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Crazy Gang Presents...
Ethan Ayer, Brad Eberhard, Michael Erickson, Katie Ryan , Aaron Turner
In the North Gallery: Artist In Residence Hannah Furmage (AUS)
Opening: Saturday, June 2nd, 7 - 10
Exhibition Runs: June 2- June 30, 2007

Ethan Ayer

Brad Eberhard

Michael Erickson

Katie Ryan

Aaron Turner

Crazy Gang Presents...
The premise of this exhibition was asking what do young, recently (2003/4) graduated artists, who have established themselves as part of the cultural landscape here in LA and who have ongoing careers, think is worth looking at within the scene they were so recently a part of, that of artists who have very recently or are waiting to graduate themselves or have yet to garner real attention. What kind of developments in new art are they intrigued by and what can this tell us about new trends as well as where the focus has shifted to, over the gap of a just a few years? Interviewers and journalists often cite the best question to ask an interviewee is, “Who should I interview next”
The selected artists are;

Ethan Ayer
Brad Eberhard
Michael Erickson
Katie Ryan
Aaron Turner

The selecting artists; Amir Fallah, Chris Grant, Nathan Mabry, Antonio Puleo and Rob Thom all met and became friends while on the MFA program at UCLA. Their close ties and irreverent attitude marked them out and humorously earmarked them with the nickname The Crazy Gang within my circle. This tag was taken from an old time comedy group from Britain in the 1940’s – a group of comedians, all independently successful but who liked to appear together – like a funnier Rat Pack.

In the North Gallery: Artist In Residence Hannah Furmage (AUS)
Everything Is Under Control
Click here to view Hannah Furmage's AIR page

Everything is Under Control

Everything is Under Control is a performance installation by Australian artist Hannah Furmage. The performance element of the work involves approximately ten men trained in urban combat in a staged tactical assault in the gallery at Raid Projects on the opening night. The men are armed and masked. Surveillance footage of the ‘operation’ will provide the material for the installation.

Generally speaking, Americans are a frightened bunch. Biting their nails over unattended luggage, razor blades in apples, black people, leaking silicone breasts. Imagined enemies lurk around every corner. Everything is Under Control exploits this carefully crafted atmosphere of fear by flirting with terror and hysteria. The work moves beyond being just sheer spectacle as it compels an active interaction with the audience.

The boogie man in Everything is Under Control springs from our darkest fears and into life. The masked men traverse the blurred territory between institutional power and outlaws/bandits. Are they government agents or terrorists? Is there any real difference? In the current climate of terror have the two become indistinguishable?

The use of surveillance technology in the video installation examines how ‘national security’ is used to construct and control the fears of Americans through a state of being constantly alert. However with all the safety that surveillance and security promises, it never really arrives. The video installation reiterates a reminder for the publics need for stoic vigilance punctuated by a moment of confusion and paranoia.

The title Everything is Under Control suggests there is nothing to panic about. The paranoia is unwarranted. However far from offering comfort, the statement is rather terrifying because no matter what you do it is controlled and usually by someone else.

Opening Exhibition: Crazy Gang Presents...
In the North Gallery: Artist In Residence Hannah Furmage (AUS)
Opening: Saturday, June 2nd , 7 - 10
Exhibition Runs: June 2 - June 30, 2007

Gallery hours: Friday and Saturday, 12-5pm
or by appointment.
Visit our website at www.raidprojects.com
click on pictures to view larger images of the work.
323-441-9593