FLEETING MOMENTS - THE ART OF RANDY HAGE
Opening: Sat, October 5, 6 pm - 10 pm
Exhibition: October 5 - November 15, 2013
“Life is a series of fleeting moments, strung together and hastened by the irrepressible passage of time.” - R. Hage
Visual artist, Randy Hage, explores the elements of change, loss, decay, remembrance and nostalgia through his highly detailed mixed media sculptures and photographs.
The artist will be donating 100% of the show proceeds to the Rachel Ann Hage Neuro-Oncology Fund, benefiting Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
Opening Reception & Other Photos
Interview by David Ono at ABC Channel 7 (Broadcasted on TV Friday, October 4th, 2013):
Unlike his NY Storefront illustions, Randy Hage inside and out is one of the most authentic and humblest of people. To fully understand the extent of Randy Hage's compassionate heart, watch this touching interview with ABC Channel 7's David Ono
"A local artist is using his incredible talent to combat Children's brain cancer in memory of the little girl he lost.Inside his workshop in La Canada, artist Randy Hage recreates memories. Tiny, meticulous, three-dimensional works of art in the form of old storefronts from New York City." - David Ono at ABC Channel 7
Articles/Interviews:
Video Interview by Daniel Rolnik
The New York Times: Microeconomics: A City in Miniature by John Leland (It's featured on The New York Times' Sunday, September 29th, 2013 issue)
Jeremiah's Vanishing New York: New Work from Randy Hage
Gothamist: Amazing Mianiaturized NYC Storefronts by Jen Carlson
The Atlantic Cities: The Secret Life of New York Storefronts, in Miniature by Sarah Goodyear
Curbed: It's A Small World by Jeremiah Budin
Laist: Artist Creates Insanely Detailed Replicas of L.A.'s Beloved River Cats by Jen Carlson
Press Release:
Flower Pepper Gallery is pleased to present it's upcoming solo exhibition Fleeting Moments - The Art of Randy Hage. Los Angeles based TV/Film sets, models, and props expert Randy Hage turned visual artist, primarily presents miniature New York storefronts from a conceptual and individual perspective. From over 10 years of photographic documentation of mom and pop businesses, of which only 40% remain, the master of observation transforms humble materials into photorealistic sculptures.
This year’s exhibition is in support of a special cause close to the artist's heart: The Rachel Ann Hage Neuro-Oncology Research Fund, a charity to honor the loss of a cherished daughter. In an effort to capture the human experience of loss, Hage has created this body of work to honor and remember the soul of the people that formed these NY districts. The artist immortalizes these mom and pop storefronts that have disappeared due to greed and gentrification by returning his viewer to the once unique streets that he captured in his lens.
The art of Randy Hage is not just about replication, but also about harnessing the history and voice of the architecture. From peeling paint, rusted fire escapes, and even tell tale signs of teenage loitering, Hage creates the narrative of each business that was. This exhibition is particularly unique due to the addition of some local LA cultural icons such as the LA River Cats. Following a 1/12th scale, Hage places the viewer in a voyeur’s perspective. He allows each to join him in the illusion of reality in observing the layers of preserved and sedimentary architecture that forms the true spirit of both the New York and Los Angeles story.
Artist Website:
http://www.newyorkstorefronts.com/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mindseyeminiatures/
Artist Biography:
Visual artist, Randy Hage, has always been fascinated by the character and often overlooked beauty of aging structures. In the late 90s, he began photographing the cast iron facades in the SoHo area of New York as possible subjects for future art projects (The cast iron and brick structure on this site is a product of that original research). His interest soon moved to the unique street level Mom & Pop storefronts with their hand painted signs, layers of architecture, wonderful patinas and intriguing history.
As he continued to photograph these storefronts, it became clear to him that this was becoming more than an art project; it was becoming a documentary project as well. These neighborhood storefronts were closing at an alarming rate, falling victim to large-scale redevelopment that was exceeding a normal pace for neighborhood change.
Hage’s work not only seeks to preserve a vision of the past, but also to call attention to the loss of established and diverse neighborhoods as urban renewal and gentrification displace the store owners and the area residents who make up the tapestry of these communities. Over the past 12 years, Hage has photographed more than 450 storefronts and in that time, more than 60% of those have closed or have been torn down.
Hage’s storefront project reflects a love for these iconic structures, as well as a passionate interest in the communities that they serve. His sculptures represent more than fading facades, they honor the very soul of the city, its people.
Randy Hage has been creating sets, models, and props for the TV/Film and small-scale hobby industries for over 25 years. He is a former instructor at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, where he taught set and prop fabrication.
Meet The Artist Day with Randy Hage: Saturday, October 19th from 1 pm - 5 pm
A big thank you to everyone who came this weekend to share in the heartfelt art offerings of Randy Hage at the Flower Pepper Gallery. Thanks to you, nearly all of Randy’s pieces sold out two weeks prior to opening night, which means a fantastic donation for Children's Hospital Los Angeles.
At special request by the many Randy Hage fans who were unable to be present this past Saturday evening, we would love to invite you to a second chance meet and greet with the master of observation himself. Randy has graciously agreed to share and unveil some of his processes as well as give you all a chance to converse and gather insight into the workings of his creative mind.
This event is open to the public and all ages are welcome to participate in this open discussion with the phenomenal and generative artist Randy Hage. We are very excited to be able offer this “Meet The Artist Day” event and hope to see you there!
Meet With The Artist Day Facebook Event Page