“To mark the 25th anniversary of Sister Corita’s life and influence (1918-1986), the Museum of Craft and Folk Art has organized an exhibition showcasing the many dimensions of Corita’s artistic practice as an iconoclastic artist, teacher and activist who was known to challenge stereotypes. Corita Kent, also known as Sister Mary Corita, revolutionized graphic design and created an art education system in which the classroom and its multiple surroundings became potent tools for learning and making.
West Coast Pop-Art predating Punk and computer graphics, Corita’s work is regarded today as inherently contemporary, bridging the divide between public service and self-expression, social practice and studio practice, craft and design. Not only do many established contemporary artists express direct evidence of Corita’s influence, but a new generation of makers are embracing Corita as a radical innovator for a wide range of socially-engaged creative practices, which help to expand our traditional definitions of craft and folk art.”
Also…the evenings festivities are “proudly sponsored by Babycakes, serving delicious vegan, gluton-free baked goods!”
Sing Joyfully!
Sunday, September 12th, 5pm
Family
436 N Fairfax Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90036
From Family:
“Family and Teenage Teardrops are proud to present the release of ‘Sing Joyfully’ - the debut EP by the LA Ladies Choir.
With a live LA Ladies Choir performance.
The L.A. Ladies Choir, is a 30+ piece band of women and children who perform choral arrangements of songs by Leonard Cohen, Yoko Ono, and Marvin Gaye, as well as originals composed by various choir members. These members include songwriters Becky Stark (Lavender Diamond, The Decemberists), Aska Matsumiya (The Sads, Moonrats), Diva Dompe (Blackblack, Pocahaunted), and Anna Oxygen, as well as creatives like pastry chef Jenny Park and Secret Shop vintage-store owner Kitty Jensen, and many many others! “We wanted to create this positive feminine energy, not against anything, but just this beautiful energy of strength and power for something, by women,” Aska Matsumiya says.
Becky Stark articulates The LA Ladies Choir philosophy as follows: “We are a collective of women devoted to singing together joyfully! When we sing we experience the pleasure of our voices. And when we are together we organize our experience according to the principle of being kind above all things. Our music is the sound of this! We recognize that music is a resource for strength and we have the ability to magnify our strength by coming together and sharing our joy!”
Sing Joyfully is released by LA vinyl/casette label Teenage Teardrops, and produced by the legendary Jim Scott.
Proudly sponsored by Babycakes, serving delicious vegan, gluton-free baked goods!”
“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!”
Apologies for the extremely late non-post today. I had absolutely no time for anything else but to get the final edit prepped for the birthing of the latest film made by our Beautiful Losers/Sister Corita film crew about the small down-on-it’s-luck town-but-on-the-rebound Braddock, Pennsylvania (you may have already seen Levi’s “We Are All Workers” ad campaign posted up in your town). Details on the IFC September premiere coming soon!
So as I was saying, sorry for not having the power of blogging today fortunately for me Arnold Schwarzenegger is filled with the power of the Dark Side as some of the Governor’s most memorable, and foul-mouthed, movie quotes are cleverly edited into James Earl Jones’ iconic Darth Vader scenes from the original Star Wars.
“An earlier casting of Star Wars IV: A New Hope saw Arnold Schwarzenegger put a juvenile, jealous and rather perverted spin on Darth Vader’s explosive personality. George Lucas had second thoughts and cast James Earl Jones instead. Enjoy these exclusive clips from the “lost tapes” archives of Skywalker Ranch.
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
“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.”
“I made this edition of 20 prints for Aaron Rose’s Simulacrum show that is happening next week in Sydney, Australia at the famous Monster Children gallery. I’m making a few of the prints available for purchase. Skull Print: $40 + $5 shipping in the USA.”
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!
Dropping (semi) daily doses of creativity in the form of art, design, events, film, music, people, products and words followed by pictures of said words.
Please email chump1@chumpchampion with any comments, suggestions or even comments AND suggestions.