SCION INSTALLATION L.A. GALLERY PRESENTS “INFINITY”: AN AESTHETIC STUDY OF THE INFINITE IN MULTIPLE MEDIUMS
Exhibition Features 15 Contemporary Artists, Including Noah Davis, Xylor Jane, Butt Johnson, Chris Natrop and Aaron Noble
Opens October 10 Through November 7

Opening Oct. 10, Scion’s Installation L.A. Gallery presents “Infinity,” a group exhibition curated by respected contemporary artist Andrew Schoultz, which explores both the vastness of the infinite and the limitations of the finite.

Scion’s 4,500 square foot Installation Gallery in Culver City will host a laboratory of works that experiment with time, space, technology, mortality and other highly studied and interpreted continuums. Fifteen artists, including acclaimed and emerging printmakers, installation artists, illustrators, muralists, collagists and painters, exhibit their takes on the limitless and perpetual using confined and restricted mediums.

Scion Presents: ‘INFINITY’ curated by Andrew Schoultz Preview from Scion ART on Vimeo.

Ryan Travis Christian is a Chicago-based artist and independent curator. Christian reappropriates cultural icons and foreign experiences, from muppets to faded old photographs of people he will never meet, and places them in new contexts and meanings.

Richard Colman, born in Bethesda, MD and currently working in San Francisco, is a graduate of Boston’s School of the Museum of Fine Arts. With a background in graffiti and an appreciation for Renaissance-style portraiture, Coleman shifted to fine art creating paintings and murals of elaborately surreal scenes of geometrically patterned madness.

N. Dash, an MFA candidate at Columbia University and graduate of New York University, has been exhibited in solo and group shows in galleries and museums throughout the U.S. Her work is represented in public and private collections, including the de Young Museum in San Francisco and Craig Robbins collection in Miami.

Noah Davis, born in Seattle in 1983, currently resides in Los Angeles, CA. A graduate of the Cooper Union School of Art in New York, Davis uses traditional compositions and painterly techniques to evoke a world of nostalgia, memory and personal obsession, Davis’ works often obliquely reference racial, social or political issues and how they affect our daily activities and inner lives.

Chris Duncan, born in New Jersey and working in Oakland, earned a Bachelor of Fine Art from California College of Arts and Crafts in 2003. The recipient of the 2006 San Francisco Bay Guardian’s Goldie Award in Visual Art, Duncan’s paintings, drawings and sculptures innovatively combine materials to give structure to motifs that he considers forms of energy rather than images.

Andres Guerrero, a champion of the urban art movement, began his career in graffiti art. Guerrero now enjoys working in the grey area between street art and fine art. Formerly co-owner of the White Walls Gallery in San Francisco, Guerrero has curated numerous art shows in California and abroad.

Joseph Hart, born in New Hampshire and currently residing in New York City, received a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design. Most recently, his work was accepted into the 2009 North American Print Biennial, and was included in the New Talents section at Art Cologne. Balancing hard edges with delicate marks and dense imagery with open space, Hart’s mixed media works on paper have been exhibited and published internationally.

Andy Diaz Hope, born in Mountain View, CA and working in San Francisco, received both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Engineering from Stanford University. In addition to being exhibited in several solo and group exhibitions throughout the world, Hope’s art has also been featured in dozens of influential art and lifestyle publications.

Xylor Jane draws on mathematical algorithms to create staggering installations based on patterns from basic arithmetic, including the Fibonacci series and prime numbers.  Her simple and complex sequences are informed by swarms of numbers and executed through her personal expression.

Butt Johnson, a Rhode Island School of Design graduate now living in Brooklyn, NY, creates obsessively detailed ballpoint pen drawings of topical scenes in styles that recall Baroque, Renaissance and Victorian etchings. Johnson’s references include disparate pop and political themes, from the Searching for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI) screensaver to Super Mario Bros. and car-bombings in the Middle East.

Chris Natrop’s process combines precision with fluidity in paper cuts that vary from energetic rips and tears to finely constructed shreds.  Natrop, a School of the Art Institute of Chicago grad, mobilizes space, shape and light to fill unused environments and make sense of our surroundings.

