museum Day and will host workshops based on Sister Corita’s use of “text as image” special guest artist John Carrera’s use of “image as text” as seen in his book Pictorial Webster’s. The day is free to all, however the workshop is limited to 15 participants and costs $20. Advance registration required.
Painting Words/ Writing Pictures
Saturday, Sept 26th, doors open at 11am workshop begins at 12:30
Corita Art Center
5515 Franklin Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90028
(NW corner of Franklin and Western Avenues in Hollywood. Entrance is on Western at the AFI gate)
Admission is free. Workshop cost is $20.
And for the beach lovers and Westsiders, Venice’s Abbot Kinney Festival ends the weekend with fun for everyone with an all day extravaganza of music, art, food, and the obligatory drum circles.
Abbot Kinney Festival
Sunday, September 27th, 10am-6pm
Abbot Kinney Blvd. Venice, CA 90291
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