New beginnings from Culver City to Venice

It’s been almost a year since Fabien Castanier Gallery relocated to its larger Culver City gallery from Studio City in May 2014.

“We are very happy at our new location,” said PR Manager and gallery assistant Lauren Whisnant. “The building is a converted warehouse with lots of natural light, high ceilings, and ample space for installations and large-scale projects.”

The gallery is situated in the center of the Culver City Arts District.

“Lots of people come to the district just to walk the main streets and visit all the galleries, therefore we get more exposure…people who would not necessarily have come to our gallery at our previous locale,” Whisnant said.

Opening Saturday, April 4, at the gallery is “OFF THE SHELF,” a solo exhibition by British artist Luke Newton. The artist works in several mediums, and this exhibition will feature them all…sculpture, paintings, and installations. Newton embeds symbolism in basic everyday objects. It is apparent that Newton seeks to re-define the use of technology in today’s world.

He combines traditional imagery with his personal homage to oversized ipads, e-cigarettes, and hashtags.

“Luke Newton presents such a fresh take on consumer culture,” said Whisnant. “Luke is a young British artist living and working in Paris, and thus his work displays an undeniable British wit mixed with a Parisian sophistication. He has an incredible talent for re-making our modern everyday entities – iPods, shopping carts, hashtags – into stunning contemporary art objects.”

The artist reception takes place Saturday, April 4, from 6-9 pm. The exhibition will remain on view through April 25. Fabien Castanier Gallery is located at 2919 La Cienega Blvd., Culver City. For more information, call 310.876.3529 or visit castaniergallery.com.

Moving from the techno world of iPads and hashtags to the bohemian vibe of Venice, a new gallery is set to open on Rose Avenue.
Housed in an active community and arts venue run by Full Circle, Sananda Gallery is located downstairs in the spiral lounge and will celebrate its grand opening this Saturday, April 4.

Liana Sananda curated the exhibition along with co-curator L. Croskey.

“This is a new contemporary art exhibit, incorporating the styles of pop surrealism, fantastic realism, street art, and visionary art,” said Sananda.

The inaugural exhibition is titled “Dawn.” The group exhibition features a vast amount of artists which includes Amanda Sage, Michael Divine, Erik Flores, Ana Medina, Melissa Kavanagh, Scott Reynolds, Erik Siador, Timothy Robert Smith, and Edith Waddell, to name a few.

Sananda said when organizing an exhibit, she seeks artists who are making visionary works that speaks to a higher level of consciousness and provokes the viewer to look deep within.

“We look for artists who imbue a spiritual perspective in their pieces that allows the viewer to explore their own spiritual development as they interact with the works,” Sananda said.

The grand opening is free and runs from 6-10 pm. It will also feature music by Dela Moontribe, Mr. Numberonederful, Alexa Melo, et al.
Sananda Gallery is located at 305 Rose Ave., Venice. For more information, visit fullcirclevenice.com.