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Blum & Poe, Honor Fraser, LeBasse Projects, LAXart emerge as best of Culver City Artwalk 2010.



This year's artwalk was a sincere stroll. Lacking the artistic energy of the artist's own studio spaces in May's Venice Artwalk, it is clear that the gallery spaces on Washington Blvd and La Cienega Blvd in Culver City that became so hotly energized in the past two years have since tempered. Don't get us wrong, the area is still all about art and design and will continue to be for some time, but the gaze has softened focus from what was initially a group of upstarts screaming anarchy and crying for attention to establish the area as a destination.

With notable exceptions that we'll specify in a second, this year's edition was affected by the door name changes that have occurred over the past twelve months; Kinsey Desforges changed its status to "on hiatus" and other galleries simply shut shop. The work in the smaller galleries seemed consequently unrefined, and the local businesses throwing art on the wall in between pilates equipment and desk furniture seemed a little desperate. One key indicator was the absolute lack of food trucks that should have been swarming the area for attention from art lovers hungry for architecture-themed ice-cream sandwiches.

Still, there are some gallerists in Culver City whose taste levels are through the proverbial roof. Honor Fraser's showing of Mark Licari's drawings and installation works is absolutely first class, and LAXart's remarkable exhibition of Gregory Michael Hernandez's "Rebuilt Homestead" is breathtaking, each moment of attention for the piece building the viewer's appreciation of Hernandez's finesse in constructing both the structure and the artist's simulation of an absent light-source forcing fake shadows on the gallery's walls.

Corey Helford's presentation of Joe Ledbetter's cartoonish works was indeed fun and enjoyable to the maximus, Thinkspace's group show sweated out deejay sounds amidst the haunting marionettes of Scott Radke (picture below) and interesting pieces by Brazilian artist Joao Ruas, and LeBasse Projects' smart art also captured the imagination of the art strollers.

Blum & Poe, however, continues to shine as a beacon to contemporary art, and stole the show once again this weekend. Now in its new space (across from its old space on La Cienega Blvd), the gallery is gleaming enough to be a city landmark, and may indeed be bigger than some municipal museums. Being big is one thing, but being good is another, and the level of interest in the works, especially those of sculptor/illusionist/artist Tim Hawkinson, was off the charts, matching the public's interest in the gallery space step for step. There is no doubt that Hawkinson's pieces are commitments to detail that deem him worthy of the 40-plus shows he's received in recent years.

 

Mark Licari's Fridge 2010, Mixed media, 34 x 21 1/2 x 21 inches

Scott Radke's haunting creations.


All photographs taken by Elliot V. Kotek.