Aaron Noble, inspired by comics and superheroes, the LA-based artist practices large-scale, site-specific wall painting and works on paper and canvas.  As a fan, collector and wannabe professional cartoonist, his visual vocabulary includes reverent ink link rendering techniques, fetishistic heroic forms and post-human identities.

Hilary Pecis is a Bay area artist whose otherworldly landscapes capture the post-apocalypse through intricate collages of obscured advertisements displaying luxury goods, media-inspired lifestyles and contemporary perfection.

Andrew Schoultz, SF-based artist and “Infinity” curator, fills and creates new spaces and times using lines, color, creatures, nature and architecture. His bright and lively murals can be seen throughout the alleyways of San Francisco and in streets and galleries the country.

Ryan Wallace, born in New York and working in Brooklyn, is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design. Wallace’s paintings, prints and installations, often representing personal interpretations of science, technology and society, have been exhibited and published internationally.

More information on this and previous exhibitions is available at www.scion.com/space.

The opening reception takes place on Oct. 10, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. at the
Scion Installation L.A. Space, 3521 Helms Ave. (at National), Culver City, CA 90232.  The reception is free with complimentary valet parking and an open bar.  Many artists will be present and available for comment.  The exhibit will run until Nov.7, 2009.

Dedicated to fostering independent artistic expression, Scion Installation L.A. is a space that allows artists to explore their creative visions. The Scion Installation L.A. Space hosts art shows and art-related events for cutting-edge contemporary artists from across the globe. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM and by appointment – 310.815.8840.

About Scion

Scion, from Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., was developed with a new generation of youthful buyers in mind.  Scion’s mission is to provide distinctive products, the opportunity to personalize, and an innovative, consumer-driven process at the retail level.  The Scion brand features three ground-breaking models with a wide array of standard features: the xD urban subcompact five-door, the iconic xB urban utility vehicle, and the tC sports coupe.  The brand often applies new practices in all aspects of its business and pushes the creativity envelope with non-traditional advertising and marketing to engage young consumers. Scion also supports originality through its programs in the artistic community.  For more information, visit www.scion.com.

October 17th, 8pm – 12am
L.A. Venue, Chelsea NYC

Pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/elementalc/sets/72157622328853235/

HARLEY-DAVIDSON PRESENTS: ART OF REBELLION
New York Art Show, One Night Only – Saturday October 17 At LA.Venue In Chelsea, NYC

ART OF REBELLION: Art meets motorcycle culture…

The ART OF REBELLION brings together 10 U.S. artists hand-picked by Harley-Davidson®–icons and emerging artists who are world-renowned in both the music and art worlds for their rock poster artwork.  Their work will be on display at the ART OF REBELLION show Saturday, October 17 at La.VENUE (608 W. 28th Street New York, NY). The artists chosen for the event in the West Chelsea gallery district are Art Chantry, Brian Ewing, Derek Hess, Dirty Donny, Frank Kozik, Harpoon, John Van Hamersveld, Lindsey Kuhn, Tara McPherson and The Pizz.

“These artists represent the rebellious spirit that we very much connect with-mixing old with new, defying boundaries and creating fresh individual perspectives,” said Susanne Dawursk, Harley-Davidson director of Outreach Marketing. “The Art Of Rebellion is a must-see event that showcases the artists and supports the art community at large.”

Harley-Davidson created ART OF REBELLION as a forum for artists to showcase their work and interact with other artists, galleries and media, as well as give them the needed opportunity and exposure to help further their careers and leverage their credibility in the art scene. For the show, each artist will paint one Harley-Davidson Iron 883TM gas tank and they will also sell signature art posters at the show. The Iron 883–part of the Harley-Davidson’s Dark Custom line which fuses minimalist design with a vintage feel–evokes the adventurous spirit of the dawn of the 60’s motorcycle rebellion.

