A Table Laid with Thought

Green Table-Holzer

Jenny Holzer is an internationally renowned artist whose opinions and truths are the foundation, and form, of her controversial work. Text is her primary means of artistic expression. Her truisms have been on posters, scrolling LED screens, projected onto buildings, and installed in various museums around the world. UCSD commissioned Holzer to construct a sculpture for the La Jolla campus as part of the Stuart Collection. The product of this commission is entitled “Green Table” and resides in the Muir College Quad.

This oversized granite table is borderline monumental. Besides it’s size, the entire surface is carved with text. True to Holzer’s repertoire, some of it is humorous observations and commentary, while others are political criticisms. This table, which provides space for students and faculty to sit, eat, study, and congregate also has several conversation starters spread out before them.

Some of the text reads:

“Expiring for love is beautiful but stupid”

“Change is valuable when the oppressed become tyrants”

“Abuse of power comes as no surprise”

Longer stretches of text cover the top of the dark grey table. These messages are in a sense Holzer’s way of providing “food for thought,” presented at a table in a place of learning, UCSD. It is an interesting way of expressing ideas, inspiring discussion, and encouraging thought outside the classroom or laboratory. 

To experience more local, thought provoking, contemporary and lowbrow art, visit Thumbprint Gallery, on Kline Street in La Jolla. The gallery is open Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Source: http://stuartcollection.ucsd.edu/artists/holzer.shtml

'Something Pacific' about La Jolla

Something Pacific-Paik

Technology is a process of improvement and replacement. Once a newer, better, faster, model is released, the older models become obsolete and are then replaced. The growth of technology and dependence in the United States has shaped our culture and social lives as well. This is a theme in Nam June Paik’s sprawling installation “Something Pacific” at UCSD in La Jolla.

Nam June Paik is inspired by Dadaism and was part of the Fluxus movement of the post World War II era. His work using televisions quickly became a signature for his work.

In "Something Pacific,” Paik uses old and ruined televisions and incorporated them into the landscape surrounding UCSD's Media Center. Some have Buddha and figural companions blankly staring at the empty screens. A copy of Rodin’s ‘Thinker’ sits atop an old Walkman near the entrance to the building. This TV graveyard can take many meanings. It is a reminder that tv and media have shaped the landscape and environment of modern times. It is also a warning to students of the cyclical nature of technology.

The lobby of the Media Center has one of Paik’s interactive TV displays. Students can change what is being viewed on the banks of screens using a control panel. Video sequences of Paik’s or MTV can be manipulated on the multiple screens. The colorful changing screens are a striking contrast to the almost macabre scene outside the Media Center doors.

To learn more about art in La Jolla and local contemporary and lowbrow artwork, visit Thumbprint Gallery on Kline Street. The gallery is open Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Source:

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

A Walk Along a La Jolla 'Terrace'

Terrace-Ferrara

Architecture and landscape design are both ways of dividing space into harmonious and functional areas. College campuses have an enormous amount of space in which to work with. Jackie Ferrara did a project for the Stuart Collection at the La Jolla campus of UCSD, creating a terrace space for the Cellular and Molecular Medicine Facility. The ‘Terrace” was designed with the help and consultation of the architects from Moore Ruble Yudell and landscape designer Andrew Spurlock. With their advice during the early development of the project, the Terrace became functional and aesthetically appealing.

The Terrace has three main parts, the large northern terrace, the central space dominated by circular stairs, and a smaller southern terrace. Each section flows into the other. Black, red, and green slate tiles are used to pave the walkways between the three areas. The walkways are surrounded by Australian willow trees and benches; encouraging scientists to rest in the sun and contemplate. The terraces link the two wings of the building, creating an overall pleasant cohesive look to the facility.

The linear patterns of the walkway combined with the consecutive curvature of the staircase juxtaposed with the stone and grassy landscape create an interesting blend of hard and soft. The Terrace is a feat of architectural and landscape design. Once you have finished contemplating the complexities of cellular division on the Terrace, drop by Thumbprint Gallery, on Kline Street in La Jolla, to see contemporary and lowbrow art. The gallery is open Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 12 p.m. to  4 p.m.

Source:

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

Red Shoe by Elizabeth Murray

The Stuart Collection took a bold move by asking New York based artist Elizabeth Murray to construct her first freestanding sculpture. Murray, who was mainly known for painting at the time, was slowing moving away from traditional painting on canvas toward something that became increasingly three dimensional. She soon jumped at the chance of constructing her first sculpture in a grove of eucalyptus trees near the theater and drama department on UCSD, campus in La Jolla.

