A newcomer to the booming art scene of Los Angeles, the Santa Monica Art Museum (SMAM) participates in the Frieze week 2023 (February 16-19) by hosting a series of events, exhibitions and panels with experts in art, curation, and museum innovation, as well as showcasing curated VR (virtual reality) exhibitions by leaders in the genre, Vortic and Gazell.io.
The 7,000 square foot museum located along Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade has intentionally blank walls, allocating space and rooms to regional artists. Under the direction of Christoph Rahofer, the SMAM has the mission to help define what the museum should be in order to shape the future of art in California.
Art events during Frieze Week at SMAM
Visitors will be able to see Looking West, the current exhibition, and participate in a series of panel conversations about art, NFT and feminism with experts in the field. The panels will bring together speakers such as Aubrie Wienholt, founder of PR For Artists, Anika Meier, writer and curator, Corey Madden Executive Director at Monterey Museum of Art, and artists Russell Young, Gretchen Andrew, Waambat and Laurence de Valmy among others.
Exhibition Looking West
The exhibition Looking West, titled by co-curator Tom Venditti, features several regional artists and will be on view to the public until March 1st.
Throughout the museum, visitors are invited to see the regional exhibition Looking West, featuring a diverse array of work from both emerging and established artists. These artists include: renowned British-American artist Russell Young, presenting selections of silk screen paintings from his iconic series WEST; Gretchen Andrew’s mixed media Vision Boards; Joachim Castañeda’s assemblage made from unconventional materials; Casey Baden’s mixed-media tapestries and weavings; Daniel Sackheim’s film noir-inspired street photography; and Lindsey Price’s surreal collage paintings. Other artists include: Dhiren Dasu, Feldsott, Brett Foraker, Jessica Goehring, Bob Landström, Tom Pazderka, Max Rippon, Nathan See, Philip Vaughan, Tatiana Wills, and Jody Zellen.
Panel conversations
Free and open to the public with RSVP
Friday, February 17 2023 - 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
What is an Art Museum?
Three panel discussions about immersive experiences, digital art, and the future of the Santa Monica Art Museum.
2:00 – 2:45 pm - Immersive Art – The Santa Monica Museum of Art was created to stand at a crossroads of traditional presentations of art and immersive experience. This panel brings together artists, companies, and programs pushing boundaries in immersive space using VR and AR technologies. Imogen Hare, Gazell.io & Gazelli Art House will discuss the state and the future of immersive art with Vortic VR and artists.
3:00 – 3:45 pm -NFTs with Physical Practices – Aubrie Wienholt, founder of PR For Artists, artist Russell Young, and Casey Coyle, art advisor at SuperRare, discuss how artists with physical practices navigate the digital art market and what NFTs can offer to empower their careers.
4:00 – 4:45 pm The Future of Art Museums – Discussion about the future of the museum with Christoph Rahofer, Corey Madden, Merel van Helsdingen, and Jesse Damiani.
Saturday, Feb 18th, Discussion Panels, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Tezos Crypto Mermaids & Mimosas
Panel discussions about empowerment and feminism in Web3 with complimentary mimosas.
11-12am : Mermaids & Mimosa Welcome
The Crypto Mermaids powered by Tezos with support for the NFT Tuesday community, support crypto education for those who feel isolated from Web3. They are an open community demystifying male-dominated knowledge topics in a fun, female, and approachable way.
12-12:45 pm: Waambat and Laurence de Valmy in conversation
Artists Waambat and Laurence de Valmy get together to discuss feminism in their NFT art practice.
1-1:45 pm Community Formation as a Form of Art and Activism.
Daniel Kantor, Community Archivist, Cody Edison, NFTuesday Founder, Michael McClure, Blokhaus, Moderated by Mia Stern from Crypto Mermaids.
2 - 2:45 pm Expanded.art NFT Feminism
Margaret Murphy, Expanded Art, Anika Meier, writer and curator, and artists Ann Hirsch, Connie Bakshi, and Gretchen Andrew
Saturday, Feb. 18th, 5:00 – 9:00 PM
Reception and afterparty celebrating the museum’s first regional exhibition Looking West, its artists, creative partners, and programming.
Santa Monica Art Museum 1219 Third Street Promenade Santa Monica, CA 90401
Thursday - Friday 12pm- 8pm
Saturday- Sunday 11am-9pm
