Spectra, a new compendium of works from the 2013 class of CalArts Graphic Design Program, makes its debut this weekend at the second annual LA Art Book Fair (Jan. 31-Feb. 2) at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA. The full-color, 96-page volume is the first comprehensive collection of student work from the program released in more than a decade.
Incorporating essays, designs and photographs that capture electronic pieces, Spectra represents both personal works, professional projects and collaborative efforts by the designers.
Spectra’s co-editor Benjamin Woodlock (Art MFA 13), comments on the concept behind the publication in a recent press release: “Whereas a single spectrum describes a smooth path with infinite values in between, the geometry of many is flecked with intersections that are distinct points of reference. Spectra examines these nodes, suggesting threads that run through individual bodies of work as well as the work of the Graphic Design Program as a whole.”
Adds co-editor Sarah Faith Gottesdiener (Art MFA 13), “We wanted to give the world a look into our program as a whole, as well as document work produced under the tutelage of noted faculty member, Ed Fella, who retired from teaching this year.”
The publication features an introduction by Graphic Design Program alumnus Ian Lynam (Art MFA 04), who currently lives and works in Tokyo. Graphic Design faculty members Lorraine Wild (“My Purgatory/30 Months”) and Gail Swanlund (Art MFA 92) (“Elaborate Lab”) also contributed essays.
To keep things as much in the CalArts community as possible, Woodlock and Gottesdiener incorporated typefaces created by alumni Jens Gehlhaar (Art MFA 97) and Andrea Tinnes (Art MFA 98).
The book is on sale for $15 at the LA Book Fair at the Leisure Labor Table [run by CalArts Graphic Design alums Laura Bernstein (Art MFA 11), Scott Massey (Art MFA 12) and Masato Nakada (Art MFA 11)].
Dozens of CalArts alumni are participating in the LA Art Book Fair, either as exhibitors or among the participants of the special events planned throughout the weekend. A few of the highlights include:
- Thursday, Jan. 30, 6 pm: The online art journal East of Borneo, published by CalArts School of Art, and The Box gallery, present an evening of improvised performances on the KCHUNG Radio Stage for the LA Art Book Fair’s opening party.
- Friday, Jan. 31, 11 am-1 pm: PRO–SPECTUS: Materials of the Future – How can we speculate. The informal panel discussion, poster distribution, reading and screening, includes Mark Allen (Art MFA 99) of Machine Project and Johnnie JungleGuts (Art BFA 12).
- Friday, Jan. 31, 1-2 pm: We Want to Talk About Feminism is a casual participatory conversation by the Women’s Center for Creative Work (WCCW), a group of Los Angeles women interested in asking questions about feminism, the feminine and spaces of connection. The Center was founded in 2013 by Kate Johnston, Katie Bachler and Sarah Williams. Johnston also serves as the organization’s Creative Director.
- Friday, Jan. 31, 4-5 pm: Artist Laura Owens (Art MFA 94) is in conversation with Wendy Yao to discuss her recent book collaboration with Yao’s store Ooga Booga, among other topics. Owens is one of the CalArtians selected to show in this year’s Whitney Biennial.
- Sunday, Feb. 2, 1-3 pm: ForYourArt presents Artists Read Baldessari, an event to celebrate the launch of More Than You Wanted to Know About John Baldessari, Vol. 1 and 2 at the Democracy Forum at Japanese American National Museum (next to the Geffen Contemporary). More than 50 friends and guests will read or perform excerpts from two new volumes from the 1959 Chouinard alum’s (and former CalArts faculty member) writings. The volumes were edited by CalArts alumna Meg Cranston (Art MFA 86) and Hans Ulrich Obrist.
The LA Art Book Fair is free and open to the public.