Just a week remains until Frieze LA kicks off at the Santa Monica Airport, drawing in both East Coast gallery owners and local artists. However, Renée Reizman is no stranger to this scene. Having relocated to the area nearly 15 years ago as a critic and artist, she has observed the influx of prestigious New York galleries that overshadow the unconventional, DIY venues vital to the local art community.
Reizman asserts that these grassroots spaces have been instrumental in expanding her understanding of art beyond the confines of traditional galleries. Her tribute to Los Angeles’ artist-run initiatives, such as Chinatown’s Plot and Altadena’s Trade School, which emphasize innovation and community over commercial success, is particularly timely.
During her initial years in LA’s entertainment sector, Reizman found solace at Machine Project, a pioneering art venue in Echo Park. It demonstrated to her that a thriving artist ecosystem could exist independently of gallery representation and commercial audiences. Although Machine Project closed in 2018, its legacy continues through other artist-led initiatives facing the challenge of an increasing number of East Coast galleries establishing a presence.
