Barrio Logan is under attack by Giant squids, metal monsters, U.F.O.s, and other fantastic creatures and contraptions! On April 25th Device Gallery celebrated their move into the Glasshaus building at 1815-B Main Street in Barrio Logan. The exhibit’s name, It Moved, not only describes the physical move of the gallery from its original location in La Jolla, but also the overwhelming collection of kinetic sculptures on display.
Nemo Gould, Greg Brotherton ,also known as Brotron, Benjamin Cowden, Tom Haney, and Ruben Margolin are the featured artists of It Moved. There were also a wide variety of painters, artisans, photographers and other sculptors exhibiting their handy work. The first object one confronts upon entering Device is Gould’s “Giant Squid”. The viewer is invited to push the bright red, cartoon-like activation button, which sends the sculpture into a hypnotic swimming motion. Painter Michael James Armstrong displayed his Art Deco inspired Krylon paintings aside his girlfriend’s collection of beautiful dresses, skirts, blouses and other ephemeral pieces.
Greg Brotherton showed his large-scale sculptures, a few of his breathtaking kinetic sculptures, and his collection of ray-guns fabricated from found objects. Vacuum cleaners, household kitchenware, and other materials are among a few of Brotron’s favorites. Many of the artists featured in It Moved prefer to work in the found-material medium. For example, Gould’s “Giant Squid” is made of street light covers, candlestick holders, lawn sprinklers, and even a vanity mirror.
Matt Devine dedicated his space to industrial-inspired metal sculpture. There is a definite wow factor when entering his space. It was reminiscent of an industrial metalworking shop, but through the magic of uplighting using mechanics lights, it was transformed into a transfixing experience.
Director Amy Brotherton, along with husband Greg, and partner Matt Devine, turned a “just nasty, filthy, scary, old warehouse” into a double level high-end art gallery. Walking up the stairs to the gallery’s second level, something peculiar and wonderful catches the eye: Ruben Margolin’s “Round Wave”. It may look like an awkward wooden chandelier at first glance, but is actually one of the most intriguing pieces in the show. A mechanized construction, activated by a button, moves a series of concentric circles up and down, mimicking a sound wave.
The 7,300 square foot former warehouse has enough space to accommodate 9 artist studios. Device Gallery’s new warehouse setup, complete with a large loading dock, is perfect to accommodate the large-scale sculptures and other pieces they are used to moving around. Huge pieces are constantly being brought in and out of the space, as their clientele spans worldwide and their new location is perfect to store these monsters.
With such a large gallery and almost a dozen artist spaces, a show at Device may teeter on the edge of incongruity. To bring continuity to the gallery, Device separates the artists into separate rooms. The diversity of artists on exhibit at Device connects the gallery to the local arts community.
Barrio Logan is quickly transforming into a very rich and diverse arts and culture community. The Harbor Mural project is only a block away from Device, there is also a complex of live/work lofts being built on the corner of Main and Ceasar Chavez. Device found the right space at the right time to breathe some fresh air into the San Diego art scene.
When asked about what San Diego lacked in its arts scene, and what Device Gallery can do to revive an interest in local art, Amy Brotherton believes if you build it, they will come. “Our gallery would be unique in any area of the United States, and even in some other parts of the world. San Diego just happens to be where Greg and I went to school and we wanted to move back to the area we love. We’re just really happy that San Diego has taken such an interest in what we love to do.”
Device Gallery plans to hold another event in July, featuring artists Stephane Halleux, Jed Turner, and Andrew Smith. It Moved is available to be seen at Device Gallery through June 20th.
Heather Weatherly (Chief Editor)
