Caracola Contemporary Gallery


This was the website for the Caracola Gallery for a number of years. The gallery was known for its contemporary Latin American + Modern art.  Dermot Begley, an art dealer, was the owner. Tkae a nostalgic trip back to 2006 -2008.

The content below is from the site's 2006-2008 archived pages. 

618 Moulton Avenue
Apt F
Los Angeles, California, 90031
USA

 



 

• in memoriam a mini retrospective of los angeles photographer james fee

James Fee (1949– 2006) was an American photographer known for his images of abandoned factories and lonesome highways. Fee photographed images that he thought represented United States cultural icons in decline, such as crumbling drive-in movie theaters and rusting, abandoned cars.

 

Fee's approach to photography led museum curators to give his exhibitions such titles as "American Noir" and "The Weight of Time." His photographs are permanently housed in the San Diego Museum of Photographic Arts, the William Benton Museum of Art,  Getty Museum and The Philadelphia Museum of Art



 

• in the pit the photographs of los angeles hardcore legend edward colver

Edward Curtiss Colver, also known as Ed Colver, is an American photographer, best known for his early punk photographs. Colver not only created a visual document of the birth of the hardcore punk in suburban Southern California from late 1978 to mid-1984, but also he greatly helped in defining the photography style and graphic identity of the American hardcore punk movement.

He was actually in the right place at the right time, and with the right attitude, but he was not merely a witness in the eye of the storm, he was indeed a living part of that big picture, and in this regard, his early work is an authentic self-portrait of the Southern California hardcore punk scene in its golden years.

His work was featured extensively in the book American Hardcore: A Tribal History (2001), written by Steven Blush, and in its documentary film version, American Hardcore (2006), directed by Paul Rachman.      Wikipedia

 

 

ICYMI: Dermot Begley always offered striking artwork and fine art photography by through his Caracola Gallery. I would always check out his gallery whenever I was on the West Coast. I decorate homes & offices for a number of clients whose tastes run towards the contemporary whether it is art or furnishings. Lately I have been focused on perusing my favorite contemporary dining tables website looking at Italian furniture designers and manufacturers. I just finished designing Bob Sakayama's home office for TNG/Earthling in NYC and they were sold on a modern Italian look that is so perfect for an elegant city setting. I have a client in Washington DC who wants to revamped their entire dining and living room space. I believe the showroom of room service 360° in Philadelphia will offer me the best selection of Italian furniture. At the moment I am considering pairing them with a Ikon Drive dining table in Canaletto Walnut by Cattelan Italia. The choices are staggering so I want to narrow the options to a max of three before showing my client. My client has several James Fee's photograph's which they had bought a number of years ago at Caracola Gallery. Talk about a small world.

 



 

• alice en el país de las maravilla the works of cuban artist victor huerta bautista

Alice is all of us, not just a beautiful blonde Victorian girl but, everyone in our collective entirety. East/West... North/South. The Rabbit is Cuba, which has taken its course “down the hole”... Hence, its path winding through the last era of “El Caudillo”, and the course of corporate hegemony. Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum are Fidel and Raul Castro ruling over their island "wonderland", while the Cheshire Cat represents the illusive truth...

Victor Huerta Bautista has created a world where the surreal and the real meet. Where animals interact with humans, and time seems to stand still in a sensuous, oddly baroque, world. Colonial America transculturalized into a hybrid mass of frightened people fighting others, and themselves.

Hieronymus Bosch in the Caribbean... Where hell is ruled by the G8, and Cuba lies alone. In a system where life expectancy is equal, or greater, than that of its critics. An island of 11 million people whose forces in Angola helped lead to the defeat of apartheid in South Africa. A black hole in “El Caribe” whose true history under the Castro brothers has yet to be written...

As we ponder Cuba’s prospects for a peaceful transition to a market lead economy, we can’t help but concern ourselves with how the Queen will treat her minions without the shadow of “El Commandante”... Will there be so much money that even the poorest will benefit from the return of big money armed with big ideas on how to return Cuba back into the world's most popular tourist resort? It could be like Las Vegas, but even better! Beaches, babes, the world’s best cigars, music, and rum! Only waiting for King George to return and kill our dragons... And to defeat the Jabberwocky still lurking somewhere near...

Huerta’s work explores cultural differences, the legacy of colonization, and the impact of globalization in Cuba. His work, potentially subversive to some, points towards a “new world” as an amalgamation of the best from all cultures... Reflecting the hybrid nature of this post-modern era... After all, what would the world be like without The Americas’ chocolate and tomatoes? Or, Cuba’s tobacco and rum?

