Other sizes available:  32″ x 44″

Please contact us for custom sizes.

Artist Statement about the Series “Prada Marfa”
When I first went to the small town of Marfa, Texas and shot some images of the illusive Prada Store on the side of the highway, I knew I had to return. Dreaming up concepts to photograph at the store for months, this series of work is nothing more than glimpses of my imagination and wit.  Marfa is famous for many reasons but notably for its ‘New York chic’ meets ‘cowboy cool’ art scene that has been written up all over the world.  Back in 2005 two artists named Elmgreen and Dragset came to Marfa to find the perfect location for their hyper-commercialism vision of a free-standing Prada store in the middle of nowhere. The store was built from the ground up using minimal materials and a very exclusive 2005 line of Prada purses and shoes were placed in the installation. The door was sealed after the store was completed- never to be reopened.  Though the purpose of the store can be argued, I chose to believe that it is an attempt to challenge the viewer to think outside the box and should insight all of us to continue to question what exactly art is all about.

Other sizes available:  32″ x 44″

Please contact us for custom sizes.

Artist Statement about the Series “Prada Marfa”
When I first went to the small town of Marfa, Texas and shot some images of the illusive Prada Store on the side of the highway, I knew I had to return. Dreaming up concepts to photograph at the store for months, this series of work is nothing more than glimpses of my imagination and wit.  Marfa is famous for many reasons but notably for its ‘New York chic’ meets ‘cowboy cool’ art scene that has been written up all over the world.  Back in 2005 two artists named Elmgreen and Dragset came to Marfa to find the perfect location for their hyper-commercialism vision of a free-standing Prada store in the middle of nowhere. The store was built from the ground up using minimal materials and a very exclusive 2005 line of Prada purses and shoes were placed in the installation. The door was sealed after the store was completed- never to be reopened.  Though the purpose of the store can be argued, I chose to believe that it is an attempt to challenge the viewer to think outside the box and should insight all of us to continue to question what exactly art is all about.

Other sizes available:  32″ x 44″

Please contact us for custom sizes.

Artist Statement about the Series “Prada Marfa”
When I first went to the small town of Marfa, Texas and shot some images of the illusive Prada Store on the side of the highway, I knew I had to return. Dreaming up concepts to photograph at the store for months, this series of work is nothing more than glimpses of my imagination and wit.  Marfa is famous for many reasons but notably for its ‘New York chic’ meets ‘cowboy cool’ art scene that has been written up all over the world.  Back in 2005 two artists named Elmgreen and Dragset came to Marfa to find the perfect location for their hyper-commercialism vision of a free-standing Prada store in the middle of nowhere. The store was built from the ground up using minimal materials and a very exclusive 2005 line of Prada purses and shoes were placed in the installation. The door was sealed after the store was completed- never to be reopened.  Though the purpose of the store can be argued, I chose to believe that it is an attempt to challenge the viewer to think outside the box and should insight all of us to continue to question what exactly art is all about.

Other sizes available:  32″ x 44″

Please contact us for custom sizes.

Artist Statement about the Series “Prada Marfa”
When I first went to the small town of Marfa, Texas and shot some images of the illusive Prada Store on the side of the highway, I knew I had to return. Dreaming up concepts to photograph at the store for months, this series of work is nothing more than glimpses of my imagination and wit.  Marfa is famous for many reasons but notably for its ‘New York chic’ meets ‘cowboy cool’ art scene that has been written up all over the world.  Back in 2005 two artists named Elmgreen and Dragset came to Marfa to find the perfect location for their hyper-commercialism vision of a free-standing Prada store in the middle of nowhere. The store was built from the ground up using minimal materials and a very exclusive 2005 line of Prada purses and shoes were placed in the installation. The door was sealed after the store was completed- never to be reopened.  Though the purpose of the store can be argued, I chose to believe that it is an attempt to challenge the viewer to think outside the box and should insight all of us to continue to question what exactly art is all about.

