By Garrison Frost

Perhaps the most disappointing exhibition in the South Bay in recent memory is "L.A. Women" at Hermosa Beach's Gallery C, and not just because the art is less than inspiring. Few in the South Bay art scene would argue with the notion that Gallery C is about the best thing to happen to that scene in decades, and we've liked a great of what we've seen there. This is a gallery that has the potential to not only promote South Bay arts but to also bring the art world outside of the South Bay's sometimes impenetrable bubble into clearer perspective. So, when a show is just a dud, as is "L.A. Women," it's just a bummer.

"L.A. Women" features work by Kim McCarty, Becky Guttin, Lisa Adams and Jill Giegerich, and we are told that these four are among the best female artists from Los Angeles. Perhaps that's true. It's just not on the wall here, however.

It's not all bad, though. Giegerich hits some high notes with a few of her sculptures in aluminum, steel and glass. While her "Vogue" just looks like a big pile of random expensive materials, another one of her pieces depicting small bales of natural fiber contained within a crushed aluminum form seems like something of a small victory. We also got quite a kick out of "Untitled – J.G. 2003-10," which is really just a solid wig suspended high on a wall. Right next to it is a more complex piece that integrates another similar headdress, but the object by itself just seems to accomplish a great deal more.

It's really not in my nature to run down individual artists, so I won't go into more detail about what I particularly didn't like about this exhibition. Fortunately, the show will be over at about the same time you read this and certainly Gallery C will mount something more interesting the next time.

(May 24, 2004)

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