May 8, 2008
Dial M for Madonna
E! Online's Marc Malkin enthuses over the upcoming "Dial M for Madonna" art show at the World of Wonder Storefront Gallery. (Click on Madge's nose to launch vid)
Eggs Marks the Spot
For the next six months, Dutch artist Henk Hofstra's Art Eggcident will remain installed at one of the Netherlands' largest squares, in the city of Leeuwarden. Last year, Hoftra created the amazing Blue Road. (Wooster Collective; t/y Chris)
Dial M for Madonna
Toward the end of May the "depARTed" show will have departed from the World of Wonder Storefront Gallery and been replaced by Madonna (as most things are). "Dial M for Madonna," curated by James St James and Steven Corfe and opening with a gala reception on May 23, is a 40-artist-strong group show of all things Madge, from a conical bra made entirely of chocolate to a photograph of the Village Voice’s Michael Musto spoofing Madonna’s Sex book, “standing naked in a Jersey street with nothing but a wig and a cig to distract from my painfully tucked penis.” Opening night will also feature a video tribute to the late great 400lb Madonna impersonator, Queerdonna. You'll want to mark the date on your calendar or iCal and be there, because the Storefront receptions usually are the shizznit. It's already getting press.
The opening reception party takes place on Friday, May 23, from 8PM to midnight, with unveilings, performances, and an open champagne/vodka bar. The show continues through June 23 with daytime hours, during which co-curator St James will host events and gatherings in the gallery, many of which will be filmed and available for viewing on WOW TV, such as the ever popular online phone-in series Ring My Bell. The artworks are available for purchase during these daytime hours.
(Image: Albert Crudo's McDonna: Over a Billion Serviced)
May 7, 2008
Men Are Such Babies
ManBabies is a new site that's like a mash-up of The Fly and a father-son version of Freaky Friday. Gone horribly wrong.
May 6, 2008
Gallery Guys
The band Snake of Eden stopped into the World of Wonder Storefront Gallery with McDonald's in hand to pose with fellow hairband rockstar Randy Rhoads (deceased) in the painting by Eric Swartz, currently hanging in the "depARTed" show.
May 5, 2008
Zimmerman Puts the I in Pants
After the jump, see how painter and frequent World of Wonder Storefront Gallery contributor Chris Zimmerman interpreted this booth photo of Jim Wirt and Charlie Greer snapped during the gallery's "Merry Titmas" show in December. It's up for auction on eBay at the moment. As is his Sexy Jesus. NSFW, btw.
Nice Swag
At Christie's pre-auction party in the Soho Grand's penthouse suite for Andy Warhol's Double Marlon silkscreen (expected to fetch more than $25 million), one of the guests walked out with a rare Schott leather jacket like the one Brando is wearing in the Warhol work, the iconic publicity still from Brando's 1953 The Wild One. The jacket was worth $3,000. One assumes that guests at the do like, Jeremy Scott, Anthony Haden-Guest, Kenny Scharf, Mick Rock, and even deejay Paul Sevigny, were given the once-over as they left. (Page Six; party report and photos at Confessions from the Velvet Ropes)
May 1, 2008
Wake Up and Smell the Coffin
This drop-dead gorgeous couch is made from a recycled coffin. The sort-of-vintage furniture company, Coffin Couches, manufactures sofas made of 18-gauge steel coffins salvaged from local funeral homes, mostly in California. They're like the final destination for couch potatoes. (via Apartment Therapy; t/y Chris)
April 30, 2008
Take Another Little Pizza My Heart
Louis Cannizzaro, one of the World of Wonder Storefront Gallery's stable of artists, recently completed a giant mural at Purgatory Pizza on 1st Street in downtown LA and shot a video to prove document it.
April 29, 2008
The Camera Lies
Artist Rodney Ascher, a beloved World of Wonder alumnus, has curated a show called "Photo-Fictions," which just opened on Saturday. It's all narrative photography, fake movie stills, apocalyptic tableaux, imaginary '70s-era Italian erotic thrillers and the like. It's at the SHOWCAVE Night Gallery, at 1218 1/2 Temple Street in Los Angeles and will be open for another 2 1/2 weeks.
