Issue 15 Inspired by L.A

OTIS COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN MAGAZINE SPRING 2014 in this issue: 04 - ALUMNI AND FACULTY ISSUE 15 INSPIRED BY L.A. 06 - KEEPING IT SIMPLE AND FRESH: MEG CRANSTON 18 - OTIS REPORT ON THE CREATIVE ECONOMY: 1 IN 10 JOBS IN CA I remember L.A. as blackety-black shadows cast from brutalist blocks that take the history of architecture and reduce and contain it silently, like lunary tombs or Aztec temples morphed into Fome-Cor® cartoons. This kind of light makes decisions easier, more black and white. Good-vs-bad, pure-vs- impure, aspiration-vs-collapse, determined grim optimism-vs-self-indulgent despair. The suggestion of an old Hollywood mono- lithic black-and-white movie set encourages self-invention and self-consciousness as you make your way down an imaginary long white staircase. There’s not another living soul on the set and the spotlight is on you, wiping out any flaw or imperfection, hallucinating yourself into who you wanna be … exactly how I remember it … forward Fashion designer Rick Owens (’81) moved from L.A. to Paris in 2003. 01 03 05 06 1. George Maitland Stanley (’24) 2. Kent Twitchell (’77 MFA) 3. Judithe Hernández (’74 MFA) 4. Insung Kim (’97) 5. Robert Irwin (’50) 6. Hillary Jaye (’90) Muses Fountain, Hollywood Bowl Harbor Freeway Overture mural, New Spring, mural for the Expo Line for Hunt Design Associates The Central Garden, The Getty for Sussman/Prezja & Co. 1938 1993 Terminus Station in Santa Monica, Identity and wayfinding program Center, 1997 Wayfinding and bus graphics Photo courtesy: Hollywood Bowl opening in 2016 for downtown L.A. Photo courtesy: The J. Paul Getty Van Nuys FlyAway for Los Angeles Museum and Music Center Archives Commissioned by the LACMTA Museum World Airports 02 LACMA Director Michael Govan explains the allure of Los Angeles in this simple statement: “Where the modern world was imagined and continues to be reinvented.” Since 1918, Otis alumni, faculty members, and students have imagined the city’s future, created positive change, and made connections 04 across the globe. As artists and designers, they are committed to incorporate human values, social responsibility, and ethics in their thinking and action. For this issue on Otis in Los Angeles, we designed an interactive map with projects by alumni and faculty members, including public art, monuments, and retail stores. Visit www.otisinla.com and plan your trip to see them all. Share photos of your visits with the world via social networks using #otisinla. Keep your eye out for this symbol throughout the issue for more location information 02 12 A Fond And Forward-Looking Farewell Otis has a uniquely powerful educational across the globe with the success stories of our approach and social vision, as well as a long alumni, students, and their faculty mentors. tradition of partnering with diverse sectors to When I depart at the end of this academic elevate the role of artists and designers in Los year, I will do so with an optimistic outlook on Angeles and beyond. Today, an Otis education Otis’ future. The College’s educational and social takes full advantage of the fact that L.A. and the mission has never been more clearly articulated College are both fertile grounds where cultural and manifested. The reimagined curriculum practices, social engagement, and the creative strengthens student learning and success. economy converge, resulting in new ideas and Exciting plans are in place to expand campus approaches that address the emerging needs facilities and transform Otis into a residential of our time and lead to a better future. college. There is incredible momentum that will As I look back on my fourteen years as take the College to new heights. I cannot imagine president of this great institution, I feel extremely a better interim president than Provost Dr. Kerry honored to have helped shape Otis in partnership Walk to lead the great Otis team into its next with the gifted and dedicated boards, faculty phase of service and success. and staff. Above all, I feel privileged to have I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to President Hoi and Provost Dr. Kerry Walk participated in the transformative education have served the College since 2000. As I bid of our students, who blossom into achieving farewell, I know that I will be continually inspired alumni and whose creative practices reward their from a distance by the extraordinary talent and lives and benefit the world. It is gratifying that spirit of the Otis community of students, faculty, my final OMAG introduction is for an issue that staff, alumni, and board members. Otis will demonstrates Otis’ imprint in the L.A. region and always be in my heart. Samuel Hoi, President Editor: Margi Reeve, Communications Director Photography: Lane Barden, Deborah Bird, Chris Bliss, Back Cover: John Mason (’57) Coeditor: Laura Daroca (’03 MFA Fine Arts), Director of Joe Bruns, Kristina