A portion of the proceeds from poster and tank sales will go to CUE Art Foundation. CUE Art Foundation is a 501(c) (3) non-profit forum for contemporary art that gives artists, students, scholars and art professionals resources at many stages of their careers and creative lives (http://www.cueartfoundation.org/).
More info: http://www.rebelartshow.com

COPE2 and CHOR BOOGIE are:  Beauty & The Beast
Mid-City Arts, September 26th, 7pm – 11:30pm

COPE 2 is a Graffiti legend from the Bronx whose reputation for bombing has earned him the title “God of Destruction”. CHOR BOOGIE hails from San Diego, CA and his work is purely legal, spiritual and therapeutic. A deep spiritual healing and recovery from addiction nearly a decade ago transformed his life and has had a major impact in his style of color therapy and techniques of creative innovation.

These two diverse artists come together for the “Beauty & The Beast” exhibit at Mid-City Arts, curated by POSE 2 to challenge and expand our notions of art.

Video trailer for the show:

Both artists have been featured in the media several times, here’s a few highlights:

* COPE 2 has been featured in a Converse/MTV Artist spotlight:
http://www.cope2kingsdestroy.com/clips_converse.html

* COPE 2 was hired by TIME magazine to create a billboard for them:
http://www.cope2kingsdestroy.com/clips_time.html

* Chor Boobgie and Pose 2 created an MTV ad:

* Chor Boogie explains his theory of art, color theory and healing:

http://www.chorboogie.com/
http://www.cope2kingsdestroy.com/
http://midcity-arts.com/

Kevvy Kev & The Drum Posse present:
Bang the Drum
August 30th, 2009 1-5pm
Peacock Meadow in Golden Gate Park
Free!!! All Ages!

Naughty by Nature, Tash (The Alkoholics), Speech (Arrested Development), Hieroglyphics, Blackalicious, Q-Bert, Zumbi, Kung Fu Vampire, Motion Man, The Rec League, Jihad From Third Sight, The Bayliens, Davey D, Mark Spitz, D-Sharp, Prohoezack, Niamaj, DJ I-Cue, Subverse, D.U.S.T.,  Sellassie, Radioactive. Hosted by Flossafee

Artwork images: http://www.flickr.com/photos/scionart

SCION LAUNCHES “INSTALLATION 5 TOUR: SELF PORTRAITS” ONLINE AUCTION ON ARTNET.COM TO BENEFIT CREATIVE CAPITAL SEPT. 12 THROUGH SEPT. 30

Collection Features Self Portraits From International Contemporary Artists, Including Blek le Rat, Mark Mothersbaugh, David Choe, Ron English, Jeff Soto, Angela Boatwright, Among Many Others

Fifth Annual Art Tour Makes Final Stop At Scion Installation L.A. Gallery on Sept. 12

For the fifth year, Scion auctions off an unprecedented collection of contemporary works to benefit charities and non-profits that support independent artistic expression.  The Installation 5 Tour collection features literal and non-literal self-portraits of varying cost by international art luminaries, with 100 percent of the proceeds aiding Creative Capital, the premier national artist support organization (www.creativecapital.org).  Audiences around the world can begin bidding Sept. 12 when the Installation Tour auction goes live on ArtNet at http://www.ArtNet.com/scion.html.  The auction closes on Sept. 30.

After traveling through Detroit, Art Basel in Miami, Phoenix, Minneapolis, New York, San Jose, Philadelphia and Portland, the tour concludes at Scion’s 4,2000 square foot gallery in Culver City.  The exhibition will be available for viewing and bidding from the gallery on Sept. 12 through Sept. 30.  Artwork values range from $100 to $17,000 and bidding will begin at 25% of the art’s estimated worth.

“It is an absolute honor to work with these incredible artists in support of visionary arts non-profit organizations,” says Jeri Yoshizu, Scion sales and promotion manager.  “Since we launched the Installation Tour in 2003, we’ve raised more than $190,000 for art-related charities and look forward to continuing our support of exciting and impactful contemporary art.”

“Scion Installation 5: Self Portraits” features established and respected artists, including the godfather of stencil art, Blek le Rat, and Devo’s Mark Mothersbaugh, alongside other notable and up-and-coming photographers, painters and video artists.

