AT THE GALLERIES:A last Laguna rant

When I first began writing this column five years ago, my intent was to follow the optimist’s model of reviewing: Focus on the things you think are good, rather than spending time on art that, well, wasn’t so good.

Lurking behind that philosophy is the precise idea that Oscar Wilde expressed: “The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about.”

Ignore the inane.

There’s plenty of inane art in Laguna, don’t get me wrong: lots of McArt, cheap and kitschy. But I chose to use this space to talk about art I loved, art that was interesting to talk about.

That approach has paid off for me in ways so rich, I find it difficult to express. I’ve seen the work of painters, sculptors and multi-media artists at all stages of their careers. I’ve stood in front of paintings that have made me weep, or have been so complex they’ve given me a headache.

But now I’m afraid I have to say goodbye to “At the Galleries.”

I’ll be leaving Orange County, moving to Los Angeles sometime this summer. A whirlwind set of events have put my feet on the path to the Big City, and there will be too many cars on the 405 to allow me to continue to write this column.

So I’d like to spend a little ink here thanking you, reader, and letting you know what I’ll miss, perhaps some things you might not know about the “gallery scene” in Laguna, things I didn’t put in my reviews.

First, the gallery owners.

Having been in art galleries from New York to St. Louis to L.A., I can tell you there’s a certain haughty arrogance some art dealers possess that really gets on my nerves.

It’s why art galleries are so intimidating to people, like high-end car dealerships or jewelry stores.

You feel like a plebian; you don’t know why “” it’s just in the air around them as they condescendingly walk up to you and imply by the question, “Can I help you?” that they think you’re an idiot.

Not in Laguna’s galleries.

I kept an intentionally low profile around town. I liked to walk in and be as invisible as possible, check out the art and the vibe, decide if I wanted to review before I talked to the gallery people. In Laguna, there is no trace of arrogance to be found.

The word that comes to mind is “friendly.” I know that may seem cheesy, but in every gallery I ever walked into in Laguna, gallery staff made me feel welcome and (more importantly) comfortable even before they knew I was a reviewer.

I’ve often wondered if this is why Los Angeles thinks of Laguna as provincial and quaint “” because people are nice.

Even after gallery owners knew I was a reviewer, there was never any awkward sucking up or left-handed sales pitches. Gallery owners left me alone to study the art, and gave me information when I asked for it.

I think of Peter Blake, saying hello and cracking some jokes as he tried to decide how to hang a new show while I sat on the floor taking notes.

Or Marion Meyer talking with me about what colors to paint the walls for a big group show.

Virginia Repasky once let me follow her car out to a warehouse in San Juan Capistrano so I could make deadline.

And Sue Greenwood loved to tell stories about her artists, personal stories that had nothing to do with the art, really. They were just good stories.

The gallery owners I’ve worked with are passionate advocates of the artists they represent. If I had a word of advice for the collector, I would say to look for that passion. Look for someone who can speak for the artist because of an unswerving belief in the art itself.

My personal encounters with the artists were actually quite rare. I stayed away from First Thursdays because I needed more time and space to study the art (First Thursdays are very crowded, you know).

Also, I wanted to come away with my own impressions of the work without being told what the artist intended. For that reason, I rarely read artist’s statements or biographies.

I tried, instead, to bring my own small knowledge of the history of art and the criticism of art to this column. I used my love of poetry to find words to express what I was seeing, and I hope that I was able to convey to you the wonder, beauty and intensity I encountered in Laguna.

So, to the reader: In the scattered small galleries of Laguna Beach you’ll sometimes find a work of art so wonderful, it may change your life. Keep your eyes open.

I’d like to close by thanking all the artists I’ve reviewed. I’d like to thank them for the intellectual labor and commitment involved in creation, and for the courage it takes to share it with the world.

Thank you, also, for giving me the opportunity to attempt to put your work into words.

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BOBBIE ALLEN is a poet and writer who has taught art theory and criticism. She currently teaches writing at the University of California, Irvine. She can be reached at

[email protected] or through her website, www.bobbieallen.com.