Living in Downtown Los Angeles literally across the street from the LA Live and the Staples Center has allowed me the opportunity to be in the know of things happening in and around the city, especially events occurring downtown. As in my past post Shepherd Fairey's 'Damaged' Exhibit visit - I stumbled across the LA Art Show which was being put on at the Los Angeles Convention Center. I have to say that I was blown away. Some of the creativity and art that was in this building was mind-blowing.

The Disney Princesses: Ariel, Jasmine, Snow White and Belle

LA Art Show: Modern & Contemporary

Los Angeles has emerged as a global epicenter of art & culture, with a distinct, interwoven multi-cultural influence unique to the city. Diversity is the strength and art is most impactful when it includes or transcends all borders. As LA rises as the world-class destination for art, the LA Art Show continues to lead the way with innovative programming and one-of-a-kind experiences for an expanding collecting audience.

To celebrate the diversity as a city and a fair, they've engaged and are working with local and international museum curators and galleries to develop innovative programming, engaging dialogs and cutting-edge exhibitions with an ecumenical resonance.

Building on last year’s excitement, DIVERSEartLA dedicates over 60,000 square feet in the LA ART SHOW to performance art, installations, exhibits and programs curated by major museums and arts organizations such as LACMA, MOLAA, THE AUTRY and MUSA MUSEUM OF THE ARTS GUADALAJARA. The DIVERSEartLA section is devoted to nurturing the creative energy of collectors, artists, curators and institutions by providing a contemporary art platform that helps to empower, connect and engage LA’s dynamic community and diverse audiences with the world.

More than 200,000 square feet of booth space is committed to today’s prominent galleries. These domestic and international galleries, beyond their booths, curate special exhibits that are at the forefront of the burgeoning contemporary art movement. The fair offers an extraordinary array of works in specialized sections – Roots, Core, Littletopia, Works on Paper, Project Space, Jewel and new to the show in 2018, Design LA Art.

BullDog Superheroes: Batman and Superman

Dialogs LA returns in 2018 with a slate of talks and panel discussions led by international curators, esteemed panels comprised of artists, designers, collectors, art influencers and museum directors.

The compelling combination of galleries, exhibits, dialogs and programming creates the perfect cultural event for seasoned collectors and new collectors alike as more than 70,000 people descend on the LA Art Show to consume art! The LA Convention Center is home to the fair, offering an expansive 260,000 square feet of exhibition space, the only venue that can accommodate an international fair of this caliber.

This was amazing because it felt like you were going into the piece.

And then there is always the word art...

The LA Art Show is the unparalleled international art experience with over 100 galleries from 18 countries exhibiting painting, sculpture, works on paper, installation, photography, design, video and performance. All works presented by galleries are available for purchasing. And let me tell you, some of the items were a pretty penny!

I love the complexity of this one and the tones if conveys.

As art is meant to speak to you - these certainly did. Living in a place dominated by people who want to be noticed and seen - the culture itself is corrupted in some ways. Don't get me wrong - I love fast cars and nice things, but it is the overconsumption of these items. When you become a slave to "things," the things own you.

More words set to the artist's taste. I love the juxtaposition of the last one. Relationships are tough and more people than not know how it is to feel like their significant other is the "light of my life..." only for that to fade into: "maybe go f*** yourself." Powerful nonetheless, one of my favorites.

These crosses made out of Coke bottles invoke a certain sensation towards the religiously inclined. I was unsure of the artist's intentions... was the intention to say that religion is as empty as these Coke bottles, but put in a shiny covering and slapped with adjectives that describe one's faith? I don't know, but Virtue, Truth, Love - I dig.

And speaking about virtue:

The nun and the lady in the burqa - what are they hiding. I loved the ability of this artist to create a maddeningly beautiful composition that is not only visually stunning, but thought provoking. Art should challenge the senses in some ways, sooth in others. I found a lot of the art here challenged my senses.

Heeeeeyyyyyy maaaaannnnn...

Love this - would be great for a game room. Having spent over a decade in the film industry, this piece really resonates with me...

I like camels. That is all.

This was part of a series of pieces that all showcased different moves.

More Words...

I loved the live art... it was amazing to witness and even cooler to see the television screen giving a close up of his work. So amazingly talented.

This piece was comprised of materials from the Mojave Desert, collected refuse and re-purposed paintings.
It's called: Hollywood Hood

Coooool.

Oh man, this one. This one broke my heart a bit. This is Mickey and Minnie in Hiroshima. The emotions it brings out is tough because to this day - these are the only 2 atomic bombs ever dropped. Do you see the homage to Wall-E? If you don't stay away from nuclear winter - he'll be the only one left.

I. Am. Batman. (A very colorful BATMAN)

Kid's Play - always will be a kid.

Sensational piece.

Cryptocurrency feels were conjured in this exhibit. Have we ground out anything left of our Democracy into pennies? Have we perverted our Constitution to keep existing paradigms in place that no longer serve the common good?

The Power vs. Doubt Effect

So creative were these pieces. Fantastically creative.

Just your typical woman brandishing an ax. Nothing to see here. I couldn't help but think of the #metoo movement.

Jail time for the Bear.

This one was in my top 5 for sure. Everything about it speaks to me. The men playing the dice game, the authority figure in the background - and these men, just not giving a _____.

Miesha Theresa Tate (on the right), born August 18, 1986 is a mixed martial arts pundit and former mixed martial artist who competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and is a former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion.
Amanda Lourenço Nunes (on the left), born May 30, 1988 is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who currently fights for the Ultimate Fighting Championship where she is the reigning UFC Women's Bantamweight champion.

Talk Amongst Yourselves

Not a yellow submarine...

Weirdly coooool.

Even weirder...

These Gargoyles and their shadows were uber cool.

Moby Dick!

Called: The Art of Finding Love
And what an art it is...which leads me into a section that had hearts in hands and on display...

Followed by a frog in a hot air balloon... why not?

What is all your clutter were a simple painting that you can bring to life?

I mean.....

Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil, See No Evil

Do these work in a kitchen?

Here Kitty Kitty...

Woooood Woooorrrrkksss

Love the textures...

This one is perhaps in my top 3... beautifully done.

Caaaaaaannnnnnndddddddyyyyyyyy!

Anarchy was alive and well - I feel like there were amazing pieces revolving around resisting the narrative fed to you.

Speaking of which, are you kidding me? WORLD LEADER PUNCHING BAGS!?

Putin!

Cheney punch!

Felt strongly about this image too:

Exactly...

And even more words...

Of course had to end it on a Crypto note!!!

I hope you enjoyed these shots. If you happen to be in LA - should definitely go check it out. It should not be missed. And if you aren't able to make it to LA, look up your local art museum. Perhaps there is a local art show in town. One should never miss an opportunity to feed their soul with art. And if you have none of the above or like my friends up north who are snowed in - create your own art. The great thing is that everyone can be creative - just grab a bunch of random items and start! Have a wonderful weekend World.

#SuperSamSays