FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The American Lifescape
June 14 – September 6, 2008
Opening Reception: Saturday, June 14, 6-10pm
Closing Reception: Saturday, August 30, 6-10pm
256 S. Main Street, Pomona, CA 91766
(909) 623-7600
Email, ron@dba256.com
Website, http://www.dba256.com
Gallery Hours, Monday-Thursday, 10am-10pm; Friday & Saturday, 10am-Midnight
Corina Gamma, “L.A. Leisures, #1”, 2008, C-Print.
Downtown Pomona gallery, dba256 is bringing together a poignantly varied collection of installation, painting and photography to celebrate the The American Lifescape. The show will run from June 14 through September 6, 2008 with a reception open to the public on Saturday, June 14, 6-10pm (during Pomona’s monthly second Saturday Arts Walk). This exhibit will highlight work from local emerging artists to internationally recognized artists.
Featured artists in the exhibit are Kimber Berry, Amy Bystedt, Sally Egan, Ed Freeman, Corina Gamma, Jeffrey Gillette, Sant Khalsa, Alan Kupchick, R. Dean Larson, Amy Maloof, Doug McCulloh, Thomas McGovern, Greg Miller, Donnie Molls, James Austin Murray, Steven Poster, Stijn & Marie, and David A.Wade. The exhibition will be accompanied by an essay by New York writer/artist Mark Zimmermann.
The American Lifescape is a survey of contemporary art documenting the American landscape altered by an obsessed culture. This exhibition, curated by Andi Campognone, features contemporary work by American and European artists who both celebrate and editorialize the ever changing landscape. Although this exhibition focuses on the United States specifically, its message epitomizes what is happening globally both in consumption and production.
In the pursuit of happiness, cultural acceptance of more, bigger and better have raised generations of consumers who give little thought to environmental repercussions as illustrated in Sant Khalsa’s Water Stores installation and Sally Egan’s photo documentary on consumption and waste. In that same pursuit, Douglas McCulloh’s and R. Dean Larson’s photography document literally the “American Dream” in action, both in the private stories that make the mass production of new houses a reality and the idealization of the perfect home. Thomas McGovern, Ed Freeman, Corina Gamma, Alan Kupchick, Steven Poster, Amy Bystedt and Dutch artists Stijn & Marie complete the photography in the exhibition with images of Americans’ obsession over our automobiles, fast food, entertainment and leisure and their effect on the landscape.
Donnie Molls, Greg Miller, and Jeffrey Gillette have long been recognized for their uniquely “American” paintings. Molls, Miller, and Gillette use American pop culture and the use of advertising iconography as subject matter in their skillfully rendered landscapes. Kimber Berry and James Austin Murray’s paintings are literal documentation of both the over whelming cityscape and disappearing wild landscapes. Installations by Amy Maloof and David A. Wade take pieces of the landscape indoors in the form of new forms. Wade’s reconstructed recycled street sign is both conceptual and beautiful.
The American Lifescape will be Andi Campognone’s final exhibit as Gallery Director/ Curator of dba256 Gallery. Campognone opened the gallery with partner Ron Faris in 2007 with ground breaking exhibits and important quality shows. dba256 will continue its quality exhibitions in its main gallery and project space THE PO@256. dba256 Gallery wishes Ms. Campognone well in her pursuit of new and exciting projects.
For additional information or images please contact Ron Faris at ron@dba256.com.
