(Review) Julie Heffernan "Pre-Occupations" at Mark Moore Gallery, Culver City, California

Julie Heffernan's latest solo show is visually rich in both content and substance. Taking ques from Surrealists such as Remdios Varo, Dorothea Tanning and Leonora Carrington, Heffernan creates a world that is magical to the viewer. However, the magical visions are just a surface concern to a broader concern over the environment. The artist states: “The work is a continuation of my interest in climate change and the kinds of changes we are going to have to consider in order to deal with some of its eventualities - perhaps an opportunity for some creativity in how we approach habitats and lifestyles. No more room for wastefulness, but what do we decide to keep and what to get rid of? The figures are now engaged in work of some sort: pulling, dragging, wrestling with materials in order to start the work of change." In each painting, the central figure is in a struggle over the entanglement of nature. The figures in this struggle offer the viewer an allegorical perspective of the world in danger. The figure in each painting is a reflection of man's meddling with nature and the environment.


Mark Moore Gallery

5790 Washington Blvd.

Culver City, CA 90232


Tel 310 453 3031

Fax 310 453 3831

info@markmooregallery.com




Gallery Hours:

Tuesday - Saturday 11-6, and by appointment daily

Paris Photo at Paramount Studios, Los Angeles, California,

From May 1st to May 3rd, 2015, photography lovers, art enthusiasts, and art professionals gathered at Paramount Studios in Hollywood for Paris Photo. Paris Photo Los Angeles, dedicated to the exhibition of historical and contemporary artworks, returned to the Paramount Pictures Studios for its third US edition from May 1-3, 2015. Collectors and enthusiasts of photography once again had the opportunity to experience and discover galleries from all around the world within the context of the iconic movie sets located in the heart of Hollywood.

With over 79 galleries from both locally here in Los Angeles, and from all over the world, Paris Photo definitely displayed the best of both contemporary photographic art and video. Throughout the fair, I was amazed by the depth of the galleries that were exhibiting. I loved the RJ Arnold Archive, the exhibits of Zoe Crosher at Lam Gallery, Desiree Dolron at Grimm, Melanie Pullen at Jensen Jenkins, the JP Chase Morgan Collection, the Julian Levy solo exhibition at Garis and Hahn, Amir Zaki at ACME, Leica Gallery, Luis De Jesus, Klowden Man, Helene Binet at Ammann Gallery, and  Zoe Vizcaino at Document Art. 

Paris Photo is a welcome addition to the LA art scene. It brings together both commerce and fine art, as well as introducing photographers and artists from all over the world to a new audience. As Los Angeles becomes a increasingly influential art scene, Paris Photos brings to the conversation an added dimension that increases LA's influence to the art world. My only critique of the fair is the location, which is both a blessing and a curse. The fact that Paris Photo is set in a Hollywood studio, creates the essential LA "scene" and reinforces a certain stereotype that LA has tried to shed. The challenge to Paris Photo is overcome that stereotype and allow LA to be taken seriously. Despite the contradiction, Paris Photo was definitely worth a visit and to see. Below are some highlights. Enjoy. 

Public Opening was from May 1-3, 2015 Friday to Saturday from noon to 7pm Sunday from noon to 6pm 

LOCATION Paramount Pictures Studios, Los Angeles 

www.parisphoto.com