There's an excruciating duality to the reality of art during wartime. On one hand, the context and often the pretext required for consuming/making art during conflict or catastrophe makes the effort seem insultingly silly (the example of the quartet being forced to play as the lifeboats were loaded on the Titantic comes to mind). On the other hand, in the midst of the madness, sometimes art is the only thing that can give a truly reassuring glimmer of hope.

-Edward Winkleman

Last night at The Latino Museum in Downtown Los Angeles the exhibition of art from the Occupy Los Angeles camp was definitely a night of unique sorts. There was the art itself which spoke of many different concerns, from"stop the war" to depictions of Anonymous the infamous hacker group and Occupy Ally, to paintings of Ghandi who has been an inspiration to occupiers for his peaceful protest.

 

The event was packed with art goers and the usual spies among us as this was indeed an Occupy Los Angeles event, and just one day before, a group of 8 artist/occupiers were arrested by the LAPD when leaving the museum for crimes still unclear (they were walking with their artwork after having just left the museum) yet the charges are reported to be  at a felony level.

WelcomeTent Brian, Media Yvonne de la Vega & OLA Artists' Row Mark Celentano

The war was another plastic work that totally absorbed us, which reformed our forms, destroyed the lines, and gave a new look to the universe." -Marc Chagall

         Girl TBA   zapata and his art

Joseph McCoy

The above painting stood out as one of my favorites by Joseph Tany.

"Occupy ...checkmate" by Yvonne de la Vega

For those of you who were not able to attend the opening of the OLA Art display, the exhibit will continue through to January. free to the public