Art Spotting: Gallery (P)reviews
by Andie Villafañe


Duncan Miller Gallery
In 1932, Ansel Adams, Imogen Cunnigham and Edward Weston were among eleven photographers who founded “Group f.64.” Their name was derived from the smallest aperture of the large format camera they used, which secured great depth of field. Their intention was to render carefully framed images as accurately as possible, exposing natural and found objects in focused detail. They rejected the popular soft focus style that dominated much of the early 1900s, favoring a new Modernist aesthetic that would revolutionize American photography. Adams was a visionary figure in capturing the stunning beauty of nature and the western landscape. His portrayals of Yosemite emphasized a sense of grandiosity and awe. Cunningham took sharply focused, close-up pictures of plant forms. Concerned with light, form and abstract pattern, she carried out in-depth studies of the magnolia flower. Weston used the camera to uncover sensuous shapes within his subjects. He made a series of close-ups of seashells, peppers and halved cabbages, accentuating the textures of their sculpture-like forms. His grandson, Kim Weston has been a fine art photographer for 30 years. He learned his craft assisting his father Cole in the darkroom while making gallery prints from Edward’s original negatives. His works accompany the exhibit – one-of-a-kind silver gelatin prints that Kim paints over with oil.

Duncan Miller Gallery exhibits fine art photography by celebrated artists of past and present.  On view until March 21. Thurs-Sat 11am-6pm. 10959 Venice Blvd. (1/3 mile East of the 405) Los Angeles 90034. (310) 838-2440. www.duncanmillergallery.com


01 Gallery
“Vintage Futurism” is a collection of new works on paper, wood and canvas by Los Angeles street artist Kofie One. Merging formalism with graffiti, Kofie creates a world of his own. Mechanically detailed line-work, complex structures and a heavy earth-tone palette constitute his signature style. His abstract paintings are composed of diagonal lines and curves that intersect to form geometric patterns with an architectural appeal. Looking at one of his paintings is like looking onto the surface of a drafter’s desk, or seeing the earth from the window of an airplane. In his collage works, he paints shapes over images from outdated publications and found vintage paper. He applies a matte gel finishing to seal the collages, framing them with old school rulers and yardsticks. Watercolor paintings, serigraph prints and a large-scale wall installation are also featured in the exhibit. A self-taught artist, Kofie remains true to his creative origins as he transitions into mixed media and fine art.

01 Gallery exhibits post-contemporary works; with a focus on lowbrow, graffiti and street art. On view until March 29. Tues.- Sat: 9:30am-6pm. 530 South Hewitt Street #141 (Barker Block) Los Angeles 90013. (213) 689-0101. www.01gallery.com


Art Dimensions
“Fertile Dreams” is an exploration into the complex aspects of the maternal psyche as interpreted by conceptual artist Freyda Miller. She integrates assemblage, photography and installation to raise issues of autonomy, stereotypes and the vulnerable portrayal of the feminine. Painting, carpentry, needlework, wardrobe and propping are some of the mediums and methods Miller uses to create imagery that expresses her ideas and feelings about motherhood – along with its unreal expectations, misconceptions and surrounding myths. In “Shame on You,” a large doll with its head cracked open and glued, sits in a wire cage with the hatch door open. In “Nesting,” Miller attaches a small doll to a decorative piece of wood, adhering to its belly a nest containing three eggs with feathers. Many of the works utilize dolls and eggs among other found objects, vintage treasures and personal mementos. The result is a metaphorical language of flight and confinement that speaks to the heart and critical mind.

Art Dimensions specializes in the rental and sales of contemporary art in all media. On view until March 21. Tues- Fri. 11am- 5pm, Sat. 11am- 3pm. 1326 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles 90024 (310) 446-9180 www.artdimensionsonline.com


George Billis Gallery
George Billis presents unconventional and unique works by three distinct artists. Salvatore Federico’s large-scale paintings feature a singular hard-edged geometric shape poised in a flat field of color. His compositions are based on a hexagonal grid to insure that slants harmonize and angles repeat accurately. Juxtaposing warms, cools and near-complementary hues, Federico’s stark abstracts establish a presence that is sharp, emphatic and minimalist. Russ Havard constructs 3-D forms with his landscape paintings. He uses watercolor and gouache to capture rustic and bleak scenes, with trees being the central theme to his work. He then mounts each piece onto wood panels in a manner that creates overhanging wall sculptures. Christophe Leroux paints words, numbers and symbols on sheets of aluminum. He then crumples the sheets into distorted mixed media works that complement his series of engravings on paper.

George Billis Gallery features work by both national and international artists; with a sister location in New York. On view until March 28. Tues- Sat. 11am- 6pm. 2716 La Cienega Blvd., Culver City 90034. (310) 838-3685. http://www.georgebillis.com/


Deborah Martin Gallery
“Imagine” inaugurates the new downtown location with a group photography show. Thirty-five works were chosen from approximately 380 entries, based on diverse perspectives of the theme “Imagine.” The images were selected by award-winning professional fine art and commercial photographer Susan Burnstine, based on what she felt was “dreaming into the unknown while envisioning endless possibilities…” Also on view is “That’s Amore,” a video installation by Yoshie Sakai. Inspired by the marketplace-driven occasion of Valentine’s Day, this piece is a reflection of Sakai’s constant struggle of being both critical and complacent about the mass marketing of romantic love. The opening reception coincides with the Downtown Art Walk, where there will be live painting by the internationally recognized pastel artist Melanie Stimmell.

Deborah Martin Gallery exhibits fine art, photography and video installations. The gallery administers a large database of artists and craftsman for interior design. Opening reception: Thursday, March. 12, 12 – 9 pm. On view until April 4. Wed-Fri: 1-6pm, Sat: 12-7pm. 209 W 5th St., Los Angeles 90013. (310) 428-6464 http://www.deborahmartingallery/



-AV