Santa Monica is banking on art, once more, stretching its devotion to local culture by snapping up yet another piece for its city collection in an ongoing collab with Frieze Los Angeles. Per an announcement released by municipal officials, the highly anticipated Frieze art fair, scheduled to land at the Santa Monica Airport from Feb. 29 to March 3, will serve as the stage for the big reveal of the city's latest artistic asset.
Last year's partnership kick-started the tradition with "Bajio," a creation by Edgar Ramirez, and now, it seems the selection process is eyeing a gem from the "Focus" niche of the fair, featuring offerings from Southern California artists. "We are excited to welcome Frieze Los Angeles back to Santa Monica and work with the Santa Monica Arts Commission to acquire a new work to the Art Bank,” Recreation and Arts Director Jenny Rogers said, according to the city's official statement. “With the Art Bank having a legacy of supporting emerging and underrepresented Southern California artists, this partnership to acquire a work from the Frieze Los Angeles’ Focus section is in alignment with our priorities, and we hope to continue the partnership in the future.”
The Art Bank has been crowding its portfolio since 1984, thanks to Santa Monica’s Percent for Art Program, flaunting a collection that reads like a who's who of over 200 distinguished and up-and-coming regional artists. This year's theme, crafted by none other than Visual Arts Curator and Program Manager of the California African American Museum Essence Harden, will explore "Ecologies," stitching together environment, interacting systems, and a tapestry of cultures and histories through contemporary art.
Frieze's top brass in the Americas, Christine Messineo, pitched in the excitement, "We are proud to renew our partnership with the city of Santa Monica to acquire a work by Southern California-based artist for the city’s much loved Art Bank collection," as reported on the Santa Monica website. “The partnership extends Frieze’s commitment to supporting local artists, as well as aiding in the promotion and accessibility of public art ensuring that creativity thrives and enriches the cultural landscape of this dynamic city.”
With legacy names like Laura Aguilar, Lita Albuquerque, and Charles Gaines already in the mix, adding fresh artwork from the avant-garde buffet Frieze Los Angeles serves up is a keen move on Santa Monica's part. To rub shoulders with the crème de la crème of Santa Monica's public art, enthusiasts can visit the catalog online at the Public Art Archive.
