Krisis Kommiserating with Abel Alejandre

Abel Alejandre was born of hot earth. No, really. He comes from a region of Michoacan, Mexico called Tierra Caliente. But he cites Wilmington, Ca. as his hometown and a boys club he attended there as the most likely seedling for his path as an artist. As best I can tell, Abel first showed his art in 1984, taking part in a Special Olympics mural. Since then he has shown in countless group shows, over a dozen solo shows, and had paintings acquired for museum collections. He's taught printmaking at university, and was one of the artists chosen for the roll-out of the Metro Expo Line in Los Angeles.

I've written about Abel before. I interviewed him 4 years ago (almost to the day). Back then though, we weren't all grappling with a global pandemic. Back then, the L.A. Convention Center wasn't a make-shift hospital.  Back then, we had a President who wasn't bragging about ratings as his citizens were dying. Things were very different then.

I checked in on Abel yesterday.

How are you feeling, brother?

Physically, I feel relatively normal. However, my mental health is a wreck. On ordinary days, I tend to overthink everything and these days it has been tougher than ever to quiet my mind.

Were you able to quarantine in the studio? How long has it been?

My studio is next to my house, so it is easier to do social distancing. I am fortunate that my studio is a converted two car garage with restroom and a stocked fridge. I've been quarantined for almost two weeks. I have left to grab some groceries at some point. I have also gone on two short bike rides, one last week and one this week. Of course, I wear my gloves and mask whenever I leave.

When did ya get the "Holy Shit" gut punch?

It probably hit me about a month ago. I am a news junkie and so I already suffer from a healthy amount of paranoia. As the onslaught of coronavirus got closer to home, I kept expanding my social distancing strategy.

Have you had cancelled/postponed exhibitions as a result?

Two running exhibitions were closed to the public. There are two other exhibitions pushed out, but I would not be surprised if they are cancelled or postponed to a later date. I also had three speaking engagements and a workshop cancelled.

What have you been doing with the downtime? Are you able to make art right now?

I work in the studio almost every day, but not as long as I would like to. There are too many distractions from the news. Since, I'm a news junkie, distractions are unavoidable.

Abel's recent painting on chest X-ray

Are you finding any inspiration in this mess?

Only two things inspire me, available time or a deadline. I’ve had lots of available time.

What has been the most challenging part of this for you?

Food security has been my greatest challenge. I'm on a special diet and it makes me anxious to not have access to fresh produce.

What are some of your coping mechanisms?

I keep to a routine to keep my mind occupied. Every morning I plan out my day, so that I know that the work has moved forward.

What's the thing/place you wish you could do/go but can't right now?

I would love to go see art and to visit with friends and family. Like everyone else, I am relegated to fulfill these tasks online. It is definitely unsatisfying.

Done any binge watching, book reading, game playing?

I've watching Babylon Berlin and Star Trek series on Netflix. I am currently reading Slumberland by Paul Beatty. I don't play games, but love wood puzzles.

Favorite work of art in Los Angeles?

My favorite work is a John Valadez mural in my hometown, Long Beach.

What song is stuck in your head right now (commercial jingles totally count)

“Stay the fuck at home”

Favorite brand of toilet paper and where do you find it?

My favorite brand is Charmin and I can't find it anywhere. I have been reduced to buying a bunch of single rolls from my local 98¢ Plus store. LOL

If you could hoard one food item, what would it be?

I would hoard Bob's Red Mill Muesli. I have to have it, it is part of my routine.

Do you know anyone personally who has contracted the virus?

Fortunately, no one so far.

How do you think this all ends?

I fully expect the economy to stay in the toilet for a minimum of a year and half. The art world that we love and love to hate will be gone; it may take even longer to return. I hope that I am wrong.

El Buk

KrossD Awards (2016 Can Fuck Off Already edition)

"Images of Police Brutality #4" by Steven Thomas Higgins

This is gonna be short and sweet. I didn't even want to do it all. Just 10 days into this year, I woke up to the news that David Bowie had died. I was completely unprepared for the degree to which that would hurt me. The shit snowball just gained velocity after that. Merle, Prince, Leonard. Then, in November, because of an arcane electoral system (that was put in place to exploit slaves), my country elected a megalomaniac racist, peeping tom, pussy grabber to the most powerful position on the planet. But even that wasn't enough for 2016. No, it had to take Carrie Fisher and her Mom away too. Fuck you 2016!

