exhibitions

for immediate release


“MÉnage-Á-Trois”
September 16th - October 22nd, 2006

Works by: Jean-Jacques Tachdjian, Jonathon Rosen, Robert Williams
opening reception: Saturday, September 16th, 2006; 7-11pm

OVERTONES gallery is pleased to present "Ménage-á-Trois," a group exhibition featuring French artist Jean-Jacques Tachdjian, New York based artist Jonathon Rosen, and Los Angeles based artist Robert Williams.

Jean-Jacques Tachdjian is based in Lille, France. Tachdjian is a versatile artist whose artistic endeavors expand into the fields of design, illustration, typography and comics. He is the publisher of "Sortez La Chienne," one of the first underground graffiti zines in France in the early 80s. Tachdjian gives his imagination free rein by creating images characterized by acid colors, zany humor and luxuriant style. His latest series of large "vinyl frescoes" are compilations of freehand drawings, multiplied on large surfaces to compose mosaic images with the illusion of movement. Printed on vinyl, the images shine and draw the viewer into a world inspired by the spirit of psychedelic artists such as Victor Moscoso and Peter Saul. Tachdjian also creates graphic books in collaboration with other artists and original comic strips, all published by his own publishing house "La Chienne." Recent editions include "L.A. Blues Woman," a book of poetry by the Los Angeles poet Wanda Coleman.

For his first exhibition in the United States, Tachdjian chose to invite two of his favorite American artists, whose work has influenced his own art making: Jonathon Rosen and Robert Williams.

Jonathon Rosen is based in Brooklyn, New York where he creates paintings, books and videos. Old medical illustrations, early advertising imagery, circus posters and alchemical engravings are some of the sources that provide inspiration for Rosen's body of work. In Rosen's paintings, machines and the human body merge, becoming a device for exploring a full spectrum of human emotional states. Rosen explains that his approach arises from "fascination and horror of seeing the entire kingdom of organic life systematically patented and commercially exploited by the unstoppable medical industrial complex." Rosen has also published two artist's books, "Intestinal Fortitude" and "The Birth of Machine Consciousness," with Le Dernier Cri, infamous publishers of comix-related art books, based in Marseille, France. Both books are now a part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and will be available at OVERTONES gallery.

Robert Williams has been an idol of American underground culture since the late 60s. After collaborations with the likes of Robert Crumb, Victor Moscoso and Rick Griffin in "Zap Comics", Williams collaborated with Ed "Big Daddy" Roth, the creator of "Rat Fink". Williams continues to this day to produce his exquisitely excrescential vision of car culture come post-punk American pop art. For "Ménage-á-Trois," OVERTONES gallery will present a selection of Williams' out of print, limited edition hand pulled lithographs.

"Ménage-á-Trois" is guest curated by Renaud Faroux, a French art historian & journalist who works in L.A. and Europe. He has published a catalog of Jean-Jacques Tachdjian's work, as well as a book "A Pedestrian in L.A.", a poetic love declaration to the City of Angels.

OVERTONES is a Los Angeles art venue that supports and promotes creative endeavors in all artistic disciplines. OVERTONES is dedicated to searching outside the confines of established art institutions and presenting work that has the potential to engage a wide range of audiences.

For more information or images please contact OVERTONES Director, Elizabeta Betinski @ 310-915-0346.

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