Somewhere in Between | Opening Reception 2018

Co-curated by: Michele Cairella Fillmore and Bia Gayotto

Somewhere in Between is a group exhibition consisting of twenty-four LA-based artists of various international origins, ethnicities and cultures. These artists address relevant concepts of transnationalism, cultural identity, appropriation, hybridization, and a sense of place and history. Together, these themes represent the role of artists bridging two or more cultures and the effect of that amalgamation. Through the use of various media, including installation, video, photography, ceramics, painting, found object, organic materials and textiles among others, these artists further engage with contemporary and historical topics of immigration, diaspora, displacement, current events and popular culture.

The exhibition ambitiously tackles the discourse of Los Angeles and its cultural diversity. Unable to represent every example of culture that represents the dynamic multi-ethnic and -cultural fabric that is Los Angeles, artworks selected present the talents of noteworthy visual, video and performance artists who originate, or identify culturally, with either Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Mexico, Central or South America, while simultaneously, integrating this part of themselves with their U.S./American experience. Together these artists promote multinational perspectives that bring distinct cultures together, helping audiences perceive what it is to be “American” in a new light, while also offering the opportunity to understand the values and perspectives of others. Somewhere in Between highlights artists of Los Angeles as having an integral role in the global network of art production, and consequently reflects on the international composition of the city’s current creative scene.

Contemporary art is a globalized phenomenon fostered by an ever-growing network of relationships. Like fitting together parts of a puzzle, the exhibition puts works in dialogue with each other in ways that mixes ideas, techniques and materials. Several thematic groupings emerge with overlapping qualities that aspire to transform how audiences experience them. The exhibition’s themes demonstrate how this diverse group of artists are Redefining Histories; dealing with Loss, Longing and Legacy; addressing Appropriation and Cultural Hybridization; illustrating the evolution of Shifting Identities and Cultural Exchange; recognizing the effects of Globalization, Commodification and Trade; identifying the results of The Politics of War and Occupation; and reflecting upon Migration, Borders and an on-going development of New Perspectives.

Somewhere in Between invites visitors to chart their own route in exploring the works of art, and to freely ask questions and pursue connections that they find most intriguing. Through a dialogue between various artistic disciplines and cultural scenes, this exhibition creates a space for exchange encouraging audiences to reflect on the ways in which we imagine, understand and engage with the world and with others.

Participating Artists: Carmen Argote, Hagop Belian, Guillermo Bert, Maryrose Cobarrubias Mendoza, Beatriz Cortez, Ismael de Anda III, Michelle Dizon, Cirilo Domine, Patricia Fernandez Carcedo, Keiko Fukazawa, Bia Gayotto, Flora Kao, Seema Kapur, Nery Gabriel Lemus, Yong Soon Min, Amitis Motevalli, Hillary Mushkin, Camilo Ontiveros, Raksha Parekh, Renee Petropoulos, Gala Porras-Kim, Ben Sakoguchi, Evelyn Serrano, Clarissa Tossin.