Murray’s work is characterized by the use of everyday objects such as shoes, cups, and saucers but adding a twist to show movement. Murray would construct what would come to be known as the Red Shoe in 1996, in her New York studio. The work was to challenge the boundaries of traditional painting. Robert Storr, Dean of the Yale University School of Art, stated, "Reason presides over universities; it remains for artists to give substance to those areas of consciousness that reason has not and perhaps cannot articulate." The Red Shoe brought life to the formerly forgotten and dull corner of campus by adding a touch of color and motion. The artwork invokes a fairly-tale like narrative and brings about a childlike feeling of whimsy. The playfulness and mischief is exactly what Elizabeth Murray aimed to bring to mind.

Murray lived in New York until her untimely death in 2007. She was a recipient of the MacArthur Foundation Fellowship in 1999, and in 2005 The Museum of Modern Art, New York, created a major exhibition of her work. The Red Shoe can still be found on the UCSD campus in La Jolla off of Torrey Pines Road.
 
After visiting the statue, drop by Thumbprint Gallery, on Kline Street, to see more contemporary art. The gallery is open Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 12-4pm.

Source: http://stuartcollection.ucsd.edu/artists/murray.shtml

Zoot Suits Return to La Jolla

When most people think of the 1940’s they envision a scene from Casablanca: with fedoras, trench coats, and perfect makeup. However, Kristin Brandt now sees Zoot Suits. A graduate of UCSD theater program in La Jolla, Brandt returns to direct the retelling of the infamous 1943 “Zoot Suit Riots.” The San Diego Reparatory Theatre play will be taking place at the Lyceum Theater in Horton Plaza until August 12, 2012.

The tale is based on the Sleepy Lagoon Murder Trial in Los Angeles. The play reenacts the scapegoat-ing of Latin youth who dressed in the so-called “Zoot Suits.” The 175 Pachuco were held in custody for various crimes, and the murder was never solved. Rioting ensued across the city, as the Latin people were enraged at the injustice against their youth. Luis Valdez was the first the write the script for this play, which became the first Chicano play on Broadway, in 1979.

The actors of “Zoot Suit Riots” portray the racial tension. The dancing and music are both relevant to the progression of the story and the historical aspects of the time. Music is played by a live band, mixing Latin Jazz and 1940s big band into an upbeat accompaniment for the equally vivacious choreography. Javier Valesco, who has produced dances for the La Jolla Playhouse, the Old globe, and the San Diego Reparatory Theatre, writes both the music and the choreography for “Zoot Suit Riots.”

After seeing the contemporary re-telling of the “Zoot Suit Riots” dive deeper into contemporary artistic expression by visiting Thumbprint Gallery on Kline Street, in La Jolla. The La Jolla art gallery exhibits urban and lowbrow art by local artists and is open 12-4pm Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Source: http://www.lajollalight.com/2012/07/17/ucsd-alumni-tackle-gritty-swinging-tale-of-zoot-suit-riots/

A Moral Dilemma: La Jolla’s Own Vices and Virtues

The Neon Virtues Light Up the Night

The Stuart Collection has an amazing combination of sculptural works.  One of the more striking, and impossible to ignore, is the bright, blinking neon piece by Bruce Nauman, "Vices and Virtues" (1988), located on the Charles Lee Powell Structural Systems Laboratory on the UCSD campus in La Jolla. 

This slightly minimalist piece is an intriguing combination of opposites. Seven virtues and seven vices are superimposed together in a huge seven-foot frieze around the top of the laboratory. Each word is a blend of two different colors created, in total, with nearly a mile of neon tubing. Faith/Lust, Hope/Envy, Charity/Sloth, Prudence/Pride, Justice/Avarice, Temperance/Gluttony, and Fortitude/Anger are paired in this thought provoking work.  Each word in a pairing flashes at a different rate, allowing for the words to be seen singularly and occasionally overlapping. The grouping of each vice and virtue invites the viewer to contemplate the relationships between the words and the meaning. The intrigue continues with the thought that this complex moral imagery is generated from mechanical algorithms. The bright neon lights are so vivid against the plain industrial building on which they are mounted. Six stories up, the words are easy to read, day or night, and from a considerable distance.

The change of vice and virtue is a constant reminder to all viewers of the daily moral struggles every person undergoes. After viewing "Vices and Virtues," visit ThumbprintGallery on Kline Street, La Jolla, to see more urban artwork by local artists.  Open Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays 12-4pm.

