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From HVW8:

“HVW8 presents Celestial Beings a solo exhibition by Alvaro Ilizarbe / Freegums. For this show Alvaro painted large wooden pieces portraying large forces that lie in the space around us. With a variety of finely painted lines Alvaro draws upon space and shapes to transform the gallery into a portal to a parallel dimension.

please rsvp at celestial_beings@hvw8.com“

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New York’s Bill McMullen returns to Los Angeles with his usual brand of over the top pop-culture artistry and puts his money where his mouth is as he opens his latest show Checks Cashed at he HVW8 Art + Design Gallery on Melrose.

From the HVW8s:

“Checks Cashed is the new gallery show by beloved/notorious artist Bill McMullen, opening July 31st, 2010 at Los Angeles’ HVW8 Art + Design Gallery. Checks Cashed is all about subverting history with absurd pop-cultured imagery. The new work from the Southern California bred, NYC-based McMullen embraces both Situationism and situation comedy, landing in between with its confrontational black-and-white monochrome language of punk rock flyers and escort-service ads. It’s at once familiar, entertaining, and disturbing, especially to a new generation of consumers who’ve never had to deal with anything like the economic failure, war, or the environmental disasters of today.”

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Over the years skateboarding and art have been crossing paths more and more frequently to the delight of both fans of skating and art. For one night only the HVW8 Art + Design Gallery on Melrose will host a group show of some of the artists who perpetuate the art and skateboarding crossover with One Way or Another featuring: Geoff McFetridge, Michael Leon, Donny Miller, Andy Jenkins and many more.

From the HVW8ers:

“There have been countless exhibitions of the art inspired by skateboard culture. Decks and shoes adorned with the paint splatter from our favorite skaters from yesteryear. Showing that not only does skateboarding breed creativity, but with it astounding prowess. In recent years professional skaters such as Ed Templeton, Jason Lee, Mark Gonzales, Chris Pastras and Jason Adams have carved their own ways into the world of art with favorable reviews.  Now and for the first time ever Color Magazine brings together the artists who make up the skateboarding world today, as we see it. Representing the wide spectrum of the industry, these artists come together for the pure love of a skate-trip.

Greg PNut Galinsky (Vans), Andrew Pommier (Momentum Wheels, RVCA), Michael Leon (Commonwealth Stacks), Mark ‘Fos’ Foster (Herion Skateboards/Altamont Clothing), Todd Bratrud (High 5/Nike), Ben Horton (Slave Skateboards), Donny Miller (Vans/Skate Mental), Michael Sieben (Volcom/Roger) and Mat O’Brien(Krooked/SLAP) will be traveling from around the country and the U.K. tothree cities showing the wonderful and inspirational work they do. Others like Dennis McNett (Anti-Hero/Vans), Travis Millard (Fudge Factory Comics),Geoff McFetridge (Solitary Arts/Girl), Andy Jenkins (Girl), Matt Irving (adidas, Delphi), and Eric Anthony (4 Star Clothing/Girl) are contributing art for these one-night shows starting in Los Angeles at the HVW8 Art + Design Gallery, then Escapist in Kansas City, MO ending at the No Comply Skate Shop in Austin, TX.”

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Another double this weekend, this time of the knock out variety as the HVW8 Atr & Design Gallery on Melrose get’s a Double Knock Out from France’s own heavyweight Charles Munka.

From the HVW8ers:

“A member of the French art collective, LCP United, Munka’s style is strongly influenced by hip-hop and the progressive L.A. beat scene. His gateway to the westside came via Andrew Meza of BTS Radio in LA, who in thoroughly modern fashion met through MySpace in 2005. The two began collaborating on logos and designs for the music being played on the program and subsequently, Munka became the visual voice of the BTS sound and later led to his partnership with Flying Lotus’ Brainfeeder collective. Using mixed media, Munka’s work captures a new style of art that blends more traditional aspects of graffiti and his identification with contemporary and historical imagery from film, video games, abstract expressionism and pop art.”

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Disaster strikes as skateboarder legend Lance Mountain, Thomas Yu and Skypage invade the HVW8 Art + Design Gallery on Melrose for launches of the Heel Bruise book as well as the final Disaster zine.

From the HVW8ers:

“On Friday April 9th the HVW8 Art + Design Gallery will be hosting the Heel Bruise book launch for the last batch of Disaster zines. Celebrating its origins in counter culture youth movements and DIY bookmaking, the Disaster zine highlights the art of Lance Mountain, Thomas Yu, and SkyPage. The final edition comes signed and numbered with a Disaster zine tee shirt. Also on display will be a selection of new works from the three contributing artists, and sounds courtesy of Ras Dynamite (aka Lance C. Mountain).”

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To celebrate the Grammy nominations of Brooklyn baritone rapper Mos Def, HVW8 Art & Design Gallery, Union LA and Frolab present a photo exhibition entitled MOS DEF: ECSTATIC MOMENTS. “Photographer Cognito showcases rare performance and behind-the-scenes images captured during the two year journey of making and supporting the June 2009 release of “The Ecstatic”.

