THESE DAZE, curated by Ramon Ramirez

About

THESE DAZE

Online exhibition viewable at http://avenue50studio.org/event/these-daze

Curated by: Ramon Ramirez

Exhibiting Artists:
Raul Baltazar | Salina Canizales | Jaime Chavez | Val Echavarria | Yolanda Gonzalez | Gemma Lopez | José Lozano | Belinda Martinez | Art Meza | José Ramirez | Ramon Ramirez | Mario Trillo | with poetry by Lorna Dee Cervantes

Curatorial Statement by Ramon Ramirez:
The sky has fallen. Everything has changed. I wish I were being dramatic, but the painful truth is that nothing is the same. The one constant is that artists continue to make art. It’s what we do. In this exhibition I’m bringing together some of the best artists in Los Angeles that have not only continued to make art but have also found ways to be innovative. As we stay safer at home, the rules for art have changed; conventional exhibitions have given way to virtual events; and artists are finding new ways to continue to bring art to their community. In these trying times, art is no longer a luxury but a necessity.

The group of artists brought together here are a mix of master and emerging artists. They have an up-to-the-minute pulse on our tumultuous times.

Yolanda Gonzalez has found innovative ways to continue to do figure drawing, utilizing ‘zoom’ modeling sessions from models as far away as London and Paris. Val Echavarria is utilizing material from remote regions to create fabric art that is simultaneously modern and vintage. Jose Ramirez, who is also a teacher, is bringing the new challenges of the classroom onto the canvas. Jose Lozano carefully produces whimsical drawings of togetherness. Jaime Chavez conjures up ancient gods disguised in modern clothing to help us through this time and Raul Baltazar depicts the agony of conflict, of battles from yesterday, that still haunt us today. Salina Canizales provides an expert eye and capturing the recent protest. Gemma Lopez reconstructs empty monolithic stadiums. Belinda Martinez allows us to reexamine our gorgeous city. Art Meza, captures the desolation and hope of our streets and Mario Trillo, who’s polaroid transfers have never been exhibited before, shines a light on our ancestors who we so desperately need today.

And if this isn’t enough, there is the incredible poem “Is It My Time To Dream?” written by our national treasure, Lorna Dee Cervantes. It is a poignant poem that was inspired by one of my paintings with the same name.

I welcome you to view this extraordinary exhibition from the comfort of your own home and revisit it time and time again as we will add new pieces throughout the duration of the show (new rules, remember?). I hope that you help spread the word, and I also encourage you acquire the wonderful artwork because cultural currency is dependent on everyone doing our part. Yes, the sky has fallen, but together we can prop the sky back up.

Arte y libertad,

Ramon Ramirez
Artist and Curator