Other sizes available:  32″ x 44″

Please contact us for custom sizes.

Artist Statement about the Series “Prada Marfa”
When I first went to the small town of Marfa, Texas and shot some images of the illusive Prada Store on the side of the highway, I knew I had to return. Dreaming up concepts to photograph at the store for months, this series of work is nothing more than glimpses of my imagination and wit.  Marfa is famous for many reasons but notably for its ‘New York chic’ meets ‘cowboy cool’ art scene that has been written up all over the world.  Back in 2005 two artists named Elmgreen and Dragset came to Marfa to find the perfect location for their hyper-commercialism vision of a free-standing Prada store in the middle of nowhere. The store was built from the ground up using minimal materials and a very exclusive 2005 line of Prada purses and shoes were placed in the installation. The door was sealed after the store was completed- never to be reopened.  Though the purpose of the store can be argued, I chose to believe that it is an attempt to challenge the viewer to think outside the box and should insight all of us to continue to question what exactly art is all about.

Other sizes available:  32″ x 44″

Please contact us for custom sizes.

Artist Statement about the Series “Prada Marfa”
When I first went to the small town of Marfa, Texas and shot some images of the illusive Prada Store on the side of the highway, I knew I had to return. Dreaming up concepts to photograph at the store for months, this series of work is nothing more than glimpses of my imagination and wit.  Marfa is famous for many reasons but notably for its ‘New York chic’ meets ‘cowboy cool’ art scene that has been written up all over the world.  Back in 2005 two artists named Elmgreen and Dragset came to Marfa to find the perfect location for their hyper-commercialism vision of a free-standing Prada store in the middle of nowhere. The store was built from the ground up using minimal materials and a very exclusive 2005 line of Prada purses and shoes were placed in the installation. The door was sealed after the store was completed- never to be reopened.  Though the purpose of the store can be argued, I chose to believe that it is an attempt to challenge the viewer to think outside the box and should insight all of us to continue to question what exactly art is all about.

Other sizes available:  32″ x 44″

Please contact us for custom sizes.

Artist Statement about the Series “Prada Marfa”
When I first went to the small town of Marfa, Texas and shot some images of the illusive Prada Store on the side of the highway, I knew I had to return. Dreaming up concepts to photograph at the store for months, this series of work is nothing more than glimpses of my imagination and wit.  Marfa is famous for many reasons but notably for its ‘New York chic’ meets ‘cowboy cool’ art scene that has been written up all over the world.  Back in 2005 two artists named Elmgreen and Dragset came to Marfa to find the perfect location for their hyper-commercialism vision of a free-standing Prada store in the middle of nowhere. The store was built from the ground up using minimal materials and a very exclusive 2005 line of Prada purses and shoes were placed in the installation. The door was sealed after the store was completed- never to be reopened.  Though the purpose of the store can be argued, I chose to believe that it is an attempt to challenge the viewer to think outside the box and should insight all of us to continue to question what exactly art is all about.

ART AUCTION FUNDRAISER FOR MERCY CORPS

• Saturday, April 30, 2011,  5 – 8 pm
• Left Coast Galleries,  12324 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City, CA 91064

Who Is Mercy Corps?

Mercy Corps is working in cooperation with their partner agency, Peace Winds, to respond to the massive earthquake that struck the northeast coast of Japan on March 11, killing thousands of people. The 9.0 magnitude quake was the strongest to hit Japan in at least 100 years and the fourth-largest worldwide since 1900. It triggered a 30-foot tsunami that swept away everything in its path – houses, ships, cars, buildings – and damaged all six reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station.

• Over the last 5 years, Mercy Corps has used 88% of their resources for programs that help people in need
• Mercy Corps is a 501(c)3 charity. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by U.S. law

More Event Details:

• Visit our website for more information:  www.TheArtSpotter.com
• 100% of our proceeds will benefit Mercy Corps
• Pay by check, cash, or online with a credit card: www.mercycorps.org/fundraising/theartspotter
• Our goal is to raise at least $30,000 at this event.  Please help us reach that goal with your support.  Thank you.

