'Seen & Scene' exhibit to open at Descanso Gardens May 11

"Seen & Scene: The Imagined Landscape" comes to the new Sturt Haaga Gallery at Descanso Gardens in May. Under the curatorial coordination of noted artist, writer, teacher and L.A. art-world figure John David O'Brien, the exhibition brings together seven contemporary artists all living and working in California. The show presents inspiring and distinctive viewpoints, all linked by the common theme of landscape as imagined, seen and interpreted through the imagination of the artist.



The exhibition opens May 11 in conjunction with National Public Gardens Day. It showcases media and art in several forms: painting, photographs, sculpture, dimensional and interactive. Executive Director David R. Brown noted, "In this show we will encounter the vivid ideas, restless imaginations and provocative works of art made by several contemporary artists who are looking beyond scenery and into the deeper meaning of the term 'landscape.'"



Artists included in "Seen & Scene: The Imagined Landscape" are Jacci Den Hartog (currently represented by Rosamund Felsen Gallery), Brian Forrest (Craig Krull Gallery), Mineko Grimmer (Koplin del Rio Gallery), Sant Khalsa (Andi Campognone Projects and Andrew Smith Gallery), Kaoru Mansour (Ruth Bachofner Gallery), Alison Saar (L.A. Louver Gallery) and Andre Yi (Carl Berg Projects).



The selection criteria of the works included in this show speak to the overall identity and purpose of the Sturt Haaga Gallery. Each "Seen & Scene: The Imagined Landscape" artist creates works of art inspired by nature; represents high levels of artistic finish; and are contemporaries working in a variety of media whose work is diverse but thematically related.



"Seen & Scene: The Imagined Landscape" opens to the public on Friday, May 11, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended hours that evening from 5 to 7 p.m. Cocktails and light fare will be available for purchase. The exhibition runs through Aug. 3, 2012. The Sturt Haaga Gallery is located at Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, 91011.




About Descanso Gardens:

Established as a public garden in 1953, Descanso Gardens is located at 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, near the interchange of the 2 and 210 freeways. The Gardens are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, members welcome at 8 a.m. Closed Christmas Day. Admission is free for members and children 4 and younger. $8 for adults; $6 for seniors and students; $3 for children 5 to 12. Parking is free. Fees for classes and programs include Gardens admission. For information, call (818) 949-4200 or visit www.descansogardens.org. Descanso Gardens is accredited by the American Association of Museums.