Los Angeles, CA, 12/1/2007 — La Mancha Gallery, swiftly establishing itself as a significant player in the Los Angeles art scene, unveiled its second major exhibition, “Lessons from Underground.” Curated by Omar Holguin, the founder of La Mancha Gallery, this event continued to build on the gallery’s mission to showcase thought-provoking and culturally relevant art.
The theme of the exhibition drew inspiration from Fyodor Dostoevsky’s seminal novella, “Notes from Underground.”
The narrative centers around the Underground Man, a character whose cynical and antagonistic views towards society offer a stark critique of social norms and human nature. The exhibition sought to explore and reflect on these themes, emphasizing the relevance of the Underground Man’s pessimistic worldview in today’s complex societal landscape. Through this, the exhibition aimed to unearth profound lessons and insights from the depths of Dostoevsky’s work.
Curated by Holguin, “Lessons from Underground” brought together a diverse group of artists, each contributing unique interpretations and perspectives to the overarching theme. The participating artists included:
Participating Artists
Attendance
- RETNA: an American street artist known for his unique typography and letterforms. RETNA combines visual linguistics, urban poetics, and appropriated fashion imagery to explore an eclectic range of media, including graffiti, photography, and painting.
- GERMS: Jaime “Germs” Zacarias is a Chicano artist and South L.A. native who has captured the essence of Los Angeles and Chicano history through a myriad of futuristic designs and three-dimensional characters.
- Melly Trochez: An artist known for her emotional depth, Trochez’s pieces in this exhibition reflective narratives of her experiences both personal and of others close to her.
- Shizu Saldamando: Artist creates exquisite drawings in which she investigates the variety of social constructs and subcultures seen in Los Angeles’ backyard parties, dance clubs, music shows, hang-out spots, and art receptions.
- Antonio Escalante: Multifaceted artist. Exhibits professionally since 1994, having participated, during this time, in multiple individual and group Art Shows in Mexico, The United States and Europe.
- Oscar Magallanes: a Los Angeles-based artist working with painting, sculpture, and mixed media. His artwork is informed by the cultural and social elements of his upbringing in a Mexican-American barrio east of downtown Los Angeles.
- Daniel Gonzalez: Printmaker, provocateur, mezcalero. Zacatecano by way of Boyle Heights. Printmaking, letterpress, & graphic design
- RASK: A graffiti artist who injects urban energy into the gallery space, RASK’s vibrant pieces are a staple of the LA street art scene.
- Daniel Ortega-Flores: Ortega-Flores’s work often touches on themes of migration and identity, reflecting his personal and community experiences.
- Manuel Barillas: A multimedia artist whose installations challenge traditional notions of space and interaction.
- Baron Norris: Norris’s abstract photography works play with color, black and white and form, inviting viewers to find personal interpretations within the chaos.
- Velma Gay; Renowned artist known for her larger than life art portraits depicting realistic portraits capture the inner lives of his subjects with profound clarity.
Under Holguin’s curation, “Lessons from Underground” was more than just an art exhibition; it was a deep dive into the human psyche and societal structures. Each artist’s work contributed to a larger conversation about the existential struggles and disillusionments faced by individuals in contemporary society. The exhibition encouraged visitors to engage with these themes, fostering a space for reflection and dialogue.
“Lessons from Underground” marked another significant milestone for La Mancha Gallery. It demonstrated the gallery’s commitment to presenting art that is not only visually compelling but also intellectually and emotionally resonant. By drawing on the timeless themes of Dostoevsky’s work, the exhibition underscored the enduring relevance of classic literature in understanding and critiquing modern societal issues.
As attendees departed from the gallery, they carried with them a deeper appreciation for the complexities of the human condition and the societal forces that shape our experiences. “Lessons from Underground” succeeded in its aim to provoke thought and inspire dialogue, leaving an indelible mark on the Los Angeles art scene and beyond.