April 28, 2008
Virtual World of Wonder Storefront Gallery
Here are some, but not all, of the "depARTed" works now hanging in the World of Wonder Storefront Gallery. Click the images to see them larger. For information on artists, prices, and gallery hours go to gallery@worldofwonder.net. More art after the jump.
April 26, 2008
Pictures at/from an Exhibition pt 2
World of Wonder Storefront Gallery redesigner James McGowan makes last-minute adjustments to the lights before the doors reopen for the "depARTed" reception last night. (Photographs by Derek Van Oss)
ContinuePictures at/from an Exhibition
The World of Wonder Storefront Gallery reopened last night with a gala reception for the group show "depARTed," curated by actor Daniel Franzese (above), for which a diverse group of artists depicted pop-culture icons that died too soon, from Joe Hill to Arrested Development. The cool, bright and shiny new space showed off not only the art to its best advantage, but also the cool, bright and shiny crowd in its hipster avant-garb. Lots of brain-nourishing footwear and, you know, tats and things. The art-gawkers sipped on Abstract Standard Vodka and chic little bottles of KARMA champagne and Fiji water. In the photos that follow, if you think you recognize How I Met Your Mother's Josh Radnor, lots of the contributing artists, James St James, Kitten Natividad, songwriter Allee Willis, Selene Luna, Chris Crocker, actor Eric Jungman, Jim Howley, designer Patric Reeves and her director daughter Karina Miller, Lenora Claire, rapper Ju-laree, and tired but beautiful WOW staffers, you wouldn't be wrong. (Photos by Debbi Rotkowitz)
April 25, 2008
Reminders
• The World of Wonder Storefront Gallery reopens tonight with the 8PM reception for the "depARTed" group show. 6650 Hollywood Boulevard at Cherokee.
• The When I Knew documentary screens at the Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival on Sunday, April 27, at the Regal Cinemas 17 at 7:15PM. Randy and Fenton will answer questions afterward and screen videos from the When I Knew confessional booth.
• Episode 3 of ¡Viva Hollywood! airs Sunday, April 27, at 10PM on Vh1.
World of Wonder Storefront Gallery
The renovated World of Wonder Storefront Gallery reopens tonight at 8PM with a gala reception for the new group show, "depARTed," featuring works themed to celebrities who "inspired before they expired." The show's curator, actor Daniel Franzese, introduces you to Morgan Slade, one of the contributors:
Morgan Slade is just too cool. Not only was he born in San Francisco, he's also a rock star, writing songs and playing guitar in the increasingly popular band, Miss Derringer, rocking out all over town, from the Jared Gold fashion show to touring the East Coast with Blondie come June. Beautiful life. But wait, it gets better. He also has a beautiful wife, who just happens to be the lovely and RIDICULOUSLY talented artist Liz McGrath. And he's a really nice guy and a ridiculously talented artist in his own right. I kid you not. He photographs his subjects with whimsicality and innocence but there is still something inherently adult about them. Perhaps they had a drink or just stopped crying and felt better. Or maybe they're waiting for someone or watching someone leave. It all depends on how you feel when you look at them. But there is no mistake that they are beautiful and always start a conversation; in fact, two people had a conversation that turned into an argument over who would get his Ali's Bunny piece from my "Hollyween" show, and then just when the person who won the piece had paid for it the phone rang with another offer. Dang. You snooze you lose. Unless you're Morgan Slade. He'd probably snore out a concerto.
– Daniel Franzese
April 24, 2008
World of Wonder Storefront Gallery
The World of Wonder Storefront Gallery reopens on April 25 with the group show "depARTed," featuring works themed to celebrities who "inspired before they expired." The show's curator, actor Daniel Franzese, introduces you to Ken Dougherty, one of the contributors:
I first met Los Angeles-based artist Ken Dougherty though my friend Justin Polisky. Justin is an artist who was supposed to do a window installation for my "Hollyween" show last October, but had to back out at the last minute and introduced me to a few really talented artists who might have existing material right for the show. I couldn't believe the beauty of Ken Dougherty's work. His combination of Old-Hollywood Glamour with just a hint of decay was all I needed to see to become an instant fan. For me, his images, although dark, don't come off as depressing. Instead, I view them as showing the resilience of glamour. It seems an uplifting message in a town where fame and beauty are the most coveted attributes.
