© Aof Smith
Bright lights, white walls, the heartbeat pulse of electronic music, and the vivid colors of creation. This is an art opening at Thinkspace Projects art gallery. I can feel the synergy of collaboration and artistic innovation. Viewing this 5-artist solo show of global contemporary art feels like looking into the artists’ minds and the world’s heart.
© Dustin Myers
When I first moved to Los Angeles in 2012, my husband introduced me to Thinkspace Projects gallery. I hadn’t spent much time exploring contemporary art, but I was quickly enamored by the thought-provoking, even poetic nature of the emerging art from across the world being featured here since the gallery’s inception in 2005.
In the last show I was able to attend, this past November, at Thinkspace’s new expansive location, Alex Face’s “Fictional City” delved quickly into the heart of a beautiful and sad world, hanging on by an electric pink thread. The “Perfectly Normal” portraits of Dustin Myers were filled with such rich characterization that I was compelled to write a story about each one. The beauty and darkness of Anjastama Hp’s debut U.S. solo exhibition, “Myths of Ganendra,” was ripe for contemplation: at once ethereal and grounding, earthly and otherworldly. The bright, cartoon-esque house holding “Icons: Pop Art Reimagined” by AngelOnce felt like walking into the Saturday morning TV world of my late 80’s youth.
Lastly, the exhibit that drew me to the show: Aof Smith’s “Vibrations,” so full of detail I could stare into each piece for hours. In proper synergy fashion, ZO magazine connected with Smith 9 years ago, during one of their illuminating Expos themed “Convergence.” Since then, the depth and breadth of Smith’s intricate art have only increased. Across the world from Bangkok, this is his second solo show with Thinkspace.
Our 3-Year Old's Favorites
Aof Smith
We have begun to bring our three-year-old daughter to art openings because I truly believe it is never too young for exposure to these alternate and mystical worlds. Without prompting, she has deemed Thinkspace her “favorite art show.” When we take her, she scampers through the gallery, finding several paintings that appeal to her. She truly gazes into Aof Smiths “The Percussion” where a cute, bewildered creature shakes his maracas and tambourine like his life depends on it. There is a world of story within this one painting, even the small flowers atop the creature’s hat have distinct and compelling expressions.
Angelonce
My daughter can’t yet read, but this visual creativity speaks to her. Worlds come to life before her eyes. Alight with these wonders, she takes to the dance floor and grooves to the sounds of Venice Beats as if she’s been raving all her life. As I watch her, I feel truly grateful to live in a city so rich in culture, for galleries like Thinkspace and magazines like ZO Arts Global, which weave together ideas from across the globe, offering this web of connection in an all too often isolated world.
