Novel idea: an East Hollywood art venture inspired by writer Gertrude Stein

A new Los Angeles gallery space conceived by Anthony James, Lauri Firstenberg and Cyrus Etemad
There-There is a new Los Angeles gallery space conceived by Anthony James, Lauri Firstenberg and Cyrus Etemad.
(Image credit: Sean Deckert​)

‘I’ve always wanted to have an art production hub, which could be used for exhibitions, communication, activism, and artists helping other artists,’ says British-born artist Anthony James of his latest venture, There-There, an art space partnership with curator Lauri Firstenberg, founder of the non-profit LAxART, and real estate investor and architectural preservationist, Cyrus Etemad.

The name of the gallery space in East Hollywood is a nod to Gertrude Stein. ‘One night at dinner,’ says Firstenberg, ‘Cheim & Read’s [partner and sales director] Adam Sheffer looked at my tattoo of Gertrude Stein’s letterhead that reads, “A Rose is a Rose is a Rose”, and I said we need a name or graphic presence like this. He then blurted out, “There is no there there”— a comment Stein once made about her hometown of Oakland, California — and we all agreed that everything has changed in the art world. This is an unstable time of transition.’

‘When Lauri came to me with the idea,’ James says, ‘it didn't take long for me to agree to be a partner, as her curational genius and generosity had always inspired me.’ Firstenberg adds, ‘There-There ‘will home in on the relationship between an artist and curator. In light of the election and post election climate, it seemed like the right time to create a space for gathering our community to take risks and open ourselves up to new ideas.’ The inaugural exhibition, ‘Absolute Zero’, was curated by Firstenberg and features new work by James.

Installation view of Absolute Zero, by Anthony James

Installation view of ‘Absolute Zero’, by Anthony James.

(Image credit: Sean Deckert​)

The aim of the gallery is to focus on the relationship between artist and curator

The aim of the gallery is to focus on the relationship between artist and curator, in the post-election climate.

(Image credit: Sean Deckert​)

The inaugural exhibition was curated by Firstenberg and features new work by James

The inaugural exhibition was curated by Firstenberg and features new work by James. 

(Image credit: Sean Deckert​)

INFORMATION
‘Absolute Zero’ is on view until 1 January 2018. For more information, visit the There-There website

ADDRESS

Merrick Building
4859 Fountain Avenue
Los Angeles CA 90029

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