Brandon Walls Olsen with his work / © 2010 Brandon Walls Olsen.

Interview with Artist Brandon Walls Olsen

We are proud to share this sliver of insight into Brandon’s mystical world of art making. San Francisco Artist Brandon Walls Olsen discusses his work with Raphael Noz. The interview was filmed at “Sight School” an artist run storefront located at 5651 San Pablo in Oakland, California. Brandon received an MFA from California College of the Arts and BAs in Art and Psychology from UC Berkeley.

Interview with Artist Brandon Walls Olsen from Atelier Visit on Vimeo.

For more infor­ma­tion on Brandon’s upcom­ing projects and exhi­bi­tions visit his site at brandonwallsolsen.com. You can also check out our Artist Reg­istry at ateliervisit.com/profiles/ to view some of his works.

–Abel Alejandre/ Visual Artist

Summer has arrived! Clear, hot sunny days, colbalt blue skies, cigales (cicadas) doing their wall-of-noise sound, à la Phil Spectre. Tourists descending like locusts, devouring all the pleasures in sight, determined to enjoy themselves at all costs.

Sculpture in Aix No. 1/ ©2010 Robert D. Hale.

Sculp­tures in Aix No.2 / ©2010 Robert D. Hale.

Provence is abuzz with activity. In Arles for example, lying about a hour and a half drive northwest from Aix, ‘Rencontre d’Arles’ the annual photography festival began this week. Perhaps one of the largest events of it’s kind in Europe, and certainly the most popular; this event brings photographers, and those who love photography, together to participate in a month long visual feast of images and discussions highlighted by evening musical performances and light shows. Be advised that although Arles lies on the banks of the Rhone River, it’s quite hot during the daylight hours. You’ve been warned!

Petrol ’08 by Skomos / ©2010 Robert D. Hale.

Currently, in the streets of Aix, there are several massive installations by the Polish artist Igor Mitoraj. Spread throughout the city center, mainly surrounding the famous fountain La Rotonde at the foot of cours Mirabeau. These large bronze castings of heads and torsos are bold and enigmatic pieces — all being the subject of conversations and photography by tourists and locals alike. In addition to the outdoor art, there have been several exhibitions in various galleries around town. The most recent one I attended was by a young artist who goes by the name of Skomos. His work reminded me somewhat of Basquiat with his use of symbols and figures to simply express what are often time complex ideas. One image in particular resonates today with the crisis in the Gulf of Mexico. The artist explained to me that his aunt was an early outspoken critic of “big oil” and the threat to the environment here in France long before it became fashionable to do so, and this piece although created a couple years before the current crisis; was in tribute to her.

The artist and gallery owners/ ©2010 Robert D. Hale.

American Gallery No. 1 / ©2010 Robert D. Hale.

American Gallery No. 2 /©2010 Robert D. Hale.

American Gallery in Marseille / ©2010 Robert D. Hale.

On the 3rd of July I attended an ‘American Style’ barbeque, and the opening of the American Gallery at the home of Pamela King, the president of Democrats Abroard, a group founded to aid in the election of Barak Obama. The residence sits overlooking the Corniche President John F. Kennedy, which runs along the Mediterranean in Marseille. Ms. Kings home is a hop-skip– and a jump away from the home of the American Consul General, whose barbeque I had attended just a week before. The art was the work of two American artists, both living in Marseille, and the show the first showing for this new gallery.

My exhibition has been put off to September, which actually gives me more time to find some additional images for the show. And though it’s vacation time for most, work continues unabated for most artists. As it should.

Salut,

Robert Hale/Photographer

Asilah Mural / ©2010 Robert D. Hale.

By Robert D. Hale
Pub­lished: June 10, 2010

Plasticiens. What does this word mean to you? Give up? Well, I almost did. When I would see the word printed at various exhibitions around town, used to describe the genre of the artist, I just couldn’t get the reference. I mistakenly thought it referred to an artist who worked in plastic, yet I could discern no plastic in their pieces. I persisted in my quest to solve this ancient riddle, and after questioning different artists, I got it. What the word means has little if anything to do with plastic, but rather is someone who uses mixed media to create art. There, riddle solved. Ah, language!

Artist and Shop Owner/ ©2010 Robert D. Hale.

Gallery Medina in Tangier / ©2010 Robert D. Hale.

On the 12th of May I flew to Tangier. Although I loved Fez, where I went on my first adventure in Morocco, and will return there soon, I had read about a village in the Rif mountains called Chefchueon, the “Blue” city, The images were remarkable and I wanted to go there to photograph. As it was closer to Tangier than to Fez, Tangier became my destination. Although initially disappointed, as Tangier had none of the wonderment and beauty of Fez, I soon began to discover the artists. It was on my second day there; deep in the Medina “Old City,” that I happened upon a gallery. Finding it closed, and continuing on down the narrow passageway, I saw posters for other exhibitions outside a shop. Inquiring inside, I met the shopkeeper who was also an artist. He shared with me a bit about the art scene in Tangier. Unfortunately I didn’t have time to visit the other artists and galleries he told me about; however, when I return in August, I plan on spending more time in the city doing just that. Venturing a couple hours south of Tangier along the coast is the old fort city of Asilah. While staying there with a friend, I was introduced to a local artist and her gallery. Seems that Asilah is a well-known artists’ town, with an annual festival featuring “mural art.” I was fortunate enough to see some of last year’s work before they are painted over for this year’s festival in July.

