12/27/11

Darin Klein & Friends Present: Tilt-Shift LA: New Queer Perspectives on the Western Edge

Brandon Andrew
Keep Ya Head Up (In memory of my cousin Trevor), 2011
Glass tube, neon gas, electrical hardware, shelf
14 x 12 x 8 inches

January 28 – February 25, 2012
Darin Klein & Friends Present
Tilt-Shift LA: New Queer Perspectives on the Western Edge


Luis De Jesus Los Angeles
2685 S La Cienega Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90034
(310) 838-6000
luisdejesus.com

Hours:
Tuesday through Saturday, 10am - 6pm,
special program hours, and by appointment

Brandon Andrew, Zackary Drucker = A. L. Steiner, Deanna Erdmann, Matthew Greene, Abel Baker Gutierrez, Lia Halloran, Danny Jauregui, Matt Lipps, prvtdncr & bodega vendetta, Christopher Russell & Halle Tate, George Stoll, Suzanne Wright


“Tilt-shift" refers to the use of camera movements typically employed in creating a simulated environment or miniature scene. The term in this context is well suited to Los Angeles-based queer artists who do not shy away from exploring and exploiting the visibility of a specific timeframe and geographic location, skewing and adjusting concepts of queerness to illuminate individual ideals. Much of the art in Tilt-Shift LA has been created specifically for this exhibition, while key pieces from the past half-decade were sourced from the artists’ studios, and several very recent works not shown previously now reach the public.

A series of free exhibition-related programs are presented within the gallery during the run of the exhibition:

Saturday, January 28, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m
Opening reception and performance by Our Lady J

Sunday, February 12, 12:00 to 6:00 p.m.
‘Zine Fest 2012!

Saturday, February 18, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
itch dance performance

11/25/11

Darin Klein & Friends Present: Box of Books, Vol. IV Release Party

Box of Books, Vol. IV

Sunday, December 11, 2011
4-7pm
Box of Books, Vol. IV Release Party
Live Performance: Sun Foot
Exhibition Closing Party: Double Breaks
Free admission

Double Break
1821 5th Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101
www.doublebreakstore.com


Darin Klein & Friends touch down at Double Break in San Diego for the release of the latest in the ongoing Box of Books series. This unique and affordable boxed set of 20 artist-made ‘zines is perfect for collectors and gift-givers alike! A limited edition of 100, don’t miss your chance to grab one.

Box of Books, Vol. IV showcases the work of Heather Benjamin, AA Bronson & Ryan Brewer, Julia Dzwonkoski & Kye Potter, Brennan Gerard & Ryan Kelly, Abel Baker Gutierrez, Darren Ankenbauer (Handbook Magazine), Johanna Jackson, Chris Johanson, Christopher Kardambikis, Dawn Kasper, David Larsen, Sarah Locke, Jeaneen Lund, Francesca Mirabella, Zac Monday, Erwin Ong, Davy Rothbart, Jen Smith, Chris Vargas & Greg Youmans, and e war.

Sun Foot: Songs in the Key of R, B & C

Portland, OR and Los Angeles based trio Sun Foot create barely amplified, feel-good vibes on electric guitar and bass nicely intertwining with analog and digital percussion. At live gigs, they deliver spare, honest jams filled with friendly humor to appreciative audiences. Join Sun Foot on the San Diego leg of a California tour supporting their new LP, Songs in the Key of R, B & C, on Awesome Vistas/Teenage Teardrops. Recent appearances include a Quiet Fruit Party in the Los Feliz Hills and legendary venue The Smell in downtown LA; Breeze Block Gallery in Portland, OR; and San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Oh – did you know that one time they even played on a barge at Art Basel, Switzerland? Sun Foot members are Ron Burns (IS and Amen, again Amen), Brian Mumford (IS, Collectivo and Dragging an Ox through Water), and Awesome Vistas record label founder and Box of Books, Vol. IV contributor Chris Johanson (IS, Deepthroats and Tina, Age 13).

Exhibition Closing Party: Double Breaks

Tonight is also the closing party for the fifth Double Break exhibition, Double Breaks. Co-curated by artists Jay Howell and Louis M. Schmidt, Double Breaks brings together 30 artists working in nearly as many styles. The show features a slew of fantastic artists, including Box of Books, Vol. IV contributor Christopher Kardambikis, 80’s skateboarding legend Neil Blender, iconic comics artist Bill Griffith (creator of Zippy the Pinhead), plus widely exhibited artists like Thomas Campbell, Mel Kadel and Travis Millard.

11/7/11

Darin Klein & Friends Present: Box of Books, Vol. IV Release Party

Volunteers Phil, Lauren and Angat

Interactive Performance: To Know End by Zac Monday

A glimpse of the awesome crowd!