I'm forced to write this one because the best art of 2016 was so damn great, and I worry that you didn't notice. I've been kind of selfishly busy with my own career and haven't been writing about others as much as usual. I'm sorry. I owe you this much.

ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Steven Thomas Higgins

The one single shining, glorious bright spot of this horrible year, has been watching Steven Thomas Higgins work. He hasn't been loud about it. His name doesn't turn up in every group show around town. He's just been quietly, diligently, slaving away in his studio, exploring color, tonal duality, textures, and themes.He has dedicated himself to his craft, and doesn't seem to care if you're paying attention. I am. I know a few gallerists who might read this. I'm writing this for you. You need to be watching this guy. You need to be showing this guy. We need his art. Pay attention!

"In Groups" by Steven Thomas Higgins

"Lines in Blue and Red" by Steven Thomas Higgins

BEST SOLO SHOW OF THE YEAR: Public Secrets - Abel Alejandre at Coagula Curatorial

You've heard me fawn about Abel before. He has a way with line that just wrecks me. "Public Secrets" was a show that delved into myth, conspiracy theory, and family that may have been the most honest exhibit of the year.

"Ebola" by Abel Alejandre

BEST GROUP SHOW OF THE YEAR: "Sticks and Stones" curated by Douglas Alvarez at Cactus Gallery.

The theme seemed simple enough, create something that reflects childhood lessons/experiences. Who knew that that this would take every artist in the show out of their comfort zone (and signature styles) to create deeply personal, and touching work? Who knew that Alex Schaefer and Jennifer Korsen had shared memories of prismatic fascination? I spent a good chunk of the opening sitting on a forklift and being fittingly delinquent with good friends before we had to chase zombies (long story). Also, this show had my single, favorite work of art of the year in it, by Snow Mack.

"Jackson Browne Goes Downtown in his Jacks on Brown gown" by Snow Mack

NINTH WONDER OF THE ART WORLD: Leigh Salgado's laugh.

If you've never felt the healing powers of this woman's laugh, I feel sorry for you. It makes everything okay.

MOST TEARS SHED: Tfail (aka Tina St. Claire).

Although we had many mutual friends, and rubbed artwork elbows a few times, I never got to meet Tina. But her art always grabbed me by the throat, and made Los Angeles an insanely beautiful place to live. For all the heroes that fell this year, I cried the most about losing Tina. Please remember her!

Tfail

...and while I'm at it...


WORST ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Milo Moire

Yep. Her again. This year Milo actually invited strangers to grope her through a mirrored box. For fucks sake! You can talk to me until you're blue in the face about how this was a profound statement regarding consent. I'll quietly listen as you tell me that the mirrors reflect our inner perversions. I might even nod as you talk. But after you finish explaining art to me, I'm gonna walk far, far away from you and hope to never see you again.

Fuck off, 2016!

Abel Alejandre Knows Your Secrets

I can't quite put a date on the first time I saw Abel Alejandre's art. Over the past ten years, his work has just seemed to permeate my consciousness. He arrived, fully formed,  with a master's hand, and a brilliant mind. I so swiftly placed him in the brain file alongside Goya and Caravaggio, that it feels now like Abel has always been in the art history books. He's just one of those artists, where the the greatness is so apparent that the art settles inside of you on a molecular level, as if it's always been there.

I do, however, remember the first time I met Abel. A couple years ago, I was invited to a private life drawing session. The names on the invite list were all pretty impressive, heavy hitters. But the most intimidating name on that list was Abel's. It was a terrifying prospect, and the coward in me wanted to bow out. But passing on a chance to sit in a room and draw alongside Abel Alejandre wasn't an option for me. So, I went. When I arrived, there was Abel, in the center of the room, sitting at a little folding drawing table that he'd built himself, pencils and pens lined up, paper at the ready. He looked like an eager student on the first day of school, but also like a General in the war room, ready for battle. I introduced myself, and fawned over his work like a fanboy. He could not have been nicer, but his pencils were sharp, and the drawings he executed that night cut my sloppy scribbles to shreds.