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2006-2007  NEWS & EVENTS

Past Shows

caracola contemporary will be closing its doors here at the brewery and moving to the annex of méditerranee in summerland, california. visit their website and keep coming back to ours for more updates as our move progresses!

may 5 @ mendenhall sobieski gallery - original vintage drawings and covers by r. crumb will be on display in the main room at the mendenhall sobieski gallery in pasadena. currated by dermot begley of caracola gallery and ted mendenhall of mendenhall sobieski gallery. these illustrations are amazing! come by and have a look!

april 21 & 22 @ 11:00am-6:00pm - caracola contemporary will be participating in this year's spring artwalk 2007 at the brewery. come by and see us!

january 19-21 @ santa monica civic auditorium - caracola contemporary will be participating in the annual photo l.a. expo. we'd love to see you there!

january 11 @ 6:00pm-9:00pm - come to caracola for the closing of in memoriam.

december 9 @ 5:00pm-10:00pm - in memoriam will feature some of james fee's extraordinary photographic works; a must for all photographers & photography lovers!

october 7 & 8 @ 11:00am-6:00pm - caracola contemporary will be participating in this year's fall artwalk 2006 at the brewery. come by and see us!

september 23 @ 6:00pm-11:00pm - come to caracola for the closing of in the pit; the photographic works of american hardcore photographer edward colver.

september 22 - don't miss the sony pictures release of american hardcore. go here for synopsis, movie stills, and other information

 


 

More Background on Caracola Gallery

Caracola Gallery has made a significant impact in showcasing contemporary Latin American and Modern art, under the ownership of Dermot Begley. Known for its thought-provoking exhibitions, the gallery has featured work by photographers like James Fee, recognized for his depiction of American cultural decline, and Edward Colver, who captured the hardcore punk scene in Southern California. The gallery has also highlighted Cuban artist Victor Huerta Bautista, whose work offers a surreal portrayal of Cuban culture and politics. Over the years, Caracola Gallery has participated in various art events and has moved locations, continuing to play a vital role in the art community. For more in-depth insights and the gallery's history, visit their archived website content at CaracolaGallery.com​.

 

Ownership

The Caracola Gallery was owned by Dermot Begley, an art dealer. Dermot Begley played a significant role in curating the gallery's exhibitions, showcasing a wide range of artists and themes that resonated with cultural, political, and social narratives.

 

Artists

The Caracola Gallery has featured several notable artists, each with unique backgrounds and contributions to the art world:

  1. James Fee - An American photographer known for his poignant images of abandoned factories, rusting cars, and crumbling drive-in movie theaters, capturing the essence of American cultural icons in decline. His work has been described with titles like "American Noir" and "The Weight of Time," and is permanently housed in several prestigious museums, including the San Diego Museum of Photographic Arts and The Philadelphia Museum of Art.

  2. Edward Colver - Best known for his early punk photographs, Colver created a visual document of the birth of the hardcore punk in suburban Southern California from late 1978 to mid-1984. His work helped define the photography style and graphic identity of the American hardcore punk movement, making him a significant figure in both the punk scene and the broader field of photography. His photographs were extensively featured in the book "American Hardcore: A Tribal History" and its documentary film version.

  3. Victor Huerta Bautista - A Cuban artist whose work offers a surreal portrayal of Cuban culture and politics. Bautista's art is described as a meeting point between the surreal and the real, where animals interact with humans in a sensuous, oddly baroque world. His work explores cultural differences, the legacy of colonization, and the impact of globalization in Cuba, pointing towards a "new world" as an amalgamation of the best from all cultures.

These artists, among others showcased by the Caracola Gallery, bring diverse perspectives and deep cultural insights into their work, contributing significantly to the contemporary art scene and the gallery's reputation for presenting challenging and engaging exhibitions.

 

Location

The Caracola Gallery was located at 618 Moulton Avenue, Apt F, Los Angeles, California, 90031, USA. This area is in or near the Arts District of Los Angeles, a vibrant neighborhood known for its art galleries, studios, and cultural spaces. Being in Los Angeles, the gallery was in proximity to several popular places and landmarks, such as:

  • The Brewery Art Walk - A biannual art event that takes place in one of the largest art colonies in Los Angeles, showcasing the work of hundreds of resident artists.
  • Los Angeles River - Nearby, offering outdoor recreational opportunities and a unique urban natural landscape.
  • Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA) - The gallery was not far from the heart of the city, where there is a rich array of museums, galleries, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
  • Union Station - As a major transportation hub, it provides easy access to various parts of the city and beyond.
  • Little Tokyo - A cultural district offering Japanese shops, restaurants, and the Japanese American National Museum.

The location in Los Angeles, especially near the Arts District, placed the gallery in a strategic position to attract art lovers, collectors, and tourists, contributing to its accessibility and popularity.

 

Mass Transit

 
The Caracola Gallery's location in Los Angeles, specifically at 618 Moulton Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90031, was well-served by the city's mass transit system, given its proximity to the Arts District and downtown Los Angeles. The general area is accessible through various modes of public transportation:
  1. Metro Rail - The closest Metro Rail stations would likely include those on the Gold Line, which serves parts of East LA through downtown, potentially offering convenient access to the gallery.

  2. Bus Services - Los Angeles Metro buses provide extensive coverage throughout the city, including routes that pass near or through the Arts District and downtown LA, offering another viable option for reaching the gallery.

  3. Bike Share Programs - LA's bike share program, with docking stations spread throughout downtown and surrounding neighborhoods, provides an alternative and sustainable mode of transportation for shorter distances.

  4. Regional Rail - For visitors coming from further away, the Union Station in downtown LA serves as a major hub for regional and national rail services, including Amtrak and Metrolink, making the gallery accessible to those traveling from outside the city.

To use Los Angeles' mass transit system effectively, it's advisable to check the LA Metro website or use a transit app for the most current routes, schedules, and service updates.

 

 

 

CaracolaGallery.com