Unique release of silk screened posters, artwork and clothing based on a new character by Sands “Baby Cupcakes” created exclusively for Covert Gallery Shoppe. For more details visit Sandoner.com.
Opening Reception
December 23rd 2011
7:30 pm to 10 pm
Covert Shoppe Gallery
1515 N. Mountain Avenue
Ontario, California 91762
Smog City was one of the first street artists ever featured on L.A. Taco back in 2006 and has been an inspiration to us ever since. His political message combined with menacing art and perfect placements make him an LA original that has inspired tons of other paste up artists in this city and worldwide. Currently you can see his latest project and prints at C.A.V.E. Gallery in Venice. We sat down with the man behind the Smog to discuss LA, tacos, and death by fumes.
TACO: First things first, what’s your favorite taco?
SMOG CITY: King Taco’s Lengua tacos, or the hard shell asada tacos from Taco’s Por Favor…
TACO: When did the first Smog City get up? How has the Smog City project evolved and changed through the years and what’s happening now?
SMOG CITY: 2004 in West LA. Back in those days I was all fired up about political issues, and what effects artists can have on society. As the years went on I was sorta accepted into the street art fold of society, and lived that sort of lifestyle. Getting up and just being an artist sorta became more important and fun than staying true to the to reason Smog City ever hit the street in the first place. It became more about the Hollywood experience, and the horrors of such a glamorous place…all based around the premise that smog was facetiously to blame. I can’t say I ever lost sight of what the project stood for, but I feel like this period of Smog City has to go back to the roots of what I wanted it to be. The factual evidence and information available on air pollution is reason enough to be alarmed, people are all mad about the effects of cigarettes, why aren’t we warned and upset about the state of our natural environment?
(Continued)
L.A. TACO and LOMOGRAPHY are pleased to present the TACO de LOMOGRAPHY series, wherein some of our favorite photographers take a Lomography LC-A camera equipped with a Fritz the Blitz flash out into the streets to capture the Taco Lifestyle on film. Second in the series is the legendary enigmatic Hollywood street photographer Tom Andrews. View the first Taco de Lomography post here.
The Girls on Bikes series by London’s INSA features but one girl from Los Angeles. Kristina from LA, thank you for being you. Picture via INSA. Full description of the project:
An ongoing public installation project.
Working with volunteer models, bikes (INSA’s current preferred icon of commodified culture), and large scale painted walls INSA creates momentary installations in public spaces.
In this set of photographic works INSA orchestrates a conflicting dialogue between all the elements and explicitly subordinates the value of his own street art to both the possessed object of the bike and the overtly sexualized female presence. Thus questioning our individual perceptions of ownership of public space, of sexuality and of belonging(s).
Modern Multiples Pop-up Show/Sale at Known Gallery
Opening on Saturday, December 17, 2011 12pm-8pm
Show runs through December 23, 2011
Known Gallery
441 N Fairfax Ave
Los Angeles CA 90036
2 street art shows under one roof at Galeria Obscura on Friday, December 16th at 7pm. 1230 S. Flower Street, Los Angeles
Las Fotos project is a non-profit, community-based photography program whose mission is to bring about positive change for young Latinas facing adversity. In a nutshell, they give kids cameras and let them express themselves. The latest project is a book of photography from kids in the program. From the press release:
Over the summer of 2011, Las Fotos Project conducted a series of workshops with youth in Girl Scout Troop 3111 focused on reconnecting with nature and exploring their imaginations and creativity. Each student received an analog camera and one roll of 35mm film, as well as instruction on how to create photographs using a technique known as double exposure. The students photographed the natural world during a hike through Griffith Park, then reloaded the film and took the cameras home to document their friends, family, and community members. Sounds fun, right? It gets better! Students then used their double exposed photographs as inspiration during a Las Fotos Project Creative Writing Workshop and created poems and imaginative titles for each of their favorite images. Nature: Double Exposed is a culmination of the girls’ photographs and self-expressive words.
“Because of the workshops I see things differently, almost like I’m looking through a photo. I’m really happy my troop was able to be part of Las Fotos Project.” – Sam Pineda, age 12
“This activity was a great way to express myself. I think my favorite part of this project is actually seeing my pictures for the first time.” – Zoe Rodriguez, age 13