Campbell, Benny Chan Fotoworks, “Folded Cross, Yellow-Gold,” 2002 Alumni Relations Kai He/The LA Fashion Magazine, Katie Hotchkiss ceramic Alumni Relations Coordinator: Shefali Mistry Contributors: freelance writers George Wolfe and 39 x 31.5 x 24" Creative/Design: Mark Caneso (’04) Mimi Zeiger; copy editor Michelle Ghaffari from Crosses, Figures, Spears, Torques David Kordansky Gallery, LA. 20 45 SPRING 2014 OTIS COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN MAGAZINE FEATURE: VOL. 15 Otis In L.A. Faculty architecture projects; Annetta Kapon video; JT Steiny drawings; Meg Cranston interview; Lalo Alcaraz profile; Literary L.A.; Broad-Minded; CONTENTS 04 City as Classroom College Alumni Around Class News the World Notes 14 42 44 Transformational Leadership Bangladesh Alumni Scholarship Benefit and Fashion Show Mumbai Anniversaries Creative Economy Report Generations Connect in S.F. Teaching Awards Otis Supporters: Sharma Family Buzz Commencement Annual Exhibition Class of 2013 Otis prepares diverse students of art and design to enrich our world Otis College of Art and Design through their creativity, their skill, and their vision. © Otis College of Art and Design Established in 1918, Otis College of Art and Design is a national leader in art and design Otis enrolls approximately 1,100 full-time students, and offers Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees Publication of material does not necessarily education. The College mission is to prepare diverse students of art and design to enrich in Architecture/Landscape/Interiors, Digital Media (Game and Entertainment Design, Animation, indicate endorsement of the author’s viewpoint our world through their creativity, skill, and vision. Alumni and faculty are Fulbright, MacArthur, and Motion Design), Fashion Design, Communication Arts (Graphic Design, Illustration, and by Otis College of Art and Design and Guggenheim grant recipients, Oscar awardees, legendary costume designers, leaders Advertising Design), Fine Arts (Painting, Photography, and Sculpture/New Genres), Product of contemporary art movements, and design stars at Apple, Abercrombie & Fitch, Pixar, Design, and Toy Design. Otis also awards the Master of Fine Arts degree in Fine Arts, Graphic DreamWorks, Mattel, Nike, and Disney. Design, Public Practice, and Writing. Otis Faculty in L.A. Otis faculty members draw inspiration from L.A., and reflect its vibrant communities in their work. Architecture/Landscape/Interiors Faculty Projects 01. Chava Danielson Principal, DSH Para Los Ninos 849 East 6th St., L.A. 90013 02. David Reddy Principal, R&D Architects Breeze House 23 Breeze Ave., Venice 90291 (artwork by Nancy Monk) 03. Linda Pollari Principal, P XS “off-use" (office-house) 950 S. Highland Ave, L.A. 90036 01 04. Matias Creimer Bower Reidence (renovation) 16417 Otsego St., L.A. 91436 05. Richard Lundquist ChoSun Galbee 3330 W. Olympic Blvd. L.A. 90019 03 02 04 05 4 Spring 2014 ANNETTA KAPON JT STEINY Professor and Assistant Chair, Graduate Fine Arts Senior Lecturer, Communication Arts: Illustration Drawing JT Steiny (’86) contributes illustrations to the Los Angeles Times, The Line Between L.A. USA Today, Smart Money, Sony Records, Rhino Records, and While Driving LA Weekly. Everywhere he goes, he draws. An entire series he titles and Beverly Hills “Drawing While Driving.” In this series, he captures the challenges of dog walking in a car-oriented city. Kapon (‘85) created this video to be shown on L.A. Metro buses as part of Freewaves’ “Out the WIndow” project, April 2013. She walked the line between Beverly Hills’ freshly paved streets and Los Angeles pavement’s holes and cracks, capturing both the visual and the auditory contrasts. SARA DALEIDEN Lecturer, Graduate Public Practice Urban Rangers As a Senior Ranger with the The Los Angeles Urban Rangers, Sara develops guided hikes, campfire talks, field kits, and other interpretive tools to spark creative explorations of everyday habitats in L.A. Founded in 2004, the Rangers are dedicated to asking questions about the abundant and often unseen complexities of the places in our lives, whether a freeway, an office park or a living room. l to r: Therese Kelly, Nicholas Bauch, Sara Daleiden, Ron Milam and Jenny Price. 5 Otis Faculty in L.A. Cranston reveals her favorite museums, the book she would take to MEG CRANSTON a desert island, her thoughts on art Fine Arts Chair and media, the pinata, and more at www.otis.edu/omagcranston Keeping It Simple and Fresh Why is teaching important to you? In Los Angeles, teaching is a normal part of an artist’s career. That isn’t true everywhere but it is definitely true here. Initially, I taught for the same reason most artists teach—to support my work. What I found out was that teaching not only provided financial support but it also informed and energized my work. Teaching forces you to constantly reevaluate your own ideas and as a result, your work stays fresh.

Load more