Rachel Eulena Williams, Ceysson & Bénètière
Opening the week of art fairs in Los Angeles, the VIP preview for Art Los Angeles Contemporary has gotten underway at the Santa Monica Airport this evening. The tenth edition of the fair continues its place as a site for established and emerging galleries from around the world, with a strong focus on the city’s own arts communities. Outdating the Frieze art fair by a full decade, ALAC has long been a centerpiece in the landscape of Los Angeles’s contemporary arts scene. Now, the fair seems to have taken on a more boutique stature among the increasingly fragmented landscape of the city’s fair offerings.
Gu Benchi, 10 Chancery Lane Gallery
Local galleries were in strong form this year, with Praz-Delavallade bringing work by Ry Rocklen, Guy Yanai and Marnie Weber, while Mixografia had brought pieces by Alex Israel. Another hometown favorite, Shulamit Nazarian, had brought a body of commanding works by Amir H Fallah, densely layered paintings contained a complex symbology and attentive use of line and color.
Matthew Stone, The Hole
Anna Aagaard Jensen, Functional Art Gallery
New York galleries were also in abundance. At The Hole, artist Matthew Stone had brought a selection of new pieces to bear, continuing his recent experimentations with mixtures of painting, photography and collage, while Maspeth space Mrs. had brought work by Mark Mulroney. Berlin’s Peres Projects was also on hand, showing works by Mike Bouchet and Joe Bradley, among many more. At London’s 10 Chancery Lane, one could peruse a unique selection of diverse pieces, from tightly executed fiber arts pieces by Gu Benchi, to Huang Rui’s careful, measured compositions in yellow and black.
Serge Attukwei Clottey, Ever Gold
Considering the state of Los Angeles’s art scene, it should be intriguing to consider just how ALAC’s footprint continues to evolve, taking on a heritage position as more international brands and franchises come to call. After all, with a city as massive and as vibrant as Los Angeles, there seems to be ample space for plenty of different takes, all as unique and adventurous as the city’s many neighborhoods.
The fair closes February 17th.
Amir H. Fallah, Shulamit Nazarian
Lita Albuquerque, Peter Blake Gallery
— D. Creahan
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Art Los Angeles Contemporary [ALAC]