Black Maria Gallery in Atwater Village has their second annual holiday exhibit up, called Skip the Mall. Owner Zara Zeitousian sees the show as a reaction to the rampant consumerism typical during the Christmas holidays. I live across the street from the Glendale Galleria. It's crazy all the time but during the holidays it's depressing-- such madness. To observe it everyday made me realize I could offer an alternative to mass produced products.The group show, featuring 27 artists, is arrayed as a twist on the shopping experience. Art is suspended on clothing hangers, displayed in shoe boxes and presented on display stands. Buyers can leave with the work they purchase.
Art makes a wonderful gift. We have pieces by several artists from under $100. Some of them are right out of art school and the young energy in their work is great to see.
Zeitousian is poking fun at the shopping experience but she also is serious about the spiritual rewards of appreciating and owning great art.
A painting can be as satisfying as wearing a sexy dress or owning a feature-laden barbecue, except there is an actual, sometimes life-changing meaning waiting to be derived from a work of art.
Skip the Mall is up through January 5th at Black Maria Gallery, 3137 Glendale Blvd., Atwater Village.
