300 gather for summer art exhibit opening in LA art walk

Published: Thursday August 26, 2010

A work by Herve Onossian from "Origine" series. www.onossian.com

Los Angeles - Attorneys Mark J. Geragos and Brian S. Kabateck joined efforts with Arpa Foundation for Film, Music, and Art (AFFMA) to launch the art exhibit, featuring the photography of Don Q. Hannah and sculptures of Hervé Onossian that are on view through September 1.

Attended by over 300 guests, the August 12 event was held at the renowned Fine Arts Building in Downtown Los Angeles during the popular monthly Art Walk.

The featured artists had the opportunity to showcase their complimentary pieces in a historic venue that promotes fine art, thanks to the patronage of Mark Geragos and Brian Kabateck who host monthly art events as a service to the Los Angeles community.

In 2008, Geragos and Kabateck purchased the Fine Arts Building, one of the most venerated structures in Downtown Los Angeles, a richly embellished Jazz Age office tower honoring the arts. The building contains an impressive installation of the vintage tiles, which define the church-like, glowing interior of its lobby where the AFFMA exhibit was staged.

AFFMA Art Curator Tamar Sinanian staged Onossian's sculptures around the lobby's central fountain; and Hannah's photographs in dramatically lit installations along the perimeter of the lobby's cathedral walls. With art pieces all around, guests mingled as the cocktail buffet, provided by Burger Continental of Pasadena, was served and music played filling the lobby with compelling atmosphere.

The event was attended by an eclectic mix of Downtown inhabitants, art connoisseurs, and AFFMA patrons such as actor Ken Davitian and his wife; actors Marco and Heather Khan, and Mr. Mark Geragos. Mr. Hayk Avetisyan, a representative from the Los Angeles office of the Consulate General of the Republic of Armenian was in attendance with his wife. AFFMA Boardmembers Sonia Keshishian, Maral Kazazian, and Zaven Khachaturian were also present.

Sinanian said of the exhibit, "I was so very pleased to work with such artists as Don and Hervé. There are layers of energy and naturalism in the subject matter of their works and the guests responded with delight and interest to the exhibit."

The show will continue during the month of August and will be in display until September 1.

Photographer Don Q. Hannah is a Los Angeles-based filmmaker, musician and photographer. Hannah's photography has appeared in Los Angeles trades and such international publications as Yerevan Magazine. The AFFMA show is his first major photography exhibit. Hannah's photography focuses simply on "moments that inspire..." The exhibit features the many faces that Hannah has encountered in the environments they inhabit. "As I see it..." sets the theme for Hannah's debut. To view a sample of his photography, visit www.donhannah.com.

Sculptor Hervé Onossian was born in Paris, France. At age 32, after a successful career as a hair stylist, he moved to Los Angeles and discovered his passion for sculpting. Onossian's style highlights the transformation of emotion into shape, giving life to what's asleep in his subjects. Onossian says of his work: "It's a symbiotic experience, a manifestation with an immense sense of joy and love." To view Onossian's work, visit www.onossian.com .

The Fine Arts Building

The Fine Arts Building is a wonderfully detailed Romanesque Revival structure, unique in Los Angeles. Designed by Walker and Eisen in 1927, the twelve-story building features a two-story Spanish Renaissance "courtyard" lobby with a galleried mezzanine. The Fine Arts Building was originally intended to provide working areas for artisans, who could also display their wares in the bronze and glass showcased in the lobby.

The Fine Arts Building was restored and renovated in 1983 by developer Ratkovich and Bowers, and architect Brenda Levin. It was purchased by Mark Geragos and Brian Kabateck in 2008.

AFFMA

Arpa Foundation for Film, Music and Art (AFFMA), a non-profit organization, was founded in 1995 for the purpose of enhancing the Los Angeles community's environment and supporting artists who bridge the cultural divide. AFFMA annually stages concerts, art exhibits, networking events, film benefits and its signature event, Arpa International Film Festival which will be held from September 21 to 26 in Hollywood, CA.

The festival's Opening Night will be held under the auspices of the Consulate General of the Republic of Armenia, celebrating Armenian Independence Day.

For more information or sponsorship and advertising opportunities, please visit www.affma.org or call 323-663-1882. To send AFFMA a tax-deductible donation, please mail donations to AFFMA - 2919 Maxwell St., Los Angeles, CA 90027. All donations go towards the production of AFFMA's annual film festival.