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Justin De Leon
c-prints

Though visually different, the three shows being presented fall under the umbrella of depicting ARENAS. Justin de Leon's large color images of bullfighters and their rituals quite literally depict the bullfighting arena. While some consider bullfighting poetic, others claim it is barbaric. To de Leon it is both. He describes the bullfight as "A tragic ritual, from a moral standpoint, indefensible. There's always danger, always cruelty and always death." Yet de Leon has been drawn into this arena of contradictions from the first time he saw a bullfight in 1997. A ritual dating from the time of the time of the Moors in Spain, bullfighting was a way for the Moors and Christians to overcome boredom during respites from fighting. In this exhibition we will be exploring the personal rituals of the bullfighters as well as the traditions and rituals that take place in the bullfighting arena. Justin de Leon graduated from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena and has had many exhibitions in the LA and San Francisco area. He is currently working on a book entitled "Sol y Sombra" (Sun and Shade) which is a reference to one of three seating areas in the arena.

Mario de Lopez
toned silver gelatin printsh

With Guatemalan born, LA based photographer Mario de Lopez' black and white photographs of young boxers from East LA and Tijuana, we are exploring another arena: the boxing arena. What began as a type of combat between the Greek and Roman empires around 4000BC has evolved into one of the most popular sports in history, practiced in nearly every country in the world. In this exhibition we will be exploring the identity of the young, male boxer in the boxing arena. Who becomes a boxer? What is his typical background and what does he hope to achieve? We will also look at the rituals and traditions of the boxing arena as they relate to both the boxer and his opponent. Mario also graduated from Art Center in Pasadena. Originally from Guatemala, Mario moved to Los Angeles when he was 17. He has exhibited in many Galleries in the LA area.

Heidi Hybl
mixed media paintingsh

In the Mid Gallery, local artist Heidi Hybl will be exploring yet another arena. In an installation that addresses the subject of war and how the social structure-particularly in the United States and the West-by way of a pre-determined hierarchy gives birth to armed conflict. Hybl contends that the specifics of the conflict play out in a very public arena. In this sense "arena" fits into the classic definition of the word: that of "a place or scene where forces contend or events unfold". In this installation Hybl is using cut outs of the human form to represent figures in the hierarchy. Different groups and individuals will be shown as they have been portrayed by various publications. The source material for this project was a collection of materials Hybl collected from the time of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the build-up to and the war in Iraq, photographs from her trip to NYC in November, 2001 as well as historical references to wars and the vestiges of power.

For further information, please contact Lisa Coscino at 831.646.1939

Gallery hours are:
Tuesday - Saturday: 11-5:30
and by appointment.

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