Singer-songwriter Noah Gundersen at The Loft in La Jolla

Written by Emily Shaw

On Friday, November 22 folky singer-songwriter Noah Gundersen will perform at UCSD’s The Loft in La Jolla.

Gundersen’s songs have been described as “catchy” and “heartfelt” and that includes those on his newest EP, “Family.” The EP’s songs are dedicated to honoring Gundersen’s family and thank them for helping him become who he is today.

Rather appropriately, Gundersen’s sister, Abby, will be on tour promoting “Family” with him, accompanying his songs with violin and vocal harmonies.

The Seattle native’s star has been rising as of late, with two of his songs being featured on FX’s television program, “Sons of Anarchy.”

Catch him at The Loft in La Jolla before he becomes too big: Gundersen already has plans to release a promising full-band album.

Tickets are $12 for the general public and $5 for UCSD students. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show begins at 9 p.m.

After the show, plan to spend your weekend at Thumbprint Gallery in La Jolla to get the low-down on a different type of up-and-coming artist. The gallery is located at 920 Kline Street and features contemporary, urban art, lowbrow, and graffiti art from local artists. It is open on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Source:
http://theloft.ucsd.edu/index.php/event/892

MCASD’s Monte Carlo Night

Written by Emily Shaw

On September 7 join the Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla for an unforgettable night at the annual event, entitled Monte Carlo: A Night at Les Caves. Guests will take an imaginative tour of the South of France, a night of living the high life in St. Tropez.

This glitzy fundraiser will be organized by chairs Sonia and Gavin Mandelbaum. As an exciting first in the event’s history, the museum has snagged a contemporary artist, local Kelsey Brookes, to be its art ambassador. His psychedelic original works have garnered fame in the local art world, and Brookes will contribute his unique vision to ensure that the museum’s Monte Carlo event is one special night.

Starting at 6:30 pm, the night will consist of a cocktail reception, followed by a dinner, and then an after party stretching into the wee hours of September 8.

The fundraiser goes to a great cause, aiding in funding the museum’s exhibitions and educational programs. Tickets are available for purchase beginning July 26. You may also contact April Farrell at 858 454 3541 x162, or aefarrell@mcasd.org for tickets.

After or before the big night at the museum, be sure to stop by another one of La Jolla’s art havens, Thumbprint Gallery. The La Jolla art gallery is located at 920 Kline Street and features contemporary, urban, lowbrow and graffiti art from local artists. It is open on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Sources

https://www.mcasd.org/events/monte-carlo-night-les-caves-0

“Approximately Infinite Universe” at the Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla

"Channeling Aura I" by Desiree Holman

Written by Emily Shaw

The Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla opened doors to its exhibition, “Approximately Infinite Universe” on June 7 and will continue to show the collection through September 1. The seemingly strange title is borrowed from avant-garde artist Yoko Ono’s 1973 album. The moniker is fitting, however, as the show not only features Ono’s work, but is comprised of pieces generally dealing with the workings of our universe.

From time travel to adventures in space to futuristic creations, the art of “Infinite Universe” puts our universe on display from every strange, ugly and fascinating angle.

The museum is open from 11 p.m. to 5 p.m. every day, Wednesdays not included. Admission fees are generally low and children and students under the age of 25 are admitted for free. Tickets are free for all attendees every third Thursday.

For a bit of added fun, check the museums website to see their schedule of music events and movie showings, usually taking place from 5 p.m. 8 p.m. on designated nights. Otherwise, stop by for dinner and a show. Food trucks line the streets outside the museum most Thursday nights.  

After visiting “Infinite Universe” and taking in the works by artists like Chitra Ganesh, Desiree Holman, and Saya Woolfalk, be sure to stop by another La Jolla art hotspots, Thumbprint Gallery. The art gallery is Located at 920 Kline Street and features contemporary, urban, lowbrow, and graffiti art from local artists. Thumbprint Gallery is open on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Source

http://www.lajollalight.com/2013/07/11/exhibit-explores-alternate-realities-at-museum-of-contemporary-art-san-diego-in-la-jolla/?pid=5156

Read, Write, Think, Dream of La Jolla

Read/Write/Think/Dream -Baldessari

Entrances to buildings have been an important and central part of architectural and artistic design for what seems like eternity. It is the first thing someone will see upon entering and the last thing as they leave. It is a portal, a transition from one space to the next. John Baldessari understood the conceptual and visual impact of an entrance and employed his style and vision into the main entrance to Geisel Library at UCSD in La Jolla. Baldessari used students as the focal point in this piece, entitled “Read/Write/Think/Dream.”

Primary-colored automatic doors are flanked by ten-foot tall portraits of UCSD students. Erect like pillars, they stand on bases of shelved classic books. As the doors to the library open, the primary colors blend, turning green and orange. It is a transition of color as well as space. Above the doors the paneled glass reads: READ, WRITE, THINK, DREAM. It is Baldessari’s reminder to the students that the library itself is a gateway to higher thinking, understanding, and imagination.

Baldessari used the foyer in his designs as well. Glass panels featuring seated students are directly opposite the automatic doors. To the left are giant writing utensils of various colors ordered in a rainbow. Through a second set of doors with Southern California palm trees is a photomural of the beach, which is clearly a nod to the beauty of the La Jolla coastline.

Baldessari uses color, image, and text to bring together the complexity of the Geisel Library: the students and books that inhabit the building, the concept of the library and university, and the stunning location of the school itself. Once you have seen Baldessari’s “Read/Write/Think/Dream” visit Thumbprint Gallery, on Kline Street in La Jolla, to see more art by local la jolla artists. The gallery is open 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Source:

http://stuartcollection.ucsd.edu/artists/baldessari.shtml

Selected Works on Paper Exhibition at MCASD, La Jolla

Richard Diebenkorn, Untitled, 1970

The Museum of Contemporary Art's latest exhibition shows works on paper by a selection of contemporary artists. These works, exhibited at the La Jolla museum, include drawings, photographs, paintings on paper and prints. The select works are from the MCASD collection and are on display until September 2, 2012.

Included in this exhibition are two prints by the contemporary painter Richard Diebenkorn. This 20th century American artist was associated with abstract expressionism and is best known for his "Ocean Park" paintings. The two pieces exhibited at MCASD, La Jolla, were made in 1970, close to when the artist first moved to Santa Monica’s Ocean Park neighborhood. Looking at these works we witness his turn to an abstract style, moving away from his previously figurative works. Caught between Diebenkorn's figurative and abstract periods, these prints can be seen both as part of his departure from his 1960s work within the Bay Area Figurative Movement and his journey towards his celebrated "Ocean Park" works.

In these two works we can see the influence of the Californian landscape in which he was living. Also, in 1970, Diebenkorn was documenting water reclamation projects in Arizona and Colorado, with the U.S. Department of Interior's Bureau of Reclamation. The effect of viewing the valleys and extreme landscapes through the helicopter window had evidently affected the artist's vision and were visible in his work.

On visiting the MCASD in La Jolla be sure to also see works by local urban artists at Thumbprint Gallery, on 920 Kline Street. Thumbprint Gallery shows lowbrow and urban art works that range from contemporary surrealism to graffiti inspired illustrations. Visit the art gallery’s website here.

Source: http://www.mcasd.org/exhibitions/selected-works-paper