19th Presence Almanac

PRESENCE ALMANAC

Nineteenth Chronicle

Curated by Elliott Desai

Cover photo by Elliott Desai

Inside Cover photo by Elliott Desai

FOR THE A DVA N C E M E N T OF ARTS & CULTURE I used to live near the intersection of Melrose Ave. and La Brea Ave.

Then around the corner along Beverly Blvd is Artplex Gallery.

Yet it was only at the beginning of 2023 when I finally learned that the buildings between these bars, restuarants, and storefronts were all art galleries.

Instead of presenting solo shows, this company exhibits work throughout the year from all of their artists.

So for the Nineteenth Chronicle, here’s an authentic look at the art around my neighborhood, and three shows for you to see this winter.

During my most recent visit, I lingered in front of Iqi Qoror‘s pieces to study how he uses mixed media, acrylic and wool to depict unique scenes.

FAIRFAX

WESTLAKE

After enjoying a meal across the street at Bludso’s BBQ, I recommend visiting Shulamit Nazarian.

As I learn more about LA’s expansion and how city planners developed the neighborhoods, I find myself gravitating towards Westlake.

The curators consistently highlight emerging artists whose works capture my imagination, and here are some of my favorites: Bridget Mullen Sensory Homunculus Amir H. Fallah A War on Wars Fay Ray & Daniel Gibson Seeds And Ken Gun Min’s Sweet Discipline from Koreatown on view until December 20.

FASHION DISTRICT A chronicle wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Fashion District, and today we return to the Bendix Building for a trip to in lieu.

I clearly have an affinity for photos of the sky, and Christian Franzen‘s Slight Return is a solo show of acrylic paintings that depict his murky perspective of views around the Pacific Ocean.

I’m in awe of his ability to create paintings that look like photographs, and I recommend seeing them in person until December 16. *** ***

It’s fascinating to dig deeper into the community plans, and I’ve contacted local organizers to speak about uplifting this part of town...

These locations are added to a comprehensive google map every week to help you navigate an inspiring afternoon around town.

But in the meantime, I encourage walking around MacArthur Park and envisioning its potential for yourself.

And curating these selections is a consistent reminder to see the art in every city you travel to this winter.

And while you’re there, swing by O-Town House to enjoy João Gabriel’s solo show I was looking at you and you couldn’t see me.

So as you head into the final weeks of this year, I truly hope you dedicate some time to enjoying the creativity and artists around you.

On view until December 16, the gallery’s outdoor patio is also a pefect location for watching the sun set across Koreatown in the distance.

Published November 27 at 1:16 AM Love, Elliott

FAIRFAX

© Bridget Mullen | Your Face Should Be the Least of Your Worries, 2022 Sensory Homunculus

Courtesy of Shulamit Nazarian

© Bridget Mullen | Double Blind (2), 2019-2022 Sensory Homunculus

Courtesy of Shulamit Nazarian

© Bridget Mullen | Head-on Series #2, 2022 Sensory Homunculus

Courtesy of Shulamit Nazarian

© Bridget Mullen | Pusher’s Petals, 2022 Sensory Homunculus

Courtesy of Shulamit Nazarian

© Bridget Mullen | Blood’s Bluff, 2022 Sensory Homunculus

Courtesy of Shulamit Nazarian

© Fay Ray | Release, 2023 Seeds

Courtesy of Shulamit Nazarian

© Daniel Gibson | Butterfly Over the Fence Under the Moon, 2023 Seeds

Courtesy of Shulamit Nazarian

© Amir H. Fallah | The Ballot or the Bullet, 2022 A War on Wars

Courtesy of Shulamit Nazarian

© Amir H. Fallah | The Sting, 2023 A War on Wars

Courtesy of Shulamit Nazarian

© Ken Gun Min | 13 Missing Ladies, 2023 Sweet Discipline from Koreatown

Courtesy of Shulamit Nazarian

© Ken Gun Min | Memories Of Dandelion (Pico/Union), 2023 Sweet Discipline from Koreatown

Courtesy of Shulamit Nazarian

© Ken Gun Min | Queen of the Night (Koreatown), 2023 Sweet Discipline from Koreatown

Courtesy of Shulamit Nazarian

© Ken Gun Min | Stranger By The Lake (Bare Ass Creek), 2023 Sweet Discipline from Koreatown

Courtesy of Shulamit Nazarian

© Iqi Qoror | The Night Watch (She)

Courtesy of Artplex Gallery

© Iqi Qoror | After Party

Courtesy of Artplex Gallery

© Iqi Qoror | Sitting Figure

Courtesy of Artplex Gallery

© Iqi Qoror | Blue Underneath Mondrian

Courtesy of Artplex Gallery

WESTLAKE

© João Gabriel I was looking at you and you couldn’t see me

Courtesy of O-Town House

© João Gabriel I was looking at you and you couldn’t see me

Courtesy of O-Town House

© João Gabriel I was looking at you and you couldn’t see me

Courtesy of O-Town House

FASHION DISTRICT

© Christian Franzen | River Song, 2023 Slight Return

Courtesy of in lieu

© Christian Franzen | Herself on Fire, 2023 Slight Return

Courtesy of in lieu

© Christian Franzen | Words Into Wasting Time, 2023 Slight Return

Courtesy of in lieu

© Christian Franzen | Every Clown Knows a Home (Sometimes You Dig Your Own), 2023 Slight Return

Courtesy of in lieu

FAIRFAX

WESTLAKE

Bridget Mullen

João Gabriel

Sensory Homunculus January 7 - February 10, 2023 shulamitnazarian.com/artists/ 199-bridget-mullen

Amir H. Fallah

I was looking at you and you couldn’t see me October 28 - December 16 2023

O-Town House

A War on Wars February 15 - March 25, 2023 shulamitnazarian.com/artists/25amir-h.-fallah

672 S La Fayette Park Pl #44, Los Angeles, CA 90057

Fay Ray and Daniel Gibson

o-townhouse.art

Seeds April 8 - May 13, 2023 shulamitnazarian.com/artists/41-fay-ray shulamitnazarian.com/artists/116daniel-gibson

Ken Gun Min

Sweet Discipline from Koreatown November 11 - December 20, 2023 shulamitnazarian.com/artists/239ken-gun-min

FASHION DISTRICT

Iqi Qoror

Christian Franzen

artplexgallery.com/en/artist-iqi-qoror

Slight Return November 4 - December 16 2023

Shulamit Nazarian Los Angeles

in lieu

616 N La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

1206 Maple Ave Suite 903, Los Angeles, CA 90015

shulamitnazarian.com

inlieu.online

Artplex Gallery 7377 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036 artplexgallery.com

November 27 at 1:16 AM Los Angeles, CA

© Elliott Desai

presencealmanac.com