LOS ANGELES has recently moved to the forefront of the contemporary art scene with HVW8 Gallery playing a pivotal role. HVW8 stands at the heart of Art, Music and Design in this emerging scene, bringing diverse groups together for its celebrated openings and exhibitions since 2006. In continuing its avant-garde tradition, HOME & AWAY is an exhibition series featuring HVW8 alumni from LA and NY making their European debuts. The exhibition will open at the Galleria Patricia Armocida in Milan and closes out in Amsterdam at the Andenken Gallery.

HOME & AWAY
Milan
GALLERIA PATRICIA ARMOCIDA
May 17 – 19th
Opening May 17th, 7 – 10pm
Via Lattanzio, 77 Milan, Italy
Contact: (+39) 02 3651 9304
RSVP press_originals@adidas.com

PR contact:
Alessia Battistello
Alessia.Battistello@adidas.com
+39 02 89181316

Facebook Event page Milan

HOME & AWAY
Amsterdam
ANDENKEN GALLERY
May 24 – 26th
Opening May 24th, 7 – 10pm
Pazzanistraat 17 1014 DB Amsterdam
Contact: (+31) 62 155 6414

PR contact:
Ken Aerts
Ken.Aerts@adidas.com

Grand Master Flash, 1991
Pigment print on Museo silver rag paper.
13 x 19 in. (33 x 48.25 cm).
Edition of 20.

LISA LEONE
Born in the Bronx and raised throughout New York City, Lisa Leone has been surrounded by hip-hop culture for virtually her entire life. By the late eighties, as a widely published photographer, she was in a unique position to capture a behind-the-scenes perspective on the spirit of collaboration that fueled hip- hop’s early artistic triumphs. “To see a young Nas in the studio with Q-Tip, Premier and Large Professor was not only inspiring,” she reflects on one of the candid photos included in the show, “it is ‘the decisive moment’.”

Gemini 4 Spacewalk, 2013
Archival inkjet, artist tape.
40 x 26 in. (101.6 x 66 cm).

HASSAN RAHIM
Hassan Rahim b. 1987, Los Angeles. Hassan Rahim is an artist and art director living and working in Los Angeles. His work, reminiscent of vague childhood memories and adolescent fantasies, utilizes photography, collage and mixed media to create strong contextual pieces which are both appealing and alarming to the audience. When his works are viewed as a whole, his obsessions become evident— marble surfaces, hoop dreams, deconstructed portraits of childhood idols, the exaggera- ted opulence associated with mid-90s celebrity athletes, and the American space program; executed in a manner that often exudes a sense of darkness within its message.

Illuminated Corner Flag, 2013
Steel Plate, fiberglass, nylon, aluminum, metal spotlight.
Various size.

ALESSANDRO MORODER
Lives and works in Los Angeles. In his paintings and installations, Alessandro Moroder examines the masculine psyche through the notion of the spectacle by exploring it within various lenses, languages, and time periods. Whether it be the sheer size of the work, the layering of nostalgic text from his childhood or the post-modern stripe as a representation of lineage, each work creates a different dynamic while keeping the vernacular as true as possible. He uses his multilingual upbringing to guide certain aspects such as specific text, scale, or theme. Subject matter such as the attraction to being a misbehaved youth, Italian football and its social history, or the group as the individual in sport lend itself to a personal taxonomy of the male identity.

HVW8 ART + DESIGN GALLERY
HVW8 Art + Design Gallery was founded in 2006 with a focus of supporting fine art & avant-garde graphic design. It soon became one of the premier underground galleries in Los Angeles and over the past 7 years has exhibited emerging and established artists from around the world. HVW8 has also hosted numerous musical performances and special events, continuing to cement its reputation under gallery curator Tyler Gibney as an exhibition space for artists to showcase their varied creative expression. Past exhibitors include Parra, Geoff McFetridge, Hanni El Khatib, Kevin Lyons, Hassan Rahim, Mark Gonzales, Lisa Leone and Craig Costello (aka Krink).

