NoHo>LA
May 9, 2002 vol. 4 no. 17
Art
Cannibal Flower
by J.C. Peters

The L.A. art scene is blessed to have a creative group such as Cannibal Flower art group. Their monthly art shows are part treasure hunt, part circus, with a dash of porn, a dollop of the rave scene all blended together with the feel of a neighborhood block party. They have this “craziness” at different locations around the city. I have been to their shows at an old dance hall, the basement of a nunnery and a bank. This changing scenery, the multitude of art, and the atmosphere that the group pulls off is a treat that you can’t find anywhere but at Cannibal Flower.
Stepping in to this month’s selection of artistic delights, I was met by the arrow pointing me in to doors marked men, women, and others. There is art hanging on every empty space. They generally show about 60 artists every month. Moving thought the space I was entranced by the piece by Kevin Wasner, a wicked take on Alice in Wonderland. All you see is a colorful evil looking caterpillar with his hookah. Alice’s feet are lying in the grass looking as if she may have just passed out from smoking what ever was in the hookah. The Cheshire cat is napping with just one eye open.
Michele Waterman’s creative piece shows a touching scene of a little boy devil giving a girl his heart. Looking closer, the whole thing is made out of little square pieces of paper stuck together. This gives the piece an unusual texture and feel. Flames surround the not so innocent scene
The piece “sha sha-a- jelly” by Martini Art made an impression on me. The illustrative style was so bright and colorful. This piece made me laugh and have to look at it again and again. The opposition of the two women, one fat and one painfully thin, one with a bird for a pet the other holding a cat up in the air. This reminded me of two old L.A party girls sitting at home with only their animals to love them now.
On the darker side of the art spectrum is Nathan Cartwright’s piece named “Adam, Eve and the Restitution of Names.” This three dimensional piece reminds me of Rodin’s “Gates of Hell” layer upon layer of tormented souls all together. This dream like piece takes you deeper into it at the center a door that opens to reveal an apple with a brain on the inside.
These are only a few of the goodies that you will see at the Cannibal Flower shows.