Ry Rocklen's work is so immediate, that we figure the best way to describe him is to pass on a first-person testimony.
Join the Community Opening Party!
Los Angeles, CA, May 15, 2004 - People are saying that the events at
Dangerous Curve, Downtown Los Angeles's new experimental art space, are
"really rad." So if you've not been to an opening, come to the opening
celebration of Ry Rocklen's "Lost/Found" on June 5, 2004.
The party runs from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m., at 1020 East Fourth Place, between Molino
and Mateo Streets, in the back of the 500 Molino Street Lofts (#102).
As usual, we have amazing food by chef John Saslow, and performance art.
Jessica Catron (cello) and the Bay Area's Nathan Levine (double bass)
will perform "improvised chamber music dedicated to crossing time and
space as gently and manically as possible." Other live music is TBA.
There's no charge, and there's free parking across the street. The
exhibit runs until June 26. Two weeks before and two weeks after
openings, we generally have Performance Art and/or Experimental Music
and Film Nights starting at 8:00 p.m. (See below.) The gallery is open
every Wednesday through Saturday, 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. See the web site for directions, events, pictures, and updates.
Ry Rocklen's work is so immediate, that we figure the best way to
describe him is to pass on a first-person testimony. So here goes:
"Ry Rocklen is that rare artist that continues to surprise. He makes
stuff that you might have made when you were ten years old, had you
known then what you know now. Simple ideas, simple presentation.
Like papier mache and glue, and snow globes and motors. Sometimes,
though, he makes me think of Br'er Rabbit. I saw him performing with
Nick Lowe in The Bushes, their rap-duo. At first I was, like, yeah,
I get it, white guys rapping about the 'burbs. Makes sense, it's
funny. But they went on and on, not repeating, but really extending
the argument. Dense and chewy, in the language of the 'burbs, but
strange stream-of-consciousness stories suddenly morphing into an
in-depth analysis of the semiotics of malls, all in unison. Then,
together they go "uuhuhhuuuhhhhuuuuuuhh," and the crowd cracks up!
A sublime moment. After the set, I spoke to Ry and there was the
affable soft-spoken dude again. Suddenly, I lost track of where the
frame was. Was I inside or outside Ry's work? It made me
smile. That's what his work is like, when you encounter it you enter
into Ry's world, willing conspirator or unwitting dupe, you can't be
sure, but it doesn't matter, because you're having too much fun."
Come see what Ry does with Dangerous Curve's big space.
Dangerous Curve is committed to supporting visionary established and
emerging artists of all ages, by emphasizing one-person shows of risky,
intelligent work that is not necessarily commercially viable nor
currently popular. In a time when other spaces have reduced their
performance art programming, Dangerous Curve is a new venue for
performance artists, with performance-exhibits, monthly performance art
events, and an annual performance art festival planned.
Other events (subject to change):
Performance Art and/or Experimental Music Nights 8:00 p.m.
$5.00 suggested donation to the performers
July 17, August 14, September 11, 2004
Dangerous Curve
1020 East Fourth Place
(500 Molino Street #102)
Los Angeles, CA 90013