Daan den Houter
Stripes, Dots, Stacks and Twists
Exhibition Dates: September 14 - November 2, 2024
Reception: September 14 from 3-5PM
Los Angeles, CA - CMAY Gallery is delighted to present conceptual and multidisciplinary artist Daan den Houter in “Stripes, Dots, Stacks and Twists” his first solo exhibition in Los Angeles. This showcase features a collection of paintings crafted from wood and inlaid with epoxy paint, meticulously created in den Houter’s Rotterdam studio.
The paintings contain basic shapes that are repeated in a system until the work is finished. His choice to use Mahogany wood known for its rich color and natural drawings, creates a striking contrast with the bright, harsh plastic colors, thereby enhancing the visual appeal of the artwork. Ten of his newest works will be coming from Holland specifically for this exhibition.
The works in this exhibition draw inspiration from the Los Angeles “Finish Fetish” movement, echoing its parallels with the Dutch Minimalist movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Den Houter’s unique interpretation of “Finish Fetish” is conceptual, reflecting his diverse interest in materials, as seen in his “Ice Paintings” exhibited at PRJCTLA in Los Angeles in 2022.
Despite being based in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, Den Houter has maintained a significant presence in Los Angeles, with prior exhibitions at Roberts and Tilton, Arena 1, DENK Gallery, PRJCTLA, and 18th Street Art Center. Den Houter follows in the tradition of exchange between The Netherlands and Los Angeles that so many others artists have followed in the past.
The artistic dialogue between Los Angeles and The Netherlands has flourished for over 50 years, initiated by artists Bas Jan Ader and Ger van Elk. Their influence extended to key figures in Los Angeles such as Chris Burden, Paul McCarthy, Allen Sekula, and Bruce Nauman (influenced by Ader) and William Leavitt, Ed Ruscha, John Baldessari, and Allen Ruppersberg (influenced by van Elk).
The “Finish Fetish” or “LA Look” movement, encompassing artists like Larry Bell, Billy Al Bengston, Craig Kauffman, John McCracken, and DeWain Valentine, parallels Dutch Minimalism, which includes artists like Jan Schoonhoven, Herman de Vries, Armando, Jan van Munster, Ewerdt Hilgemann, and Ad Dekkers.
Den Houter has also exhibited extensively in Europe including the Boijmans van Beuningen (NL), Kunsthal (NL), GEM the Hague (NL), Art Festival Watou (BE), Galerie Frank Taal (NL), La Sorta (IT) and Atkinson Art- gallery (GB).
His work is also widely collected and can be found in the collection of Museum Ferropolis, British Museum, the Dutch Embassy Berlin, Jeremy Cooper mail art-collection, Benny Sings art-collection, MAL-Collection, UMC-Collection, collection Jaap Sleper, collection Marc Overman, collection Oscar Larik, HEDEN-collection and the collection of Carla and Hugo Brown.
“Stripes, Dots, Stacks and Twists” follows Den Houter’s continued exploration in art. As a multidisciplinary artist, he works freely in various media including performance, drawing, sculpture, video, and painting, as exemplified in this upcoming show.
For more information please contact Carl Berg at carl@carlbergcuratorialprojects.com.
This exhibition was in part made possible by generous contribution by Dutch Culture USA.
DAAN DEN HOUTER ARTWORKS
Q & A with artist Daan den Houter and Gallery curator Carl Berg, CMAY Gallery, Los Angeles
MATERIAL IMMATERIAL
Adam Belt, David DiMichele, Virginia Katz, Joel King
Exhibition Dates: September 14 - November 2, 2024
Reception: Saturday, Saturday, September 14, 3-5 PM
Los Angeles, CA – CMAY Gallery is excited to present “MATERIAL IMMATERIAL,” a captivating group exhibition showcasing the work of four Southern California-based artists: Adam Belt, David DiMichele, Virginia Katz, and Joel King. This exhibition explores the intriguing relationship between materiality and the ethereal in contemporary art.
“MATERIAL IMMATERIAL” highlights two contrasting artistic approaches: one that emphasizes the tangible and physical presence of materials, and another that evokes a more ephemeral, intangible essence. The exhibition features a diverse array of works that interact with the gallery space in innovative ways, ranging from installations that integrate seamlessly with the gallery’s architecture to more traditionally presented pieces.
Each artist brings a unique perspective to the theme:
- Adam Belt presents an installation that harmonizes with the gallery’s architecture, merging the external environment with the internal space. Known for his ephemeral works that challenge viewers’ perceptions, Belt primarily uses light as a passive element that transforms the artwork as it changes throughout the day. Additionally, Belt will display acrylic sculptures that embody both material and immaterial elements, influenced by the interaction of light.
- David DiMichele showcases photographs of his renowned miniature gallery spaces, offering a fresh perspective on scale and representation. For this exhibition, he presents three photographic works depicting light installations with glass elements lit from below. These images resemble real gallery installations, transforming the miniature gallery space into a dynamic visual experience.
- Virginia Katz exhibits sculptural paintings and watercolors that explore the boundaries between permanence and the ephemeral. Her sculptural paintings challenge traditional definitions by presenting three-dimensional forms on gallery walls, blurring the lines between the two mediums. In contrast, her watercolor paintings on Kleenex tissue are impermanent and fragile, highlighting the interplay between permanence and transience.
- Joel King features monochromatic paintings and sculptures composed of paint and various support mechanisms. These innovative works are built upon unseen substructures that create intricate forms and patterns. Through an additive process using different acrylic mediums and a final coat of iridescent acrylic paint, King constructs three-dimensional paintings where shapes and patterns interact with the iridescent paint, resulting in works that are both ephemeral and structural. His art explores the relationship between form and space.
Southern California's vibrant artistic landscape, influenced by movements such as Light and Space, is celebrated for its diversity and innovation. “MATERIAL IMMATERIAL” reflects this diversity by bringing together artists who embrace both material presence and ephemeral qualities, fostering a rich and dynamic dialogue within the gallery space.
For more information, please contact: Carl Berg, carl@carlbergcuratorialprojects.com
MATERIAL IMMATERIAL SHOW IMAGES
