Overduin and Kite: Joint Dialogue

Soon after Art Los Angeles Contemporary I found myself in agony at CIRCUS Gallery, for their closing party. In parallel with their current show by the title of You Can Heal Your Life, inspired by a self help book of the same title. An art gallery that like many others choose to move on. The last show closed with names to look out for in the current Los Angeles art scene. Those to mention are Jeni Spota and Dawn Kasper. Both young and talented women artists worth taking a closer look at. Dawn Kasper infamous for her raw performance art. She channels intense vibes on to everyone present. And Jeni Spota whose paintings are favored by names like Charles Saatchi, Dean Valentine, and François Pinault to name a few. Yes, she’s one of the great one’s that get recognition in their lifetime. Spota’s work should be viewed live and not through a computer screen. Since it’s the equivalent of admiring Rothko technologically. The essence ceases to grow, but dies out just when you think you finally understand the work. You have to be a live spectator of Spota’s work to understand her essence, her uniqueness.


As Ethereal as A Funeral: Dawn Kasper’s Performance Evidence

The Californian sunset was disappearing, but it was a young Sunday afternoon in Los Angeles, and I was not about to go home and miss out on a historic opening over at Overduin and Kite. Just off Sunset Boulevard and close enough to CIRCUS Gallery. At first glance I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Not being aware of how it will be a turning point in life.

Hollywood: Fluorescent Lights Can Trick Anyone

The instant I walked in, I was welcomed with the cacophony of our city’s art scene. It might have been the fact that Graham was present since, word did get out fast. However, I’m reluctant by this due to my over hearing of many squeals-- those that immitated excited teenage girls, when they found out Dan Graham was in the room… Including myself of course.

Joint Dialogue was the title for this exhibition which included works by Lee Lozano, Dan Graham, and Stephen Kaltenbach. An exhibition that merged art through the explorations of sexual identity, money, and drugs. Hence, it’s duality-- Joint Dialogue.

Money Flows... Identity Struggles...

Green Grass: Anyone?!

In the first room we find pieces by both Graham and Lozano. Documentation, at it’s best. Lozano documents the identity as an artist to others as well as herself. More strikingly money experiments: where she lends money to her circle of artits friends. She documents who borrows and how much has been borrowed. Humorously, Dan Graham frequently borrowed from Lozano’s case study.

In the second and last room Kaltenbach pays homage to conceptualism. With pieces like his infamous time capsules, each with witty remarks.. Or his ads that ran in ARTFORUM.

Lozanos Skull

Kaltenbach: Hard, hard, steel

Kaltenbach’s ARTFORUM Tossin’ Performance #1

The big bang of the night was of course both performances by the artists Dan Graham, and Stephen Kaltenbach. Sadly, when I arrived at Overduin and Kite I had JUST missed Graham’s performance. But Stephen Kaltenbach rose my spirits. Kaltenbach had two performances that night. His first performance consisted of climbing up a ladder that was placed in the second room. At above everyone present in the room Kaltenbach tosses several ARTFORUM Magazines onto the ground. His second performance stole the show... He gathered everyone present and had all of us singing along with him to The Youngblood’s- Get Together. Really made us feel like it was 1969.

C’mon People: Everybody Get Together Try To Love One Another Right Now

OVERDUIN AND KITE
Tuesday-Saturday 10 am- 5pm and by appoiment.
6693 West Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90028-7121
(323) 464-3600