The Box of Books, Vol. IV release party was amazing! Big thanks to the huge crowd of over 200 supporters, revelers and enthusiasts who came to check out the latest volume of Box of Books! The success of this fantastic event is greatly due to the generosity of our hosts, Human Resources. I want to give a giant thanks to all the artists involved in the project this year, and to the following individuals who all contributed your talent and dedication: Peter J. Brant, Dawn Kasper, Christopher Russell, Camille Thoma, and my volunteers Angat, Lauren and Phil.

10/3/11

Darin Klein & Friends Present: Box of Books, Vol. IV Release Party


Saturday, November 5, 2011
Darin Klein & Friends Present
Box of Books, Vol. IV Release Party
6-10pm
Free admission

Human Resources
410 Cottage Home
Los Angeles, CA 90012
humanresourcesla.com


Human Resources welcomes you to celebrate the release of a unique and dynamic independent publishing endeavor. For the fourth consecutive year, Darin Klein & Friends present the collaborative 'zine project Box of Books. An all-new selection of artists and friends has learned to make their very own simple booklet using a single piece of paper and a specific folding technique. The outcome is an edition of 100 boxes, all containing each of the participants’ work - a diverse and exciting mix of images and texts, and a broad range of styles and concepts.

Box of Books, Vol. IV showcases the work of Heather Benjamin, Ryan Brewer & AA Bronson, Julia Dzwonkoski & Kye Potter, Brennan Gerard & Ryan Kelly, Abel Baker Gutierrez, Handbook Magazine (Darren Ankenbauer), Johanna Jackson, Chris Johanson, Christopher Kardambikis, Dawn Kasper, David Larsen, Sarah Locke, Jeaneen Lund, Francesca Mirabella, Zac Monday, Erwin Ong, Davy Rothbart, Jen Smith, Chris Vargas & Greg Youmans, and e war.

At this one-night only launch party and reception, the public is invited to peruse the contents of the box, which is available to purchase for $20.00 per box. Also in store for the evening are the accompanying Mini-Exhibition, Interactive Performances and Super-Short Film Screening – all featuring Box of Books, Vol. IV participants.

Mini-Exhibition: Julia Dzwonkoski & Kye Potter | Jeaneen Lund | Christopher Kardambikis | Jen Smith


Julia Dzwonkoski & Kye Potter. Dining Room Table, 2011. Oil on canvas, 16 x 20 inches

Jeaneen Lund. Mecca, 2011. Color photograph, 15 3/4 x 19 3/4 inches

Christopher Kardambikis. Housebuilding 4, 2011. Multi-pass inkjet print and ink on paper. 21 x 15 inches

Jen Smith. Forever, 2005. Satin on cotton, 60 x 36 inches

Jen Smith. Now, 2005. Satin on cotton, 60 x 36 inches

Interactive Performance: To Know End by Zac Monday


Zac Monday. Untitled (Sketch for a performance at Human Resources), 2011. Ink on paper, 8 1/2 x 11 inches

Super-Short Film Screening: Gerard and Kelly in collaboration with Chelsea Knight | Francesca Mirabella | Chris Vargas and Greg Youmans


Gerard and Kelly in collaboration with Chelsea Knight. Still from Boxes, 2010

Francesca Mirabella. Still from Mistakes Were Made, 2011

Chris Vargas and Greg Youmans. Still from Falling in Love… With Chris and Greg. Oh la la! Paris Special, 2010

Also on view at Human Resources:
Molly Larkey: The Lost Alphabet, Pants That Fit, and Other Implausible Disguises
Through November 11, 2011

With an ever-expanding network of friends, Darin Klein curates exhibitions and organizes arts programming, simultaneously producing, collecting and promoting artists' publications and independent media.

Human Resources
is a team of creative individuals which seeks to broaden engagement with contemporary and conceptual art, with an emphasis on performative and underexposed modes of expression. Human Resources is entirely volunteer run and seeks to foster widespread public appreciation of the performative arts by encouraging maximum community access. Human Resources also serves as a point of convergence for diverse and disparate art communities to engage in conversation and idea-sharing promoting the sustainability of non-traditional art forms.

6/27/11

DRUMSTICK at Outfest/Platinum

DRUMSTICK production still by Eve Fowler

DRUMSTICK production still by Eve Fowler

DRUMSTICK production still by Eve Fowler

DRUMSTICK

A film by Deanna Erdmann & Darin Klein
Cinematography: Rhys Ernst
Followed by: Community Action Center
A film by A.L. Steiner & A.K. Burns

Friday, July 8, 2011
9:30pm
REDCAT Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater
631 West 2nd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Buy tickets: www.outfest.org

Darin Klein speaks with Deanna Erdmann about DRUMSTICK


Darin Klein:
You asked me to be in a film with you. We watched some late-‘70s gay pornography to prepare for the shoot. Can you describe the original film that actually inspired DRUMSTICK and the thought process that led you to “remake” it?

