Debra Disman

Artist

  •

James Panozzo

“Contemplating Boundaries” at the Korean Culture Center with Launch LA

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I am thrilled to be a part of “Contemplating Boundaries”, a group exhibition presented at the Korean Culture Center of Los Angeles in conjunction with Launch LA, a Los Angeles Institution and brainchild of James Panozzo.

JULY 27 – AUGUST 18, 2023

Boundaries exist in all cultures-often as social constructs serving to regulate our actions, norms, taboos, and space. They may be codified laws, common societal traditions, or even self-imposed rules. 

“Contemplating Boundaries” brings together artists from across Southern California whose practices contemplate and reflect barriers, labels and limits- whatever their origin or purpose. These artists and their works- define our times, providing an authentic lens to view contemporary culture.

JURORS

TeaYoun Kim-Kassor (Professor, Department Chair, Otis College of Art and Design)  TeaYoun Kim-Kassor (Phonetically, TaeYun: “Tea” as in “Taylor” & “Youn” as in “Sun”) is originally from South Korea and has a varied background in education; she received academic degrees in S. Korea, Japan, and the U.S.  As an artist, educator, and cultural ambassador, she has been developing her artistic path, teaching pedagogy, leadership, and management skills to embark on transnational education and emphasize the importance of understanding global perspectives. She is currently a Professor and Department Chair of the Foundation Program at Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles, CA.

Mika Cho (Professor, ART/Director, Cal State LA Fine Arts Gallery) Dr. Mika Cho was appointed as Special Assistant to the President for Arts and the director of the Cal State LA Fine Arts Gallery in 2017. Prior to her appointment as the director of the Fine Arts Gallery she served as the chair of the Art Department. She is art educator, researcher, educational consultant, curator and visual artist, the last comprising numerous exhibitions at museums and galleries. Her research interests are in art-related and educational issues, which she shares through publications and extensive conference presentations nationally and internationally.


I am showing:

“Profusion”, 8.75″ x 24.5″ x 7.75″, book board, mulberry paper, paint, canvas, watercolor paper, hemp cord

and


“The Gates”, 7.5″ x 20″ x 10.25″, book board, canvas, cheese cloth, jute cord, string

Facing REFLECTION at the Korean Cultural Center

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I am thrilled to be participating in:

REFLECTION at the The Korean Cultural Center, Los Angeles in partnership with Launch LA  co-juried by Sunook Park and Terrell Tilford

 A reflection may be an image mirrored back to the observer or serious thought and consideration. In the case of this exhibition, it’s both. Launch LA, in partnership with the Korean Cultural Center presents “Reflection”, an open call exhibition. 

Sunook Park is a professor in the CSULB School of Art and Brand Coach at SUNOOKPARK Branding. He is the independent curator and founder of ANDLAB: a motivational retreat center, alternative exhibition space, and education lab of art and design thinking.

Terrell Tilford is an accomplished actor as well as long time collector and curator of contemporary and modern art. He founded Band of Vices in the West Adams area of LA in 2015. The gallery serves as a platform for emerging, mid-career & established Contemporary artists.

LAUNCH LA believes exposure to the arts enhances quality of life and strengthens community through the shared appreciation of creative expression in all its forms and hybrids. LAUNCH LA is passionate about providing artists with quality opportunities to present themselves and their creations that reflect our times to a curious and enthusiastic audience at important happenings throughout Los Angeles.

The Korean Cultural Center, Los Angeles (KCCLA) is the axis of Korean heritage in Los Angeles. KCCLA welcomes the general public to experience Korea’s rich traditions and history through specialized programs, sponsored events, and multiple learning resources. KCCLA will always aspire to promote cultural exchanges in southern California and continue to take initiative in globalizing the excellence of Korean culture.

For more information, contact:
James Panozzo, Executive Director LAUNCH LA
james@launchla.org
www.launchla.org

I am showing, “Maximum Security“, 15 x 18 x 10.25”, mixed media (book board, canvas, wood, hemp cord, watercolor paper, acrylic paint and ink)

Tour the Show!

In TRANSITION

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I was thrilled to be part of the exhibition “TRANSITION“, presented by Tarfest 2020, produced by Launch LA, and juried by the wonderful Holly Jerger, curator for Craft Contemporary.

Tour the show with Founder/Executive Director of Launch LA James Panozzo here.


I showed “Torrent and Tangle: Keep your House in Order“,  2019, 10.5 x 25 x 18”, made of book board, hemp cord, ribbon, lace, mulberry paper, acrylic paint, and neutral PH adhesive.


The piece was created in a bottomless box format,


with two accordion folded joins, or back corners,


and two “front doors” hinged with cloth and surfaced with strips of ribbon, that can be opened,


or kept closed,


with any amount of the hanging internal strings kept in, or emerging, flowing or falling out of the structure,


depending on how the those designing the show wish it to appear.


