Romi Cortier, Go Woon Choi, The Art of Go Wood Choi, TAG Art Gallery, November 2018Art of Go Woon Choi, Oil on Canvas, TAG Art Gallery, November 2018, Photo Romi CortierUntitled, Oil on Canvas, Go Woon Choi, TAG Art Gallery, November 2018, Photo Romi CortierUntitled, Oil on Canvas, 30 x 40, Go Woon Choi, TAG Art Gallery, November 2018, Photo Romi CortierUntitled, Oil on Canvas, 30 x 40, Go Woon Choi, TAG Art Gallery, Photo Romi CortierThe Art of Go Woon Choi, TAG Art Gallery, November 2018, Photo Romi CortierUntitled 02, Acrylic on Canvas, 30 x 40, Go Woon Choi, TAG Art Gallery, Photo Romi CortierUntitled, Oil on Canvas, 16 x 20, Go Woon Choi, TAG Art Gallery, November 2018, Photo Romi CortierGo Woon Choi, Opening Night, TAG Art Gallery, November 2018, Photo Romi Cortier
I first discovered the Art of Korean born artist Go Woon Choi, at the LA Art Show in January of 2018. I loved her work so much, that I snapped a few photos of it and sort of tucked it away in the back of my mind. Then, this fall I got an email from Visual Art Source and low and behold, there was one of her paintings front and center. I made sure to go to her opening night at TAG Gallery in LA’s miracle mile, so that I could see more of her work in person, which is where I had the pleasure of meeting her.
Hyperrealism is one of my favorite painting techniques, and Miss Choi has it in spades. Take a look at a these paintings from her web site. They’re beyond extraordinary, in fact, they look like photographs. I’m also fascinated by the fact that a woman is painting tools and toys, a subject traditionally associated with young men or boys.
Yellow Prop Composition, Oil on Canvas, Go Woon ChoiGlass Bead Composition, Oil on Canvas, Go Woon Choi
She spent over a decade working as a digital artist in the film industry, including Fast & Furious, The Mummy, Aliens vs. Predator, and the video game God of War II. She also has a background in sculpture and welding. Her interest in common objects is rooted in her idea that “even common objects can appear strong and fantastic under different light conditions and environments”. Whatever it is that motivates and inspires her, I’m just so thrilled that she’s making art. I believe in her work so much that I even purchase a piece from her last show.
If you’d like to see more of her work, check her out at this years LA Art Show January 23 – 27, 2019, at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
‘Deep Dive’, Oil on Linen, 32 x 24, Richard Hoblock, Chimento Contemporary, Photo Romi Cortier‘Memoir’, Oil on Wood Panel, 24 x 18, Richard Hoblock, Chimento Contemporary, Photo Romi Cortier‘Broken Harbor’, Oil on Linen, 24 x 18, Richard Hoblock, Chimento Contemporary, Photo Romi Cortier‘Perfect Stranger’, Oil on Canvas, 84 x 60, Richard Hoblock, Chimento Contemporary, Photo Romi Cortier
Saturday September 15, 2018, marked the opening of artist Richard Hoblock’s exhibition View From The Cheap Seats at Chimento Contemporary, in the newly opened West Adams gallery.
Chimento Contemporary was previously in Boyle Heights, having opened its doors there in September of 2015. The new location at 4480 West Adams Boulevard features Eva Chimento’s signature vibe with bright white walls, white flooring, and ample overhead lighting. A space like this allows the artwork to take center stage at all times, as the walls simple fade from view. It also makes it feel a bit like a fashionable run way show once all of the guests arrive for an opening night celebration, like the one we experience on this recent Saturday night.
Richard Hoblock, Perfect Stranger, Oil on Canvas, Recio Young, Eva Chimento, Melanie Engle, Coco and Romi Cortier, Photo Osceola Refetoff
Eva’s roster of artists are inspired by her own personal art collection, as well as those whose work she’d like to collect. Therefore, there’s a deep personal connection to the artwork that she represents in her space. Prices range from $500, to $280,00… yep, that’s a huge range. But it’s quite fantastic because it gives newbie collectors the opportunity to enter the exciting world of art collecting, and it also gives returning collectors confidence in her curatorial eye. Her background includes 14 years of gallery experience, as well as museum administration.
If you’re new to the world of art, then you may not realize that the gallery scene in LA seems to be shrinking. In fact, I believe that’s also the case in other major cities, as people turn to online venues for purchasing art. But there’s nothing like seeing and experiencing art first hand, and that requires a gallery space. There’s also something to be said for building relationships in the art world… you know, so you can be first inline to get that spectacular piece from an artist whose work you’ve been chasing for years. I truly applaud Ms. Chimento for taking on a gallery space in these challenging and changing times, and I hope her local neighborhood will rise to the occasion to support a female business owner who’s simply trying to make the world, just a bit more beautiful.
The Bellagio Hotel, Italian Summer Display, Las Vegas, Nevada, 2018, Photo Romi CortierThe Bellagio Hotel, Italian Summer Display, Las Vegas, Nevada, 2018, Photo Romi CortierThe Bellagio Hotel, Italian Summer Display, Las Vegas, Nevada, 2018, Photo Romi CortierThe Bellagio Hotel, Italian Summer Display, Las Vegas, Nevada, 2018, Photo Romi CortierThe Bellagio Hotel, Italian Summer Display, Las Vegas, Nevada, 2018, Photo Romi CortierThe Bellagio Hotel, Italian Summer Display, Las Vegas, Nevada, 2018, Photo Romi CortierThe Bellagio Hotel, Italian Summer Display, Las Vegas, Nevada, 2018, Photo Romi CortierThe Bellagio, Italian Summer Display, Las Vegas, Nevada, 2018, Photo Romi Cortier
The Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas has an enchanting Italian summer display that’s on view until September 9, 2018.
I was recently on vacation in Las Vegas with my sister and our respective spouses, and my sis, who was staying at the Bellagio insisted I come by her hotel and see this brand new installation that had just opened. It was so magical and had everyone oohing and aahing. People were lining up everywhere to have their photos taken, and the soothing sound of the water fountains created an atmosphere that made it hard to leave. All of this was happening under the glass canopy of their Conservatory, which absolutely glowed during our late evening visit.
To quote the Bellagio: Envisioned by designer Ed Libby and Bellagio’s Horticulture team, the seasonal exhibit takes visitors on a tour of Italy with elaborate fountains, ornate crystal chandeliers and trees overflowing with lemons. Titled “That’s Amoré,” the display evokes romance at every turn by paying homage to the captivating beauty that can be found throughout Italy.
The exhibit boasts 57,000 flowers and took 125 team members to build. It includes a 40 foot long fountain, a massive 22 foot high vine covered fountain in tribute to the Fontana dell’Ovato, a four-tiered 8 foot fountain, ornate crystal chandeliers, and trees over flowing with lemons. All of this magic takes place in the their Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. I’ve seen many installations here, and this is by far one of my favorites. It’s such a great way to give back to the community, and I highly recommend it to anyone who is visiting Las Vegas.
You can learn more about the Italian inspired exhibit below…
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.