Deanna Erdmann: I love gay male porn and this film is one of my favorite memories. I first saw the film that inspired DRUMSTICK in 2004 over an evening of film and drinks. It was an iconic COLT production: foreplay included glistening men with handlebar moustaches feeding each other fried chicken in a hot tub. The sun was bright and the water was turquoise blue, very Southern California. I fixated on the drumstick and for years have wanted to make an homage to this film.

When starting this project, I was unable to locate the film. I watched a lot of COLT films along the way, mostly with the guy who works at Video Active, on all the monitors around the video store. Ultimately, I couldn’t find it, and this phantom source material for our collaboration became part of our oral histories. It is not about remembering what actually happened, but what I remember happening.

What role did hearing about the film play for you? I asked you to collaborate with me, and you said YES. Can you tell me what you found interesting in the project?

DK: I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to work with one of my favorite artists. Whether you’re shooting work with human subjects, making experimental animations, or deferring to structuralism, I feel a meditative quality running through all of the work you make.

I’ve seen my share of vintage gay porn. There’s a certain aesthetic quality to it that can’t be matched by today’s technical processes. Not to mention the body types, fashions, and overall style of fucking going on – it’s all totally different today. So I just went there in my imagination when you described the original. It was interesting for me as a cisgender male to inhabit the role of a transman. Transgender and gendervariant culture, identities and politics are very close to my heart. But after you asked me, I started over-thinking the concept. I was trying to introduce a plot or give the film some sort of narrative. I thought maybe we needed to rewind a bit, kind of explain trans identities, give transmale identity a context. You gently steered me away from that and we made what I think is a simple, humorous and beautiful film. Though we circled back to your original idea, the process was very collaborative.

DE: Simple, humorous and beautiful; I completely agree. I love that we focused on a small gesture, and let it unfold like a landscape. For me, that is narrative.

DK: The theme of switching came into play making this film. I’m thinking of bodies, gender and maybe even dominant/submissive sexual roles. Another theme that emerged was substitution: vegan chicken legs, prosthetic genitalia, fabricated facial hair.

DE: Present from the beginning of the collaboration, substitutions and switching permeate the film and its making. It began with a narration of something palpable and experienced, but not materially available. We created an image from something uttered. I think in the switching and substituting we were being playful with realness. Remember, we matched my soft pack to yours?

DK: Yes! When we were checking them out at the shop, I think I said, “Well, what size cock would you like to have?” We went with the one that was exactly like mine! I felt a fondness for it because it was so familiar to me. We also went shopping for something else we needed - binders. In the finished film, the audience doesn’t see much of our bound chests or anything below that. Can you talk about whether or not it was important to have these items since they are not on camera?

DE: Wardrobe is transformative. We knew what we were wearing. In a restrictive form, think about what happens ideologically when kids wear school uniforms; there’s a psychological effect.

I think part of wardrobe and style is cultural grafting. You can attach, insert or tie anything you want to your body, and there it continues to grow, developing and becoming in an environment with new chemistry. I think ideas can function in a similar way.

DK: There was a real sense of community surrounding the shoot. Access to Lawrence’s hot tub was a key element. Rhys Ernst was invaluable as the lighting director and cinematographer. Jenn Kolmel deconstructed our kooky costume mustaches and made them quite realistic by incorporating hair that was cut from our very own heads. Eve Fowler shot tons of amazing stills.

DE: Totally. Lawrence’s Jacuzzi was beyond ideal and idyllic. It’s a queer location that has its own energy. Rhys was also a fabulous contribution and wonderful to work with.

I look hot in a mustache, and that’s Jenn’s doing.

DK:
You are incredibly sexy with a mustache. Look at the production stills!

DE: Eve’s photographs are incredible. During the shoot, Bobbi Jablonski and Jenn helped by holding bounce cards and diffusers, it felt very community based.

DK: It was an incredible experience making this film with you and all the people who helped us out.

END

1/24/11

Darin Klein & Friends Present: 2nd Annual Queer Pile-up!

An empty studio...

Margo Graxeda's flyer design

Installation shot!

Installation shot!

Installation shot!

Installation shot!

Abel Baker Gutierrez: Artist, DJ, Gentleman

Miracle Bookmobile: Kelly rolls up in the jeep and unloads free reading material

Just like we promised: Queer Pile-up!