View HOME & AWAY Exhibition Catalog

Mark Gonzales
Mark Gonzales is considered to be the father of modern, street skating. Mark, commonly known amongst his peers and fans as ‘Gonz’ or ‘The Gonz’, has been named the most influential skateboarder of all-time by Transworld Skateboarding magazine. His imaginative and spontaneous style was one of the main founding forces of street skateboarding and today still turns the inconceivable into reality. Not only is Gonz an incredibly talented skateboarder, but his everyday life could be considered an art form in its own right. His works of art, poetry and videography express his unique imagination and color his day-to-day life. adidas Skateboarding is proud to have such a talented and magnetic member on the team.

EXHIBITING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Many photographers have documented The Gonz over the years. This show focuses on six key photographers who’ve known and shot him all around the world over the past 15 years. These photographers, who have watched Mark and and witnessed his skateboarding antics, include Gabe Morford, Joe Brook, Skin Phillips, Brian Gaberman, Benjamin Deberdt, and Sem Rubio.

Gabe Morford
This renowned San Francisco based photographer was behind the lens capturing the developing skateboarding scene during much of the 1990′s and 2000′s. Having travelled and published work internationally, Gabe Morford now resides at the Deluxe Distribution HQ in his beloved SF as their staff photographer.
With both Real and Krooked brands under the Deluxe Distribution umbrella, Gabe has spent many an hour with Mark and was the photographer behind the iconic title photos in Real Skateboards’ Real to Reel released in 2001.

Joe Brook
Joe has been involved in the skateboard scene since his youth back in Detroit. Having made the trek to San Francisco and subsequently put in the hours of graft to develop his photographic talent, Joe took on the challenge of staff photographer for SLAP and then Thrasher magazine, where he is today. Rarely seen without a cap and a big smile, Joe could also be considered one of the original skate photographers who documented street life.
Joe photographed Mark extensively during his stint in San Francisco. Their shared eye and appreciation for the world around them has created incredible opportunities for amazing skate photos as well as candid portraits.

Skin Phillips
Legendary photographer Skin Phillips has been chronicling skateboarding for over thirty years. Hailing from the Swansea skateboard scene (Wales, UK), Skin’s talented eye took him to San Diego in the early 90s where he landed a job at Transworld and has been there ever since. Skin’s black and white photographic style continues to record skateboarding at its finest and serves as inspiration to skateboarders and photographers alike.
The combined artistry of Skin and Mark has occurred on numerous occasions over the past few decades. However, the relationship has never been as close as it is today. Skin has recently joined the adidas family as the skate team manager where he will continue his photography as well.

Brian Gaberman
On a small farm property in Northern California lives one of the most highly esteemed photographers in skateboarding. Originally from the East Coast, Brian was compelled west to pursue a career as a professional skateboarder. However, his passion for skateboarding became even more evident from behind a camera. His unique and natural perspective, whether capturing skateboarding or personal photography, has been commended all over the globe. When Brian is not shooting, he can be found cultivating his home-grown vegetables for his family on their self-sustaining farm. Brian Gaberman also happens to be the youngest photographer ever to be featured in B&W, the acclaimed fine art photography magazine.
It was Gaberman’s portrait that appeared on the symbolic cover of the 30th Anniversary edition of Transworld Skateboarding (referenced in artist Shepard Fairey’s illustration), where Mark Gonzales was named the most influential skateboarder of all time.

Benjamin Deberdt
Benjamin is truly committed to the authentic documentation of skateboarding and its characters that color his surroundings. From creating and contributing to some of the best skateboard media outlets in Europe (SuGar, Kingpin, Pause and most recently, Live Skateboard Media) to his photography, Benjamin is dedicated in capturing and communicating the unembellished reality of skateboarding.
Owing to skateboarding and common friends, Benjamin and Mark’s paths have been crossing for years. However, the most recent collaboration has been one of Gonz’s ‘norm defying’ dreams—The Circle Board. Made from nine skateboards attached nose to tail, the circle board was introduced to the world in Paris 2010.