Hemp cords knotted on one end were threaded through awl-punched holes on three sides,


after the inside surfaces were lined with lace,


tumbling down in a torrent into a tangled heap onto the surface where the piece is placed.


How will we get this all sorted out?

Nobody really knows, but this much is clear, we are in this together. Endemic of contemporary life, torrent and tangle is taken to the extreme by the current pandemic. We will get through this. We have to.

Artists in TRANSITION

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The Tarfest 2020 Launch LA  TRANSITION exhibition was such a great experience to participate in, and one of the joys was to meet, view and celebrate many wonderful artists.

This post is my tribute to some of my favorites.

Exhibitionista: TRANSITION

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I am thrilled to be part of the exhibition “TRANSITION“, presented by Tarfest 2020, produced by Launch LA, and juried by the wonderful Holly Jerger, curator for Craft Contemporary.

I am showing:
“Torrent and Tangle: Keep Your House In Order”

See the show!

Exhibition Start:
August 10, 2020 @ 8:00 am
Exhbition End:
September 5, 2020 @ 5:00 pm
Website:
www.tarfest.com

Location:
Merry Karnowsky Gallery


170 S. La Brea Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90036 United States + Google Map

View the Facebook Live tour of the exhibition with LAUNCH LA Director and TARFEST progenitor, James Panozzo

Posted by LAUNCH LA on Saturday, 22 August 2020

Tarfest 2020: Transition

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I am thrilled to be participating in:

Tarfest is a free multidisciplinary festival produced to provide artists performance/exhibition opportunities and audiences from all over Los Angeles with unique arts programming in the Miracle Mile District.cing Aret Exhibition

As significant transitions are evolving on multiple fronts, we are examining and redefining our relationships with one another as well as the physical space we occupy.

Recognizing this historic time, the artists of Tarfest 2020’s “Transition” open call juried exhibition respond to core concepts of change with their work. This exhibition brings together artists from across So California whose practices engage with change through process, concept, culture, chance, and more.

LAUNCH presents “Transition” in conjunction with Tarfest– our free multidisciplinary arts festival now in its 18th year. For 2020 and in response to Covid-19, Tarfest moves from Tar Pits Park to multiple venues over multiple days- allowing for safe gatherings with appropriate social distancing.

See the show!

Exhibition Aug 22- Sept 5, 2020.
170 S. La Brea Ave., Upstairs
Los Angeles, CA 90036

LAUNCH LA believes exposure to the arts enhances quality of life and strengthens community through the shared appreciation of creative expression in all its forms and hybrids. LAUNCH LA is passionate about providing artists with quality opportunities to present themselves and their creations that reflect our times to a curious and enthusiastic audience at important happenings throughout Los Angeles.

HOLLY JERGER is the exhibitions curator at Craft Contemporary (formerly Craft & Folk Art Museum) in Los Angeles, CA. Since 2015, she has organized or co-organized numerous exhibitions at Craft Contemporary, including Chapters: Book Arts in Southern California, Gronk’s Theater of Paint, Betye Saar: Keepin’ it Clean, and Melting Point: Movements in Contemporary Clay. Prior to her appointment as exhibitions curator, Jerger served as senior curator of public engagement (2005-2014), developing 90 programs annually. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Ball State University, Indiana, and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she also taught. She has served on the boards of the Museum Educators of Southern California (MESC) and the Los Angeles Printmaking Society.

LAUNCH LA believes exposure to the arts enhances quality of life and strengthens community through the shared appreciation of creative expression in all its forms and hybrids. LAUNCH LA is passionate about providing artists with quality opportunities to present themselves and their creations that reflect our times to a curious and enthusiastic audience at important happenings throughout Los Angeles.

LAUNCH LA addresses these core values by presenting arts and culture programming throughout the year at its gallery and project space on La Brea Avenue, through multidisciplinary programs at TARFEST, our free music and arts festival held annually at the La Brea Tar Pits Park, now in its 13th year, as well as periodic showcases and collaborations in important Los Angeles communities.

James Panozzo – Founder/Executive Director
James created the non-profit social enterprise LAUNCH in 2010 to oversee the production of TarFest annually while also providing unique programming and exhibition opportunities to important artists in Los Angeles. He served as the Director of Lawrence Asher Gallery from 2004 – 2010, exhibiting emerging and mid-career painters, sculptors and installation artists. James co-founded TarFest in 2003 and continues to develop and manage its programs which provide opportunities to emerging artists at venues in the Miracle Mile District of LA.

I am showing:
“Torrent and Tangle: Keep your House In Order“
2019, 10.5 x 25 x 18”, mixed media


View a Facebook Live tour of the exhibition with James Panozzo:

Posted by LAUNCH LA on Saturday, 22 August 2020