VisionLA ‘15 presents Art Makes Change, a group exhibition of 60 local artists. Through over 200 pieces of art from photography to sculpture, these works inspire viewers to confront the climate-related issues in today’s world. These beautiful pieces are divided into four categories: Earth, Water, Recycle, and Awareness. Co-curators Dale Youngman and Lilli Muller hone in on the ways in which art can create and promote change.
Each piece speaks of either or both the beauty of the earth and the challenges facing it, such as drought, pollution, endangered species, and climate change.
Participating artists include:
Mike Anderson, Jacki Apple, Cody Bayne, Clara Berta, Om Bleicher, Jody Bonassi, Wanda Boudreaux, Qathryn Brehm, Bill Brewer, Gary Brewer, Wini Brewer, Mark Brosmer, Kate Caravellas, Michael Carrier, Nathan Cartwright, Morgan Chavoshi, Steven David, Roberto Delgado, Ben Dewell,Beth Elliott, Karen Fiorito, Nicole Fournier, Barbara Fritsche, Anyes Galliani, Tom Garner, Brian Goodman, Patrick Haemmerlein, Erin Hansen, Michael Hayden, William Hogan, Brenda Hurst, Liz Huston, Dave Knudsen, Juri Koll, Jamie Lynn Kovacs, Stuart Kusher, Jonna Lee, Aline Mare,Michael McCall, Rick Mendoza, Monica Mader, Colette Miller, Rebecca Molayem, Michael M. Mollett, Suzi Moon, Jen Moore, Pamela Mower-Conners, Lilli Muller, Julie Orr, Miguel Osuna, Billy Pacek, Yael Pardess, Vinnie Picardi, Naomi Pitcairn, Jena Priebe, Osceola Refetoff, Gay Summer Rick, Robert Rosenblum, Karrie Ross, Avi Roth, Catherine Ruane, Louise Russell, Gwen Samuels, Elizabeth Saveri, Winston Secrest, Moses Seenarine, Karen Sikie, Paul Soady, Sean Sobczak, Marilee Spencer, Anna Stump, Jill Sykes, Alexandra Underhill, Rachel Van Der Pol, Andrea Villefane, Geoffry White, Rush White, Tami Wood and Ron Zeno
Above: a photo chronicle of Mud People, the living sculpture project helmed by artist and performance artist Mike Mollett.
Co-curator Dale Youngman says “I am so happy about this opportunity to curate a show of this magnitude for such a really important cause. I think that artists have an ability to engage the public in meaningful conversation through their work, and if they can affect or inspire change through their efforts, that is a wonderful thing.”
Morgan Chavoshi has focused on the plight of endangered animals for many years. She painted these wild mustangs as if in a void, because they are disappearing from our landscape. Her sensitivity is equal to her passion for changing people’s behavior through awareness.
Osceola Refetoff’s evocative photographs above focus on both the wonder and potential ecological disaster that is the Salton Sea. Refetoff has also worked on depicting the desert and its relationship to Los Angeles itself as part of a long term project with writer/collaborator Christopher Langley.
Absorb the water. Robert Rosenblum’s stunning photomontage technique mirrors the life in each drop.
Colette Miller’s vibrant wings make a great spot to pose for a photo and show support for the environment — and soar to protective, guardian angel heights to help preserve it.
Sculptures by Mike Mollett…wires that seem to bloom like dry-weather plants.
Support art and the environment with many of these beautiful eco-centered pieces making a very reasonable holiday gift.
Artist Gay Summer Rick has four pieces in the show, all featuring local beach scenes in Santa Monica and Venice. “I like to paint what I see as I’m making my way around town,” she says. “I paint the bay, and I try to show the mood I feel at the moment,” she relates. “In Atomic Trash Can (left) I included the trash can of course and also tractor marks from sand combing. I wanted to create a little different impression of preserving our beautiful beaches.”
Rick says she paints using only a palette knife, no brushes or solvents. “I’m very environmentally friendly. Very little goes into the landfill when I create my art. I want to be a good steward of the environment and still deliver a message about how beautiful nature is.”
Youngman says: “I have selected works that depict endangered animals, photos of drought–stricken areas, and assemblage pieces that utilize recycled and re-purposed materials to spark the flame of realization regarding environmental issues.”
Bill Leigh Brewer’s take on the desert focuses on the Salton Sea in this series of evocative black and white prints. Viewers can almost touch the magic, the aloneness, the dryness, the preciousness of water.
Steve David’s sculptures seem to show the human head as a flower. What ideas are we planting?
“This show speaks loud and clear that climate change is one of the most important issues facing the world today,” Youngman notes.
Jonna Lee’s compelling Folly uses grass, dirt, wire, and wood. A whole new kind of topiary art.
“I hope people recognize the power of art to make change – and I pray they come out to support this endeavor by purchasing work here that will benefit these artists and the Vision LA Fest non-profit cause,” Youngman says.
Mike Anderson created the forest of art above.
So much to see, so much to take in: art mirroring the environment, art respecting the environment, art as a song to action.
Foreground: Mike Mollett’s balls of beauty and detrititus.
The free and truly awe-inspiring Art Makes Change exhibit is open daily Dec. 1st through Dec. 10th, at the VisionLA ’15 Home Gallery at Bergamot Station, located at: 2525 Michigan Ave, Building G1 in Santa Monica, CA 90404
all pieces in the exhibition are for sale
- Genie Davis; all photos: Jack Burke