The Cali Locos Hit The Manhattan Beach Art Center

The Cali Locos took the fun to Manhattan Beach last Saturday night, and it was definitely one worth heading to the South Bay for (which I don't say all that often). A nice Venice contingent represented, as we got to have the first Cali Locos show last Summer. The Somos Locos show took place at the Manhattan Beach Art Center, and was an all day affair for M.B. people.

They dedicated a new skatepark, they had a book signing of a new hard cover Cali Locos book (California Locos -from Coagula Curatorial), and then they had the one night only art opening in the evening, with live music and a bunch of good food and drinks.

It was a beautiful night outside, and art patrons enjoyed an indoor-outdoor party the whole time. The Cali Locos were all present, and basking in the congratulations of all of their friends and fans.

There was a new Dusters California skateboard released for the event, and they were displayed prominently in the center of the gallery. And everyone wanted one.

My brother, Paul, installed the art for the last two Locos shows, so he's pretty much an honorary Loco now, and was warmly greeted at every turn, especially by Locos ringleader, Dave Tourjé.

 John Van Hamersveld held court in the middle, shooting photos and shaking hands.

 I particularly love Van Hamersveld's Indian series. Clearly.

Gary Wong and Chaz Bojórquez were also there mingling and catching up with folks, while Norton Wisdom also made the rounds discussing his work. All had new pieces in this show, one better than the next. This group makes it tough for collectors, because it really is so hard to choose one that you like best.

Each of the Locos' styles is so different, but they compliment each other so well. Each piece in the show appealed to a different part of me, and I really had a hard time coming up with a favorite. I guess the best answer would be to aspire to own one (at least) of each!

Outside on the patio there was live music by a young lady on a ukulele (reminding me that I want lessons), and a bar set up with wines from Rebel Coast Winery that were really good. And so was the owner/bartender Doug, who gave us stickers that said "Don't Be A Dick". Right on.

Waiters were circling the place with trays of good stuff, like Chinese chicken salad in their own little containers, and doughnut kabobs. Yes, doughnut kabobs. My brother and Jeff Ho got down on that.

Juice Dan was there documenting it all for Juice Magazine, and comparing jackets with Paul ...

While Juice's Terri Craft  got us all caught up on the latest skateboard shenanigans. What a treasure Terri, Dan and Juice are to this skate and surf community. It cannot be overstated or mentioned often enough. Love them.

There's really nothing better than a good party in the name of art and creativity. Saturday night's Cali Locos shindig was one of the best. You want to make sure you get out to see anything this groovy art collective ever comes up with ... it's always something to remember. As is their philosophy, "Somos Locos". We are crazy ... about LIFE.

Somos Locos - The Cali Locos Are At It Again!

If you missed last Summer's party for the Cali Locos art opening thrown by Juice Magazine in Venice, well, you're bummed. The good news, however, is that there is another chance to celebrate this quintessential Southern California art collective's work this coming Saturday, March 18th, at the Manhattan Beach Art Center.

A day-long event will showcase the best of all the Locos' worlds, with a skate spot opening, new Cali Locos book signing, live music from Los Savages, Charlie Chan, and Steve Alba, and capping off with the art show in the evening, featuring new works by the guys in the Cali Locos "band" - Chaz Bojórquez, Dave Tourjé, John Van Hamersveld, Norton Wisdom, and Gary Wong.

Much has already been written about this storied group of artists and friends, with each member bringing their own aesthetic and attitude into the mix. The striking thing about them is that they really are a band of brothers. They don't compete with each others' work, they compliment it. They lift each other up and are in full support of the other, qualities that are often exceedingly rare in the art/entertainment worlds. Because these cats are more than artists, they are entertainers. They have influenced our culture in immeasurable ways. No ... they've helped to create it in the first place. As with most all of the cultural characters and styles I gravitate toward, their work personifies freedom. Freedom to create, to express, to translate, to comment, to politicize, to protest, to rejoice, to rock ... to BE.

Bojórquez's calligraphy and graffiti styles have been copied the world over, but they started in Northeast L.A. He is one of the first street artists to have made the transition to galleries, and his influence cannot be overstated.