April 23, 2008
Foodscapes
Photographer Carl Warner's landscapes made entirely of food are like postcards from delicious vacation spots. (Food Evaluation; t/y Lydia)
World of Wonder Storefront Gallery
The World of Wonder Storefront Gallery reopens on April 25 with the group show "depARTed," with works themed to celebrities who "inspired before they expired." The show's curator, actor Daniel Franzese, introduces you to Corey Smith, one of the contributors:
One of my favorite, inspired, and inspiring artists out there is Marc Ecko. I love his Cut and Sew line of menswear. I have a subscription to his magazine Complex, a buyer's guide for men. I thought it was fate that the day I got the OK from Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey to bring my "depARTed" idea to life, I opened the latest issue of Complex and found an article on Corey Smith.
"I grew up poor, so I have always been interested in how the elite live. Paris is the poster child for the 'post-talent' generation, and I've been painting her for years, even before she was a media darling. She's famous for being herself; girls usually get pissed that I paint her."
Like his 2006 Paris Hilton series, Smith's paintings grab your attention quickly and make you say, "Oh, how funny... No. How fucked up! But, man, that's beautiful" – roller coasters of emotion and waves of giggles with the ability to look beautifully hung anywhere. Kinda like me. Who could ask more of art?
ContinueWhirl of Wonder
World of Wonder Storefront Gallery renovation designer James McGowan was thinking of you, kind art patron, when he finessed the back passage: Hello gold walls and a clean facility! (Photos by McGowan)
April 22, 2008
World of Wonder Storefront Gallery
The World of Wonder Storefront Gallery reopens on April 25 with the group show "depARTed," with works themed to celebrities who "inspired before they expired." The show's curator, actor Daniel Franzese, introduces you to Trevor Chowning, one of the contributors:
Trevor Chowning spent his childhood scouring the pages of Interview magazine for articles about his two earliest passions, art and cinema. Despite the idyllic setting of his youth, rural Indiana didn't present many opportunities to explore either of those interests. Forging his plan early on to experience the allure of big city life, he began a career in entertainment by promoting music as an agent and talent manager for musicians, including Grammy-nominee Larry Tee and Johnny Cash's legendary band.
Trevor was one of the first friends I made when I moved to LA. I met him when I was seeking representation for speaking engagements. We quickly began inspiring each other to explore different places in LA. He always had a crazy story about every Hollywood landmark. It's fitting now that I can introduce him to you at the World of Wonder Storefront Gallery – exactly the kind of fun, inspiring, and weird place that makes Hollywood what it is.
ContinueWOW's Wacky Storefront Gallery
"Elvis may have left the building," says E! Online's Marc Malkin, "but he’ll be in Hollywood Friday night. That's when the wacky World of Wonder Storefront Gallery opens DepARTed, a new art show featuring a collection of works inspired by late celebs who died way too young, like the King."
April 21, 2008
Whirl of Wonder
Says World of Wonder Storefront Gallery's renovation designer, James McGowan: "I am thinking of painting the window frames and the display bases a very dark warm brown. The ceiling of the entrance to be painted white and the aluminum door to be polished. There is still a lot of work to be done in the back passages. I am going to varnish the concrete floor back there. This will cut down on dust and will look GREAT!" The gallery reopens on April 25, come hell or high anxiety, with the "depARTed" group show. (Photos by McGowan)
World of Wonder Storefront Gallery
The World of Wonder Storefront Gallery reopens on April 25 with the group show "depARTed," with works themed to celebrities who "inspired before they expired." The show's curator, actor Daniel Franzese, introduces you to Bryden Lando, one of the contributors:
Bryden Lando grew up in Maui, Hawaii. After high school, he left for Santa Barbara to study film and art. In 2002 he moved to Los Angeles and continued painting, but this time the Hollywood world crept into his landscapes as well as working with the clothing line Volcom and other independent designers. Lando balanced these creative outlets over the next few years and began his first clothing label, The Secession, in 2005, which found great success after Lindsey Lohan wore his now-infamous I (Uzi) LA T-shirt while exiting rehab. After splitting off from his business partners last year, Bryden and his team have launched their new premium clothing line, Future Heretics.
