One of the most perplexing questions for museums—and their audiences—during the pandemic is whether there is a difference between “to see” and “to view.” Historically, we “see” exhibitions; visit museums and galleries; connect with artists in their studios. Today, we’re more likely to view them: virtual tours, livestreamed lectures and events, images and reviews.
CHASING SPIRITS
Curated by Tina Ruggieri
June 7 - August 14, 2021
Inside the Arts LIVE Gallery Talk: June 8, 2021, 6 - 7 pm
RECAP//Virtual Gallery Talk
Korean-born, Atlanta-based artist Jiha Moon juxtaposes Eastern and Western cultures through an exploration of imagery that ranges from historical Korean iconography to contemporary American pop culture. Within her paintings, works on paper, and sculptures, Moon combines layers of images such as dragons, birds, flowers, tigers, bananas, Indian Gods, fortune cookies, and peaches to address the idea of a global society. Moon states “I am a cartographer of cultures and an icon maker in my lucid worlds.”
Global identity is an important theme for Moon, as is popular culture, technology, racial perception, and folklore. Moon’s work is layered with wit and irony, while presenting the viewer with a serious commentary on the way Western culture labels Asian Americans. The peach, which became the focus for Moon’s exhibition, represents many different ideas throughout Asian culture. They are a sign of longevity and happiness, while simultaneously symbolizing the warmth and vitality of spring. In Asian culture, peaches are believed to repel ghosts, while they also represent Moon’s current home state of Georgia. Moon's work explores both sides of her identity forming one unique and singular voice.
Jiha Moon earned her BFA at Korea University and her MFA at Ewah Womans University, both in Seoul, Korea. After moving to the U.S., she completed two additional master’s degrees, an MA and MFA, at the University of Iowa. She has participated in artist residencies at The MacDowell Colony, the Fabric Workshop and Museum, and the Singapore Tyler Print Institute through the Asia Society. She was the recipient of The Joan Mitchell Foundation Painters & Sculptor’s grant in 2011. Moon has exhibited at museums and galleries all over the world including Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Laney Contemporary, Mindy Solomon Gallery, Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, High Museum of Art, Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art, and many more.
Special thanks to Jiha Moon, Laney Contemporary (Savannah, GA), and all the lenders to this exhibition. Thank you to our UAB Visual and Performing Arts members and all supporters - without you this exhibition and programming would not be possible.
Korean American artist Jiha Moon stages “Out Loud” with Atlanta Contemporary to give a voice to Asian women artists.
The Atlanta spa shootings that left eight dead were a shock for many residents who consider Atlanta an accepting, diverse, multicultural community where civil rights are the lingua franca. “I didn’t believe this happened in Atlanta” says Koren American artist and Doraville resident Jiha Moon, who started clutching a can of pepper spray in her pocket riding MARTA to her teaching job at Georgia State University following the rising tide of violence against Asians.
Tony Marsh, Jiha Moon, Tia Pulitzer and Matt Wedel
November 20, 2020, 2pm pt / 5 pm et
Each working with clay, but varied in approach, the artists will discuss the role ceramics play in their practice and the necessity to work within this medium as part of their artistic output -- from Tony Marsh's elemental use of glazing and forms, Jiha Moon's contemporary take on traditional vessels, Matt Wedel's larger-than-life constructions, and the elegant realism of works by Tia Pulitzer. Following the conversation, the artists will be available to answer questions during a live Q&A.
Venice, CA -- L.A. Louver is pleased to present the group exhibition 45 at 45, which includes works by 45 artists, timed to celebrate the forty-fifth anniversary of the gallery located at 45 North Venice Boulevard in Venice, California.
As the global pandemic has required we distance from one another and engage through screens, 45 at 45 celebrates L.A. Louver’s reopening of our gallery, and physical connection expressed through the materiality of the artworks on view. The largest group exhibition in L.A. Louver’s history, over half of the participating artists are based in Los Angeles, and reflects the gallery’s founding principle: To champion L.A. artists within an international program. 45 at 45 features long- represented L.A. Louver artists such as David Hockney, Ed and Nancy Kienholz, Alison Saar; those from L.A. Louver’s Rogue Wave program of emerging L.A.-based artists: Matthew Brandt, Tia Pulitzer, Eduardo Sarabia; well-established artists for whom the gallery has high regard: Nick Cave, Tacita Dean, Elliot Hundley, Liza Lou; and rising stars: Carmen Argote, Daniel Crews-Chubb, Gabriella Sanchez.
45 at 45 draws upon many thematic strands, from the body and sensuality, to personal narrative and magical thinking, among other connections we will highlight in curated, contextual online presentations. Artists also include Sarah Awad, Rina Banerjee, Wallace Berman, Deborah Butterfield, Rebecca Campbell, Gisela Colon, Richard Deacon, Marcel Duchamp, Jimmie Durham, Kohshin Finley, Gajin Fujita, Sherin Guirguis, Frederick Hammersley, Tim Hawkinson, Ben Jackel, Leon Kossoff, Tony Marsh, Heather Gwen Martin, Jason Martin, Patrick Martinez, Dave McDermott, Michael C. McMillen, Jiha Moon, Alice Neel, Christopher Pate, Sandra Mendelsohn Rubin, Analia Saban, Sui Jianguo, Juan Uslé, Matt Wedel, Flora Yukhnovich and John Zane Zappas.
The exhibition will encompass all areas of L.A. Louver, including a newly remodeled showroom that adds additional exhibition space on the second floor of the gallery. On view for an extended period of time through early 2021, 45 at 45 will allow for a singular in-person viewing experience, ensuring our visitors can enjoy our renovated gallery in optimum safety and comfort.
L.A. Louver will host a series of virtual programs throughout the duration of 45 at 45, including exclusive artist conversations, studio visits and special online features. For more details, please visit lalouver.com/45.
October virtual events
Artist Conversation: Rina Banerjee and Alison Saar (ZOOM) / October 14, 2020, 2pm pt / 5pm et Instagram Live: Studio visit with Matthew Brandt / October 21, 2020
For media inquiries contact
Darius Sabbaghzadeh darius@hellothirdeye.com / Kyle Hinton kyle@hellothirdeye.com / Third Eye
https://lalouver.com/html/gallery-history-images/press-releases/LA-LOUVER-45-at-45-Press-release.pdf