Source: http://stuartcollection.ucsd.edu/artists/nauman.shtml 

La Jolla Gets a 'Bite' of The East Coast

Boston: the word itself brings to mind a myriad of images and sensations. The Boston Tea Party, Colonial America, a major financial center, fine art, and amazing food are some of things people associate with the city of Boston. A little bit of it, the food to be exact, has found it’s way to the west coast, and imbedded itself in San Diego. Bite of Boston, is a family owned submarine shop serving traditional New England fare. They first opened shop in Rancho Bernardo, and have more recently opened a branch in La Jolla, University City, a few months ago.

Bite of Boston serves all of their sandwiches on New England breads and rolls. They’re made in Massachusetts and shipped to San Diego specifically for Robert Major, the owner of Bite of Boston. Along with all natural, Philadelphia cold cuts and meats, the shop also offers mouthwatering chowders and soups. A specialty of the shop is the Lobster Roll. Twice a week, 200 pounds of fresh lobster is flown in from Maine for these signature sandwiches. Giant lumps of lobster meat are mixes with spices, celery, and mayonnaise and served on a buttered and grilled roll. They are to die for. Pair that with a cup of steaming New England style clam chowder and you would think you had magically been sent to the East Coast for lunch.

Before heading to University City for a delicious Bite of Boston meal, work up your appetite by visiting Thumbprint Gallery, on Kline Street, which is also in La Jolla. The La Jolla art gallery showcases local contemporary urban and lowbrow artists and is open Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 12-4pm.

Sources:

http://www.sdnews.com/view/full_story/14706764/article-New-digs--Lobster-rolls?instance=dining
http://www.biteofboston.net/Home_Page.html

Art and Nature Combine in La Jolla's Stuart Collection

The Poetic Tree

Does art mimic nature, or nature mimic art? It is a question often asked rhetorically, and often jokingly, to artists and critics worldwide. Terry Allen, painter, sculptor, musician, and writer played in and around this question with his first out door sculptural piece, "Trees" (1986), commissioned for The Stuart Collection at the University of California, San Diego, in La Jolla.

Allen’s work is a commentary on the loss of trees for the expansion of the university. To make his statement, he encased three eucalyptus trees in lead, essentially preserving them. Two of the threes mingle with other live eucalyptus in a grove between the Geisel Library and Faculty Club. They could go unnoticed if not for the sounds. Allen combines other forms of artistic expression into these two trees: one emits music, the other poetry. The music tree has songs sung by William T. Wiley, Joe Ely, David Byrne, a Thai band, and the Maines Brothers. The poetry tree recites works by Bale Allen, Phillip Levine, Navajo chants, translated Aztec poetry, and other sounds. Some students call the area “The Enchanted Forest.” The third tree stands in the middle of the paved quad in front of the geometrical Geisel Library. The interpretations for this tree are endless. It could be seen as the tree of knowledge. This tree makes no sounds, but stands as though in silent mourning for the trees that have been cut down to make the books that are within the library.

After following the sounds of music and poetry to find the lead encased eucalyptus of Allen’s "Trees," stop by Thumbprint Gallery, on Kline Street in La Jolla, to see more urban art and lowbrow local art.

Source: http://stuartcollection.ucsd.edu/artists/allen.shtml 

Dinosoul Comes to Thumbprint Gallery in La Jolla

Many artists explore the concepts of truth, identity, and spirituality through studying the past. Finding inspiration in history can lead to vast leaps in personal development. One artist, Enosh, takes his own creatures on a journey through prehistoric history to find new characteristics and spirituality. The “Crevice Creeps” are re-imagined into dinosaur cross breeds in search of their identity. Enosh will exhibit this solo show entitled “Dinosoul” at Thumbprint Gallery on July 14th.

Enosh graduated from the Art Institute of California, San Diego, in 2003. He has become an important member of local artists community. Enosh utilizes a variety of mixed media; using different kinds of paint and grounds and surfaces. From mixed paint, spray paint, ink, canvas, stickers, and neighborhood walls, Enosh plays with these combinations to create the effects he desires. Enosh’s work can be seen in many places due to his collaborations with local musicians, event promoters, and freelance work. The Crevice Creeps, the characters Enosh created to engage his viewers, personify the human elements of all humans. With these characters, Enosh endeavors to encourage soulfulness and positivity within people of all ages.

