Moca Contemporaries Party Tonight!

LA = Arts and Culture Mecca/Leader ??

Perhaps some of you know that I recently came on board with the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs as Program Assistant for the CULTURAL MASTER PLAN.

There has not been an enacted plan for the city since 1992.

Having grown up and lived in LA all of my life, I can say that I seriously did not notice anything outside of my own art world that might give tourists, new residents or the general public the idea that LA is a city of amazing art.

I do see this in Pasadena, Orange County, San Diego, Culver City, Chinatown - even Riverside and Claremont and slooowwwwly in Pomona.
But not in LA proper. I see efforts, such as the Silver Lake Trash Can project - but there is still trash all over the ground surrounding the colorful tiled bins....
~sigh~. It bums me out.

However, Downtown is doing an amazing job - and it is not because of the "City" perse, it is because of the individuals that care, have a vested interest and want to make things wonderful. I am also quite impressed with the MTA public art projects and programs - placing art in the Metro Stations and on street banners. Sonia Romero, whom I have sold countless prints for at Gallery Revisited over the years, is the artist chosen for the MacArthur Park station. That is going to make a huge difference in one of the cities most neglected areas. (If you saw the historical photography of that area adjacent to the old Bullock's Wilshire building - in all of its Deco glory with theatre houses, high-end apartments - the architecture...you would just sigh. It was really grand back then. But it's getting better!)

LA Arts are somewhat subversive, it is divided by neighborhoods, it is privatized and it is dependent on the vision of the individuals that make things happen.
That is not a bad thing -- that is what makes LA wonderful. That is why I am still here. You can find your people, find your places - anywhere.

Is this evident when people visit us? Is this evident when people move here?
Not really....fixing up LAX was a huge Plus -- but we need more art there to show
the creativity and beauty here everytime someone arrives. We need clean streets, safe streets and neighborhoods - beautiful things to project a vision of the city as a whole - as a place that cares.

And I think it goes without saying that because LA is not Manhatten, we are not Chicago, we are not Denver, we aren't even Pasadena - we are HUGE, we are Diverse, we are Unique - did I say HUGE? - and the biggest problem is that we lack $$$ in proportion to our needs. Can we fix that? I am not sure. Can we work together, YES. Can we try to place our tiny monies wisely? YES.

So enough of my personal opinion....
If any of the things that I just mentioned spark interest in you - make you think about your role as an artist, an art educator, a collector, a resident, an art lover, supporter, museum donator, museum director, art director, gallerist, designer, community center employee, parks a recs programmer, building and planning person.....then come to the CULTURAL MASTER PLAN MEETINGS.

Also - THERE IS A SURVEY - Please fill it out before November 19th.

Tell a friend.

Drive-by on Spring and 4th

2 reasons to drive-by THE CORNER OF SPRING AND 4TH

5 feet of this

And this

2 Moca Events coming up

Hi everyone,
Perhaps some of you know that I was elected on the Board for Moca Contemporaries. They are an organization that helps raise funds for exhibitions at the museum. For those of you even less familiar, this is a VOLUNTEER JOB out of the goodness and passion of all of our hearts who happen to donate time to get things done for Moca, who love art and nice, amazing people.

Come on over to the Downtown Cocktail Party and Membership Drive to meet new and already members at the amazing Blue Velvet Bar:

If you sign up to join Moca Contemporaries on that night you will be eligible to win an event pass worth $100. Gifts by Puma and a drink on us! Hope to see you soon.

Also coming up:
A private cocktail afternoon and home/gallery tour at the home of
Dallas Price-Van Breda

Date: Sunday, November 2, 2008

Time: 3-5pm Home and private gallery tour

Prices: $100 per person

RSVP: 213/368-8878 by October 27, 2008

All proceeds will benefit the MOCA Contemporaries - who in turn will be donating to Moca for the upcoming shows for 09!
I hear her collection is so amazing, I know you will enjoy reveling in it.


ABOUT DALLAS PRICE-VAN BREDA

Since joining the MOCA Board of Trustees in 1993, Price-Van Breda has served on numerous committees, including the Acquisition and Collection Committee and the Executive Committee. She is a member of the Fellows of Contemporary Art, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Santa Monica Museum of Art and was a member of the board of the CalArts REDCAT Council.

As if all of that were not enough to exhaust an ordinary mortal, Price-Van Breda has competed in six marathons, is an instrument-rated pilot and an accomplished mountain climber. She has climbed the Seven Summits, consisting of the highest mountain in each of the world’s seven continents. In 1990, she was part of the International Peace Climb on Mt. Everest. She is also the mother of five, grandmother of 10 and is married to Bob Van Breda.

[**Credit cards only, no refunds. Please include credit card number, name on card, expiration date and email address. The location of the event will be emailed upon confirmation.

This invitation is non-transferable. Reservations are taken on a first-call first-serve basis. Please RSVP early. Due to space restrictions, attendance to the Home and Private Gallery Tour is limited to 100 guests - but there is still spcae available!! (Only guests who have RSVP’d may attend.)]

Leora Lutz Go About: Downtown Los Angeles

This is technically a Pre-Go-About.

I will be in Downtown Los Angeles this Thursday, October 9th. I haven't been to the Art Walk in a really long time. In fact, I 'm embarrassed to say how long it has been since I have been there on a Thursday night. But I have been told that it is absolutely packed and crazy now-a-days.

Well, I have to confess that there is a personal reason that I am going to be at
THE CORNER OF SPRING AND 4TH.

Each artist was given a 5' x 3' canvas to create a view of the Downtown Skyline from their loft. Since I am not a resident of Downtown proper, the curator, Richard McDowell made an exception for me.
I used an image from a photograph I took while driving on the 10 freeway before the 110 interchange.
That was around June 22nd. Here is a teaser of the piece about 2 months ago:
Needless to say, it changed a lot, so please come over and have a look at the final result.

For those of you not familiar, Downtown Art Walk is on the 2nd Thursday of every month.
It spans a large area, so wear your walking shoes - and with this enviable weather, there is no excuse!

Take advantage of the night-life and the art that is right here in our fair city - in all of its raw, gritty and at once, sophisticated splendor!

Here is the list of my other picks to check out if you head down there.
Moca at Grand Ave.
Bert Green Fine Art at 5th and Main
Morano Kiang Gallery on 3rd and Broadway (site not updated, not sure if open but I heard totally amazing)
compact space - 105 6th Street

See you soon!
Leora

not a word

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