April 19, 2008
World of Wonder Storefront Gallery
The World of Wonder Storefront Gallery reopens on April 25 with the group show "depARTed," featuring works themed to celebrities who "inspired before they expired." The show's curator, actor Daniel Franzese, introduces you to Nathan C Meier, one of the contributors:
Nathan Meier is both a painter and an award-winning filmmaker. A native of Salt Lake City, Meier moved to California in 2001 to study film and video at the prestigious California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) in Valencia. Though his focus has been primarily documentary filmmaking, Meier has always maintained a passion for drawing and painting.
April 18, 2008
World of Wonder Storefront Gallery
The World of Wonder Storefront Gallery reopens on April 25 with the group show "depARTed," with works themed to celebrities who "inspired before they expired." The show's curator, actor Daniel Franzese, introduces you to Chase Tafoya, one of the contributors:
When searching for artists for my shows I try to leave no stone unturned. I stumbled upon Chase Tafoya at about 3AM on MySpace and I became an instant fan. Chase Tafoya's most recent work focuses primarily on portraits with a heavy Renaissance feel. His images haunt you and some even stare you down like they're about to console you or ask you to dance.
Whirl of Wonder
The World of Wonder Storefront Gallery's back passage: not in the plans, but still in our hearts. (Photos by James McGowan)
April 17, 2008
World of Wonder Storefront Gallery
The World of Wonder Storefront Gallery reopens on April 25 with the group show "depARTed," with works themed to celebrities who "inspired before they expired." The show's curator, actor Daniel Franzese, introduces you to Jason Mecier, one of the contributors:
Mosaic portraitist Jason Mecier has been described as "a man of considerable humor and imagination" and I couldn't think of a better way to describe him. He makes one-of-a-kind hand crafted mosaics with no gimmicks, no trick shots, no studio touchups. Everytime you see one of Mecier's portraits you fall into his world like Alice through the looking glass. Often, I've found myself almost in a trance, itemizing every trinket and treasure used to create his representation of a subject. Whether he's using motel-room keys and bingo stampers to create Blanche for Lenora Claire and WOW's "Golden Gals Gone Wild" show or spider rings and Halloween candy to create Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, you can always see the personal touch and downright L.O.V.E. he has for each of his muses. He'll be showing his Anna Nicole Smith portrait in the "depARTed" show.
April 14, 2008
Jim Dandy
Transamerican Love Story bachelor Jim Howley has sent these photos and writes:
Without warning, I was booted from MySpace for these pictures. Check them out, forward them to whomever you'd like! If you are living in Los Angeles, please come to the opening of the art show these pics will be displayed in called "Transcending Boundaries." The opening is May 29th from 7-9PM at the Gay and Lesbian Center, 1125 N McCadden Place. I will be there (with my clothes on) and would love to meet you. (Photos by Jen Rosenstein)
Whirl of Wonder
More photos about buildings and art. Specifically, about the progress of the World of Wonder Storefront Gallery renovation. (Photos by James McGowan)
April 11, 2008
Pup Culture: Bakers Not Barkers
Artist William Wegman's genius Wiemaraners bake up some bread on Sesame Street, circa mid-'90s. Hilarious, and just a wee bit creepy. (via OMGblog)
Meet the Artists
When the World of Wonder Storefront Gallery reopens at the end of the month, the first show will be "depARTed," a group exhibition of works on the theme of celebrities who inspired before they expired. The show's curator, actor Daniel Franzese, will be introducing some of the artists to you in this space. First up: Ron English:
Contributor Ron English is "basically a badass." You might remember his work on the cover of the Dandy Warhols' Welcome to the Monkey House album, but my first sighting of his art happened when I was waiting on line to see Super Size Me at the Sundance Film Festival. I saw his image of an obese Ronald McDonald and have been obsessed with his work ever since. Not only was that image thought-provoking, hilarious, and playfully nostalgic, but I couldn't believe the guts it took for English to take on such an iconic subject. (He's also taken on Joe Camel and Mickey Mouse.) I am honored to have Ron in this show. His take on Elvis is fun and vibrant and sure to be a hit, and our Gallery is proud to be one of the few to show his masterful work. He's always entertaining and his pieces are beautiful. I think his work will come to be an integral part of pop-art history. (More Ron English after the jump)
- Daniel Franzese
ContinueApril 9, 2008
In a Glass by Itself
James St James writes:
Feast your eyes on this lovely, whimsical ring by Solange Azagury-Partridge. Note the fine attention to detail and the realistic rendering of God’s cutest creatures. Doesn’t it just make you squeal? How much would you pay to own a ring like this? Fifty, maybe $60? What if I told you that each of these precious baubles was HAND-BLOWN and ONE-OF-A-KIND? NOW how much would you pay for such an extraordinary piece of craftsmanship? Upwards of $100? Do I maybe hear a few wistful fashionistas out there willing to pay up to $200, maybe even $250? Well, it is a honey of a ring, I’ll grant you that. Elegant AND fun. That Solange Azagury-Partridge really put her heart and soul into its design, yessiree. Now, I appreciate fine artistry as much as the next queen, and I tend to pay a bit more for outrageously trendy things than most. So I might go as high as $500. Right? Right? Are you still with me? Yes, I’ll pay $500 for the pleasure of wearing a little bird and bee on my ring finger. OK, then, after the jump, I will tell you the actual price for this amusing little trinket.
