The Abbot Kinney renaissance continues.
The newest addition to the boulevard is Post No Bills, a (working) print shop and gallery in the former Equator Books location. It was started by music producer Jordan Bratman and London-based gallery owner Steve Lazarides, best known for his work with Banksy.
The shop opened last week with a 10-year retrospective of Brooklyn-based art duo FAILE's prints. Venice locals and L.A. art scenesters packed into the brick-walled space for a reception Friday.
"We wanted to create a destination, far removed from the gallery culture of L.A., for world-class artists to come to the beach to make art that they love and for collectors of all levels to fall in love with their work," Bratman told Patch in an email.
"We chose Venice specifically because we wanted to create a genuinely unique vibe that is cool and comforting and accessible," Bratman said. "It’s a true community, with great creative energy and such a rich history. People here all seem to be big supporters of the arts."
Post No Bills will produce works with the artists on site, so the owners do not consider it to be just a gallery.
"This is all about creating a special experience for both our artists and our customers," Bratman said.
Lazarides is a big name in the art world, particularly the world of street art. He famously discovered and marketed anonymous British street artist Banksy, as well as partnering with a number of other artists, such as David Choe and XXX.
In fact, the name of Venice's new gallery/print shop is a direct homage to the idea of street art. According to the opening's press release:
The term POST NO BILLS is commonly identified in stencil form on barriers erected around construction sites in an effort to deter clean walls from being altered. Generally speaking, this practice produces a contrary effect. Our founders subscribe to the notion that breaking rules generally inspires more ingenuity than following them.
Bratman said he met Lazarides after seeing Banksy's work in London. "Over the years, Laz has turned me on to so many innovative artists, including trailblazers like FAILE," Bratman said. "Great artists and collectors gravitate to Laz because he is passionate, he has impeccable taste, and the sky is always the limit with him."
Post No Bills has ambitious plans to do a new show every month. Given the popularity of street art in the past few years, and the vibrant and growing art scene on Abbot Kinney, there are sure to be no shortages of artists lining up for shows.
The current exhibit, FAILE's archived works on paper, limited edition prints and hand painted originals, will run through July 24.
