The Hunted

(not an image from the show, but a good one anyways)

On Sat, i went to the opening of an art show for one of my favorite "LA underground" artists, Blaine Fontana at The Lab 101 Gallery. i really enjoyed the show, wich was mostly a collection of smaller works (about 12x12) with a few larger paintings and 2 sculptural instalations. i like to go to openings, because the gallerys are open late, and i actually get to see the works, as most gallerys close early, and i never get to see them, because of working.

the theme was about hunting, and i'm not going to read too far into any potential message, probably because i like hunting, and i dont want to think that Blaine may want to argue with me about that in his art, even if he does. ( i couldnt say, i'm avoiding the topic) . but i enjoyed the images none the less, and bought a print.

i was most impressed with his use of pop cuture images (like a truck with a camper cab, targets resembling "Target"), old photo material (pictures looked like they were taken in the 50's), and an apparent silk screening of images and colors. i always enjoy Blaines use of line in his paintings, and his illustrative quality. all in all, i thought the show was great, and i enjoyed seeing a bunch of work in the same place, as i'm used to seeing maybe just one piece as part of a larger colaberative show.

Blaine is way better than Buff Monster, who's show i also went and saw, last week at Gallery 1988, and seemed to be based more around porn than quality art (though i know that is debatable in the world of "what is art" anyways). oh well, Buff doesnt claim to be otherwised influenced, so i'm not complaining, just wishing there was more substance to his work too . . .