GESAMTKUNSTWERK
A German word that translates to “ an artwork produced by a synthesis of various art forms ( such as music and drama ),” Gesamtkunstwerk is a curated exhibition at the Peter Blake Gallery that explores the intersection of art , design and architecture . The result is a heightened living space enriched by a focused collection of modern and contemporary art and a world-class selection of historic modern design by artists and designers such as this collection of Jerry Rothman , Modern Ritual Vessel , 1983 , glazed ceramic , 20.5 x 13 x 8 inches , $ 5,500 ; Rick Owens , Alchemy Chair Bench , 2015 , bronze , camel hide , 29.5 x 39 x 29.5 inches ; SOLD ; Theaster Gates , Whyte Painting ( KOH0017 ), 2010 , gold leaf on porcelain construction , 23.75 x 24 x 5 inches , $ 40,000 ; Carlo Mollino , Adjustable Floor Lamp for Galleria Colombari , 1994 , parchment , brass , marble , 71 x 43 x 43 inches , $ 52,000 . Through Dec . 1 . ( peterblakegallery . com )
QUEEN MOOREA
From local Orange County filmmaker Christine Fugate , an awardwinning producer and director whose work has been screened in theaters and broadcast on channels around the world , comes “ Queen Moorea ,” a film about homecoming Queen Moorea Howson , a graduate of Laguna Beach High School who struggled to create an independent life in a world that only saw her as a young adult with disabilities . Born with Williams Syndrome , an incurable disease that causes cardiovascular issues , developmental delays and learning challenges , in high school , Howson lived a full life with the goal of making others happy . “ Queen Moorea ” follows Howson after being crowned Homecoming Queen , attending vocational school and working . Filmed over a period of six years , the film reveals how she creates a life for herself that allows her to marry her boyfriend , visit Disneyland and pursue her dream of working in a hospital . Premiering Nov . 13 at 6 p . m . under Laguna Legends at the Festival of Arts grounds . ( coastfilmfestival . eventive . org / schedule )
WAR & PEACE
After San Clemente artist David Krovblat abandoned an art project with decommissioned grenades , he noticed them sitting in his studio looking like eggs . “ An egg is a symbol of life and a grenade is the opposite ,” he said in a video made by filmmaker March Mercanti about the project . He went on to research the Fabergé egg and discovered the company made grenades at the end of World War l . He found out that , as a friend to the Tzar of Russia and a royal jeweller , Carl Fabergé was commissioned to make grenades and other metallic objects for the war . Fabergé would end up making over 6.5 million grenades in his Moscow factory . “ How ironic that this began as the creating of an egg – a symbol of life – and many years later became grenades – a symbol of death ,” Krovblat said . Soon the artist went on to make his own Fabergé-inspired grenades , a three-year project that is still ongoing and includes bone china and exploit grenades . “ A grenade is so volatile and destructive you wouldn ’ t want to hold it ,” said Krovboat . “ A Fabergé egg is so beautiful and priceless you wouldn ’ t want to hold it .” The series , noticed by a creative team that then commissioned Krovblat to create an award-winning American PSA campaign to combat opioid abuse , “ speaks not only about war but about how sometimes weapons themselves are the culprit .” ( krovblit . com / faberge-grenades )
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