ART-PRESENTATION: Made In California – dreamideamachine ART VIEW

Frederick R. Weisman began collecting in the mid-‘50s, just as the Los Angeles art scene began to emerge on a national scale. He was an early supporter of many figures who rose to prominence under the Ferus Gallery (1957-66), run by Walter Hopps and Kienholz. The exhibition “Made In California” presents a selection of 50 key works of West Coast Art from the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation Collection.

By Efi Michalarou
Photo: MANA Archive

The Los Angeles artists were inspired by their daily lives and surroundings: the local terrain, vibrant sun, beautiful sunsets, blue skies, surfboards, and fast, flashy cars of California culture. Their sphere of influence became known as the Cool School. Weisman continued to collect, later joined by his wife, Billie Milam Weisman, a museum professional and now Director of the Foundation. The exhibition “Made In California: Selections from the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation” at MANA Contemporary showcases both a wide selection of mediums and movements, including Finish Fetish (LA Look), where artists such as Ron Davis and Craig Kauffman produced immaculately polished works and Light and Space which produced Minimalist, experiential pieces by the likes of Larry Bell. Both iconic and emerging artists are represented. Also on view are sculptures (Lita Albuquerque, Gisela Colon, Tim Hawkinson, Kaz Oshiro) paintings (Sam Francis, Joe Goode, John McLaughlin), and photographs (David Hockney, Melanie Pullen).Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation Collection contains over 1300 works, which includes many European Modernist, Abstract Expressionist, Surrealist, and Pop Art masterpieces. Under the direction of Mrs. Billie Milam Weisman, the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation continues to collect both international and California art and celebrate the cultural legacy of both Frederick Weisman and the West Coast.

Info: Curator: Billie Milam Weisman, Mana Contemporary, 888 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, Duration: 24/1-1/8/16, Days & Hours: Mon-Fri 11:00-15:00, http://manacontemporary.com