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T.V. LIFE / Photographs by John Van Hamersveld
January 14- February 11, 2012
at
drkrm 727 S. Spring Street in the Gallery Row district of Downtown Los Angeles
Opening Reception Saturday January 14, 7-10pm
Best known for his legendary poster for the 1964 blockbuster surf film The Endless Summer and his album covers for the Beatles Magical Mystery Tour, The Rolling Stones Exile on Main Street, and The Grateful Dead Skeletons in the Closet among others, John Van Hamersveld has built up a wide-ranging body of work over a career verging on its sixth decade. The iconography of his oeuvre runs deep.
Primarily know as an illustrator and designer, Van Hamersveld has been photographing for many years: “The concept of the camera as not just a piece of technology, but as a tool for visual poetry proved inspirational.” Beginning in 1974, there were a series of shows of Van Hamersveld’s photography, the second of which, entitled the Interval, occurred in Venice, California. In 1975, Van Hamersveld exhibited T.V.LIFE. at the Fisher Gallery at USC. Then in 1976, another set of photos were exhibited at Long Beach Museum’s Bicentennial show.
T.V.LIFE brings together this photography collection covering an important 15 year period of Van Hamersveld’s Los Angeles experiences, including photographs taken of some of his famous friends as well as a selection of his graphic design work. But it is the broader sweep of reflection that is revealed through these images that serves as a mirror of the social revolution in his life as an artist and of the times they capture.
T.V. LIFE is part of Pacific Standard Time. Pacific Standard Time is an unprecedented collaboration of more than sixty cultural institutions across Southern California, coming together to tell the story of the birth of the L.A. art scene. Initiated through grants from the Getty Foundation, Pacific Standard Time will take place for six months beginning October 2011.
Pacific Standard Time is an initiative of the Getty. The presenting sponsor is Bank of America.
drkrm is an exhibition space dedicated to the display and survey of popular cultural images, fine art photography, cutting edge and alternative photographic processes as well a b&w photo lab. drkrm is located at 727 S. Spring Street in the Gallery Row district of Downtown Los Angeles. Gallery hours are Wednesday-Saturday 12-6 and by appointment.
