Kathie Olivas, Chet Zar, Naoto Hattori at Copro Nason - reception this Saturday 8/19 August 19, 2006

Kathie Olivas - Parasitic Haze: The Burden of Consciousness
Chet Zar - Addicted to the Good News
Naoto Hattori - Another World Living

AUGUST 19, 2006 – SEPTEMBER 9, 2006

opening reception:
SATURDAY AUGUST 19, 2006
8:00pm to 11:30pm

Copro Nason Gallery
2525 Michigan Avenue, T-5
Santa Monica CA 904040
http://copronason.com

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Kathie Olivas - Parasitic Haze: The Burden of Consciousness
Sugary treats, dichotomous dreamlands, and the cute and corrupted all find their way into the brief calm before the rebellion featured in Kathie Olivas’s art exhibition, Parasitic Haze: The Burden of Consciousness. This series of paintings and sculptures focuses on imperfect characters that parallel a vision of post-apocalyptic conformity, uniquely documenting their own stories in a mysterious brave new world.

The cast is inspired by early American portraiture that often depicted children as small adults in an idealized new land. They evoke a sense of temporality; childhood serves as a starting ground, a place where things begin. Children also personify "cuteness" as more of a representation of projected innocence. The comfort in this ideology comes into question when these sweet creatures have other ideas such as how to protect themselves or how would they be able to adapt if they chose to be independent. Once isolated in a war torn environment, they are forced to develop their own defense mechanisms. Parasitic Haze focuses on the ambiguity and fleeting moments surrounding the uprising. The unapologetic anti-heroes guide us through the mysterious lands questionably untouched by human destruction. A minimalist haze fogs what could be the illusion of this dreamland or what could possibly be the reality of destruction and decay after complete and utter annihilation. Their mutated limbs, empowered sidekicks, or improvised armor present a satirical look at how fear affects our sense of reality.

Kathie Olivas is a multi-media artist who resides in Tampa, FL and Albuquerque, NM. She received her bachelor's degree in visual arts from the University of South Florida and is currently working on a book of her work and a line of limited edition vinyl toys.

Chet Zar - Addicted to the Good News
This new body of work consists of several paintings illustrating the "Good news" as Chet sees it. In the Bible the Gospels are "The Good News" which were basically stories that people told about the crucification, resurrection and what led up to it. Some stories were written over 100 years later and edited down a few hundred years after that so the "Good news" is a little cloudy. Yesterday's "Good News" has become today's Bad News. Religious wars, bigotry and hatred have become commonplace and acceptable to an American public too afraid to consider that Christianity has been hijacked by the Religious Right in a hostile takeover.
Zar's interest in the darker side of art began in the earliest stages of his life. Volatile family life fostered within him a deep connection to horror movies. He could relate to the feelings of fear, anxiety and isolation that they conveyed. These are the themes that had permeated most of his childhood drawings and paintings and are reflected in his work to this day. Combined interest in horror films and art eventually culminated in a career as a special effects make up artist, designer and sculptor for the motion picture industry. Chet has designed and created creatures and make up effects for such films as, "The Ring", "Hellboy", "Planet of the Apes" and the critically acclaimed music videos for the art metal band, "Tool". Painting is something that comes from the heart and brain and is very personal for Chet. These new paintings share his personal nightmares and concerns of life in the modern age and transform them into something beautiful, dark and strangely addictive.

Naoto Hattori: Another World Living

This series of new paintings are visions about creatures from another world. "My vision is like a dream, whether it's a sweet dream, a nightmare, or just a trippy dream. I try to see what's really going on in my mind, and that's a practice to increase my awareness in stream of-consciousness creativity. I try not to label or think about what is supposed to be, just take it in as it is and paint whatever I see in my mind with no compromise. That way, I create my own vision."

Naoto Hattori was born in Yokohama Japan, studied Graphic Design in Tokyo before moving to New York to study in the School of Visual Arts. In the year 2000 he received a BFA in illustration from the School of Visual Arts. He has received Awards from the Society of Illustrators and The New York Directors Club, also he has won numerous award from many art competitions and has been published in many art magazines.

Official Website: http://copronason.com