Thursday, November 13, 1997
Rose Cafe draws crowds with vivid, local artwork
EXHIBIT:
Venice eatery doubles as museum to create distinctive settingBy
Sandra Kim
Daily Bruin Contributor
Outside, the day is gray and dismal. The rain furiously pounds
the dainty pink roses. Outside the windows of the Rose Cafe in
Venice, the large, green-leafed plants sway in rhythm to the
currents of the wind.
But on the other side of the panes of glass, springtime and
Easter await with hues of orange, lime, yellow and aqua smeared on
the walls. Placed in an open, airy warehouse, this cafe, along with
the background bebop music of Ella Fitzgerald, escapes all signs of
what’s cold, wet and gray. And through January, the latest of the
Rose Cafe’s art exhibits, featuring the work of Christine Fogg and
John Ross Horton, awaits admiration.
Colorful wooden wall sculptures and standing blocks Â
reminiscent of Keith Herring and Henri Matisse, the master of
Primitivism  complete the clear and open feel of the Rose
Cafe.
"I like it. It brightens the cafe up. It gives it a nice
feeling," a customer observes.
Jenny Morales, the front hostess, also comments on the sunny
artwork.
"On a gloomy day like this, it brightens up the cafe," Morales
says. "When I walked in, because I haven’t been here for three
days, I said, ‘Whoa! This is really nice.’ It’s very colorful."
The Rose Cafe in Venice Beach remains one of the most unique and
distinctive cafes around  an eatery, gift shop and art museum
all under one roof. Featuring the art of local contemporary
artists, the Rose Cafe has displayed more than 125 exhibitions
since its opening in 1979.
UCLA alumnus Karen Black, co-owner and curator of the Rose Cafe,
talks about the past artists.
"I’ve shown people that have had shows internationally. I’ve
shown people that have never had a show. I’ve shown children’s art,
and I’ve shown mentally ill people’s art," Black says.
This time, Black has decided to show artwork created by a
married couple living in Idyllwild, Calif. Their individual styles
contrast one another in form but complement one another in color
and subject matter.
Christine Fogg, the female half of the artist couple, uses oil
paints on oversized canvases. Fogg’s style is abstract, splashing
and mixing an array of vivid and lively colors to create a swirling
landscape.
"They are bright and cheery," says Brad Douglas, an art dealer
and Rose Cafe regular. "It’s well done for an abstract,
expressionist painting," he says, asserting his preference toward
such paintings with more intense colors and structure.
Douglas also mentions that Fogg’s paintings would be perfect for
a large house with tall, spacious walls.
John Ross Horton, the other featured artist of the Rose Cafe
exhibit, focuses on wooden Matisse-like pieces.
For example, one piece on display is a trio of women’s heads,
drawn with a simple, animation-esque style. As a row of intricately
designed totem pole-like carvings, the pieces are bold and
bright.
Horton’s pieces add class to the already-sophisticated Rose Cafe
environment, making the exhibit yet another series of works that
make the Rose Cafe a favorite for local residents.
"They’ve had some really nice shows," says Venice resident Gina
DeMarco. "I’m impressed by the artists."
She adds that the Rose Cafe provides great support for artists,
serving as an open artists’ venue.
"Venice is an art community and attracts artists. Artists who
come here receive support, and the Rose, in turn, gets to display
the works of the artists. It’s a reciprocal thing."
DeMarco’s friend, Tanya Dyson, calls the art of the RoseCafe
"The baby’s breath to the Rose Cafe."
Rose Cafe manager Maria Nunez states that the art itself, aside
from the food and music, draws crowds.
"A lot of people come just to see the art," Nunez says.
In addition to the temporary exhibitions, hanging T-shirts and
aprons sold in the Rose Cafe’s in-house shop decorate the area. The
shop sells items ranging from Kermit the Frog Pez dispensers and
wind chime-like candleholders to fresh coffee beans, adding to the
unique crafts, food and artistry of the Rose Cafe. The cafe itself
also offers edible items from baked goods to gourmet finger foods
ranging from $3 to $8.
Still, it is the art of the Rose Cafe that distinguishes this
cafe from any other coffee hangout or novelty shop. It is a public
space made available to willing, passionate artists.
"Art speaks to us emotionally and intellectually and in many
different way," Black says. "And when you’re bringing your own
everyday emotions to it, like you do in a public space, you really
have a different experience."
ART: The latest of the Rose Cafe’s art exhibits is on display
through January at 220 Rose Ave., Venice. For more information call
(310) 399-0711.
AELIA KHAN
Peter Lomnies (left) and Toni Montgomery enjoy a meal at the
Rose Cafe.