Sem Rubio
With an expressive signature style, Spanish photographer Sem Rubio is making his mark on the skate world with his always moody photography. Sem’s love of skateboarding lead to a fateful knee injury, which in turn focused his eyes towards the beauty of skateboarding from behind the lens. In 2001, Sem enrolled at GrisArt, Barcelona’s superior school of photography and never looked back. Ten years on and now based from Catalonia with his wife, son and dog, Sem’s notoriety is rising as one of the most talented skateboard photographers of the moment and last year won the Bright European Skateboard Best Photographer of the Year Award.

For the past five years, Sem has been working closely with the adidas Skateboarding team on all of their campaign shoots, bearing witness to many of Mark’s always-entertaining moments.

Art, Design & Music. The three constants in Hanni El Khatib’s life that are all responsible for one another. Despite dropping out of art & design school, it’s these very same elements that are responsible for Hanni El Khatib, the musician. It all started with a handmade zine. Number 94 out of 100 to be exact. In 2009, El Khatib’s contribution to a group art show in San Francisco was a handmade zine of images inspired and related to his debut album with the album packaged inside. It was this very same zine that resulted in El Khatib’s music being discovered and the birth of his music career. El Khatib went from creative director at HUF to full-time musician & partner in his record label (Innovative Leisure) to recording with Dan Auerbach on his new album (Head In The Dirt).

To celebrate the new album, in particular the art, packaging and visual inspirations, El Khatib has curated a ‘Family’ of DIY Artists to bring the album art to real life with a series of prints, original works, installations and odds & ends from each ‘Family’ member. From Keith Stone’s drawing that graces the album cover as a patch on Nathan Cabrera’s custom made denim jacket in Idaho on one of the last remaining 1940s chain stitched sewing machines to Nick Walker’s photos of El Khatib’s adventures to Dr. Woo’s hand painted & customized guitar. Music is art and this is a celebration of all the blood, sweat & beers that went into the making of an album.

Exhibition made possible with support from Converse.

HVW8 Gallery
661 N Spaulding Ave @ Melrose
Los Angeles, CA 90036

Opening Reception April 6th, 2013, 7 – 10pm

RSVP Required:  rsvp@hvw8.com

Vi Ho Purgato Ancora
(I Have Purged You Again)
White Neon, 2012
38 in x 36 in

OPENING FRIDAY, MARCH 8th, 7 – 10pm
RSVP@HVW8.COM
MARCH 8th – APRIL 1st 2013

HVW8 ART + DESIGN GALLERY
661 N. SPAULDING AVE. LOS ANGELES, CA 90036

Alessandro Moroder – Price List 03.08.13

Alessandro Moroder
b. 1989, Los Angeles

THE DECONSTRUCTION OF ITALIAN FOOTBALL

In his paintings and installations, Alessandro Moroder examines the masculine psyche through the notion of the spectacle by exploring it through various lenses, languages, and time periods. He uses his multilingual upbringing to guide certain aspects such as specific text, scale, or theme.

In The Deconstruction Of Italian Football, Moroder explores various traditions, symbols, and archetypes around what millions refer to as “The Beautiful Game”. From the cultural role of the loyal fans, the laws which regulate the behavior of those in and around the stadium, and iconic players’ impacts on shaping and cultivating the identity and vernacular of the city in which he plays for. Through paintings, video installation, and neon sculpture, he examines how certain elements of Italian football culture and its long standing traditions, passed down from generations, lends itself to the development of a personal taxonomy of the male identity, a cultural and social patrimony of the community to which they belong to.

The tifosi, Italian for fans, are regarded to be just as vital to the success of the club as the players. They are known as the twelfth man, and through their choreographed chants, enormous and elaborate banners, pageantry, and pyrotechnics (Tifo choreography); an atmosphere and theatre is created unlike any other sporting event. It is these rituals that foster a strong sense of belonging to the group and the club.

