Fire Claims LA
The LA fires have scored acres of the city continuing at the Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst. This has led to widespread evacuation orders, closures, and damage to residences, businesses, and historical sites. Many artists and arts professionals have personally felt the impact of the fires, with multiple footage of the smoky flames circulating on social media.
Fire in Hollywood Blvd
On Wednesday evening, a fresh 10-acre fire ignited north of Hollywood Blvd in the hills near Runyon Canyon, necessitating another evacuation order. The part includes city landmarks such as the Chinese Theatre, Dolby Theatre, and The Hollywood Bowl. Santa Monica also ordered the evacuation of Montana Avenue caught in between the Palisades fire.
Artists Affected by The LA Fires
Many artists lost their work and studios to the LA fires. These include the following.
Kathryn Andrews
Multidisciplinary artist Kathryn Andrews has already evacuated her from her Pacific Palisades residency. It has now been consumed by flames; marking the second time; the 2020 Boobcat Fire claimed her previous home in Juniper Hills. She recently established the gender equality nonprofit The Judith Center. In a statement to ARTnews, she said, “After the last fire, I had the equivalent of a writer’s block, a creative block. A lot of animals died in that one. It’s not just the loss of stuff, you know, it’s the loss of nature, it’s the loss of a community, it’s the loss of dreams. It has a very intense impact.”
Kathryn Andrews’ art collection was burnt too. She had accumulated it over two decades. This collection featured artworks by Rashid Johnson, Jim Shaw, Charles Long, Lesley Vance, Gaylen Gerber, Evan Holloway, and Alex Olson; ceramics by Peter Shire; sculpture by Kasper König; and photographs by Fredrik Nilsen. She added, “Last night on the news, I saw my neighbourhood burning on CNN. It’s like, you have to start at zero again. It’s very time-consuming. And certain things can’t be replaced. Just like a really lovely collection that’s all gone. It’s not that those specific works have so much value in the marketplace. It’s more emotional value or sentimental value. You can’t replace that.”
Daniel Mendel-Black
Many other artists, who lived or worked within the impacted regions, share her loss. This includes abstract painter Daniel Mendel-Black, who lost both his home and studio. He posted a picture of his studio devastated by fire, with remnants of flames still visible on the fallen roof. He remarked, “More significantly to me, it was my studio for the last five years. Now, the last five years of work are gone.”
Beatriz Cortez
The same happened to artist Beatriz Cortez, known for her science fiction-inspired sculptures, which made rounds in last year’s Venice Biennale, as per her Instagram post. She said, “My beautiful apartment behind the home of my beautiful friends was safe, it had good energy, and I was happy when I was there. It burned today and my heart is broken for my friends, and neighbours, for L.A. and for the things that I lost in the fire, like the one thing I had from my childhood, or my dad’s paintings.” Cortez is also an Associate Professor of Art at the University of California, Davis.
Amir Nikravan
Amir Nikravan shared on Instagram that both his and his parents’ Altadena residence was consumed by the Eaton Fire. “Thanks for all the calls and texts; we are in shock but thankful to have evacuated in time,” he posted. He had inaugurated a solo exhibition at Tyler Parks Presents last week.
Alto Beta Gallery
Alto Beta Gallery, also located in Altadena, shared a video on Instagram announcing the destruction of the gallery. Painter Mary Anne Pomonis lost all the artworks, that were showcased in her solo exhibition, “Quiver.” “I have no words for the loss,” She took to Instagram, recalling “I am so grateful to all of the people who showed up for the opening to see it in person and know that the work will live on in their hearts and mine. I’m thankful I’m alive and that my daughter and husband are with me. One small triangular painting from last year is safe and at the Wignall Museum [in Rancho Cucamonga]. I will be there Sunday from 12-2 please come and hold my hand I can’t stop crying.”
Other Art Celebs Who Were Ravaged by the Fire
Others impacted in Altadena included Carlos Valladares, a writer, critic, programmer, journalist, and video essayist; Curator Paul Schimmel who posted on Instagram that his family home in Altadena is now “just ash.” He expressed, “It was deeply cherished and filled with beautiful memories and remarkable art. This morning’s sunrise grieved for the loss.”
Painter Salomón Huerta shared on Instagram that he lost his home but is safe at his sister’s residence, while art dealer John Cheim also announced on Instagram that he lost his home in Malibu. Eddie Rodolfo Aparicio posted on Instagram that he had to evacuate his home after a day spent battling a fire on a power line in his neighbour’s yard.
Other art celebrities who left their Los Angeles home include art adviser Kelly McGree; artist Kelly Akashi; painter Whitney Bedford; and painter John Knuth. Sculptor and painter Ruby Neri also evacuated with her pet dog and cat while indicating uncertainty about her home’s condition.
The Museums and Art Galleries Affected by The Fire
Several museums and art galleries closed on Wednesday due to the LA fires. The Getty Villa grounds, although impacted by the fires, confirmed that its staff and collection remain safe. Gagosian Beverly Hills has also postponed Alex Israel’s solo, ‘Noir’ “until further notice.” The Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art at Pepperdine University, Malibu cancelled its VIP/press preview for two exhibitions.
While the Fowler Museum at UCLA remained open on Wednesday, it postponed its press preview for “Fire Kinship: Southern California Native Ecology and Art”
Superchief Gallery has volunteered to act as a collection point for supplies like air purifiers, N95 masks, clothing, phone chargers, pet food, and other items for LA fire relief. The gallery announced on Instagram that it would host an art supply drive and night market on Saturday, January 11, and would continue to collect supplies during that time as well. They noted, “All material support will be given directly to victims of the fire from our community and through organizations working to help people directly.”
Image Courtesy – CN Traveler
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