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Kimberly and Albert Brooks make the scene at Art LA.

IT’S NOT (JUST) UNUSUAL

If you’re searching for the meaning of life, you just might find it at the creative, contemporary extravaganza called “Art LA.” From deconstructed luggage to a one-eyed plastic cat, the show is loaded with insight. But you need to turn to the artists and dealers to get the low down.

Hundreds of art lovers flocked to the Barker Hangar for the opening night gala to benefit MOCA. The show featured dozens of local galleries and quite a few imports. At New Zealand’s Starkwhite, it was a tribute to the nerds. The space was filled with huge portraits of glorious geeks. But, like a lot of things here, it goes deeper.

“It’s very much a comment on our Facebook society,” the gallery’s Dominic Feuchs said. “It’s a true reflection of how we are today.”

Dominic was quick to point out his favorite of the group: a large portrait of an older, blond-haired gent sporting a loud, lemon yellow-colored jacket, standard issue nametag, oversized wire-rimmed specs and a palm tree tie.

“If you look closely, the name is Ron Clearwater,” Dominic explained. “That’s a reference to Scientology. The jacket makes him look like a Realtor or salesman, and the tie could represent paradise.”

At Art LA, it’s good to have an interpreter.

Of course, there are all kinds of other intriguing sights. At the LA Louver Gallery, the entire “History of the World” was done up in porcelain. The walls were filled with decorative white and blue plates. The ceramics seemed like they could belong in any English country manor, but look closer and you won’t find any primrose motifs.

“This portion of the work is focused completely on contraband,” the gallery’s Elizabeth East said, while showing off magic mushrooms, marijuana, handguns, pills and provocative poses all incorporated into the individual pieces.

At Art LA, things aren’t always what they seem.

I was ready for something profound when I came across Marnie Weber’s curious, little red wagon filled with plastic clown heads. In this case, what you see is what you get.

“There’s no real meaning,” Taylor Rowley said. “It’s just her own fantasy world.”

The artists use very imaginable material: rope, chalkboards, bronze, old speakers, new electronics, beeswax, glass, cellophane, coat hangers, cardboard, clarinets, neon, paperback books, dirty laundry, boxer shots and even airplane landing gear. One installation had plastic bags fashioned into garments hanging on a clothesline. Another showcased five neatly arranged diesel cans in a cheery shade of lemon yellow.

Perhaps the most fascinating piece on display was just a small piece of paper. It was a framed Western Union telegram from the great Frieda Kahlo.

Writing from Mexico City, the artist sends an urgent message to her friend Julien Levy on East 57th street: “DARLING PLEASE SELL FOR ME ONE OF MY PAINTINGS. NEED URGENTLY 250 BUCKS. TRY WITH MADAME HELENA RUBINSTEIN OR ASK SOMEBODY TO LEND YOU THE DOUGH.”

Imagine the legendary, unibrowed artist rapping like Tony Soprano!

So whether you’re looking for an intriguing piece of artistic history, a colorful can for your crib or meaning to our twenty-first century madness, Art LA has it all.

Organizer Tim Fleming said it “sets the tone about the Los Angeles Art scene” in a way that is “progressive and extremely productive.”

It also shows that with a little creativity, you can turn just about anything into art.

Got a hot happening or cool event? Send the 411 to kimdevore@malibutimes.com