Artists include:
AJ Fosik (3-D painting)
Alex Hornest (painting)
Andrew Schoultz (painting)
Angela Boatwright (photography)
Asylm (painting)
Blek le Rat (painting)
Christina M. Felice (photography)
Codak (painting)
David Choe (video art)
Edwin Ushiro (painting)
El Yem (video art)
Eriberto Oriol (photography)
Eye One (photography)
Francesco LoCastro (painting)
French (painting)
Geoff Oki (video art)
Ian Lynam (video art)
J. Shea (painting)
Jamel Shabazz (photography)
Jeff Soto (painting)
Kelsey Brookes (painting)
Kofie (painting)
Lisa Alisa (painting)
Logan Hicks (photography)
Mark Mothersbaugh (rug)
Nicholas Harper (painting)
Patrick Martinez (painting)
Peter Beste (photography)
RETNA (painting)
Rick Rodney (photography)
Rob Abeyta Jr. (painting)
Ron English (painting)
Saber (photography)
Sage Vaughn (painting)
Skypage (painting)
Stormie Mills (painting)
Tessar Lo (painting)
Too Tall Jahmal (photography)
Usugrow (painting)
Will Barras (painting)
Yoskay Yamamoto (painting)

Launched in 2003, Scion Installation is a revolutionary art tour affirming the brand’s ongoing commitment to support independent artistic expression, featuring work from esteemed contemporary artists, designers and photographers.  Previous participants include: Andre from Paris, Gary Baseman, Mr. Cartoon, Crash, David Ellis, Daze, Sam Flores, Futura, Mike Giant, James Jean, Caia Koopman, Mel Kadel, Travis Millard, Andy Mueller, Andrew Pommier, Ricky Powell, Rammellzee, Rostarr, Kenny Scharf, Chris Yormick and many others.  More information on the Scion Installation Tour is available at www.scion.com/installation.

The opening reception takes place on Sept. 12 from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. at the Scion Installation L.A. Gallery, 3521 Helms Ave. (at National), Culver City, CA 90232.  The reception is free with complimentary valet parking and an open bar. The exhibit will run until Sept. 30, 2009. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM and by appointment – 310.815.8840.  For more information, visit www.scion.com/space.

About Scion
Scion, from Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., was developed with a new generation of youthful buyers in mind.  Scion’s mission is to provide distinctive products, the opportunity to personalize, and an innovative, consumer-driven process at the retail level.  The Scion brand features three ground-breaking models with a wide array of standard features: the xD urban subcompact five-door, the iconic xB urban utility vehicle, and the tC sports coupe.  The brand often applies new practices in all aspects of its business and pushes the creativity envelope with non-traditional advertising and marketing to engage young consumers. Scion also supports originality through its programs in the artistic community.  For more information, visit www.scion.com.

About Creative Capital
Founded in January 1999, Creative Capital Foundation is a national nonprofit organization that supports individual artists pursuing innovative approaches to form and content in the fields of performing, visual, literary, and media arts, as well as in emerging arts fields. Creative Capital evolved as a response by philanthropists, arts professionals, artists, and business leaders to government cuts in funding to individual artists. Its model differs from those of traditional grantmakers in that the foundation commits to a long-term approach to working with artists. Artists in Creative Capital’s grant program have access to professional services, including assistance in fundraising, networking, marketing, and strategic planning. In addition, grantees agree to share with Creative Capital a small percentage of any profits made by the project.

Creative Capital Foundation currently supports 118 projects, with another 30 to 40 to be added in the spring. For more information on the funded projects and for the latest on the foundation’s activities, visit http://www.creative-capital.org.

Scion Presents: FLUX SUPER 8 from Scion ART on Vimeo.

SCION INSTALLATION L.A. GALLERY PRESENTS “FLUX SUPER 8”:
EIGHT EMERGING FILMMAKERS, VIDEO ARTISTS AND DESIGN COLLECTIVES FROM AROUND THE WORLD

First Annual “Flux Super 8” Showcase Features Exclusive Installations By The Blackheart Gang, Max Erdenberger, Saam Farahmand, Sophie Gateau, Miwa Matreyek, Terri Timely, United Visual Artists, YesYesNo

Opens Aug. 15 Through Sept. 5

Opening Saturday Aug. 15, eight of the world’s emerging filmmakers, video artists and design collectives present exclusive installations for “Flux Super 8” at Scion’s 4,500 square foot Installation L.A. gallery in Culver City.

The “Flux Super 8” is the first annual showcase that celebrates eight of the most exciting and emerging young artists working in film, video, music and design. Flux is a global creative community and collective led by RESFEST founder Jonathan Wells and designer/gallerist Meg Wells. Flux is an online journal, concept space, film/art/event hub where individuals from various creative fields can meet and share their work. Visit for www.flux.net more information.

As part of this creative expression, the following artists will develop site-specific installations created exclusively for the exhibition, making the works true originals.

The Blackheart Gang, hailing from Cape Town, South Africa, includes illustrator Ree Treweek, creative director Jannes Hendrikz and musician/writer Markus Smit (Wormstorm).  Known for their icy cold bravado, whimsical commercial works and monolithic life long project, “The Household,” the trio presents “The Tale of How,” a short film shrouded in mystery and supernatural forces.  The exhibit features the acclaimed second part of “The Dodo Trilogy” with a full print series, sculptures and the freshly pressed “Tale of How” book.  Visit  www.TheBlackHeartGang.com for more information.

Max Erdenberger works at the intersection of art and technology, whether creating celebrated yet controversial music videos for Gnarls Barkley, promoting environmental responsibility through design, or lending his visual talents to many of the world’s largest brands at Wieden & Kennedy.  The Portland, Ore.-based artist founded Viewers Like You, an international blog dedicated to visual culture and music, and showcases his personal work at www.Central-Office.org.

Saam Farahmand directs films in the context of art, music, fashion, television, performance, virals and documentaries. Farahmand’s bill of buzzworthy films include colorful and clever music videos for Klaxons, Hercules & Love Affair, Janet Jackson and Simian Mobile Disco, a documentary featuring Soulwax, and a fashion film for Alexander McQueen. The London-based artist opened his own gallery, Boyschool, in the city’s East end to support the work of emerging artists and develop future projects.  Visit his portfolio at http://partizan.com/partizan/musicvideos/?saam_farahmand

Sophie Gateau is a multi-disciplinary Parisian artist who explores space and design from the perspective of an architect, art historian, graphic designer and filmmaker.  Gateau began her filmmaking career creating visually stunning live action films for fashion runways and has since worked as a commercial and music video director, as well as a graphic artist on top-tier films including “The Matrix Reloaded” and “The Matrix Revolutions” and Wong Kar Wai’s “2046.” Visit her Web site at  www.sophiegateau.com.

Miwa Matreyek is an award-winning animator, designer and multimedia artist who creates animated short films and performance-based installations that manipulate time vs. real time and composed spaces vs. real spaces.  Based in L.A., Matreyek is the founding member of Cloud Eye Control, a performance media group that tells stories of human adaptation to a technological society using animation, live camera imagery and theatrical expression.  To view her portfolio, visit www.semihemisphere.com.

Terri Timely is a San Francisco-based duo made up of Ian Kibbey and Corey Creasey.  Their award-winning directors craft extraordinary films, commercials and music videos amplifying images and scenes from every day life. Kibbey and Creasey have developed their immersive portraits of hyper-reality for bands including Modest Mouse, Joanna Newsom, Midlake and Bobby Birdman, as well as major brands like Comcast, Amazon, Adidas and Footlocker.  To view their work, visit www.territimely.com.

United Visual Artists (UVA), established in 2003 by Chris Bird, Matt Clark and Ash Nehru, creates large-scale, light-based installations that are as much about spectacle as they are about people.  Each installation translates into a powerful social experience that turns the audience into active participants and collaborators.  The London-based UVA has worked with Giorgio Armani, Prada, Sony, Nokia, The Chemical Brothers and Battles, and continues to research and develop works with a wide range of artists and companies.  Visit  www.uva.co.uk  for images, video and more.

