“Cell-Outs & Phonies”
curated by Laura Merians
produced by Nic Cha Kim
“I prowled the streets all day, feeling very strung up and ready to pounce, determined to ‘trap’ life – to preserve life in the act of living. Above all, I craved to seize the whole essence, in the confines of one single photograph, of some situation that was in the process of unrolling itself before my eyes.” – Henri Cartier-Bresson
Niche.LA & Lounge 441 offer a digital perspective
LOS ANGELES, CA – On July 14, 2005, two new creative spaces join the Downtown Art Walk, sponsored by Gallery Row Organization and Bert Green Fine Art. Located in Downtown Los Angeles, Niche.LA and Lounge 441 offer alternative ways of viewing art. Situated next to each other, these two “mini-galleries” form one space that features an 18-seat private screening room and a mixed media/video art gallery.
For their Inaugural, Niche.LA and Lounge 441 present “Cell-Outs & Phonies,” a cellular media exhibit curated by Laura Merians from 12-9PM. First produced at the Gallery Row Unveiling Ceremony in the vault of the Los Angeles Theatre Center on May 2004, Laura Merians’s innovative show returns for the third time with some new additions.
A resident of Los Angeles, Laura Merians works in the film business and is the Associate Editor of The Little Black Book. Inspired by Japanese culture and their affinity with technology, “Cell-Outs & Phonies” was conceived after Laura purchased her first picture phone and appreciated it as a tool more capable than a means for communication.
Featuring local and international artists Batya, Mark Beck, Gina Clyne, Krista Connerly, Kjell Hagen, Scott Myers, Brett Simon, Al B. Sure, and Michael Szpakowski, “Cell-Outs & Phonies” exercises the imagination as to what is commonly viewed as traditional art. Music assembled entirely of ring tones accompany digital photo slideshows on LCDs and video projections – all taken solely with mobile phones. A digital cooperation in the middle of Gallery Row, Niche.LA & Lounge 441 offer an eclectic artistic experience on the 4th floor of the Spring Arts Tower in less than 750 square feet.
Niche.LA is operated by Nic Cha Kim and located at 453 S. Spring St. #443, Los Angeles, CA 90013 (www.niche.la). Nic also serves as President/Co-Founder of Gallery Row Organization (GRO), Co-Chair of the Arts, Aesthetics, Culture & Education (AACE) Committee of DLANC, and Resident Producer of Lodestone Theatre Ensemble.
Lounge 441 is operated by Jason Waters and located at 453 S. Spring St. #441, Los Angeles, CA 90013 (www.lounge441.com). Jason is Exec. Director/Founder of Artist Salon, Arts & Culture Board of Director of the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council, and Co-Chair of the Arts, Aesthetics, Culture & Education Committee.
“Cell-Outs & Phonies” curated by Laura Merians
July 14th – August 6th, 2005
12:00-9:00PM