exhibitions
Mystifications,
Manipulations,
Subversions
An Art Exhibit.
Richard Bohn, Mark Bryan & David Ordaz
May 2-25th, 2013
Opening Night May 4, 6-11pm
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Saturday May 18th, noon to 5pm In conjunction with the "Imagination Celebration" exhibiting artist Rich Bohn will give an artist talk and offer a unique site specific Mandala art workshop at OCCCA. More information |
Art has always been a catalyst for shift in point of view, attitude or perception. The works in this exhibition ride on a subtle subversive and mystic thread of humor that doesn’t quite reach the waking brain but instead seems trapped in our toe or on the back of our memory . . . It tickles when we think, like a hotwire from the subconscious. Although their work is visually quite diverse, the three artist's in this exhibition are well connected by their intention. The Mystification, Manipulation and Subversion of our ordinary mental and visual perceptions are alive and well in all of their efforts.
In Richard Bohn's elegant work, humor and mystification of the ordinary play a fine duet. Common objects and pop imagery are transformed into new, surprising and beautiful constructions which delight the viewer, make comment and invite a meditative and new way of seeing.
Mark Bryan's whimsical paintings of political, social and psychological topics subvert, manipulate and mys- tify with their deadly humor and imagination. His bizarre juxtapositions and parody of iconic and pop subject matter manage to leave the viewer both disturbed and entranced.
David Ordaz: “I have always been fascinated with taking things apart to see how they are constructed. This process of de-constructing and reconstructing is intriguing and continually satisfying as I try to understand the world in which I live. I am amazed at the capacity that we alone have to make an object or a machine or an elegant work of art from a mere thought.”
RICHARD BOHN
Our thought, perception and mystification of the nature of nature is the manifestation of art. We with nature are finding a path in the expanding time of an unfinished universe through the subtle nuance of transparent layers of logic. As in mountaineering, the first step is as important as the last, so when we put brush to a canvas or place a pretzel near a piece of pasta, what are we saying. Something that was formerly eaten as food can now be art and then recycled as food. Art and nature are both functions of repetition and randomness, always resulting in released energy as art. The result of repetition and structure is growth and life itself, yet it seems to be at odds with our spirit and nature. But repetition is an illusion, when a percussionist conforms to a tempo or vocal phrase, each measure is quantified as an interval separate of all others, before or after, based on the many overlaying functions converging in that moment.
Art is a convergence, a balance of many, sometimes opposing forces that lead us to a point, in time and space. In a minor subversion of perception, a mystification of the regular way if we might think, a manipulation of the items we touch, use and take for granted every day, evoking a combined and multiplied continuing history embedded in the object. Door handles, keys, locks, the key to our thoughts, the key to the back door, the key to a treasure chest, the key to the present moment. Mystification of the ordinary is a logical progression from previous work, based in found-object, provisional and relational constructions and derived from experimentation and waste from completed and non-completed projects of the recent past. The Bohndala Series manifests a transformation into the digital realm but not without the safety of analog back-up. I ask you to stay with the art for a moment or longer, there is something more within the surface.
MARK BRYAN
Born in Southern California, a child of the Fifties and Sixties, Bryan simmered in the pop culture and angst of that era. Cheesy Horror and Sci-Fi movies, super hero comics, Mad Magazine, Salvador Dali, The Boy Scouts etc... all that plus the constant threat of death by atomic war had their shots at a sensitive mind. As the ‘70s arrived, Bryan was immersed in the anti war, psychedelic and spiritual movements of the day. The Vietnam War, Kennedy assassinations and the civil rights movement all contributed greatly to a political awareness and a sense that all was not right with the human species.
While attending Otis Art Institute in Los Angeles (MFA, 1974), Bryan took up with the early founders of the Chicano Art movement (Los Four). They introduced him to the Mexican Muralists’ work of the early 20th century and the value of a tradition of accessible work with social/political content. All these diverse influences have come together in a strange brew and are manifested in his work today. Although most known for his political work savaging the Bush administration, Bryan directs many of his efforts inward, producing work from the imagination. At first impression, this surreal and whimsical work seems just for fun but usually contains underlying symbolic comment about life in these times and human nature in general. In spite of the mixed and sometimes disturbing nature of his topics, Bryan always manages to portray them in a humorous and seductive fashion. Bryan has exhibited his work throughout the US, Canada, Europe and Japan. His work appears on numerous satirical and political web sites across the US and internationally. It has also been featured as illustration and cover art for publications, including Juxtapoz and Adbusters magazines.
You may see more of Bryan’s work at: artofmarkbryan.com
DAVID ORDAZ
I have always been fascinated with taking things apart to see how they are constructed. This process of de-constructing and reconstructing is intriguing and continually satisfying as I try to understand the world in which I live. I am amazed at the capacity that we alone have to make an object or a machine or an elegant work of art from a mere thought.
Press Mentions:
Modern life in pieces in OCCCA show.
Three artists deconstruct the world and give viewers images to think about.
OC Register by Evan Senn. May 17th 2013
LAN Maestro Awardee ~ Emigdio Vasquez
Saturday May 25th 11am-4pm
United Artists of Santa Ana (UASA) nominated Emigdio Vasquez, one of the most prolific and famous artists to come out of Orange County, to receive the prestigious “Maestro” award from the Latino Arts Network (LAN), a California association of Latino Museums and Cultural Centers in partnership with the California Arts Council.
We are proud to announce that Mr. Vasquez was chosen as the winner of this prestigious award!
Mr. Vasquez’ art will be on display for the duration of Saturday’s event and the Maestro himself will be present along with family & friends to celebrate his 74th birthday!
Hosting the event will be United Artists of Santa Ana (UASA) and Orange County Center for Contemporary Art (OCCCA) who will exhibit Mr Vasquez’ work March 1-29, 2014.
Main speaker for the ceremony will be: OC Weekly Editor and Nationally Syndicated Columnist *Gustavo Arellano*
Others speakers will pay tribute to Emigdio Vasquez throughout the evening as well. You are all invited!
Emigdio Vasquez Mural at Santa Ana High School
Santa Ana's new restaurant * DIEGO’S * will provide a variety of tasty bites prepared by their chef Richard Espinachio of Caged Chameleon fame
The Caged Chameleon art gallery was an early supporter of Mr. Vasquez' art, exhibiting his work throughout the 80's & 90's Diego's will host an after-party at their location on 3rd & Spurgeon from 4:00 PM to 6:00 pm in honor of Mr. Vasquez' creative legacy.
Press Mentions:
Rincón bohemio: Emigdio Vásquez será reconocido en Santa Ana.
OC Excelsior, May 17th, 2013
Concerts At OCCCA
Sunday May 26th, 2013, 11am-5pm
During the Patchwork Indie Arts & CraftsFestival
2pm The Rose Bandits:
Cat of ¡Aparato!, Rosanna of The Purple Mums
Quinn of The Purple Mums, Mayra of The Orquesta Cortez
Art for All;
Arte para Todos
The Orange County Center For Contemporary Art (OCCCA), is pleased to announce the debut of “Art for All” (AFA)
A series of free hands-on arts
workshops for the OC community
from April to December 2013
Workshops will be facilitated in English and Spanish.
Los Talleres seran impartidos en Inglés y Español en el Centro de Artes Contemporaneas del Condado de Orange (OCCCA).
Click for schedule and more information
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