Songs and banners are not only passionately displayed for support of their favorite players or the teams they hate, topics of socio-economics, role of local government, and ideology are some of the many themes that can be heard echoing the curvas (seating behind each goal). Many fans feel this is their only true way of expressing everyday political and social tensions. Fans cheer on the players, and players cheer on their fans, always thanking them at the beginning and end of matches, regardless of the outcome.

Ultras make it almost their civic duty as a representative of the city and club to travel to each away match throughout Europe to help encourage their side and intimidate opposing players and supporters. As matters can sometime become violent, fans are escorted by police when entering and leaving rival stadiums. We must understand that ultras represent more than mindless violence, but rather, serve as windows into the complexion of society.

For many fans, both casual observers and Ultras, the comradery of their fellow brother, the emotion of the game, the implications of its outcome, along with the cultural traditions and it’s significance of their pasts, creates a sense of belonging in the theatre of spectacle, masculinity, and mystic.

 ###

Film of Alessandro Moroder working on his ‘Flare Painting’ behind HVW8. Original score by Photocall.

Sulle Gradinate, Scoppia L’Inferno (In The Stands, All Hell Breaks Loose) Flare on Canvas, 2013
105” x 52”
Alessandro Moroder

Lives and works in Los Angeles

Graduate of California Institute of the Arts (2011), BFA in Painting, minor in Cultural Studies

In his paintings and installations, Alessandro Moroder examines the masculine psyche through the notion of the spectacle by exploring it within various lenses, languages, and time periods. Whether it be the sheer size of the work, the layering of nostalgic text from his childhood or the post-modern stripe as a representation of lineage, each work creates a different dynamic while keeping the vernacular as true as possible. He uses his multilingual upbringing to guide certain aspects such as specific text, scale, or theme. Subject matter such as the attraction to being a misbehaved youth, Italian football and its social history, or the group as the individual in sport lend itself to a personal taxonomy of the male identity.

The artist is best characterized by a description of one of his works: Don King’s face looms large, fixed in an impish smirk across from a then-naïve-but-very-dangerous Mike Tyson. Between them is a Lamborghini Countach.  A marble backdrop could be a galaxy or an ocean. This particular piece is both exceptional and typical of Rahim’s work.  His usual themes—competition, excellence, and the decadence that come with them are all present, but in this work you also find a keen intuition of the antagonism that pervades the lives of the icons in play in the collage.  The curious detail here is that there is a fight going on, not between fighters but rather the real fight: between fighter and promoter.

Rahim’s knack is to contextualize culture in this way. In the artist’s world about seven percent of Michael Jordan’s significance was on-court.  Here he is treated as an event; as the kind of icon that changes the way we do icons in the first place.  Throughout the work there is a similar dialogue.  Rahim interrogates ‘the icon’ and ‘nostalgia’ as phenomena.  The investigation is very much alive, never slips into academic moralizing.  Here riches and competitive dominance are flattered, but their respective uglier sides are also sorely present. When contemplating any of these collages one has the impression of a child at a dinner party attended by sports luminaries who has just heard a dirty joke: you can’t quite put your finger on the vulgarity, but you know that something has happened.

Conversant with pre-existing works–Rahim’s “The Big Three” owes as much to Wallace Berman’s “Untitled” (hand holding a cassette) as it does to Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman, and Scottie Pippen—his pieces build a bridge from art-historical zones to realms of culture that are usually entirely claimed by advertising.  There is a reclamation of imagery happening, the sports Hero comes back home to art. One is reminded of classical sculptures of discuss throwers, or of the fact that Nike was originally the Greek Goddess of Victory.

Hassan Rahims works are not terse.  They are simple, and deep.  Members of his generation will undoubtedly recognize his voice as their own.

Text by James Jolliff.