YesYesNo is a new interactive collective founded in 2008 by leading interactive specialists Zachary Lieberman, Theo Watson and Joel Gethin Lewis.  Aiming to develop work that puts creativity and awe at the forefront of interactive media, YesYesNo specializes in creating engaging installations that combine creativity, artistic vision and cutting edge research.  View their latest work at  www.yesyesno.com.

More information on this and previous exhibitions is available at www.scion.com/space.

The opening reception takes place on Aug. 15, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. at the
Scion Installation L.A. Space, 3521 Helms Ave. (at National), Culver City, CA 90232.  The reception is free with complimentary valet parking and an open bar.  All artists are flown in to install their work and attend the event.  The exhibit will run until Sept. 5, 2009.

Dedicated to fostering independent artistic expression, Scion Installation L.A. is a space that allows artists to explore their creative visions. The Scion Installation L.A. Space hosts art shows and art-related events for cutting-edge contemporary artists from across the globe. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM and by appointment – 310.815.8840.

Bic Plastics Brings to you their first Platform Series “BUDDY” designed by: marka27.
ARTIST SERIES 1 Features some of today’s most talented artists:
Cope2
Jesse Hernandez
Mad
Kano,
Ritzy Periwinkle
Indie84
David Flores
Marka27
Sket
Angry Woebots
Andrew Bell
Scribe
Brandt Peters

Starting August 15 Bic Plastics will have 3 Releases in 3 Major Cities.
If you’re in L.A, N.Y or Chicago come out and meet the artists!
Who says you can’t buy friends when you can buy Buddies!

Los Angeles
August 15 @ Crewest Gallery 6PM-9PM
http://www.crewest.com
Crewest
110 Winston St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 627-8272 ph

Signing Artists in L.A: David Flores, Jesse Hernandez, Marka27, Angry Woebots, Ritzy Periwinkle

New York
August 21st @ ToyTokyo 6PM-9PM
http://www.toytokyo.com
Toy Tokyo Retail Store
121 2nd Ave 2F. NYC, NY 10003
Phone: 212.673.5424
FAX: 212.673.5450

Signing Artists in N.Y: Sket, Kano, Cope2, Indie84, Marka27

Chicago
August 22nd @ Rotofugi 5PM-8PM
http://www.rotofugi.com
Rotofugi
1953 W. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
Call 866.953.9229 or 312.491.9501 or emailrotofugi@rotofugi.com

Signing Artists in Chicago: Jesse Hernandez, Marka27

SCION INSTALLATION L.A. GALLERY PRESENTS: “THE 2009 VICE MAGAZINE PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION”
Ninth Annual Photo Show Features Vice Photographers Jamie Lee Curtis Taete, Maggie Lee and Tim Barber
Opens July 25 Through August 8

Vice, the international arts and culture magazine distributed and published in more than 22 countries, comes to Scion’s Installation L.A. Gallery on July 25 for the ninth annual Vice Photo Show.

Best known for documenting youthful excess, questionable street fashion and powerful scenes of political unrest around the world, Vice presents this exhibition in conjunction with “The 2009 Vice Magazine Photo Issue” and is curated by the magazine’s managing editor Amy Kellner. The acclaimed annual edition has previously featured works from Terry Richardson, Ryan McGinley, Richard Kern, Jerry Hsu, Rennie Ellis and many others.

This year’s exhibition features Vice contributors Jamie Lee Curtis Taete, Maggie Lee, and former Vice photo editor, Tim Barber. Tim is also curating a mini group-show-within-a-group-show of photos featured on his online gallery, tinyvices.com.

Jamie Lee Curtis Taete is a 24-year-old English photographer whose candid images provoke intense reactions, often ranging from awe to disgust.  His work has been featured in Vice, Chief, PerezHilton.com and The Guardian, and has been shown in Mexico, France, Britain, North America and Japan as part of the Tiny Vices traveling exhibition.  Taete is a Vice UK staff photographer and maintains a photo blog at www.jamietaete.com.

Maggie Lee is a zine-maker, Pratt graduate and Vice staff photographer who has developed a chronological archive of her 21 years through captured light and photocopies.  Lee has shown her work in New York, New Zealand and Australia and has recently exhibited her Frenching zine at the New Museum’s “Younger Than Jesus” show.

