The "Dude Show" at @losangelesmakery "That rug really tied the room together"

By Kristine Schomaker What happens when artists are given a remnant of a jute rug and told, go forth and create something inspired by the Dude himself?

You get a clever, witty, political, playful show featuring artists at their best, being clever, thinking out of the box, multidimensionally, cross environmentally, mixing diverse media, creating installations that provoke, that make you feel physically watchful, that make you smile, and that make you excited to be an artist.

Walking through this show felt like being the Dude himself - just taking it easy, letting the art wash over you like a White Russian on a Tuesday afternoon. No agenda, no pretense, just... abiding with whatever these artists threw at you.

I could have grabbed a rug or two or three... but knew I didn't have the bandwidth or the imagination at the time. (Sometimes you're just not in the right headspace, man!) But seeing what these artists came up with to honor the Dude - seeing the show come together replete with a viewing of the Big Lebowski and popcorn - was the best.

Artists created 2D paintings on the rugs, tearing them apart to create sculptures, using the thread for brand new works and adding objects like feathers, shells, crystals and even real seeds. The Dude would totally get this approach - taking something ordinary and making it extraordinary without overthinking it. "Yeah, well, that's just like, your opinion, man" could be the subtitle for half these pieces!

This particular work by Gina M was alive! A great sentiment for a beautiful representation of the Eaton Fire in Altadena where Gina lives and works. Other artists at the Makery watched the grass grow and would move the work to the window to get sunlight. How cool. What better representation of community and support - like Walter and Donny showing up for the Dude, except with actual care and zero aggression.

Artist Gina M

There's something so beautifully Lebowski about this whole premise. Take a rug (the thing that literally tied the Dude's room together) and let artists completely reimagine it. No rules except... abide. Create something that feels right to you. Don't force it. Let it happen.

And maybe that's what being an artist is really about - not trying to be the Big Lebowski of the art world, but finding your own way to abide with your materials, your ideas, your community. Sometimes the rug gets peed on (metaphorically speaking), but you keep making work anyway. Because that's what artists do, man. We abide.

Go See the show!

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Los Angeles Makery 260 S Los Angeles Street Los Angeles, CA 90012 Little Tokyo Arts Tower

Hours: Monday - Friday by appointment Saturday - Sunday 12-5

Email: thelosangelesmakery@gmail.com Website: makery.la @losangelesmakery

The Makery is a visual arts space providing exhibitions, workshops and design consulting - a shared multidisciplinary studio workshop offering services to Downtown Los Angeles and beyond.