Hassan Rahim
The Air Above This Ground

January 18—February 22
Opening Friday January 18 2013, 7—10PM

HVW8 Art & Design Gallery
661 N. Spaulding Ave
Los Angeles 90036
323 655 4898

rsvp@emgpr.com
Music by Jokers On The Scene

LOS ANGELES, CA (October 16^h, 2012) – On Friday, November 16th, 2012, HVW8 Gallery (661 N. Spaulding Ave. Los Angeles CA 90036) will present A Lovely Sort of Death, the debut dual exhibition of Joshua Prince, a.k.a. Dust La Rock; and Cody Hudson, a.k.a. Struggle Inc.   This exhibition series focuses on exploring the balance of life and death in our daily lives influenced by drug use (the rise of euphoria as well as the downward spiral) with the intent of coming into contact with a greater spiritual or cosmic order and much like an alchemist, dissolving away all but the very gold of truth. A joint mixed media show, A Lovely Sort of Death consists of works on paper, sculpture, and more.

Joshua Prince (born December 9, 1976 in Newport Beach, California), professionally known as Dust La Rock, is a New York based artist and designer. He is co-founder of and creative director for Fool’s Gold Records, serves as art director for A-Trak, and has his hand in a number of low-brow and high-profile projects at any given time.  He currently lives and works in Brooklyn, New York. www.dustlarock.com

Cody Hudson is a Chicago based artist, also known for his graphic design contributions under the name Struggle Inc. His graphic work and paintings have been exhibited throughout the US, Europe and Japan including the Museum of Contemporary Art (Chicago), New Image Art (LA),The Lazy Dog (Paris), & Andrew Rafacz (Chicago). Cody’s work has been featured in numerous magazines and publications including idN, Elephant, Arkitip, Anthem and Juxtapoz. www.struggleinc.com

HVW8 Art + Design Gallery was founded in 2007 with a focus on supporting fine art & avant-garde graphic design. It soon became one of the premier underground gallery’s in Los Angeles and over the past 5 years has exhibited emerging and established artists from around the world. HVW8 has also hosted numerous musical performances and special events, continuing to cement its reputation under gallery curator Tyler Gibney as an exhibition space for artists to showcase their varied creative expression. Past exhibitors include Parra, Geoff McFetridge, Kevin Lyons, Anthony Lister, Lance Mountain, Lisa Leone, Craig Costello (aka Krink) and more.

Opening Reception: Friday, November 16^th 6:00–9:00pm
661 N. Spaulding Ave. Los Angeles CA 90036
Open Tuesday through Sunday 1:00–6:00pm
323.655.4898

Media Inquires Contact:
Alanna Navitski/ Kat Vasiliou
Evolutionary Media Group
Phone: 323-658-8700
Email: Alanna@emgpr.com / Kat@emgpr.comUpcoming – A Lovely Sort Of Death

rsvp: Kind_Regrets@hvw8.com

Installation Photos

Opening Night Photos

August 31st – September 22nd, 2012
A&C Shop Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 1-6pm

Opening Reception – Friday, August 31st, 7-10pm

HVW8 Art & Design Gallery
661 Spaulding Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90036

HVW8 Art + Design Gallery and Art & Council present the A&C Shop – a conceptual project space featuring a collection of artwork, prints, objects, books, merchandise, and more from over a dozen emerging and established international artists. The A&C Shop is a presentation of Art & Council’s varied creative interests, a destination for discovery, and a physical space to build community.

Art & Council, with support from HVW8, have also collaborated with Modernica & artist Craig Costello a.k.a “KRINK” to release an edition of 5 custom painted fiberglass shell chairs.  The chairs will be available opening night in the gallery, and online at www.hvw8.com/shop. Also the artist will paint a site specific mural on the front of HVW8.

Craig Costello a.k.a. “KRINK” or “KR”, is one of the most visionary and inspirational street artists working today, and is also the creator of KRINK, a line of the finest quality handmade inks and markers, beloved by artists and vandals alike.  For more information about Krink, please visit krink.com.

Artists taking part in the A&C Shop include Cleon Peterson, Cody Hudson, Eduardo Lopez, Hassan Rahim, Jason Jaworski, Jay Howell, John Antoski, Kelsey Brooks, Kevin Lyons, Craig Costello a.k.a “Krink”, Lisa Leone, Patrick Trefz, Purienne, Ray Potes, Tim Biskup, Tyler Warren, Tofer Chin, and more.

