01 Jul 2010

CalArts 2010 MFA Exhibition Box Scheme Takes Over Galleries in Los Angeles' Chinatown

Leading galleries in downtown Los Angeles' Chinatown open their doors for Box Scheme, the culminating exhibition of California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) graduating MFA candidates.

Introducing the next wave of artistic talent, the exhibition will be on view from July 2 through July 9, 2010. Each of the participating spaces will present groupings of work linked thematically by conversations among individual practices--highlighting the diversity of expression from School of Art's Photography and Media Program and Art Program. Spanning experimental forms and critically reflexive expression, the exhibition explores the trajectories and discontents of contemporary discourse.

This year's exhibition is organized by independent curator Ana Vejzovic Sharp. Previously, Ms. Sharp was the director of the David Kordansky Gallery and China Art Objects Galleries in Los Angeles. From 2004 to 2007, she served as the Assistant and later Associate Curator of The Museum of Contemporary Art in Cleveland, Ohio.

'Unlike my previous curatorial experiences, this opportunity is thrilling for the same reasons it is complex,' commented Ms. Sharp. 'This presentation is poignant for its rather accelerated relationship between curator, artist and space. This time around there is a set of knowns (29 recent graduate artists) making the endeavor akin to speed dating or more extremely to an arranged marriage. Through this distinctiveness, I'm absolutely enthused with the fresh output of the graduates and the manner in which their sensibilities will play out and pepper the six Chinatown spaces.'

Participating artists include Carrie Rebecca Armellino, M. Blake Besharian, Erich Bollmann, Bjarki Bragason, Deborah Christ, Kelly Cline, Diana DeAugustine, Travis Diehl, Patricia Fernandez, Nicolas Grenier, Margaret Haines, Greg J. Hayes, Vivian Joyner, Steve Kado, Karolina Karlic, Ari Kletzky, Zach Kleyn, Keith Rocka Knittel, Rena Kosnett, Marilyn Lowey, Rachel McRae, Sage Paisner, Carl Pomposelli, Rasmus Røhling, Alise Spinella, Orlando Tirado Amador, Cody Trepte, Arnoldo Vargas, Silke Zeidler.

Participating galleries are walking distance apart: Charlie James Gallery, Cottage Home, The Company, POVevolving, Dan Graham and Actual Size. The exhibition runs from Friday, July 2nd through Friday, July 9th, 2010. Please contact individual galleries for gallery times. There will be an opening reception on Friday, July 2nd from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Admission to all events and locations is free.

CalArts has a multidisciplinary approach to its studies of the arts through six schools: Art, Critical Studies, Dance, Film/Video, Music, and Theater. CalArts encourages students to explore and recognize the complexity of the many aspects of the arts. It is supported by a distinguished faculty of practicing artists and provides its BFA and MFA students with the hands-on training and exposure necessary for an artist's growth. CalArts was founded in 1961 and opened in 1969 as the first institution of higher learning in the United States specifically for students interested in the pursuit of degrees in all areas of visual and performing arts.