NEON PRIMITIVISM

The colorful explosion of modern neon colors and primitive forms in Neon Primitivism is a natural extension of both Ali’s primitivist ideology and her commitment to rock n roll.  This new series celebrates the canvas and painting as a form with the power to transfer primitivism, sensuality and emotion to a space in a modern return to Ab Ex style, mixing the ultra mattes of Mexican folk art with earthy clays, and vibrant charcoals and oils, and pointing to forms that enlight the viewer towards the multiple directions of cave paintings, the new york school, ceremonial body paints, line work, weathered artifacts, Charles Olsen’s 'Archaic Post Modern' and pop art.

Ali’s work across multiple mediums has always been founded conceptually in both her nature and survival skills studies as well as her ‘bringing the party and the fun’.  It is here that Ali’s conceptual work led naturally to the crossover that would lead her to explore paintings based on sensuality and dimension - the feeling, the experience and the space they create.  It was here that she derived the process of working with clays, dried plant materials, botanical dyes, and paints made of finely crushed rare minerals and gems, to explore glowing mattes and chalky earthy textures.  This follows in the tradition of her prior sculptural work (almost an artistic take on experimental archeology) which traces primitive technologies, and works with the experiential and the sensual - i.e. hand building mahogany and glass rain catchments, working with fire as a sculptural element, exploring artifact creation using primitive tools and techniques as a means to explore primitivism, lighting up a boulder strewn desert for invitees to walk through, and even building a surfboard from Tule reeds.

Her directness of emotion communicated through primal, rugged gestures, juxtaposed with an integration of ancient philosophies explores the thin line between symbolic totems, anthropomorphic figuration, gestural abstraction and a modern pop sensibility.  Her confident and rule shattering sensibility pulls on us to be 21st century rebels once again and to seek wildness, experience, humanity, and mythos.

Dead Serious featured over at Iron & Air

My song 'Dead Serious' on the new Iron and Air video--> featuring Evan Mauger, Craig Rod Smith, Utopeia Moto Company and ton other moto-adventurists.  Film by Dan P Dunn over at Iron and Air.

Range Feature

Couldn't be more honored!! The brilliant artist, curator and fellow outdoor enthusiast Corrina Peipon wrote a provocative and powerful article on some of my recent outdoor installations over the last few years.  Check it out in the new print issue of RANGE and also on their online features. 

Part of the Wolfpack....

THANK YOU For the beautiful write-up over at Of the Wolves...  Read the full story here.

Aquarium Drunkard

I got the great fortune to speak with the brilliant music journalist Jason Woodbury.... Read the full interview and review here...

THANKS JASON for the thoughtful questions and lovely words...

New Song out on IMPOSE

New song titled Ends of the Earth premiering on Impose today. This one is dedicated to all my artist friends. Couldn't be more honored and excited!! Check it out!!  LISTEN HERE!

Thanks for the thoughtful review:

"The song is sparse and concentrated, with the alternating strum and wail of two guitars, later a subdued piano—even as it builds to a crashing chorus it refuses to scatter, instead garnering a terrifying concentration not too far off from Patti Smith’s growling fury and triumph on Horses. The heartfelt line “We’ve lived so well” sinks deeper with each reiteration and each breath between, and it’s hard not to be swayed. " - Impose / Amelia Pitcherella

Amazing Review in Berlin Art Magazine Ignant

Couldn't be more honored to be featured up on IGNANT next to JR and Christo.  THANKS SO MUCH!!!

"Living and working in the Sonoran desert,  Ali Beletic creates an experience allowing access to ancient emotions and latent instincts through her conceptual art installations. From traditional gallery and field work to adventure-driven parties, Beletic’s intention is to evoke wild instincts within the context of the art world. And so the motives such as primeval rituals, vast natural spaces and liberating journeys carry throughout her work, inviting the viewers – or participants – to recreate the experience of their ancestors."   - IGNANT

SEE THE FULL ARTICLE HERE.

THANKS FOR COMING OUT LA

THANKS TO ALL the wonderful supporters who came out to my opening over at TAPPAN in LA.

The exhibition is on view for a month.  Head over to Culver City to check it out!

T A P P A N  
8840 Washington Boulevard
Culver City, CA 90232
www.tappancollective.com

Artists:  Rosemarie Auberson, Ali Beletic, Molly Berman, Eric Choken, Daniel Fletcher, Martinet & Texerau, Romy Northover, Claire Oswalt, Anna Veldez

New Work Featured in Australian Surf / Art Book

Photo: Sam Brumby

I have my stone sculptures featured in Paper Sea Quarterly #9.  I also spend some time talking making artwork out in the Mojave.  Order over at Paper Sea Australia.

Fundraiser for Palm Springs Art Museum's Artist Council

Honored to be participating in a fundraiser of Palm Springs Art Museum's Artists Council. The images shown are created by celebrities as well as artists around the world on 5 x 7 canvases and signed on the back. The canvases are sold anonymously in an annual event at the Riviera Palm Springs Hotel.  For more information:   Fine Art America.

LA MOTO 4 Article and Party over at MoCA LA

So Stoked to announce LA MOTO 4 launch event at the MoCA store in Los Angeles.   I have a new backcountry sculpture / vintage enduro journey in there.  April 12th at the Geffen Contemporary.  The Event is being hosted by La Motocyclette and East Side Moto Babes.  

Domaine Home names Ali among 30 Emerging Artists You Need to Know

Thanks Domaine Home for including me!!!! You can preview and purchase works for the Unicef Next Gen Art Party. Also including works from Alex Israel, James Franco, and Alexandra Grant!!!! Thanks to Chelsea Neman from Tappan Collective for curating.

Limited Edition Print of 20 Available

A few times a year Double Dutch Press invites an artist to make a limited edition print. I just launched a new work with them!! So stoked on Katherine Mcguire's impeccable printing talents. Available for purchase on their site. Go get one!!!!!

Pray for Rain

Installed Pray for Rain in the beautiful Sonoran desert, you must walk there by foot. The mahogany and glass pools glow in the moonlight and the water blows in the wind. The opening ceremony and party  – equal parts drumming ceremony, reflective moon pools, clay sculpting, hand drilled torches and joyous celebration.

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The ceremonial aspect of the work began at dusk with drummers hidden throughout the desert. The opening drummer and I called back and forth and as one of the children in the audience noted ‘The mountain talked back’. The echo was at least a whole second delay – and great participation of the landscape. When recording with drum group AFI in Cape Coast, Ghana in 2009, Kweku and I talked about how their elders used drums to communicate distances. Inspired by this ancient communication – I was excited to compose this drum performance for drummers scattered throughout the desert.  Musician Seth Olinsky co-composed and lead the drumming.  The night definitely aroused the senses, evoked an earthy celebration and left everyone with an imaginative story to walk away with.

Poet Dot Devota and resident artist and musician Jeremy Thompson concluded the ceremony with me by scooping water via earthen and brass bowls and pouring onto the desert’s well known Creosote plant – so all audience members could be ignighted with the familiar Sonoran fragrance of the rain.

Soho House Tappan Collective Art Show

So excited to be included in the amazing Chelsea Neman curatorial over at the Soho House with other Tappan Collective artists.   It will be up for a month - go check it out!!

Art Show Joshua Tree Art Gallery

Cover Feature La Motocyclette

So stoked to be the cover feature for the new La Motocyclette!!! Check out photos and a writing form my latest installation work, Under the Same Sun.  Also amazing work by Monica Semergiu, Christina Rinaldi, Ashleigh Ide Yve Assad, Lanakila Macnaughton and Babes Ride Out.  From the amazing Editor and Designer Lynda Lucas.  Available at LACMA and MOCA Los Angeles.

Interview La Mignonette

I wrote and recorded a record out of my studio there, which is being released in a couple months on Lightning Records. It is called Legends of These Lands Left to Live. It is a wildly different statement -­‐ emotional and well, musical. For me, it is much more direct and provocative. I am excited to release it. I believe, in that statement, you’ll find the more feminine and raw energy you are asking about in your question....

Read more at  La Mignonette.

New Mojave Studio

New adobe studio in the Mojave Desert.  Will be working on a new record over the summer and some new studio works.

New Work Tappan Collective