Artists and Vendors already supporting the event:

Fumiko Amano
Marion Wesson
Olivier Pojzman
Helen Berger
Hannah Freed
Emma O’Rourke
Cassandra Tondro
Ruth Ellingson
Craig Thompson
Stephen Schubert
Elana Kundell
Todd Kass
Andy Anh Ha
Anja Van Herle
Kio Griffith
Dos Gallos
Aisyah Ang
Stephen Rowe
Marc Compton
Kuzana Ogg
Filoppo Ioco
Claire Elan
Eric Boyer
Bobbi Moline Kramer
Tony Griffith
Erin Lee Gafill
Daryl Gortner
Brooke Harker
Kirsten Gabbe
Jim Lembeck
Gina Stepaniuk
Richard Chow
Mara Zaslove
Gray Malin
Susan Lasch Krevitt

Photo credits: 1. Joy Portella, courtesy Mercy Corps ;  2. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon, courtesy Trust.org;   3.Reuters/Carlos Barria, courtesy Trust.org

Mercy Corps helps people turn the crises they confront into the opportunities they deserve. Driven by local needs, our programs provide communities in the world’s toughest places with the tools and support they need to transform their own lives. Our worldwide team in 36 countries is improving the lives of 19 million people.

Antidotes and Stories surrounding a few of Hannah Freed’s Images

Written by: Hannah Freed

“Vendor Series, Culver City”

I began shooting this series as a way of honoring the hard working Latino men in my community and the products they sell. From produce, to flowers, from homemade tamales, to hot corn on the cob, with Parmesan cheese, they constantly greet me with a smile and demonstrate their great commitment to their jobs and their unwavering work ethic. I respect them. I show this deep-rooted respect by photographing powerful portraits of them with their carts and trucks. I love my neighborhood, and it is the vendors, which give it much of its character.

“Mi Hermano, Gigante, Nicaragua”

My father and I were relaxing on Iguana Beach in Nicaragua one summer when we decided to walk to the nearest village to retrieve fresh fish to cook that evening. We made our way along the coast for a couple of miles until we reached Gigante. Gigante is a small fishing village filled with warm people, roaming livestock, and beautiful colorful little homes. We purchased our fish from a local fisherman and began walking home when a young girl caught my eye. Behind her was her brother, and when I raised my camera to take the shot she reached out and felt for her brother’s hand. Her stare turned into a protective glare and I felt the power of the love she had for him. She was keeping him safe from me. The look in her eyes will always remind me of my own desire to protect the ones I hold most dear in this world.

“The Joint”

I was not prepared for the impact that seeing the 9^th Ward in New Orleans would have on me. I sat in complete silence as we drove up and down the streets of a parish in devastation. Yet, I was not surprised to see that people had not left. The citizens of New Orleans are unlike any people I have ever met in my lifetime and their culture and devotion to this place cannot be broken. They are willing to live amongst the ruins and even brave the next storm, as long as they get to stay here and live where their souls can breath and their hearts can beat with ease. As, we drove out of the 9^th Ward, I noticed a local BBQ spot. It poetically represented the entire city for me; colorful, eccentric, soulful, electric, rusted from repeated water damage, but still standing with great presence and stories to tell.

“Kentucky Rain”

Growing up with family in Los Angles and New York, I never had the pleasure of traveling through the vast and beautiful “middle” of our country. My husband, my dog, and myself piled into the car and began a grand adventure across the United States. Just before we reached his parents home in Indiana we stopped at a gas station in Kentucky. While my husband refueled I found myself standing out by the vast rows of dried cornfields neighboring the Chevron.  Those things, which are unfamiliar to us, always fascinate us the most and I found myself just standing there, listening to the wind whistle and weave its way through the mass stalks and leaves. As I looked up, I saw storm clouds moving in and felt myself feeling comfort and relief that these arid crops would soon experience the salvation of much needed rain drops.