Chung King Road adds modern, artistic flair to old Chinatown
Built in the 1930s, Chung King Road is a glimpse into Chinatown’s history. The small alleyway – just 40 feet wide and 500 feet long – is encapsulated by an intricately decorated facade that remains untouched. However, inside these oriental buildings are 14 captivating and modernized art galleries and studios that bring the delicate street to life with art enthusiasts. It is a scene better fit for a 1950s foreign film with its worn-out storefronts and crumbling sidewalk, yet it is a center for the growing contemporary art culture in Downtown Los Angeles. It is young, edgy and hip but still pays tribute to ancient Chinese culture. Chung King Road’s galleries are breaking boundaries between old and new in the art world. Check out some of these innovative, industry-shaping galleries below:
Coagula Curatorial
This contemporary gallery was established in 2012 by art critic and curator Mat Gleason to celebrate 20 years of the "Coagula Art Journal," a magazine that offers critiques of contemporary art and the art world as a whole. The art publication has long championed for the L.A. art scene. Gleason often expressed his feelings of L.A.’s art as superior New York – an idea which was considered delusional at the time. Throughout the 100+ issues, Gleason and his staff arguably shaped L.A.’s art scene into what it is today.
"Chinatown has always been an active location for contemporary art galleries, with a rich history of galleries going back about two decades," said Coagula Curatorial director Bryan Chagolla. "Coagula has always been an avid proponent of the Downtown L.A. cultural scene, and it was a natural move to start the gallery in Chinatown."
Mimicking his feelings on paper, Gleason’s gallery has hosted solo art shows by contemporary L.A. artists, including Gordy Grundy, a Newport Beach native whose works are influenced by sunny Southern California. Coagula Curatorial’s location, as well as its artists, uphold Downtown L.A. as a central hub for creative artistry and expression.
Coagula Curatorial is open Wednesday through Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. or by appointment.
The Good Luck Gallery
One of Chung King Road's newer galleries, The Good Luck Gallery, takes a distinctive stance on the definition of art. It is the only gallery in the L.A. area that exclusively features works by self-taught artists. The art displayed on the gallery walls is described as "visionary." The emphasis is not placed on artists who have received a formal art education, but on those who have an inherent desire to create and who color outside the lines of tradition.
"It's galleries like this that give me hope about pursuing my love of art," said Taylor Long, a young, aspiring artist.
Owner and curator Paige Wery has over 20 years of experience in the world of fine art. Though her true passion lies in artists who are self-starters, Wery appreciates all forms of creativity. The Good Luck Gallery highlights all works of art, including paintings, drawings, sculptures, performances and installations. At the gallery’s online shop, customers can find these classic artworks as well as thrift store items, literature and other handmade arts and crafts. Wery successfully brings a refreshing, homey feel to an upbeat L.A. art scene.
The Good Luck Gallery is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. or by appointment.
Automata
Automata is not your traditional art gallery. Opened in 2004 by two creative artists, Susan Simpson and Janie Geiser, Automata is a non-profit performance gallery, devoted to the creation and presentation of experimental puppet theater and experimental film along with other innovative ideas involving performance.
"At Automata, the more creative the better. You can dream up anything from your wildest imagination and make it come to life on stage," said Julianna (J.P.) Parr, writer and director of Automata’s newest puppet show "Holidays on Icing: A Christmas Cookie Crumble."
When it comes to creativity, Automata has no boundaries. The contemporary gallery is interested in nurturing out-of-the-box, hand-operated performance work that sparks a deep conversation. The owners are attempting to redefine object performance through new styles of visual art and media tactics. Automata has placed a particular emphasis on intimate viewings for the audience. Simpson and Geiser attempt to create intimacy between artist and spectator by having small viewings in living room settings and the storefront window. The pair has invited a variety of visual artists, designers, advanced puppeteers and media experimenters to collaborate with one another to devise new, exciting works. One such project is "Hinterlands." A combination of instillations, photographs, live singing and miniatures, "Hinterlands" invites the audience to look at themes of travel, domesticity and child’s play in an innovative way.
Fifth Floor Gallery
Dedicated to the many intersections of art and design, Fifth Floor Gallery features a wide variety of art for sale and display. Robert Apodaca, the gallery’s owner, has devoted his life to architecture, which is exemplified through the unique combination of contemporary art and design that delights the modern, white space.
Fifth Floor Gallery showcases a wide array of works from paintings to mixed media to furniture. Much of the art featured here is conceptually driven and culturally relevant. Topics range from sustainability to more local issues. And while these art exhibitions by varying artists rotate every few months, jewelry, accessories, and other design objects remain on display year-round. Many of the accessories available for purchase are handmade and cannot be found anywhere else. In this gallery, functionality is key, and every last detail is a work of art.
Fifth Floor Gallery is open Thursday through Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. or by appointment.
