Los Angeles stretches across a vast
geographic, demographic and cultural expanse resulting in a city without one nucleus or
Mecca. Rather, the multiple points of reference of the Los Angeles are
reflected in how it is a decentralized city with a phlera of nuclei, each a hub
of energy, excitement and most often art. Arguably this affects the habits of
all of LA’s citizens, especially her artists and creative professionals. In this presentation, I am focusing on
how printmaking in Los Angeles is like the city itself varied, dynamic and
decentralized. The vantage point I have chosen to use is that of the small
presses and the master printers who often own, as well as direct, these shops
that are randomly dotted across Los Angeles County.
I have
selected this frame of reference due to how unlike the larger more well known
presses of Los Angeles, the smaller presses, by nature and out of need to
survive interact with a audience of artists ranging from blue chip to unknown and
so develop more variety in their means of exchange and dialogue about
printmaking and are often places for innovation, education and simply access to
the media. These places and people
clearly make their mark, with inky fingerprints on the lives and careers of
many artists and contribute in their own ways to the artistic fabric of
LA. I am presenting a small selection
of presses that vary in their philosophies, approaches and history. So join me,
as we make our crawl down the 10 corridor from the beach areas of Santa Monica
to the far east reaches of Los Angeles County.
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