Here’s how the organizers explain what sounds like a terrific art show that features eclectic art stars like Robbie Conal, Shepard Fairey, Lisa Eisner and Barry McGee:
“Throughout history artists have lent their creative expression to the ideas and issues that shape life in our communities, our country and our world. The MANIFESTEQUALITY Gallery gathers together a diverse array of hundreds of the nation’s most talented visual artists under one roof to celebrate that role and join with our gay (LGBT) friends, family members and co-workers to demand full and equal rights for all Americans.”
Very well said.
The show is at 1341 Vine Street (between Hollywood & Fountain) and is open to the public, through Sunday, March 7th.
I checked out the judges for the art show, and there’s not one accountant among them. Where’s the equality?
For years, Robbie Conal’s posters were slapped across walls all over LA in flagrant violation of the vandalism/illegal posting statutes. It was a true eyesore, made all the more egregious by the smarmy self-satisfaction of the man’s “art”. Do you find nothing hypocritical, Celeste, about celebrating this dope while at the same time commending Trutanich (and quite properly) for his anti-building-vandalism crusade?
Winny,
I can certainly understand your question. But, no I don’t think guerrilla/street artists and for-profit, scofflaws with their gigantic eyesores are in the same category at all. (And my inner 1960’s/early70’s adolescent definitely agrees with me.)
I’m fond of guerrilla art generally. It is, after all, a time-honored form. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Street_art
And I have been a Robbie Conal fan for more than 20 years.
But one man/woman’s guerrilla art is another man’s vandalism. So, as I said, I can certainly understand the question. And I respect your right to see Robbie Conal as the latter.
PS: Slightly off topic, I also like environmental art, like this nest by Bavarian artist Nils-Udo that appeared in 1998 for around 48 hours along one of my regular jogging paths in Topanga Canyon, and then vanished. http://greenmuseum.org/c/alch_gard/nils_udo.html
Celeste–
Thanks for your very thoughtful response to my question. I take all your well-expressed points, but I stick to my guns that we can’t let the vandal exempt himself from the illegal vandalism, merely by citing some high-minded reason (which would protect us equally from both Robbie Conal and the building owner whose first mega-billboard is a Sept. 11 tribute, softening us up for the 85-foot-high movie ads to follow).
Winny