Unconventional, three-dimensional canvases allow artists to showcase their skill as well as their imaginations in ways that paper or flat surfaces cannot. And while spherical pieces or “balls” have been transformed by paint and sculptural embellishment before, the challenges of a golf ball haven’t been attempted in an exhibit setting. For good reason: the bumpy texture and size of the things aren’t exactly conducive to detailed work, at least by hand. Leave it to Fiora Boes of Ghetto Gloss gallery to get LA’s best artists to give it their best putt. “I Got Big Balls,” her latest group artshow will feature 100 pieces by a diverse array of artists, and the setting couldn’t be more of a hole in one: the Wilson Harding Golf Course and adjacent clubhouse in Griffith Park.
In addition to the balls on display — which are obviously not big in size, though surely big on kitsch — there will be video projections and live music (a band rocking out the AC/DC classic for which the show is named). Artists include skateboard king Tony Alva, Angelyne (who’s re-imerging on the art scene in a big way this month!), L.A. street artist Luke Chueh, songwriter Allee Willis, Valley Girl Moon Unit Zappa, Devo’s Gerald Casale, “Sons of Anarchy”‘s Michael Ornstein, fashion stylist Kime Buzzelli, children’s book author Dallas Clayton, rock poster favorite Darren Grealish (the beauteous ball in the center of the above featured photo is his), and even yours truly!
And by the way, if you’ve never been to the clubhouse, this is a great opportunity to see what you’ve been missing. Boes (who closed G.G. Gallery several months ago and currently curates shows on a more random basis at floating locales) has always been a fan of the place, even hosting a weekly gathering there with DJs and drinks a few years ago. We wrote about it for LA Weekly’s Best Of LA 2008 issue. You don’t have to be golfer to groove at this cool caddy shack, but with the practice range right next door, we wouldn’t be surprised if you wanted to give it a swing. A portion of the proceeds from sale of the art will be donated to the “Free Arts for Abused Children” program, www.freearts.org. Boes is compiling photos of the artists and their balls for posterity, and maybe even a book. Here, a sneak peak at a few…
Opening party from 7 to 10 p.m. (Griffith Park drive-in entrance closes at 10, so you must arrive before then). Free. More info and directions at www.ghettogloss.com or on the Facebook event page.