April 8, 2008
April 7, 2008
Whirl of Wonder
If you could see all these James McGowan photographs of the WOW Storefront Gallery excavation and renovation as huge as they are when we get them, you'd be thinking, as we are, that they deserve their own show in said gallery sometime between our reopening group exhibition, "depARTed," and the one after that, "Dial M for Madonna."
April 6, 2008
Whirl of Wonder
Remains of the heyday. Exposed molding and girders show the Hollywood history under the World of Wonder Storefront Gallery, reopening April 25 with the "depARTed" group show after its movie-star makeover. (Photos by James McGowan)
April 5, 2008
Spandex Ballet
In Germany earlier this year, acrobats and dancers from the Great Chinese State Circus performed Swan Lake the way you wish it could be performed more often. Don't fast-forward or you'll miss stuff. And watch for Germany's answer to John Larroquette at the end. (t/y Phil)
Whirl of Wonder
The progress progresses. A whole new wall appears in the renovation of the World of Wonder Storefront Gallery. Last weekend, inspired by the Egyptian Theater's special Bully screening in tribute to Brad Renfro, we made our own DVD festival of recently dead-before-their-time stars. We started with the little-seen small masterpiece Bully, followed by The Talented Mr Ripley, directed by the recently deceased Anthony Minghella, then The Brothers Grimm, Terry Gilliam's fairy-tale film costarring Heath Ledger in a delicate, delightfully daffy performance, and, since there was still some weekend left, we threw the 1948 noir Kiss of Death, with the late Richard Widmark's genius performance as psycho killer Tommy Udo, into the DVD player. We mention all of this because when the Storefront Gallery reopens on April 25, the work in the group show "depARTed" will focus on celebrities who came to an early, unexpected end.
(Photos by James McGowan)
Warhol-in-the-Walls
Former Viacom head Tom Freston bought Andy Warhol's 12-room, six-story Manhattan townhouse in 2000 for $6.5 million and after extensive renovation has now put it on the market for $38.5 million. The East 66th Street house built in 1910, which Warhol bought for $310,000 in 1974 and lived in until he died in 1987, features four bedrooms, a floor-through master suite, a rooftop terrace, chef's kitchen, staff quarters, gym, elevator, and seven fireplaces. Simultaneosly, Warhol's previous, less imposing house, at Lexington and 89th (above) – which he bought in 1959 and lived in with his mother and a shitload of pop art until 1974 – has been listed for $5.99 million. If you run into the WOW Report editor, ask us about the time we stopped by uninvited and Mrs Warhola asked us upstairs.
April 4, 2008
Whirl of Wonder
Our continuing series of updates on the World of Wonder Storefront Gallery space renovation continues with these updates. The gallery's due to open April 25 with our "depARTed" group show. (Photos by James McGowan)
April 3, 2008
Whirl of Wonder
The World of Wonder Storefront Gallery ranks No 5 on Frontiers magazine's list of the 25 Great Things About Gay LA – and it's the new kid in town. But when the gallery's total renovation is complete and we reopen soon with our "depARTed" group show, we're bound to shoot to the top of that list. We'll post regular progress photos until the project is finished. Here are the first two views with the ceiling ripped out, photographed by James McGowan, the project designer. Can you spot where you were standing at the "Warhol Dead at 21" show?
