SODA - The Society of Distracted Artists
by LamontPaul, Founder & Publisher
first published: June, 2005
first published: June, 2005
Finding underground art in Los Angeles isn't difficult, finding a viable pulse is
Finally sharing somebody's secret is a deliciously decadent
thing. If you are like me, you know it's gonna happen from the
very instant the words slip from your lips... "I won't tell anyone, I
promise." The Temptation is too great. And so it is, SODA, Los
Angeles' Society of Distracted Artists (a name with few peers, bar
perhaps The Anarchist Formation Dance Team which I was not alone in
liking) and their coming out party of sorts, at a downtown loft, a loft
nonetheless far from the madding crowds of 4th and Main. It's their
secret and I can't but tell.
Finding underground art in Los Angeles isn't difficult, finding a
viable pulse is. While several galleries do a fine job of
unearthing talent, the process for an as yet unheard of artist, getting
to those walls, following that path, getting seen, c'mon, American
teeth and tan are most certainly as essential as any artistic nous.
SODA tack an entirely different path and I love it and of course I
would because it owes nothing to anyone and its independent spirit
sliently roars. A diverse group of artists, from all over the world but
currently making their home in the Los Angeles area. They have their
antecendents in say, the New School. Sure its a movement, but its not
one you're going to be part of. They are elites because none of the art
on these walls begins with a capital A.
What will you find there? In a way, it's gross. They're peddling
lessons without saying so. The star of the group is undoubtedly Andr?©e
Walker, her background in textile design is evident, although the work
here is far removed from the interior fabrics she designed for Honda
and Subaru. If you ever get into the table cloth as wall hanging
malarky, she's your woman. Richard Smith's work exudes a low intensity
pressure for sure, like the pieces beyond the fringes of a Geiger
canvas. What you were never supposed to see. In some respects
redefining the expression 'very dark'. Ask him. It seems instantly at
odds with his public persona.
Their meetings happen at racetracks, aircraft hangers and sad coffee
shops. Where others are restless, the SODA artists remain listless for
a time, because their moment is coming. Cecilia Medford is surely the
ringleader here, her work, shimmering, understated and glorious. It
begs to be sought out and was the most difficult to find in the show.
There's a texture... I sometimes wonder precisely how many surfaces I
am exposed to in the course of each day... Hers more graceful than any.
Theresa Medford's photography seeks out the intimate space between architecture and emotion - where, if and how the two meet. It's extraordinary and there were no shortage of buyers for her work at the show. Which pretty much of course, is the only way I have of telling
whether anything is any good or not.
So, where will SODA be in a year, two years? Already several members
are involved in multimedia projects, Anand Nunnally-Duncan's hugely
popular Flash Bunny
website is a global hit, drawing thousands of
visitors each day. Her husband, photographer Brendan Duncan also had
work on display. Photographer Andrew Reitsma's reputation grows
independently of the group.
Perhaps on the day the most arresting imagery came from Mylene De La
Rosa, damn! who wouldn't be interested in a solo show from her, if she
could be ever prised away from the group.
SODA for now at least is the most art with the least artiface. No one's
guaranteeing it will stay that way. Damn! Heaven knows what might
happen after all, if they ever stopped being distracted.
LamontPaul
Founder & Publisher
Publisher, Lamontpaul founded outsideleft with Alarcon in 2004 and is hanging on, saying, "I don't know how to stop this, exactly."
Lamontpaul portrait by John Kilduff painted during an episode of John's TV Show, Let's Paint TV
about LamontPaul »»
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