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Chris Lipomi: Clothed Ascension
LA><ART Gallery Two
September 7 – October 19, 2013
Opening reception: Saturday, September 7th from 6-8pm
Clothed Ascension is focused on a clothing line designed by Roy Halston Frowick (1932–1990).
Known simply as Halston, the fashion icon helped popularize the glitz and glamour behind Studio 54 in midtown Manhattan in the 1970s. In an unexpected midcareer move in the early 1980s, Halston teamed with the department store J.C. Penney to launch a collection. Departing from his designs for some of the world’s leading fashion houses, Halston III was unique for its blend of signature couture in a populist format. The collection was a visionary yet misguided business venture that ultimately flopped. With the reassuring tagline “You’re looking smarter than ever,” Halston III made haute couture available to the masses and promised social mobility. It was a prototype for the merchandising collaborations churned out today between celebrities and designers at the apex of their careers and mega-corporations.
Chris Lipomi’s latest exhibition focuses on the democratic approach to fashion developed by Halston. For LA><ART Lipomi presents an inspired and artistically warped version of what Halston offered to the business-minded woman of the 1980s. This trip back in time recovers the polyester curtains, teardrop perfume bottles, advertisements made in collaboration with Andy Warhol and a facsimile of a Halston III mail catalog. As the star who furnished disco-age styles, the project considers how Halston unwittingly marked the limits of decadence in the mainstream later in his career.
About LA><ART
Founded in 2005, LA><ART is a leading independent nonprofit contemporary art space in Los Angeles, committed to the production of experimental exhibitions and public art initiatives. Responding to Los Angeles’ cultural climate, LA><ART produces and presents new work for all audiences and offers the public access to the next generation of artists and curators. LA><ART supports challenging work, reflecting the diversity of the city and stimulates conversations on contemporary art in Los Angeles, fostering dynamic relationships between art, artists and their audiences. Since 2005, LA><ART has produced and commissioned over 200 exhibitions, public initiatives, and projects.
LA><ART is preparing to launch its Vision Campaign including The Occasional – a city wide exhibition and public art initiative. This platform for LA continues the organization’s ongoing commitment to supporting artistic and curatorial freedom while focusing on commissioning new work in experimental contexts.
LA><ART’s programs are produced with generous support from Larry Mathews and Brian Saliman, Glow and the City of Santa Monica, Christopher Yin and John Yoon. Special thanks to Mark Sandelson and Renegade Flooring.
A special thanks to Marc Pally and Jessica Cusick.
LA><ART is located at 2640 S. La Cienega Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90034
T.310.559.0166 F.310.559.0167 www.laxart.org
LA><ART is open Tuesday through Saturday 11am – 6pm Press Coverage | download all Press (.zip file) |