CALIFORNIA VISUAL ARTISTS EXHIBIT 2010

My work has been chosen to be a part of the "California Visual Artists 2010" group exhibit in celebration of artists and their work at the 2nd City Council Art Gallery in Long Beach, CA. The show will feature mixed media from California artists. The opening reception will feature a live performance from the rock/pop band CENTREVOL.

Ed Schad, a curator and writer living in Los Angeles, was the juror of this exhibit. He has written independently for Art Review in London, Art Slant in Los Angeles, Renegade Bus in Dallas and more.

Hope to see you there!

Artist Reception: Saturday, January 16, 2010
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Exhibition Dates: January 9, 2010 - February 10, 2010

Location: 2cc Art Gallery
435 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 901-0997

NEW BLOG DIRECTION FOR 2010

As I learn more about social media and it's many uses ... I've decided to use my blog as a place to showcase pictures from art openings and art installations. I will also include updates on new works and art-related events.

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Happy Holidays!

THE VANISHING BRIDGES OF HAWAII

Yesterday, I read in the Star-Bulletin that the 90-year-old North Kahana Stream Bridge on Kamehameha Highway is due to be replaced with a new modern structure designed to carry heavier loads and to help reduce flooding in the area. The $13.3 million project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2011.

I am so grateful that I captured and preserved this old bridge in my body of work this past June. The title of this work is "Kahana River, Oahu". I find it to be heartbreaking that so many of Hawaii's old bridges are being torn down and replaced with modern structures that look like eye sores. I understand there is a safety issue involved and I know that when these bridges were first originally built there were a lot less cars on the road then. What I do not understand is ... why can't the old bridges be retrofitted? Would it be too costly? Would it cost more than $13.3 million dollars to do so? The old Hawaiian bridges have so much charm and history about them. I would like to know why the new bridges that are replacing them ... why do they not have the same design or aesthetic style? A prime example would be the new galvanized steel truss bridge that replaced the old wooden Wainiha Bridge on the north shore of Kauai. Another eye sore of a design that does not reflect the ambient landscape ... or Hawaii for that matter.

I have had the pleasure of walking across many of these old bridges on Hawaii. There is this special feeling that you get when you experience them first hand. I welcome your comments on this post.