Art at Atwater’s Alias Books East

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Alias Books East is one of the many treasures that lay just over from Silver Lake and Echo Park. The bookstore, which is crammed with books on art, history, popular culture as well as poetry, fiction and literature, is a bibliophile’s haven and potential harem. All…those…books….And art! There’s art at Alias, a wall of it that changes every two weeks under the six-month-long residencies of local curators.

Photographer, artist, and musician Jon Huck–he’s published three books of his photos and drawings and is an alumna of groups like Fat and Fucked and Thelonious Monster–is a third of the way through  his cool gig curating the bi-monthly art shows at Alias Books East. The bookstore’s wallspace was originally curated by Pierre Picot, and past curators include Cal DeWitt and Bridget Echols; the latter included Huck’s work as part of her exhibition series.

Huck focuses on one artist for each of his residency exhibitions. He explains:

I’m just doing single artists but there is generally a defined theme that most of the artists are presenting. There will be a companion printed edition of some kind to go along with each show that will be sold in addition to the work on the wall.

I’m most drawn to conceptual work and thematic series’ but my main criteria here are great work and artists with unique viewpoints and voices. I’m trying to get people whose work fits together and schedule them strategically. We’ll see if the narrative I have in mind comes through. So far, it’s been really great.

The current show, opening Friday September 20,  is “Wayfinding,” a project by artist and Krank Press founder Elinor Nissley. On view will be photographs and letterpress pieces by the artist.  Huck debuted his curatorial skills August 2 with poet Jacqueline Suskin doing her “Poem Store” live during the opening hours. The artist/poet took themes suggested by indivual attendees  and turned them into each into a personal poem on her manual typewriter in a matter of moments. The participant then determined whatever price to pay after reading the poem.

Huck has booked all of his twelve two weeks slots, and says:

The hardest thing has been scheduling and sequencing. All of the artists have a lot going on and it’s been interesting to try and get them all slotted in an order that makes sense and gives everyone enough time to prepare.

Drop in at Alias Books East for the art; stay and browse the rare, collectible, and used books. Or vis versa!

Alias Books
3163 Glendale Blvd.
Los Angeles/Atwater Village
Monday to Saturday, 11 am—9pm; Sunday, 10 am — 7 pm
Art openings 7pm-9pm, every two weeks: Sept 20, Oct 4, Oct 18, Nov 1, Nov 15, Nov 29, Dec 13, Dec 27 continuing….

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Jon Huck will be curating at Alias Books East through February

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Jacqueline Suskin, “Poem Store” was Huck’s first curation at Alias.

IMG_0514Suskin at work

IMG_1264Alias is lively scene

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