Openings: Todd Schorr – “Designed for Extinction” @ Otis College of Art & Design

On Saturday night, the greater Los Angeles area was very fortunate to host another show from Todd Schorr (featured) after his solo last year at Merry Karnowsky. After the legendary artist took a five year hiatus from exhibiting in the area, here is a second show, all in the span of one year.

The  exhibition at the Otis College of Art and Design is a ten-year retrospective looking back at Todd’s illustrious career since his move to Los Angeles, and as such, featured many paintings, drawings, sculptures, and studies from the man many young artists today cite as an influence and inspiration for their work. It’s not hard to see why as you walk through the spacious gallery admiring the complex, detailed, and monumental works, all gathered in one location (see our coverage of his 30-year retrospective in San Jose last year).

Although billed as a retrospective, Todd brought two new paintings with him – “Atomic Holiday” (seen above) and “Fossil Fools” (seen after the jump), both turning a cynical eye on the destructive nature of man. In fact, the show title, “Designed for Extinction”, references exactly that, and is captured perfectly with a new image used on a limited edition t-shirt from Hurley available at the opening. Make sure you head out to check out this show at the Ben Maltz Gallery on campus before it closes in September and also plan to attend some of the associated events.

All the opening pics after the jump…

( from left to right ) Mark Parker, Sandy Bodecker, Todd Schorr, Jason Maloney, Roger Wyett ( Hurley CEO ), and surf legend Bob Hurley

Todd Schorr with Nike CEO Mark Parker

Todd Schorr with Sandy Bodecker

Todd Schorr with Head of Nike Global Design Sandy Bodecker, and Mark Parker

Todd Schorr with Director of Galleries and Exhibitions at Otis Ben Maltz Gallery, Meg Linton

Todd Schorr with Last Gasp publisher Ron Turner

Atomic Vacation (detail 1)

Atomic Vacation (detail 2)

Fossil Fools

Fossil Fuels (detail)

Schorr next to the famous Ape Worship painting

Photos by Marcus Lo and courtesy of the artist.
Discuss this show here. Discuss Todd Schorr here.