Also…Mos Def at the Key Club on Sunset tonight! Get tix here.

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The Japanese Megane Zine crew, fresh off their release party/art show featuring artist/skater Ed Templeton at the HVW8 Art + Design Gallery last weekend, have really good taste. The upstart collective of best friends from Tokyo have suggested to check out the work of another one of their best friends and favorite artists, Hidehito Shinno this Thursday at Blends in downtown LA. And since I happen to think they have really good taste I’m suggesting you check out tomorrow’s show as well.

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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)

• New Image Art on La Brea is run by some amazing women (Marsea Goldberg, Amber Abramson) so it should come as no surprise that their current group show features some of today’s powerful women photographers with the group show Put Your Finger on the Button. Included in the show are two of my favorite photographers, regardless of sex, the awesome Cheryl Dunn and lovely Deanna Templeton (who you may have both seen in our film Beautiful Losers).

(Click image for more info and full artist lineup)

• 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!

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The day after Thanksgiving, a.k.a. Black Friday, is upon us which of course means the holiday shopping season has officially begun (in the United States). Let the commerce commence!

• In a novel approach to bring the art to the people, artist/designer Parra drives around LA with his mobile pop-up truck where he’ll be peddling both his art and clothing from his Rockwell Clothing line including various Stones Throw collabos. Truck stops at UNDFTD in Silver Lake from 12-2pm, HVW8 Gallery on Melrose from 3-5pm, and Archrival in Little Tokyo from 6-8pm. Take a peak at what items you may find via Freshnessmag.com.

• Giant Robot stores in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and on the interwebs go the more traditional route as they conduct their salesmanship in-store.

• Possibly the best place to do your gift shopping on the east side of LA is at the uniquely school themed boutique, Reform School. They may not have the crazy sales that many other chain stores are having today but they certainly have an abundance of those not-so-common gifts that are the hardest to find.

• And last but certainly not least is this little show I failed to mention last week and I can’t forgive myself for missing this one. Barry McGee (TWIST) and Phil Frost, two masters of graffiti-to-gallery art opened their group show Mind the Gap at the Prism gallery in West Hollywood last Friday. Curated by RVCA founder and fight aficionado PM Tenore.

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A solid first weekend of November with friends in art shows, friends being crafty, and Pac Man going up against Kitty. I got my money on Manny.

• Fifteen years strong, Marsea Goldberg’s venerable New Image Art Gallery keeps banging out the hits with the help of special human being Amber Abramson (who herself is often busy-being) as they present the group show 14 Artists. And these aren’t just any artists, they’re heavy hitters Judith Supine, Cleon Peterson, Skullphone, The Date Farmers, Richard Colman, and Erik Foss among others. Party starts at the gallery and continues on to the after-party at the Cha Cha in Silver Lake.

• Get your craft on at the Contemporary Crafts Market in Santa Monica as my dear old friend Tianna Osborne will be displaying (and selling) her art through her uniquely beautiful purses through the weekend. Flyer below is good for free admission for two!

• Want more Manny? Of course you do! So I suggest you start waiting in line now at Hollywood’s Montálban Theater as Nike Sportswear presents Under the Hood with Manny Pacquiao, a send off celebration and Q&A with the man himself and his team of Freddie Roach, Buboy Fernandez and Alex Ariza. RSVP is mandatory and capacity will surely be reached, but if you can’t make it in person the event will be streaming live on Niksportswear.com, Complex.com, and Facebook.

• The HVW8 Art+Design Gallery on Melrose reunites three old designer friends with the show Michael, Kevin & Geoff. Those three amigos would be: Geoff McFetridge who was of course in Beautiful Losers and whose work you’ve most recently seen in the title design of Where the Wild Things Are; graphic designer Michael Leon whose work with Nike is well documented; and Kevin Lyons who’s well, Kevin Lyons.

• Ever wanted to know how to blow yourself up? If your answer is yes (or if you just want to see some good art) then you’re in luck as WK Interact teaches you how to do so at Echo Park’s Subliminal Projects with his solo show aptly titled How to Blow Yourself Up.

• Speaking of blowing stuff up, the Three Apples Exhibition Celebrating 35 years of Hello Kitty continues at the Royal/T Cafe in Culver City with limited edition print releases, live painting, and meet and greets with some of the participating artists of this never ending event. Along with my Hit+Run homeboys silk-screening gear, Buff Monster and Plasticgod will be among the artists on hand from 4-9pm. Presented by Juxtapoz and Japan LA.

• And finally, another celebratory show as the clothing line Blood is the New Black celebrates their five years of existence with a group show and party at Silver Lake’s JÜNC Gallery. And what would an art party be without my talented friends, the lovely Jesse Spears and the sometimes bearded Dan Monick, among the many participating artists.

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