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Lori Larusso

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November 8 - December 2, 2024

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Opening Night:  

Saturday, November 9,  5 to 8 pm

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From Lori Larusso:

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P-22 Pool Party is a celebration of contrasts—between the wild and the sophisticated, the solitary and the social, the enduring and the ephemeral. This exhibit reflects on the dynamic interplay between nature and human design, and takes its name from an imagined pool party hosted by P-22. 

 

P-22, the mountain lion who was documented living in Griffith Park from 2012-2022, survived crossing two major Los Angeles freeways. The nine square miles he had access to were too small for a cat of his size and he never found a mate, regardless, he survived in his suburban environment for at least a decade. His presence is remembered as a symbol of both shifting relationships between humans and animals, and a reminder of imminent environmental concerns. 

 

In recent years, various non-domesticated animals have been captured interacting with our (human) built environment via cell-phone camera or video. Social media plays a significant role in spreading these images, alongside tableaux of carefully designed and curated images, presented as effortless and carefree. 

 

A second layer in this narrative — paintings of cocktail pairs — are vibrant, meticulously rendered images of beautifully garnished drinks that serve as a symbol of socializing, celebration, and indulgence. They only slightly contrast with the solitary figure of P-22, creating a dialogue between moments of leisure and the realities of biodiversity in 2024.

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