At the Felix Art Fair, the juxtaposition of celebration and grief became palpable as artists and attendees navigated the atmosphere filled with uncertainty and sorrow from recent wildfires. Many were affected by personal losses, conversing quietly about the fires while trying to engage in the fair's expected optimism. Artwork at the event served not only to showcase creativity but to memorialize those lost, including pieces that reflected deeper struggles. The underlying emotional currents were juxtaposed with the usual commerce of art fairs, compelling attendees to grapple with their reality amidst the painted festivities.
At Nina Johnson's room at Felix, artist Tara Walters hung a painting that served as a memorial to Jack Bendes, a Malibu surfer who lost his life six months ago, but its wash of blue and ocean water almost served as a second memorial for the home Walters lost in the Palisades Fire. This intertwining of personal loss within the art displayed emphasized the complex emotional layers and context of artists during this tumultuous time.
Reeling also from the political blitzkrieg following the election, my fellow Angelenos would start to say 'How are you?' out of habit, but then quickly correct themselves with a 'Never mind.' This gesture revealed a shared understanding of the deeper issues plaguing the community, overshadowing the superficial cheer expected at an art fair.
The sunsets were bathed in ash and the air was thick with uncertainty. It felt almost hypocritical to engage in the typical art fair banter of commerce and connections, while many were grappling with the surreal aftermath of disaster right at home.
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