Art Meets Fashion in an Abandoned Medical Center

Estevan Ramos | Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Estevan Ramos

The "Human Condition" exhibition was held on three floors of the abandoned, 40,000-square-foot former L.A. Metropolitan Medical Center

The “Human Condition” art exhibit, which concluded on Nov. 27, was housed at the abandoned, 40,000-square-foot former L.A. Metropolitan Medical Center. The exhibition featured 80 new and established artists ranging from painting and drawing to sculpture and performance installations.

Some of my favorite standouts—among many—were Robert Mapplethorpe’s black and white photographs. There was a room installation by Amir H. Fallah which felt like a 60s psychedelic oasis in pinks and lavenders. There were some amazing abstract human sculptures done by Nick Van Woert using colored, dripping resins, as well as Johan Tahon and Laurent Grasso’s sculptures in whites and off whites. Also, Polly Barland showed some unique and bizarre photography which I loved. One room you could not miss was the “Pink Kitchen” by Christopher Reynolds which featured allover Pepto Bismol pink on everything from cookbooks and utensils to clocks and hanging cooking pots. It stood out beautifully!

The artists were encouraged to use the remains of the hospital as their canvas to explore their definition of the show’s theme: being human. Floors 1 and 2 had separate themes: the subconscious mind and the conscious mind. Floor 4—the psych level—stayed with that theme.

When I visited the exhibition over the weekend, I was inspired to think outside the box of fashion to combine the exhibition’s art, the theme and the attendees’ fashion. Enjoy!

FASHION FEELING: Sticking with the fashion theme, I caught some images throughout the show that felt very right for a beautifully art-directed fashion shoot. Each image captured its own unique storytelling mood in painting and water colors. The colors, textured and silhouettes were beautiful!

NIGHTCRAWLERS: Some of the art had a very dark, mysterious, mood-lit feel—and so did some of the attendees, not so much about the fashions they wore here but in their demeanor—perfect for a voyeuristic fashion shoot!

ART OF SPORTS: The current fitness, athleisure craze was reflected in the art and on the attendees, who stayed sporty in their modern athletic looks. The looks ranged from modern silhouetted letterman jackets and tennis uniforms to evening-sequined sweatshirts. Very cool, urban chic!

BLANKET PLAIDS: Blanket and lumberjack plaids gave rise to pattern and texture in the art, while art buffs kept it simple and classic in their plaids seen on jean jackets, dresses and shirts, easy to wear and always looking current.

INDIGOS: Shades of indigo and blue were strong. Attendees that opted for denim usually chose the high-water-hemmed pant look (perfect for Saturday’s pouring rain). The cool L.A. look is a nod to California’s history and denim heritage.

FALL DESERT: Moss green and army shades mixed with camel and sand were strong colors in the art. Attendees brought out their fall wardrobes in the same colors for the rainy, closing weekend of the show looking chic and comfortable in flannels, quilted and utilitarian looks— perfect for facing the elements experienced throughout the art exhibit.

WARM LEATHERETTE: Black was the focus color in the art and fashion. With the cold L.A. weather we’re having lately, leathers and suedes feel right. The dramatic all-black art-buff is always the perfect, can’t-go-wrong look for an art show.