Karen Koblitz
dal 26/6/2009 al 24/7/2009
Segnalato da
26/6/2009
Karen Koblitz
L2kontemporary, Los Angeles
Earth Tones. Koblitz's travels to Azerbaijan has provided inspiration for this exhibition as she continues to explore elements of Eurasian cultural symbology that she has investigated and reinterpreted in a series of sculptural works.
L2kontemporary Gallery is pleased to present "Earth Tones," the second solo
exhibition by artist Karen Koblitz for the gallery. Koblitz's recent travels to
Azerbaijan, the exotic crossroads of the Caucasus Mountains and the Caspian Sea, has
provided inspiration for this exhibition as the artist continues to explore elements
of Eurasian cultural symbology that she has investigated and reinterpreted in a
series of sculptural works.
"The California Gaval Dashy (Tambourine Stone)", when struck creates a unique
resonating sound. This work is inspired by a similar rock found amid the petroglyphs
of Qobustan, which 12,000 years ago offered simple stone carvings that tell a
narrative of life along the shores of the Caspian Sea. The Azeri stone was used to
beat out cadenced sounds for the Yalli, the dance ancient peoples performed to
insure a successful hunt. Koblitz employs her own unique imagery, painted with raw
clay on the walls surrounding her stone. A percussion track accompanies the work as
members of The Antenna Repairmen-Arthur Jarvinen, Bob Fernandez and M.B. Gordy-were
invited by Koblitz to perform an improvisational drumming session on "The California
Gaval Dashy," coercing engaging rhythms from the rock.
The Azerbaijani symbol of life is the "buta," whose contour is the natural outline
of a fetus in the womb, a single cell, the brain, and a flower bud, a few images
that represent life. Harmonious colorful ceramic teardrop "butas" create a pair of
circular shapes on the wall. A series of simple vessels emulate objects found in
ancient burials. Dotted sgrafitto patterns on the surface of these forms are
repeated on the wall. These punctuated arrangements were inspired by an
archaeologist's drawings that map the surface symbology found on the vessel's
exterior. Images include tattoos that Koblitz, her sister and niece have inscribed
on their bodies and of a swallow in flight, a meaningful symbol of freedom to Azeri
weaver Abilova Qanira who Koblitz collaborated with on a series of carpets in
2006/2007.
Reception: Saturday, June 27, 7-10 pm
8 pm & 9 pm - Improvisational Percussion Performance by Robert Fernandez and M.B.
Gordy of The Antenna Repairmen.
L2kontemporary
990 N. Hill St. 205 - Los Angeles USA