Art & Council is a full service agency and liaison between concept and realization. Our core interest is in the vanguard of contemporary creativity and its ability to broaden the awareness of our client’s talents and mission. We work closely with a diverse international network of cultural innovators to provide highly sought after solutions that resonate with purpose.

HVW8 Art + Design Gallery was founded in 2005 with a focus on supporting fine art & avant-garde graphic design. It soon became the premier underground gallery in Los Angeles and over the past 7 years has exhibited emerging and established artists from around the world. HVW8 has also hosted numerous musical performances and special events, continuing to cement its reputation under gallery curator Tyler Gibney as an exhibition space for artists to showcase their varied creative expression. Past exhibitors include Parra, Geoff McFetridge, Kevin Lyons, Anthony Lister, Lance Mountain, Mos Def with Cognito, Charles Munka, Michael Leon, Alvaro Ilizarbe, and more.

hvw8.com
artandcouncil.com
A&C_Shop_press_release

NEW EXCHANGE
Collaborative Works from Mtendere Mandowa ‘Teebs’ & Charles Munka

Opening reception Friday, June 29, 2012 7-10pm
please RSVP : newexchange@hvw8.com

June 29th – August 1st, 2012

HVW8 Art + Design Gallery
661 N. Spaulding Ave., Los Angeles, CA

New Exchange is part of an ongoing visual dialogue between Charles Munka and Mtendere Mandowa ‘Teebs’.

Made possible through gracious support by adidas

Biggie and lil Cease – ’94

Nas – ’93

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
“THEN”
by Lisa Leone

May. 11th to June 22nd (extended), 2012
Opening reception, 7 to 11pm.
rsvp: lisa_leone@hvw8.com

New photo exhibition documents hip-hop’s moments of truth.
Before hip-hop was an industry, it was a community.

THEN, a new solo show from photographer Lisa Leone, is a deeply personal portrayal of the last days of hip-hop’s innocence, of a culture caught between an intimate past and a global future.

Born in the Bronx and raised throughout New York City, Lisa Leone has been surrounded by hip-hop culture for virtually her entire life. By the late eighties, as a widely published photographer, she was in a unique position to capture a behind the-scenes perspective on the spirit of collaboration that fueled hip-hop’s early artistic triumphs. “To see a young Nas in the studio with Q-Tip, Premier and Large Professor was not only inspiring,” she reflects on one of the candid photos included in the show, “it is ‘the decisive moment’.”

THEN explores a series of such moments through the eyes of the young artists that would go on to become the hip-hop generation’s biggest stars: Snoop Dogg, Lauryn Hill, Mary J. Blige, Wyclef Jean, Run DMC, Nas, A Tribe Called Quest, Rosie Perez, the Roots, Queen Latifah and many others.

But these are not mere portraits. Each image captures a unique interaction between an individual and their environment, and is supported with text drawn from new interviews with the subjects themselves.
“It was still fresh and we, the generation of that movement, still dictated what it was and meant to us and not the mass media. MTV wasn’t calling the shots. We were still telling them what the rules were.”
– Rosie Perez

“THEN is a testament to the natural eye and passion of a real New Yorker, presented now through the collected three decades of her work and experience.” – Eric Haze

“No one…can fail to be moved by Lisa Leone’s evocative portraits of Hip Hop legends captured in the midst of their young lives…set in those moody South Bronx scenes of abandonment that was their home.”

– Henry Chalfant, producer of “Style Wars”

With Support from A.D.D.Martketing, Mumford Brewing Co., ICON and Vantage Process.

HVW8 Art + Design Gallery,

661 N. Spaulding Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036
Inquiries: 323-655-4898 or Info@hvw8.com
www.hvw8.com

View full press release

Lisa Leone_Press_Release

installation view

Opening night photos. 

Snoop VIP –1993 Long Beach

Eazy E – Early 90’s NYC

Grand Master Flash – 1991 NYC

Call or email the gallery for further information.