Tim Barber, a photographer, curator, publisher, designer and former Vice Magazine photo editor runs the online gallery TinyVices.com. Founded in 2005, the site reflects various approaches to photography and allows emerging and underexposed artists to upload their work onto the influential platform.  For this exhibition, Barber will personally install a selection of works from the site.

More information on this and previous exhibitions is available at http://www.scion.com/space.

The opening reception takes place on July 25, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. at the Scion Installation L.A. Space, 3521 Helms Ave. (at National), Culver City, CA 90232.  The reception is free with complimentary valet parking and an open bar.  All artists will be in attendance and Vice Photo Issues will be available at the event.  The exhibit will run until August 8, 2009.

Dedicated to fostering independent artistic expression, Scion Installation L.A. is a space that allows artists to explore their creative visions. The Scion Installation L.A. Space hosts art shows and art-related events for
cutting-edge contemporary artists from across the globe. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM and by appointment – 310.815.8840.

MID CITY ARTS PRESENTS: MIAMI GRAFFITI – Street Art Exhibit, Installation & Book Signing
Mid-City Arts continues to bring the best of street art to Los Angeles with its latest show honoring the Miami graffiti scene. “Miami Graffiti” opens July 11, 7pm – 9pm and will be on view through July 26th.

Rapidly becoming one of the United States’ top graffiti destinations, Miami, Florida is home to a deep well of talented artists driven by a fiercely competitive graffiti scene.  Miami’s profile has risen thanks to the city’s role as host to the famed “Art Basel” and most recently “Primary Flight.” “Primary Flight” is the internationally acclaimed, site-specific, street level mural installation that takes place during Art Basel. Artists that have graced the Primary Flight walls include Crome, MSG, Typoe as well as Blek Le Rat, Retna, El Mac, David Choe, Revok and many others.

Miami Graffiti by photographers Jim and Karla Murray is the first book to capture Miami’s graffiti scene. Documenting 20+ years of graffiti art and history along with Miami’s most notorious crews and writers, Miami Graffiti is a detailed presentation of South Florida’s past, present, and future of graffiti.

Mid City Arts’ “Miami Graffiti” show is a celebration of the release of Jim and Karla Murray’s book – they will be on hand to sign books -  and a showcase of some of Florida’s finest street artists from the MSG, TCP, SH and THC crews. Artists from these crews are coming out to Los Angeles and will be displaying their work in the gallery as well as customizing the gallery’s back yard space. Featured artists include Crome, Typoe, Acme, Enve, Murder, Afex, Kemo, Cynic, Gere, Flojoe and others. The show is curated by “Slow”.

The MSG crew formed in 1994 by a group of kids bonded through their shared street backgrounds and love of graffiti. Now, 14 years later, MSG has evolved into a creative collective that has expanded into everything from graphic design and fine art, to retail and product design, and everything in between. South Florida’s Crome is one that region’s graffiti pioneers. Crome’s work is an amalgam of sex, color, crime and fun. Drawing inspiration from Miami’s clashing of tropical South Beach & seedy underbelly of Downtown Districts, he creates images that reflect the dichotomy between the beauty, style and color of the former, while balancing it with the images of prostitution; drive bys and drugs of the latter. Crome is multifaceted and multi-dimensional.  He’s an artist with a dark past and a bright future making his mark on the vanilla, superficial Miami art scene.

Mid-City Arts was established in September 2009 as an extension of the store 33third – LA’s premier source of street art supplies, streetwear apparel, and related books and magazines. The gallery was established with the purpose of showcasing local, national, and international artwork by up and coming and established artists with a focus on (but not limited to) graffiti / street / urban art. Recent shows have included work by Chaka, Retna and El Mac. Mid-City Arts offers a show space that interacts with other artists and events that surround the 33third Los Angeles location. The gallery’s artwork is available to view by the active customer base of 33third, which includes graffiti artists and fans of graffiti art. Mid-City Arts is open Monday through Sunday 12-8PM. For more information, visit: www.midcity-arts.com
Mid-City Arts is located at: 5111 W. Pico Blvd. Los Angeles Ca. 90019