The opening reception for “Dinosoul” will take place on July 14th, 2012 at Thumbprint Gallery, at 920 Kline Street #104 in La Jolla. The event will begin at 5pm and run until 10pm. Complimentary beverages will be available. The reception is open to the public and to all ages. The show will be on exhibit until August 5th.

Ferris New York clothing line founded by La Jolla native

It is rare for a recent high school graduate to become a successful businessman within a year. La Jolla native, Andrew Livingston, is one of these rarities. After graduating from La Jolla High School in 2011, Livingston is now the co-founder of Ferris brand clothing. His new shop opens in Brooklyn, New York, on July 4. Ferris designs hats, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and custom and vintage inspired clothing.

Livingston and co-founder, Tayler Conlin, began selling their designs online and in consignment shops before discovering that their line was marketable. They also design, and make from scratch, custom garments using the ideas customers give them. Some items include unique, high-quality, custom suits with a vintage flair. Deconstructed vintage clothing allows Livingston and Conlin to give the garments a personalized look. T-shirts are Ferris’s largest retail item. Currently they are designing shirts with processed photographs printed on them.

Livingston began skateboarding and snowboarding at a young age. His growing skill and youth got him a sponsorship from Billabong. Livingston was inspired by the graphic designers at Billabong and turned that inspiration into a career. He is attending Parsons The New School of Design and has plans to attend New York University upon graduation.

Many graphic and contemporary artists had their start in La Jolla, California. To learn more about up and coming local artists drop by Thumbprint Gallery on Kline Street in La Jolla. The venue features contemporary, urban, and lowbrow art. The La Jolla art gallery is open Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 12-4pm.

Source:

http://www.lajollalight.com/2012/06/28/la-jolla-native-starts-ferris-clothing-line-in-new-york/

Food Artfully Created at the Museum Café at the MCASD

Surrounded by fresh, modern art, stunning coastal views, salt air, and the sound of the crashing waves; it’s not hard to imagine a fabulous restaurant nestled in there somewhere. Connected to the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, in La Jolla, is the Museum Café, which easily satisfies all the senses. Calling it a ‘café’ seems almost an insult to the delicious food and ambiance the restaurant has. 

Owned and operated by Italian Chef Giuseppe Cuiffa, of Guiseppe Restaurants and Fine Catering, this ‘café’ serves European-inspired cuisine with fresh, organic, ingredients from local farmers. The Café is open from 8am to 3pm and serves breakfast and lunch, and brunch on the weekends. The food is light and flavorful, mixing different spices and textures to keep each item interesting in both taste and consistency. The quality of the food is outstanding. The use of fresh ingredients cannot go unnoticed in the signature salads and farm fresh organic eggs.  The brunch pastries are made fresh daily and are a perfect combination with a cappuccino or cup of tea.

The Museum Café is a fantastic place to sit and enjoy a light meal while discussing the art of the museum with friends or just a lovely spot to savor the La Jolla seascape over a cup of tea. Whatever your reason to dine at the Museum Café, you should also wander over to Kline Street and visit Thumbprint Gallery for an extra dose of fresh contemporary, urban, and lowbrow art. Open Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, from 12-4pm. 

Source: http://www.mcasdcafe.com/index.html

Live music concert series kicks off in Birch Aquarium in La Jolla

The scenic view at Birch Aquarium in La Jolla

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy live music in a scenic location. This is exactly what the seventh annual Green Flash concert series at Birch Aquarium in Scripps La Jolla offers. The series which started last month is sponsored by KPRi will continue throughout the summer at Birch's Tide Pool Plaza. Green Flash features a mix of local and national acts and takes place once per month until September. The venue has an intimate feel, yet holds up to 800 people.

Some of the acts slated to appear include Matt Nathanson on July 18 and The Dunswell with The Heartless Bastards on Aug. 15. On Sept. 19 former Rugburn member Steve Poltz will make a special appearance. The shows include free parking, however are only available for those 21 years of age or older. You can find out more about the concert series and purchase tickets by visiting the website.

Also, while you are planning on visiting La Jolla to enjoy live music and the great summer weather, you may want to check out Thumbprint Gallery in the village. This local gallery features some of the best in contemporary urban art. Thumbprint Gallery hosts rotating monthly art shows exhibiting local artists, as well as, artists from all over the nation. The art gallery is located at 920 Kline St. #104 in La Jolla.

Source:

http://sdnews.com/view/full_story/18974784/article-Birch-Aquarium%E2%80%99s-summer-concert-series-gears-up-for-another-crowd-pleasing-season?instance=most_popular1