CENTER FOR THE ARTS, EAGLE ROCK IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE
"NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK". January 24 - February 28, 2009 Opening Reception Saturday January 24, 2009 7pm-10pm Closing Reception Saturday February 28, 2009 7pm-10pm
Curator: Nate Garcia Participating Artists: Edgar Arceneaux, John Barlog, John Burtle, Harrell Fletcher, Allan Kaprow, Ari Kletzky, Erik Knutzen, Rick Lowe, Elana Mann, Linda Pollack, Sea and Space Explorations (Adam Overton, Asher Hartman/Haruko Tanaka), special collaborative project by Suzanne Lacy and the Otis Public Practice Program. Performance by DJ Nobody.
With the inception of Suzanne Lacy's Public Practice program, and a now well-documented history of post-studio and socially engaged performance artists, now is an interesting time to explore the idea of Post-Conceptualism and how it fits into the canon of contemporary art as a unique off-shoot from the trajectory of Conceptualism and beyond.
Needle in a Haystack is a multivalent exhibition of historical documentation, artifacts (photographs, video, ephemera) of socially-engaged performances that seek to expand traditional notions of how art can function in society. As a component of Needle in a Haystack, the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock has organized a series of artist-led workshops, expeditions, and events that are open to all.
To learn more about expeditions and workshops and how to participate, please visit our website at www.centerartseaglerock.org.
Rick Lowe's idea of revitalizing a neighborhood in Houston's Northern Third War (one of the city's oldest African-American communities) has culminated in the creation of a sustainable community known as Project Row House (http://projectrowhouses.org/). He successfully worked with artists and architects to renovate twenty-two abandoned shotgun style houses.
Edgar Arceneaux will exhibit documentation and photographs of his involvement with Watts House Project; an artist-driven urban revitalization project centered around the historic Watts Towers (www.wattshouseproject.net). Johns Barlog and Burtle will facilitate excursions; exploring the local area and hosting events in the space for the duration of the exhibition. For the opening they will be inviting visitors of the Center and members of the surrounding neighborhood to each contribute an ingredient to make a communal soup. The Eagle Rock Community Soup will be prepared and served for all to enjoy at the Center of the Arts, Eagle Rock on the day of the opening. To find out how to participate contact chickensofthepeople@gmail.com
Elana Mann will show her recent project entitled "Exchange Rate: 2008," which was a performance exchange between 38 artists from 16 different countries in response to the 2008 US presidential elections. (http://www.exchangerate2008.com/). Ari Kletzky will lead an expedition in search of public space where participants can legally assemble at any time of day or night. Ari has begun the Islands of LA project (http://islandsofla.com/) in which he explores the use and availability of traffic islands as public space to foster discussion and community.
Erik Knutzen (www.homegrownevolution.com ) will brew third place home brewed ale the night of the opening, which will ferment in the gallery, as a sculpture, for the duration of the show. The beer will be consumed on the night of the closing reception, February 28, 2009.
We will screen archival footage of Allan Kaprow's Happenings courtesy of the Armory in Pasadena.
Harrell Fletcher will exhibit documentation of his role assisting a young boy in the creation and installation of a bronze art piece in a sculpture park in Brittany, France.
We will team up with local multiconceptual gallery, Sea and Space Explorations (http://www.seaandspace.org) which will have artists Adam Overton leading a workshop on experimental do-it-yourself massage called artSpa and artists Asher Harman and Haruko Tanaka will be leading the workshop: Turning your Trash into Gold.
Linda Pollack is an artist whose work creates new, fluid spaces where communities can come together to discuss the challenges and possibilities of shared civic life. Audience will be able to listen to a recording and view photographs of her workshop, My Daily Constitution, which occurred in Indianapolis, Indiana. (http://habeasindex.org/).
The Otis Public Practice Program, led by Suzanne Lacy, will be using the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock to exhibit images and video documentation of their current partnership with the city of Laton in the San Joaquin Valley. (https://wikis.otis.edu/sjv/index.php/Welcome!_Bienvenidos!_Bem-vindo!)
Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock is a nonprofit 501(c) 3 arts programming organization.The mission of the Center is to provide innovative and multicultural arts programming to the communities of North East Los Angeles. We are housed in a historical 1914 Carnegie Library. It is a space that is both socially significant and satisfies both community and cultural needs of our diverse neighborhood. Gallery Hours Monday- Friday 11am-6pm Saturday 11am-2pm Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock 2225 Colorado Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90041 323.226.1617 www.centerartseaglerock.org
