Link to Post:
http://www.paintinginla.com/2013/02/panel-and-paradox-at-torrance-art-museum.html
A report on a panel discussion about contemporary painting at the exhibition Paradox Maintenance Technicians at the Torrance Art Museum, California, on view through March 9, 2013. The exhibition surveys contemporary painting in Los Angeles and beyond featuring the work of 26 painters.
"Despite some disagreement about whether painting was dead as a medium (or whether that was even a relevant question anymore) all the panelists did seem to agree that a resurgence of painting was taking place today in Los Angeles and elsewhere... 'I think the reason why painting still makes this resurgence time and time again is because it really confirms our humanity in a unique way that no other material can,' said [Caitlin] Moore... 'In the end, we crave something that really has a human touch or a human element to it...I think that's a reason why Los Angeles specifically is moving the way that it is, simply because there are so many avenues and mediums that are diluting that experience. It seems natural to migrate back towards painting...in a society that is so technologically saturated.' "
Link to Post:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2011/11/it-speaks-to-me-monique-prieto-on-john-altoon.html
Painter Monique Prieto responds to John Altoon's painting Ocean Park Series #8, 1962 in the collection of the Norton Simon Museum.
Prieto remarks: "I perceive a temperature in the magenta that comes up from behind the forms - like hot-white L.A. air. He has somehow nailed down something very ephemeral and fleeting, and that's beautiful. He was clearly aware of the New York Abstract Expressionists but this is a West Coast sybaritic form, less puritanical."
A post by Cedar Sigo on the SFMOMA Open Space blog provides more context on John Altoon's life and career.
