Friday, July 30, 2010

Herb Albert: Black Totems

This afternoon, I found myself standing in what seemed to be a forest of black totems, twisting and spiraling into the heights of the gallery today. Herb Alpert [yes - the trumpet player] has focused on this totemic language of sculpture for the past twenty years. The current show comprises mostly bronze pieces coated with a soft black patina and reaching up to 18 feet height. Inspired by the totems unique to the Pacific Northwest, Alpert's are more abstract and primal, yet suggest recognizable forms. Ace Gallery Beverly Hills is open Tuesday - Saturday. Black Totems can be seen through August 28th. http://www.acegallery.net/