Larry and DeMaris arriving at Nice Airport/ ©2010 Robert D. Hale.

The Artist at Work/©2010 Robert D. Hale.

My friend Larry Richardson and his wife DeMaris stopped into Aix for a short visit a couple weeks ago, so I was impressed into duty as a tour guide, (really a chance for me to see lots of sights too) and host. After picking them up at the Airport, we toured Nice before heading up to Aix. Larry is an artist from Southern California and DeMaris an actress, so their agenda was my agenda, lots of art. We began by visiting some of my artist friends, galleries, and museums, in the process touring the countryside, and eating well. Eventually ending up in Arles, where we spent a warm and sunny day walking around the old ‘Roman’ town on the Rhone River checking out more art and historical sites. The final stop on their last day in Provence was at the “art” hotel in St. Remy de Provence. The next day they left for Paris, and the continuation of their journey.

I, on the other hand have begun preparations for an exhibition of “Water Abstracts” at the end of this month. This will be the first exhibition of my new series. Wish me luck.

Robert Hale/Photographer

Lisa Adams in Los Angeles studio / ©2010 Atelier Visit.

Studio Visit with Lisa Adams

Los Angeles based Artist Lisa Adams shares her time with Atelier Visit to discuss her work and thoughts on art. The interview and or conversation was filmed in her Los Angeles studio in May of 2010. Lisa’s haunting work of birds, nature, mysterious narratives and collisions with abstractions adorn her studio. Lisa has worked as a non-representational artist for ten years and then introduced her new visual vocabulary for which she is known today. Her current work is a beautiful struggle to be seen.

Lisa received her MFA from Claremont Graduate University where she has also taught, no doubt, inspired young artists. Amongst her many accomplishments she is a recipient of a Fulbright Professional Scholar Award. Her work is in major public collections and has been exhibited internationally.

Lisa will be included in a group exhibition in September called Real/Surreal at Pederson Projects in Pomona, CA. The group show includes artists Wendell Gladstone and Amir Fallah, as well as Lisa Adams.

For more information on Lisa’s upcoming projects and exhibitions visit her site at lisamakesart.com. You can also check out our Artist Registry at ateliervisit.com/profiles/ to view some of her works.

–Abel Alejandre/ Visual Artist

Interview with Lisa Adams from Atelier Visit on Vimeo.

No.22/ ©2010 Robert D. Hale.

By Robert D. Hale
Published: May 10, 2010

Winter has finally lost its battle with Spring, but not without putting up a ferocious fight. Thunder, lightning, rain and winds marked the tumultuous ending of the war. Now Nature is making all haste in renewing itself once again. Sex is in the air, literally; the birds and the bees are doing it, and even the flowers and the trees are doing it. I will not take this analogy any further, but you get my drift; Spring has returned to Provence .

Photographer Tommy Elder at Plein Soleil

Photographer Judith Lorach at Plein Soleil

Photographer and Mother at Susini Vernissage

With the new season there has been an explosion of exhibitions throughout the region. Photography, drawings, paintings, sculptures, all have been, and are being shown. With the return of the seasonal dwellers [those who maintain vacation homes in Provence , and on the Cote d’Azure] from Paris , and other cold climes, as well as the first of the tourists, the art scene, like Nature, is awakening. What sort of year we will have this year is anyone’s guess. Although there are small signs of economic recovery here in France , there are still factors that could hinder the acquisition of art. We can only wait and see.

Of the several exhibitions I attended recently, there were two that stood out. One was the work of my friend and fellow photographer Francoise Laury. Her images and subject matter carried great substance, reflecting on Nature and industry. The exhibition was held at La Fountaine Obscure, a photographic association based here in Aix. After each ‘opening’ there is a portfolio review for members of the association, as well as invited guests. The association also sponsored an exhibition called ‘Plein Soleil’ of which several members exhibited.

Galerie 22 owner Jane Dreyer and the artists/ ©2010 Robert D. Hale.

Galerie 22 Vernissage

The other was an exhibition at Gallerie 22 Jamoz, in the village of Coustellet , about an hour north of Aix. This gallery is located in the beautiful Luberon Valley , of which Peter Mayle wrote in his novel “A Year in Provence.” The two artists had shown together before, and upon discovering that they possessed similar artistic sensibilities, but using different mediums of expression, decided to exhibit together again. It is very rare for me to walk into a gallery and have all the pieces speak to me; the sculptor and the painter, in harmony.

City Hall Gallery Vernissage

Odile Chotard and artists at their ‘City Hall Gallery’ Vernissage

I also attended two other exhibitions in Aix. One featuring the work of a young photographer at a gallery where I have exhibited, called Galerie Susini. A young and thoughtful artist, I look forward to following her progress. There was also an exhibition at the ‘City Hall Gallery.’ The exhibition, curated by Marie Odile Chotard, featured two women artists; one making sculptures, the other drawings. Both were exceptional talents, and the first time I have seen their work.

Not only the weather, but also the art scene is heating up here in the south of France . Everyone seems to be busy preparing for the annual summer influx, attempting to take advantage of that extra cash floating around, and making hay (euros) while the sun shines; in the process continuing to grow as artists, and insuring another wonderful creative year in Provence .

Robert Hale/Photographer

Interview with Mary Heebner from Atelier Visit on Vimeo.

You can see samples of Mary’s work at Atelier Visit’s Artist Registry at ateliervisit.com/profiles. Of course you can visit Mary’s website at maryheebner.com as well.

–Abel Alejandre