public art

A Kind Of Beauty I Can’t Explain

October 31, 2021 by Lonnie Lardner

(Pic #1) Oceanfront property in Santa Barbara County — worth millions.

Shore vs: Street

The views are unspeakably stunning. It’s why the Santa Barbara coast is known as the American Riviera. I get kind of giddy when we drive through its lush landscaped back roads, and get to walk barefoot on the beach. But nothing sends me spinning like the raw, painterly improvisations by local graffiti artists. On this day, less than 50 yards from the crashing waves — I spied a full city block of impromptu abstractions on an abandoned property in Summerland. (Pics #2 #3 below)

It’s a rush I have trouble explaining to others.

For most, visiting this big bucks zip code, the breathtaking vistas, and sprawling homes are the attraction. For me, it’s the spirit of freedom (and admittedly defiance) that gets my heart pumping.

(Pic #2) Street art on an abandoned property in Summerland. MY kind of view.

Drive-By Art Shows! Yes, It’s A Thing

May 29, 2020 by Lonnie Lardner

(Pic #1) “Stay Strong 2020” by Joan Wulf, Los Angeles. Featured in the new drive-by “De-Fence Art Show” at the Santa Monica Airport.

Artists find new ways of getting more eyes on their work. Call it Covid Creative.

An artist’s default position typically lands on the fresh and new. It’s what defines him/her as an artist. They think differently, and they act differently. Even corporate America has decided creativity is “more important” than integrity or discipline among the world’s top CEOs.* So it’s no surprise that artists have discovered fresh ways of showing their art — while keeping us “Covid safe.”

Last weekend, what started in New York made its way to the east side of LA. This weekend, expect to see streets west of Western (see map here) lined with assorted artwork — by 120 different artists. According to Drive-by-Art (the guys who started the trend on Long Island) the in-car experience creates “a sense of needed solidarity” within the artistic communities. There will be dayside and nighttime showings.

You may know some of the participating artists — established Los Angeles favorites like Lita Albuquerque and Kenny Scharf — who will show alongside some of LA’s best emerging artists. For more info, visit the Drive-By website: called, Drive-by-Art.

(Pic #2) Featured on KCRW: Painter Eric Dever installed his artwork outside in South Fork, Long Island. Image courtesy of Drive-by-Art.

(Pic #3) “Behind, under, around” Installation for Durden and Ray by Brenna Ivanhoe and Nancy Ivanhoe. Mixed media. Image provided by Durden and Ray.

Through June 20th — a sort of “scavenger hunt” map of a citywide art exhibition around L.A. sponsored by Durden and Ray art collective. The exhibit features nearly 100 artists who have installed public artwork from Santa Monica to the east side, from the valley to Long Beach. Alleyways, front yards, to chain link fences. (Pic #3) (See map here.)

And starting tomorrow, you have a month to check out the art around the Santa Monica Airport. (Pic #1) It’s an exhibition called “De-Fence Art” — “an outdoor exhibition in the time of isolation.” 12 noon to sunset. Masks and social distancing required. Address: 3026 Airport Drive, Santa Monica, CA 90405.

The impact on participating artists is deep. Many have been apprehensive about the post Covid art market, and rightly so. So the opportunity to share new work and connect with art-lovers in person provides a sense of hope. What’s more, says artist Sean Noyce, “this simply helps us and our community realign our spirits.”

* IBM Creativity study here.

Yeah, Museums Are Cool, But…Brooklyn Streets Totally Crush It

September 30, 2016 by Lonnie Lardner

(Pic #1) Detail from an elaborate block-long mural in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn

The streets of Brooklyn offer miles and miles of eye-popping art and design — and it’s all free to see.

Last week I mentioned to the concierge at my hotel in NYC that I was a fan of really good graffiti, and he said, “Brooklyn has the best.” As an exceptional concierge should, he nailed it. There wasn’t nearly enough time, but he guided me through blocks and blocks of pure Brooklyn creativity. Wall after wall — covered with clever works of art — or, in some cases, freestyle vandalism.

Oddly, I find myself drawn to the layers of defacing as much as the beautiful renderings underneath. To me, the more “in your face,” the better. I was as fascinated by the trashed up doorways (see below) as I was with the well-planned, strategically designed, site specific ambien murals, like the one above. I totally love the way artists incorporate electrical boxes, window sills, air conditioners, and unkempt cables into their overall compositions. Sometimes, it’s even hard to tell what’s real and what’s not. (See “Trompe L’oeil”).

Bushwick has long been a working class neighborhood, and now it is suddenly cool. And colorful. Dozens of art studios and galleries pepper the neighborhood, and much of the public art you see on the street is created by the artists in “The Bushwick Collective,” an open-air gallery of street art centered at the corner of St. Nicholas Avenue and Troutman Street.

Check out the “walking tours” and self-guided apps — Brooklyn just may be the hottest place to see great art. Click here for more on the “Walking tour of Bushwick street art” Click here to view the “Self-guided (app) tour.” From poignant and political, to simply whimsical — prepare to be blown away.

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