If you're reading this, it's safe to assume you already know that Abel is murderous with a pencil. His graphite drawings are exquisite, painstaking wonders. But that's just half the story. Abel's latest work, Public Secrets, opening April 9th at Coagula Curatorial, is a series of paintings that explore myths, and conspiracies, the underbelly of our delusions. Abel let me visit his studio for a preview of the work. Above the entrance of his work space, a sign warns you, "Art Maker". The first piece I saw was a small, rectangular board with three cockroaches. Each roach was carrying something on it's back, like mules hauling contraband. A pencil. A cigarette, He explained the conceit of the show, that everyone has secrets. That some secrets we keep hidden, and others we reveal unwittingly. I thought the piece was scratchboard, but every single work in the show is actually a painting. Hundreds of tiny white marks on black gesso. Abel paints exactly as he draws, obsessive, diligent, intense. It's really hard to wrap your brain around how good he is, especially when you learn that he is largely self-taught. There was a thought balloon over the lead cockroach, but it was blank. I asked Abel what it was going to say.

I don't know yet. I've already erased it three times. I'm not a big fan of (pauses), I like the work to be accessible, but I don't like it to be so literal that it's like talking down. I hate talking down to my audience. So, this is about contraband, an underworld. This one's going to be carrying a bullet. I was gonna have him saying something about the shadow government.

Abel stepped into the other room, and started to pull out the other pieces in the show, as my jaw dropped.

The whole series is about secrets, conspiracies. I've come across so many people, in my personal and professional life, who keep talking to me about conspiracies and secret narratives, about Trump, 9/11 was an inside job, UFOs. It was just so pervasive, and it kept occupying my mind.

This is about American consumption of un-American drugs. They can't get it to us fast enough. We keep using whatever they deliver.

So, this series is really, you know, I was thinking about families who, now that they're here a second, third, fourth generation, they've kind of become legitimate Americans. But if you go back a couple generations, maybe they were involved in the drug trade, and it's that sort of access to money and routes that may have helped them to get here. But then this becomes a family secret. So, I was thinking of those sort of things that we hide from our friends, or maybe our siblings, or our children.

This is a portrait of my mother, who started me on this path of secrets. When I was a kid, she would tell me, 'Be careful what you do out there, because there's a little bird that tells me your secrets.' I always looked at it like a metaphor. But it was something I heard my whole life. You know, there's a little snitch in the neighborhood that's keeping an eye on me and ratting me out to my mother. So, the way I would visualize this, all these people, hiding in trees. It just created this image. They're doing surveillance. So, I grew up trusting nobody, trusting nothing for what it is. Everything has some other symbolism. In Spanish really, especially in my family, nothing that is ever said really means what they're saying. They can never say what they mean. Everything has a significance to something else.

That's a bird of paradise. For me, all things beautiful, like flowers and plants, are not to be trusted.

This has to do with Ebola. In Africa, the CDC would go in there with all their garb to protect themselves from being infected. So the witch doctors saw this, and adopted that menacing mask to distance themselves from the virus. None of it was functional. It was all sort of ceremonial. So the witch doctors would come in with these makeshift costumes in order to eradicate the disease. It was such a striking and beautiful gesture. They're trying to understand something, and this is the way they've re-contextualized. They have built a narrative that it was these people (the CDC) who brought in the disease. So, this part of the conspiracies.

This is my father, and I've turned his sombrero into a space ship. He's one of the people who always told me, 'Don't believe anybody. Everything is bullshit. Don't trust anyone.' But lately, he's been telling me of alien conspiracies.

They Walk Among Us

Every person that I know who spouts some sort of conspiracy theory, I hear all the time, 'You know they walk among us.' This is an artist, Mario Ibarra.

The show will be hung with the pieces butted up against each other, so it's like a mural. They're all gonna be having a larger conversation. This will be at the bottom, holding up the narrative. He has the weight of all these stories on his shoulders.

The way I've internalized the conspiracies, the secrets, the hidden agendas, what have you, is that people who believe these things, can not just believe one thing. A person who thinks 9/11 was an inside job? Guaranteed, you talk to them long enough, they also believe in ancient astronauts. They may believe JFK conspiracies. So, what I find is a lot of people make connections with contradictory conspiracies. There's an invisible connection that they all have, in their mind. All these people carrying these ridiculous stories; the true history, the untold history, the secret history. All these things are connected somehow. So, that's why I wanted to have these pieces all be connected, although they're individual pieces, they can also be connected.

Abel's weapons.

I should tell you that the photos here are just tiny details of the work. There is a common fear among artists that if you show your art on social media before a show, no one will come to the opening. So, for now, I have to tease you. But trust me, the caliber of Abel's latest is extraordinary. I doubt very much if I'll see a better show this year.


