There is an elegance often inherent in simplicity, especially when there is a depth looming underneath. And tonight, as I soaked in the thunderous, passionate, layered sounds of the piano, played by Guiseppina Torre amidst the juxtaposition of nuanced shapes, colors and textures of the fine art works created by a host of Italian fine artists displayed upon the walls in ARENA 1 Gallery at Santa Monica Art Studios, it quickly became apparent to me that this was going to be an elegant art show with layers of depth.

My preview perusal of the show came before the two-part opening, kicking off this Saturday and Sunday evening. Although the title has been deemed “All Roads Lead to LA, Overpainting & Connecting Point LA,” I think the first subtitle “tongue in cheek.” For if there is an overpainting, there is sure to be an underpainting. And, I think both work here synergistically.

The luminescent light reflecting subtly upon the wall from four cubed canvases, painted singly in four beautiful hues of color is illusory magic. “Anyone can paint a small canvas one color,” I can hear someone say in my head. But the tones communicate emotion, and interestingly I think the series of canvases are more about the light they project, than the material form itself. The effect of the music that powerfully fills the whole airport hanger with complex layers of sound, contrasts with the simplicity of geometric design, subtlety imprinted paper, single colored and multiple toned canvases rich with texture – both smooth and tactile. But, the contrasting music also begs the viewer to look beyond the external effect – to reach for the underpainting, so to speak. Little words scripted so small, I imagine a magnifying glass was used to enable the artist’s fingers to move accurately, are strewn across pages in straight endless lines or piled upon one another down a page with incredible precision. The words were there, staring at me, beckoning me to read each one right there on the page. But, I could not focus my eyes enough to read them. My mere humanness became an inhibitor. And, isn’t the problem with understanding. No matter how much we try, or how apparent a part of someone or some idea may seem to be at the surface, sometimes true understanding is just simply out of reach.

Experience the two-day celebration of Italian art and culture at ARENA 1 Gallery in Santa Monica Art Studios. You’ll soak in fine art, poetry, a fashion show, and solo performances by award-winning pianist, Guiseppina Torre.

ARENA 1 is an exhibition space founded by Santa Monica Art Studios directors Yossi Govrin and Sherry Frumkin. Based in an historic hangar at the Santa Monica Airport, ARENA 1 invites internationally known as well as newly established curators to develop innovative and compelling exhibitions.

HANGAR GALLERIES will feature work by Hugo Anderson, Greg Byers, Lulu Camp, Susan Carter Hall, Gregg Chadwick, Timothy J. Ferrie, Vicki Fisher-Lerer, Lola del Fresno, Tamara Gold, Luigia Martelloni, Sona Mirzaei, Rebecca Setareh and Francine Tissot.

WHAT:
Art Exhibition Opening of “ALL ROADS LEAD TO LA”

OVERPAINTING
curated by Matteo Galbiati
featured artists – SONIA COSTANTINI, PAOLA FONTICOLI, PAOLO IACCHETTI, ELENA MODORATI, ALBANO MORANDI

CONNECTING POINT LA
curated by Carl Berg
featured artists – GEGAM KACHERIAN, MATTHEW MAY, GARY PALLER, JAMIE RUSSOM, CHRIS TRUEMAN

WHEN:
April 5
5 PM – VIP Reception
5:30 PM – Giuseppina Torre, performance
6- 9 PM – Opening Reception

April 6
5PM – Poetry Reading
6PM – Giuseppina Torre, performance
7PM – Fashion show

WHERE:
Santa Monica Art Studios, ARENA 1 Gallery
3026 Airport Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90504

EXHIBITION FULL RUN:
April 5 – May 3, 2014
Wed. – Sat., 12-6 PM

Special Thanks To: