Palm Springs, CA

Palm Springs-based Curator/Gallerist James Bacchi cleverly interprets “black and white” at  the iconic The Shops at 1345 in the Palm Springs Uptown Design District. Here, by invitation of The Shops owners Brandon Hoskins and Stephen Wilson,  Bacchi once again shows out by offering a contemporary modernist twist on art + home, titled “in BLACK + WHITE”.

“Aside from the obvious”, says Bacchi, “I wanted to create a heavily layered translation of black and white and offer viewers and opportunity to step away from color, if only for a few moments.”  

 Curator/Gallerist, James Bacchi

For this exhibition, Bacchi capitalizes on his love for these non-colors. On the walls, he curated an eclectic collection of black and white works in various media by JAMES BACCHI CONTEMPORARY represented artists. To  further realize his vision, he  enhanced the space with select sculpture, lighting, ceramics works, furniture and textiles from other Shops at 1345 including The Backyard, Baldo Creative, L’INDY California, Talini Home and FOS Palm Springs. 

Eric Rewitzer, Cloud Dragon, 48”x36”, woodblock print, edition of 4

Featured artists are; Scott Idleman, Marc Lambrechts, Pamela Merory Dernham, Lucky Rapp, Serena Bocchino, James Bacchi, LOLA, Paul Morin and Eric Rewitzer. Bacchi’s art picks include both two- and three-dimensional works.  “Utilizing a range of media,   from tinted resin, aluminum and powder coated steel wire, to gesso, etching, text  and poured enamel, these works serve well as a foundation  that embraces style, surface, and texture. Considering the diversity here, there is a surprising sense of cohesion as your eye travels through the space.    

Scott Idleman, Tuxedo Moon, 36”x36”, acrylic and gesso on canvas

Marc Lambrechts, Bubble Chamber Series, 5”x7”, hand-worked print with steel frame

Bacchi talks about contrasting the intensities of black and white and how he enjoyed playing off the highly polished black and white flecked floor in the space. “I appreciate a good shine and felt it important to carry a bit of the existing shimmer on to the walls.  LOLA’s bright white, tinted resin on panel, titled Moonbeam, hung center wall is perfection.” 

Photography and Art by: James Bacchi, LOLA and Paul Morin
Furnishings and accessories by:
Baldo Creative:  Pair of chic 1980’s geometric Otis Aurora double pillow ottomans
L’INDY California:  Handmade African Mod Cloth Pillows
The Backyard PS:  Butterfly Chairs

“To ground the exhibition, I brought the outside in with botanical inspired, larger scale sculptures by Landscape Designer/Ceramic Artist, Dustin Gimble courtesy of The Backyard. These works, “Mixed Totem Trio” and “Loops Totem”  are positioned to allow the viewer access to every angle.”  

Bacchi further emphasizes his detailed layering process with a collection of hand-built stoneware pottery vessels by Los Angeles based artist, Brenda Holzke, courtesy of L’INDY California. Holzke’s black and white works , featured in this show, are inspired by her enduring interest and application of modernist graphic and tribal design.  A retro inspired inlaid tile and steel table by Stephen Geahry, courtesy of FOS Palm Springs punctuates the space, while patterned textiles from Talini Home add the perfect touch of cool warmth.

Pottery by Brenda Holzke

Textiles:  Courtesy of Talini Home

With this most recent installation, Bacchi respectfully references the past and skillfully presents an innovative glimpse of the future of black and white, art + home.  While  every component  assembled here remarkably coexist, I must say that his inclusion of My Vivid Imagination, a monumental powder coated steel wire  sculpture by Pamela Merory Dernham is the standout. The labyrinth of shadows this work casts on the wall left me in awe.

Pamela Merory Dernham, My Vivid Imagination, powder coated steel wire sculpture

Go see and savor this exhibition.  And yes, the entire contents of this installation are available for sale.

“in BLACK + WHITE continues through May 31^st at The Shops at 1345, 1345 Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs.  Exhibition hours are Thursday-Monday, 11-5.