Public Secrets
Opening reception April 9th, 7-11pm
Coagula Curatorial
974 Chung King Road
Los Angeles, Ca 90012

The KrossD Awards: The Best (and Worst) Art of 2014

End of the year. Time for somber reflections, emotional breakdowns, gluttony, sobriety checkpoints and if we're lucky, warm, fuzzy feelings about the year that's passed. I've been lucky this year. I've assaulted my eyeballs with great art, and surrounded myself with amazing artists who inspire me everyday. You can miss so much by just slaving away in your cliche garret.

I usually post a simple, straightforward list of the five best exhibitions I saw in a given year. But 2014 was too complex, too multi-faceted to be pared down like that. So, I've decided to hand out awards this time; hypothetical, invisible, useless awards. Because it's fun! Besides, what's the point of having a blog, if not to spew your unsolicited opinions? These lists are of course completely subjective, eye of the beholder stuff, and mine is heavily Los Angeles-centric (although my artist of the year is in New York). L.A. is my home, and the art here is not to be ignored. I've intentionally avoided listing anything, no matter how worthy, from the hallowed halls of academic self-righteousness. You'll find no LACMA here, no MOCA, no Mike Kelley. There's plenty of other critics telling you where you should go, and what you should think. I want to respectfully nudge you elsewhere.


Artist of the Year: Tina Lugo

I came across Tina Lugo's art on some social media vehicle of some sort through Cotton Candy Machine. Holy fury, do I love this woman! Lugo's take on 16th century Japanese shunga is at once bitingly satirical, fearlessly profane, and beautifully violent. She manages to pay loving homage to an ancient form of erotica, and mock it's sexist predilections in the same brushstroke. Much of her work is painted on glass, which lends a sleek, fragile slant to her epic gender-bending scenarios. Working at a furious pace, Lugo has dazzled me week after week this year. Far and away my favorite artist of 2014!

Tina Lugo (also see top photo)

Best New Artist: Valerie Pobjoy 

I'm not sure exactly how old Valerie is, but I do know she's pretty fresh out of art school, and too damn young to be able to paint like John Singer Sargent! I've been in a couple of shows with her this year, and her work has humbled the hell out of me.

Valerie Pobjoy

Curator of the Year: Wendy Sherman for Hearsay at Begovich Gallery.

Wendy spent at least four years curating this, and it shows. She'd win this on sheer tenacity, but she really did murder this one. Standing O!

Nicola Verlato from Hearsay

Best Ninja with a Pencil: Abel Alejandre

What can you say about Abel? He should have a city block named after him.

Best Ninja with a Pen: Timothy Paul Doyle

Doyle has haters. I ain't one of them.

Best Ninja with a Needle: Ellen Schinderman


Don't play Words with her. She cheats! I kid. Her needlework amazes!

Best Agitprop Performance/Installation of the Year: "Trouble: The Disasters of War" by Alex Schaefer and Steven Thomas Higgins at Blackstone Gallery.

You didn't really think Alex would be silent about the Torture Report, did you?

Against All Odds Award:  Lydia Emily and Arabella Proffer.

These two ladies look mortality in the face, and spit in it's eye. Plagued with horrible afflictions, and numerous hospital stays, I've watched Lydia and Arabella create, and create. Through it all, they create. I've never met either one of them, but they are shining beacons of inspiration to me. I never want to hear an artist whine about not having enough time to do their work. Time is all we have, and it's ticking away right now. Tick Tock!

Lydia Emily

Arabella Proffer

Best Antidote for a glut of Hyperrealism: Martha Rich, always Martha Rich!

I've noticed a certain focus on Hyperrealism among a throng of galleries that used to be much more diverse in their aesthetic. While the hyperrealists are clearly talented magicians, the work is often just cold, masturbatory exercises in navel gazing. These folks tend not to say much in their work at all. It's all very antiseptic. They do achieve one powerful thing though. They deepen my love of Martha Rich immensely! All hail Martha!!!

Martha Rich

Best Antidote for Koons-ian Kitsch: "An Ocean With No Shores" - Ryan McIntosh at The Brewery Artwalk.

Ryan is a cynical, sarcastic bastard. So, naturally he's one of my favorite artists. He's also the Printmaker of the Year!

Ryan McIntosh

Best Antidote for Bunny Art: *sigh* Sorry, there is no cure for bunny art. The bunny people will not be stopped. I tried though.