January 22
Darin Klein & Friends present with Suzanne Wright
2nd Annual Queer Pile-up!
Plus... 'zine release party for
21st Century Queer Artists Identify Themselves #2 & #3
Collective Show Los Angeles 2011 Satellite Event


Another smashing success, the 2nd Annual Queer Pile-up! proved beyond doubt that local queer artists working in all mediums are an industrious, thoughtful and motivated bunch. With over 200 guests coming through the doors during the evening and 40 artist participants, the outcome was truly inspired and inspiring. Paintings, drawings, photos, book arts, sculpture, community outreach, videos, wearables, ‘zines and performance shared a nurturing and welcoming space. The result was surprisingly cohesive given the premise of the show: a temporarily repurposed storefront studio cleared out for one evening, filled with art on a drop-in basis, and cleared out again at the end of the night. Big thanks to Amy Adler for once again loaning us her studio!

To round it all out, two new issues of Darin Klein and Suzanne Wright’s ‘zine, 21st Century Queer Artists Identify Themselves, were displayed, celebrated, flipped through and enjoyed.

Participants:
Laida Aguirre, Eden Batki, Math Bass, Larissa Brantner James, Cake and Eat it Collective, Young Chung, Kelly Cline, Christopher Dibble, Nathalie Dierickx, Zackary Drucker, Deanna Erdmann, Mariah Garnett, Paul Gellman, Margo Graxeda, Abel Baker Gutierrez, Michael Hayden, Dawn Kasper, Kim Kelly, Darin Klein, Christopher Kreiling, Anthony Lepore, Dylan Mira, Miracle Bookmobile/Kelly Besser, Zac Monday, Leon Mostovoy, Deirdre Novella, Tyler Matthew Oyer, Karl Pushlik, Charles Rosenberg, Christopher Russell, Jimena Sarno, Darwin Serink, Elisa Shea, Al Sky & Marija Gaier, Nico Solario, Marisa Suárez-Orozco, Sweaterqueens (prvtdncr & bodega vendetta), Martha Windahl, Suzanne Wright, Brenna Youngblood

1/15/11

Collective Show Los Angeles 2011

Onya Hogan-Finlay, Lesbian Ethics after Hoagland and Biren, 2011.
Watercolor under Sarah Lucia Hoagland's book Lesbian Ethics: Toward New Values (1988), framed page from Joan E. Biren's book Eye to Eye: Portraits of Lesbians (1979) (detail)

Darin Klein & Friends present
Onya Hogan-Finlay
In…
Collective Show Los Angeles 2011
995, 997 North Hill Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Reception: Thurs, Jan 20, 6-9pm
Hours: Fri-Sun, Jan 21-23, 12-6pm & Thurs-Sun, Jan 27-30, 12-6pm


Collective Show Los Angeles 2011 is an exhibition of artwork, publications and posters from over 20 local artist-run spaces and projects formed in the past five years. Screenings, performances and talks will take place during the exhibition. Catalogue available.
collectiveshow.org/LA/

&

Darin Klein & Friends with Suzanne Wright present
2nd Annual Queer Pile-up!
Plus... 'zine release party for 21st Century Queer Artists Identify Themselves #2 & #3
Collective Show Los Angeles 2011 Satellite Event
At Amy Adler's Echo Park Studio
1296 Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Sat, Jan 22
Install 6-7pm
Exhibition/performances 7-10pm
FREE ADMISSION


Local queer artists are invited to participate in this one-night only event. All mediums welcome, with wall and floor space available on a first-come, first-served basis. Artists supply everything they need to install their work. Performers come prepared with all equipment, power cords, props, etc. Last year's wildly successful drop-in DIY experience attracted 29 visual artists and performers. Work must be installed and de-installed on the night of the event. Two new issues of 21st Century Queer Artists Identify Themselves available for purchase: $10 each, editions of 100.

1/13/11

Darin Klein & Friends Present: Box of Books, Vol. III

Darin Klein & Friends booth at MoMA PS1

Plus: hankie edition, postcards and drawings by Box of Books, Vol. III contributor Onya Hogan-Finlay

Box of Books, Vol. III
Printed Matter’s 5th Annual NY Art Book Fair
MoMA PS1
Nov 4-7, 2010


Featuring the work of Sonja Ahlers, Rich Bott, Sarah Cain, Keith Carollo & Chris Bick, Michael Dates, Jef Diesel, Epsilon + Epsilon, Deanna Erdmann, Michael Hayden, Onya Hogan-Finlay, Anthony Lepore, Matt Lipps, Noah Lyon, Amos Mac, Kirk Maxson, M. Pernod, PJB, Sumi Ink Club, Carla Verea & Francisca Rivero-Lake, Kate Wolf and Austin Young. Fall 2010.