Tourjé is also a product of Northeast L.A., and his art work reflects the pop, surf and skate culture that cemented Southern California's place in peoples' minds as the go-to for cutting edge style, music, and yes, art.

Van Hamersveld's graphic design is known the world over, most famously with his poster for the original Endless Summer. Shepard Fairey cites him as a major inspiration, and it's clear why. Iconic.

Wisdom is as much a performance artist as a traditional one, and he can often seen painting alongside Los Angeles bands, producing a completed work by the end of a set. These are truly rock and roll artists, and nearly all of them will be performing again at this weekend's shindig.

Wong's (aka Charlie Chan) collage and photography based work is another clear influence on the surf and skate culture that defines this wonderful part of the world, and he also plays music, which often finds its way back into the art work, completing the circle of creativity.

Though this band of merrymakers have been friends for decades, their collective work has never been more fresh. A collaboration between the Cali Locos and Dusters Skateboards has made available a signature deck for each artist. These decks showcase how different their individual styles are, and how well they work together, both the works of art and the friends. For this new show, "Somos Locos" translates as "We are crazy". Bojórquez clarified this by explaining that THEY aren't crazy ... they are "Crazy about life". And it shows.

Please join the Cali Locos this Saturday, March 18th at the Manhattan Beach Art Center!

Manhattan Beach Art Center
1560 Manhattan Beach Boulevard
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

1 pm - Skate Spot opening
3 pm - Live music
5 pm - Book signing
6-9 pm - Art show
The whole time - FUN.


*Photos courtesy of the Cali Locos.

Celebrating The California Locos - One For The Books!

Saturday night was the opening of the California Locos art show, and it really was a party that will be remembered for years to come, as promised. You could feel the excitement in the air as people lined up on the Boardwalk in front of Juice Magazine headquarters to get their wristbands. There was a red carpet backdrop hung up, and people took shots in front of it as they waited and made friends in line. 

The Rose Room was the location for the art opening, and let me tell you something, it looked great. I was so excited to see all the art and meet all the guys, as I'd talked to most of the Locos previously to interview them about the show. My brother, Paul, installed the art for the show, and I must say, really did a spectacular job.

 The centerpiece of the room was the display of Duster Skateboards designed for each of the Cali Locos, and they created a kind of Rage Against The Machine Battle Of Los Angeles spray paint backdrop for them. It looked RAD, as did each of the wonderfully unique boards (complete with bottle openers on each).

It was a true pleasure to meet and befriend the artists and movers and shakers behind this show, and we were all fast friends upon hello. Everyone was in a high-flying mood, as this is the kind of jam everyone in Venice lives for ... skate, surf, art, music, fun, friends ... it's really what it's all about.

The place was jam packed by 8 pm, with fans and friends queuing up to take pictures and have a quick chat with the guys. I spoke to Loco, Dave Tourjé, about it all, and you could just tell how happy they all were with everything. Tourjé gave me a little insight on his supercool art, showing me how each of them are actually self-portraits, with little glimpses into his life mixed in the multi-media pieces. I loved each and every one.

The party was so fun because you knew practically everyone there, and if you didn't, you wanted to. I caught up with a slew of friends, and indeed, added a few new ones to the roster. As the place filled up even more (and got hotter and hotter in there), it was the perfect time to show a couple of short films, one about the Locos, and one on the life of John Van Hamersveld, produced by Tourjé. It was like when you watch surf and skate films in a theater and the whole place hoots and hollers at the cool parts (Jeff Ho, in attendance, got the loudest shouts). It was super high energy, and the whole place was having a blast.

From there, it just got cooler (and hotter). Tourjé's band, Los Savages, started up in the Rose Room and led a kind of second line down the Boardwalk to take the stage on the Juice balcony. It was so fun to process down the Boardwalk, with tourists and passersby being taken by surprise and delight to have such an excellent Venice moment going by. Inside Juice was the VIP area, that also featured a solo show of all the awesome skate photography by Juice's Dan Levy. Oh, AND they had Porto's pastries! Yeah.

As Los Savages ruled it from the balcony, Loco Norton Wisdom did his live painting along to the music down below on the Boardwalk to an ever-growing crowd. It's so cool to watch him do his thing live, and also so inspirational. As one song and painting finishes, Wisdom wipes it all away and goes on to another one. It's a good lesson for living in the moment, and all of us certainly were.

It was one of those nights when you're fully aware of how great it is, as it's happening. Like, people kept saying over and over, "Isn't this awesome?" "Isn't this great?!" "What a totally Venice night!" There really was nothing but stoke going on.

L.A. art and music legend, Llyn Foulkes, was there to jam with the band, and I even got to help him carry his amp. He played along with Los Savages on a little old-timey sounding horn thing, and everyone just loved it, and once again were all aware of the greatness before us as it was happening.

Time flew by, and before you knew it, the clock struck midnight and the party was over ... but the magic was not. Numbers and hugs were exchanged, and heartfelt congratulations were given all around for truly one of the best Venice nights in a long time. It was so good in fact, that we had to keep  it going, and danced on tables on the Boardwalk until hunger set in and folks drifted off to do something about it. The walk home had an extra spring in the step on this night, because just WOW.

Thank you to all the Cali Locos, to Dusters Skateboards, and to Juice Magazine for one of the best times ever! Cheers!

*California Locos is on display at The Rose Room until this July 1st, then it's on to Virginia Beach! And it's a must see.

Celebrating The California Locos - A Skate Surf Punk Bash For The Ages

Today is Go Skateboarding Day, and where better to celebrate that than where it all started, right here in Southern California. Of course, skateboarding is now much more than the sport, it's an entire aesthetic, from clothing styles to fine art, and created an image coveted throughout the world. The artistic sensibilities of it can almost be personified within one group of artists - The California Locos.

The Cali Locos art collective is comprised of five world class artists: Chaz Bojórquez, Dave Tourjé, John Van Hamersveld, Norton Wisdom, and Gary Wong, each of whom have made their mark in skate and popular culture for the last 50 years. These are museum level artists, bridging the gap between the fine and street art that has defined Southern California's vibe ever since the dawn of skating and surfing.  Each of these legendary artists will be honored this Saturday, June 25th with an epic shindig hosted by Terri Craft and Dan Levy of Juice Magazine at The Rose Room and at Juice Headquarters on Ocean Front Walk. This is a Venice party that will be talked about for a long time to come, and you do not want to miss this historic jamboree.

These are some of the most profound artists in California history ... their authenticity cannot be questioned. The Cali Locos have all been friends for decades, and are a wonderful mix of international influences. All say that they inspire each other in different ways, and push one another to keep creating. "It's kind of like skating a pool," says founding member Tourjé. "You gotta bring your A game, and we all push each other to go higher." They all have a Chouinard Art Institute (later Cal Arts) connection, and all have been working artists since those days.

Tourjé bought and restored the old Chouinard house in Pasadena in 1998, and in 1999 formed The Chouinard Foundation to bring art programming into cities and schools. Learning more about other local groundbreaking artists caused Tourjé to get hyped about a collective of like-minded artists also influenced by the colorful and intense environments of urban Los Angeles. Tourjé has also made documentaries about both Chouinard and the Cali Locos, important historical works both.
Like the rest of the Cali Locos, Tourjé's art is always informed by the surf, skate, and punk scenes founded here. "This is happening all over the world, but L.A. is the epicenter of it all. The Cali Locos are a reflection of that, and that's why people enjoy it," Tourjé told me absolutely correctly. We love it.

Chaz Bojórquez is known as the Godfather of L.A. graffiti. From the streets of East L.A. to being in the collections of several fine art museums, Bojórquez has spent the last decades studying and mastering the art of lettering. He traveled the world to learn other styles (like Chinese calligraphy) different from the Cholo work being done locally, creating something entirely his own. He is known for his iconic stylized skull, "Señor Suerte" (Mr. Luck), and really started the stencil tag, later popularized by Banksy and Shepard Fairey. Today Bójorquez is collected all over the world, in museums from LACMA to The Smithsonian.