Best Installation That You Probably Never Saw: "Clothesline Lanes" by Leigh Salgado at LAX

Unless you flew into LAX from an international flight, you didn't see this. I was fortunate enough to visit Leigh while she was working on it. Trust me, it's phenomenal!

My Favorite Group Show of the Year: "Wish List" at Gabba Gallery.

Even if I hadn't been in this show, it would still be my favorite, and for many reasons, but mostly because I saw the work of Amy Smith, Sarah Stieber, and Phil Santos for the first time.

Amy Smith

Sarah Stieber

Phil Santos

Best Collage "Redefiner": Jaime Becker

Jaime Becker is just a bundle of energy, creativity, sweetness and laughter. There will always be a place for her on this list. Always.

Jaime Becker

Most Bonkers (but completely charming) Group Show: "The Season of Spring" at Flower Pepper Gallery

Anthony Ausgang, Liz McGrath, Septerhed, Alex Schaefer, Mike Reynolds, JAW Cooper, and on, and on. This was huge! Yeah, I was in the show too. It's my list. I'll do what I want. Really fun night!

Best Abstract Exhibit: Jon Marc Edwards at Coagula Curatorial.

I spent a long time staring at the piece below. Then, I sat down and watched the throng trample over Edwards' pile of letters installed on the gallery floor. They were asking for it.

Jon Marc Edwards (detail)

Hardest Working Abstractionist: Mandy Lyn Perez

Betty Screams on Instagram.  Tireless, this woman. Watch her work...then get to work!

Mandy Lyn Perez

My Favorite Place to chain smoke my way through opening night jitters: the beautiful, calming and ever changing mural exterior of Gabba Gallery.

The Septerhed overlord

Most Dangerous Couple: Haunted Euth x TFail

"Made Me Look" street art award: Thrashbird

Thrashbird

You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet Award: Jennifer Korsen.

It starts at the heart, but really, you don't even know what she's capable of yet. Keep hating though, she converts it into fuel.

Jennifer Korsen

For instance...

Jewelry Maker of the Year: Jennifer Korsen

Just a few of the rings Jennifer has made.

My Most Embarrassing "I just don't have the words" Moment: Meeting Stacy Lande. How fortunate for me, that Lisa Derrick (knowing what a huge fan I am) was standing nearby with a camera to record the horror!

Weirdest, Most Inscrutable and Wonderful Instagram Account: Hollis Hart
Follow her!

Best New Gallery: Daniel Rolnik Gallery

The Daniel Rolnik Gallery opened on a ritzy stretch of Santa Monica a few months ago. But Daniel, being Daniel, has created a space that is warm, inviting, happy and anything but snobby. He's all about the art and the artists. New art everyday. New shows every week. Really cool things are happening there. Watch this space!

Okay, so Daniel isn't a vampire! You can see his reflection!

"Slackers" of the Year: Phobik

He says he "didn't do shit this year". But he did.

Phobik

Septerhed "didn't do shit this year" either. Ha! He murdered some walls!!

Septerhed

Album on heavy rotation this year: "Benji" by Sun Kil Moon

Now, for the bad stuff...

Saddest Gallery Closing: WWA Gallery

I loved WWA. It was the first place I saw Arabella Proffer's work. I saw my first Nicole Bruckman there (that piece is in my living room now). I miss that gallery hard!


Least Subtle (and unfortunate) use of product placement: "A Subtlety" by Kara Walker

Way over-hyped, and inadvertently becoming a bleak commentary on selfie culture, Walker's mammoth shot at the slave trade, ultimately backfired. Domino wins...again.

Worst Artist of the Year (by far): Milo Moire

Milo Moire is delusional. She will tell you that she's a feminist artist who is fighting for gender equality. What she actually is, is a brain-dead exhibitionist whose "work" is definitely not feminist, nor is it art. She is merely an attention seeking narcissist, making it harder for brilliant female artists to be seen. With every stitch of clothing she removes, and every paint egg she plops, she makes it more difficult for every artist of substance, regardless of gender. I refuse to post a picture or hyperlink her name. Google her if you must, but I won't be a part of that bullshit. This may be the price we have to pay for Karen Finley, but it's still a swindle.


Thanks for indulging me.

"I'm like a curious child...just give me more, more, more, more..."
                                                                       

May you all have a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!