As the Art Project had been asked to exhibit some artwork at the upcoming Anniversary Party, why not see how "others did it"?
Darlene Altemeier Dobbs, Lamp Art Project Member, before a Ruth Weisberg painting at Jack Rutberg Gallery
We saw powerful works by Ruth Weisberg, who, in addition to her exquisite labours as a painter, also heads up the University of Southern California (USC) School of Fine Arts and that same University's Printmaking Department.
We noticed, and enjoyed, that many of her works were accomplished on unstretched canvases hanging like tapestries upon the gallery walls.
This was particularly pleasing in that the Lamp Art Project has been working on unstretched canvases, and also hanging them in like manner. This has been motivated, (only in part) by the expense of obtaining prestretched canvases, or even the materials necessary to stretch them. Often we go to the nearby Los Angeles Garment District and buy cheap canvas linen "remnants", sold for use in clothing fabrication, and which are still wrapped upon the large cardboard fabric rolls.
Ed Christiansen, Lamp Art Project Member, amidst his, and other Project Members' paintings on unstretched, as well as stretched, canvas at the Lamp Art Project last year.
Seeing the powerful works of the master-painter, Ms. Weisberg, wielded in a parallel manner, and hanging sensuously from the walls of the highly regarded Jack Rutberg Gallery, encouraged us in our own pursuits.
Then we returned to downtown to visit the Los Angeles Theatre Center.
Downtown Los Angeles. "Haunting Grounds" of the Lamp Art Project. (lamp art project photos / rory white).
The Theatre is an interesting combination of the concrete and the sublime, that is, modern exposed concrete construction contrasts with elegant deco stained glass skylights. The Theatre Center is on Spring Street and is a building of historic note, having, originally, been a Bank, and still containing the large vaults near the downstairs lobbies. This edifice resides in the shadowed caverns of Downtown Los Angeles.
Darlene, before a large window in the "catacombs" of the Los Angeles Theatre Center
Darlene, after the outing, worked on new pieces, including a self portrait, back at the art project.
However, before we left the Theatre, we noticed that a back window offered a rather unusual rear view of the old Rossylyn Hotel. Its landmark sign looms between Downtown and Skid Row.
Although the Rossyln's old painted advertisement, promising baths in every room, televisions, and convenient monthly, weekly, and daily, rates, was "alluring", we were all quite happy to return to the safety of our home at Lamp....
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