Norton Wisdom started out as a Topanga beach lifeguard, and has become one of the most recognizable performance painters working today. After painting a big section of the Berlin Wall, Wisdom realized he couldn't be contained inside of a studio, and began collaborating with bands on art pieces that exist only during the duration that the music is played. Cool. Wisdom often tours with punk and blues bands, live painting while they play (as he'll be doing this Saturday at the party as Tourjé's band, Los Savages, jams for the revelers), which he was doing when Tourjé saw him and asked him to be a part of Cali Locos. "Punk rock changed the whole course of the rest of the world's value system for a world aesthetic, and Cali Locos is an important example of that," says Wisdom of his group of friends. Wisdom has shown his art all over the globe, and has also collaborated with the best of the music world. In addition to this Saturday's performance, he'll also be painting with The Black Poets on August 5th at the John Anson Ford Amphitheater.

Most people know John Van Hamersveld from his iconic poster for the film The Endless Summer. That famous poster seen in dorm rooms world wide since the 1960's is only one aspect of the long and illustrious career of this self-described "Palos Verdes white boy". Van Hamersveld was the art director for Surfer Magazine, and has always been steeped in that culture. "As the elder statesmen now, we're showing off how the culture became what it is today," Van Hamersveld explained to me. "We've watched it get sophisticated and really be referential for all skate/surf/snowboarding culture today. After a busy period of art directing and art that served a client (like doing the album cover for The Rolling Stones' Exile On Main Street!), Van Hamersveld says his whole career has taken a turn toward public art. "I've built a new vernacular through murals," he told me. He did a lobby mural for a tech company in San Pedro, the press saw it, and a whole new career was invented for Van Hamersveld. Included in his work being shown this Saturday will be a piece called Thundercloud, based on a found photograph of a Native American from the Blackfoot Tribe, as he has never lost the part of him that insists that "the hippie world was my venue." No wonder I dig his stuff! There will also be a detail piece from a mural Van Hamersveld did called The Great Wave. Seriously, I cannot wait to see all of this incredible work in one place! There will also be a premiere that night of the new documentary Crazy World Ain't It - The Life And Times Of John Van Hamersveld.

Gary Wong is another product of Chouinard, where he became friends with Ivan Hosoi, and is the Godfather to skating legend, Christian Hosoi. A blues performer in addition to being a fine artist, Wong is known in those circles as "Mr. Charlie Chan"(and will also be performing on Saturday with Los Savages). Wong's artistic process includes collage, painting. and drawing, often coupled with his photography. His work reflects his music, and tends to have socio-political leanings, as all the best art will do. I've never seen his work in person, visual art or musical, so this is another exciting element of the opening for sure.

As if all of this wasn't enough for one party (and it is, by far!), there will also be a new collaboration of skateboards released, designed for each Cali Locos artist by Nano Nobrega of Dusters California. Nobrega designed a graphic based on work by each artist, and complimented each complete board with custom designed wheels, brands, colors, and even built-in bottle openers. It all started with an Endless Summer graphic board that Duster did. Van Hamersveld knew Bójorquez, who was next on Nobrega's wish list of graphics to work with, and it all just organically came together. Nobrega told me, "These boards all relate to each other, and bring the vibes of just having fun with skating." The Cali Locos all just saw their signature decks for the first time at a video shoot last week, and Nobrega told me that they were all "smiling like little kids." I bet. "I'm so honored and excited to be a part of this culture," says the Brazilian-born Nobrega, with obvious sincerity that is echoed by absolutely everyone involved in this history in the making. Truly. As my friend and art critic, Shana Nys Dambrot, has written, "What they did (the Cali Locos) changed everything - but what they are doing now is the best work of their lives." Meaning, you'll want to be there and see it all on Saturday.

The opening party on Saturday is going to be insane (Steve Alba's Salba & His Heavy Friends will also be playing!), and I'm told the people watching alone will be nothing short of epic. Come prepared to have your mind blown and the best time ever, as Venice celebrates the art, music, and skating culture that we all love.

Cali Locos Opening Reception
June 25, 2016, 7-11 pm
The Rose Room
6 Rose Avenue
Venice

*The show will be up until July 1st in the Rose Room, and then the entire show will move to Virginia Beach to give the East Coast a chance to see it.

**There will also be speaking panels during the week that the show is up, featuring Christian and Ivan Hosoi and Larry and Oliver Bell in a Fathers/Sons panel, and another one the next day with Jeff Ho and Jim Ganzer, both moderated by Shana Nys Dambrot. These will be held June 28 and June 29 in The Rose Room, from 7-9 pm.