Juxtapoz has a kinship with Otis College of Art and Design. Kerry James Marshall, Camille Rose Garcia and Richard Pettibone are just a few of the alumni who have graced our cover, so we’re happy to shout out the venerable institution by the beach, LA’s first professional art school. Ever nimble and at the vanguard, Otis is holding a celebration this coming Friday, May 8th, with an invitation to view online its 38th annual exhibition of work by graduating students. You can’t come to them, so they are coming to you with a variety of disciplines, including Fine Arts, Toy Design and Digital media among the 10 academic departments. Be sure to “walk through” the Architecture/Landscape/Interiors’ Installation, completed just before campus closure.
The key to trying times is to try harder. This is a great opportunity to salute the students, who have supplemented their work in their own words, a fitting accompaniment for a school founded in 1918 by the publisher of the Los Angeles Times. Consider the statement by participants Miguel Hernandez, “Now we are being forced to stay home. We have things we think about due to our systematic and structural desire. Let go of what is stressing you out and enjoy this time to yourself. Let go of the world that we desire and spend time in a new lane. It’s time to make it your own.” Enjoy the show.
Ahead of the launch of the Annual Exhibition site there was an online launch of eight thesis shows from graduating MFA Fine Arts students on May 1. These exhibitions are currently available to view at the following link: https://www.otis.edu/mfa-fine-arts-thesis-shows/2020
