It's a New Year. I was going to say "Happy New Year." After January 7th, that all changed. Wildfires in Pacific Palisades, and in the Pasadena and Altadena areas changed the tone of the new year. So many friends and people I know lost everything. Artists were particularly affected. As Matthew Stromberg in Hyperallergic stated "With much of it now in ruins and decades’ worth of heritage burned — from Gary Indiana’s personal library to the sprawling Zorthian Ranch arts community to countless homes and structures — and no clear picture of recovery, artists are reflecting on the staggering loss and beginning to imagine what the future might look like" Planned solo shows and exhibitions are irretrievably altered. Alta Beto, a gallery run by Brad Eberhart, was burned to ground along with a solo show of paintings by Mary Anna Pomonis. Camilla Taylor, Kelly Akashi, and Alec Egan lost their homes, studios, and works that were scheduled to be shown for solo shows at the end of this month, January. Kathryn Andrews lost her home in Pacific Palisades for the second time to wildfires. The damage is incalculable.
With the damage and loss, the question becomes "What do we do?" I am so grateful that the question is being answered not only by the art community in Los Angeles, but by the entire community who are volunteering their time, donating clothes and goods, and donating money to help those who are affected by the disaster. The rallying and the outpouring of help is truly inspiring. However, as time goes on and the disaster fades from memory, the needs will still be there. The rebuilding has to begin and continue. Our challenge to maintain some sort of momentum or movement where a recovery can be acceptable. Unfortunately, things will never be the same. The recovery can reach a point of satisfaction where the people who lost everything can live a good life after the tragedy.
When horror and tragedy hits, plans change, and priorities shift to focus on urgent needs. The first post was going to be an art review. After January 7th, the plans of this blog changed, and priorities shifted. There will be time for art review and criticism. Now is not the time. Below are links to organizations to help artists and their families recover what was lost. It may be cliche, Los Angeles will rise from the ashes like a Phoenix. The artist will make new work. In the end, the art community will be stronger than before. It will take time. I am confident that that LA will emerge stronger. Please give and donate. Thank you
https://www.cciarts.org/relief.html
Art Center Emergency Relief Fund
How to help artists and art workers devastated by Los Angeles wildfires
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