Dreaming as the Days Go By

The Chess Queens (1944) by Muriel Streeter


I recently visited LACMA's exhibit "In Wonderland: The Surrealist Adventures of Women Artists in Mexico and the United States" which was an eye-opening experience. I found it so profound for two reasons. First, the works on display were exceptionally strong, powerful expressions of surrealist aesthetics.

Second, there were many "forgotten masterpieces" on display, works that should have greater prominence and fame; I'm reasonably learned in art history, but there were many awesome pieces that were unfamiliar to me. I can't help but feel that these artists have been neglected by art historians because of gender bias. The fact that some of them were from Latin America or lived there put a double whammy on them, making them beneath the notice of the male-centric Euro-centric art cognoscenti.

So, kudos to LACMA and the Museo de Arte Moderno for putting this show together. It's about time that these treasures got the appreciation that they deserve.

Detail of Celestial Pablum (1958) by Remedios Varo


Although I found the actual layout to be confusing, the exhibit was segmented along a variety of themes that pervade the works of these artists. From the use of games and chance in composing works to the conceptualization of the Self, the exhibit examined topics both philosophical and technical. Yet, it always presented the subject in a coherent and accessible manner, never drifting off into deep Art Theory or Formal Techniques territories.

When Women Wore Gloves

Little Girl Go (2011) by DJ Hall


Koplin Del Rio Gallery in Culver City is currently exhibiting works by DJ Hall in "Kodak Moments, Portrait of a Los Angeles Artist in the 1950's." The artist under review in the '50s is DJ Hall as a child in Southern California. It's a playful show with a good mix of nostalgia and impudence. On one hand, there is a clear love for the details and nuances of the era, from Disney lunch boxes to girls attire to poolside birthday parties. On the other hand, there is a tongue in cheek campiness that portrays the era with a "Dick and Jane" simplicity.

In terms of emulating an era or setting, this show is fantastic. But there are other elements that make this show more than just a fine display of emulation. First, the painting and composition of the works are exceptional. These exuberant images are crafted with bold, expressive strokes. The vitality of the brushwork is the foundation from which these figures derive their powerful presence. Even the flowers seem to jump off the canvas towards the viewer. This paint has got punch!

Smell the Roses (2010) by DJ Hall

The second element that wins me over is the manner in which the artist uses her youthful self as a mirror or counterpoint to her mature self. In some of the paintings, the child has an adult's self-awareness. It's as if the artist has transferred her consciousness back in time into her young body. It's a powerful depiction of the way we all reflect back on our life, experiencing these childhood memories from the vantage of adulthood. In our memory, we inhale the fragrant flowers of our grandparent's garden with a poignant intensity that children rarely demonstrate. Kids aren't aware of the transience of life, wherein the flowers shortly pass away, as do beloved pets and family members.

Curiouser and Curiouser

"Golden Afternoon" scene from Disney's Alice in Wonderland (1951)

Today we're celebrating Alice in Wonderland. I would have done so on the publication date earlier this month, July 4, but I was on vacation. So the 1951 Disney movie release date is the next best thing. ;-)

To be honest, my first exposure to Alice in Wonderland was through the Disney movie. It caught my imagination and I read the book shortly thereafter. As a child, I was never big on fairy tales like Snow White or Cinderella. But Alice isn't a fairy tale. It's literary nonsense, a weird fantasy adventure. I was enthralled by this bizarre world of insane characters and illogical happenings.

Even after all these years, I still have to list Alice's Adventures in Wonderland as one of my favorite books. It had a lasting influence in my love for the fantastic and personal aesthetic of the strange. Alice has shaped my own approach to fantasy writing to an even greater degree than such classics of the genre as the Lord of the Rings or the various adventures of Conan the Barbarian.



Alice's Adventure in Wonderland (1866), illustrated by John Tenniel


My enthusiasm for Alice extends to the various remakes, sequels, and parodies that have been made. Alice is even my favorite Disney theme park ride!