PREVIEW & INTERVIEW: “How They Ran” at Over the Influence Features 23 L.A. Artists

A new exhibition opening this week at Over the Influence in the Downtown Los Angeles Arts District brings together a diverse group of artists that represent the contemporary art scene in Los Angeles.  “How They Ran” features work by Miya Ando, Amanda Maciel Antunes, Lisa Anne Auerbach, Uta Barth, Whitney Bedford, Tanya Brodsky, Kelly Brumfield-Woods, Jo Ann Callis, Katy Cowan, Dinah Diwan, Mercedes Heinwein, Pamela Smith Hudson, Francesca Gabbianai, Barbara Kruger, Alice Lang, Hilary Pecis, Ke Peng, Vanessa Prager, Monique Prieto, Jennifer Rochlin, Anja Salonen, Kim Schoenstadt, Ali Silverstein, Jen Stark, Kerry Tribe, Lisa Diane Wedgeworth, and Megan Whitmarsh. The opening reception is Saturday, August 11 at 6 pm.

Lauren Every-Wortman, Artist Liaison at Over the Influence, grew up in Los Angeles. She left during high school and moved back in January 2018 to help open the gallery. At the time, she says, “I was struck with how much the city has changed with respects to the art world. I have a lot of friends that have moved here from New York, from the East Coast, and from elsewhere, who are now considering themselves West Coast artists or LA artists. I wanted to start a conversation around this and address the idea that you have these artists that have been based here for decades or for their whole lives, and how they are integrating with the new artists who are coming in and being part of the scene.”

Top image: Block Plan Series: USA/Brazil combination 2 by Kim Schoenstadt, Courtesy of Chimento Contemporary; Above: In the Light and Shadow of Morandi (17.01) by Uta Barth, Courtesy of 1301PE

Throughout the gallery, the work of longtime L.A. artists will be shown side by side with work by artists who are newer to the city. Every-Wortman says, “Every gallery room has at least one artist who is a staple of the L.A. art scene, along with somebody who has come in more recently. In the main room, I’ve got three photographs by Uta Barth, who though she’s not originally from L.A. has been here for decades and is considered one of the top L.A.-based artists. Right next to her, I have paintings by Ali Silverstein, a young artist who moved here around three years ago from New Mexico. She now considers herself an L.A.-based artist, but she’s only been around for a couple of years at this point.”

Every-Wortman hopes that “How They Ran” will help people understand and appreciate the diversity of L.A.’s art scene. She says, “A lot of these works aren’t necessarily going to resonate with certain people, but that’s not the point. The point is to find the thing that resonates with you within the larger group, and see it overall as a group of people who are supporting each other and trying to build a better art community.”

Untitled (Another Year) by Barbara Kruger, Courtesy of Hamilton Selway Fine Arts

Since returning to Los Angeles early this year, Every-Wortman has been struck by the number of people who come into the galleries in the DTLA Arts District—even if they just wander in after getting ice cream next door. She says, “I’ve been so excited about the number of people that we’ve been able to reach that aren’t necessarily people from the art world.”

When she talks to people who are visiting Over the Influence, she also suggests other art-related experiences in the area. “Obviously the big one is Hauser and Wirth. If they already know about Hauser and Wirth, I try to get people over to ICA LA. It’s slightly off the path of the Arts District, but I love when people have a chance to go see it, because I think they’re doing great things for the community.”

Tarantella by Monique Prieto, Courtesy of Chimento Contemporary

Exhibition: 
August 12 – September 5
Tuesday – Sunday (11 am – 6 pm)

Opening Reception:
August 11 (6 – 9 pm)

Address:
Over the Influence LA
833 East 3rd St
Los Angeles, CA 90013

Woman with Blue Bow by Jo Ann Callis, Courtesy of ROSEGALLERY

The Left Coast Fire Weather by Whitney Bedford, Courtesy of the artist and Susanne Vielmetter Los Angeles Projects