Summer cycle of art begins

EYE ON ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Though the weather refuses to reflect it, it really will be the first

day of summer Saturday. Fortunately the vibe around here screams

summer. Artists are running around chugging coffee and preparing for

the art festivals. Before those events even start, we have James

Koch’s art event about which my first sentiment is wow!

ARTIST JAMES KOCH’S ART EVENT

I must say I was wowed at James Koch’s first “Home Show and Studio

Tour.”

His place was packed with people milling around enjoying his art,

which extended from his driveway, throughout his house, his studio

and even into his neighbor Jeff LeFevers’ yard, which Koch used as a

sculpture garden.

“This is the first time I’ve done this and I think it’s going to

be an annual two day event before the Sawdust Festival,” Koch said.

Koch is a found object artist and mixed media artist with

sculptures made of rusted parts, oxidized minerals, rocks, weathered

wood and other elements creating an array of abstract and creative

whimsical pieces.

One of the most exciting aspects of the evening was the concert by

Lori B a singer/songwriter from San Francisco. She had moved the

crowd at the Sawdust Studio Tour post-event party with her folk-like

music telling tales of life with vivid words with either the

accompaniment of her on guitar or her tiny piano, but many a

cappella.

Blankets were spread in the sculpture garden, offering an intimate

setting. It was one of the most memorable evenings I’ve had in Laguna

Beach. It’s just one of those times that will remain steadfast in my

memories.

Lori B played two sets and I never wanted it to end.

Koch said he loved the idea of his art in congruence with Lori B.

“She was amazingly captivating under the trees,” Koch said. “It

was a lot of work, but I had a group of friends help set it up. One

hundred and forty-seven pieces of art were on display.”

“James created such a great atmosphere, the location was

beautiful, the garden was beautiful with a fun performance and

people,” Marketing Manager of the Sawdust Art Festival Rebecca Meekma

said. “He knows how to throw an art happening.”

Artist and art commissioner Mike Tauber had a blast.

“I loved it, it’s a great collaboration his sculptures with Lori B

and her performance art,” Tauber said. “It’s great to see a cross

collaboration between the arts.”

His favorite piece that Koch created was a snake made out of chain

links.

“I liked it because of the simplicity and the clean simple

design,” Tauber said. “It’s very effective.”

Local musician Shane Bruce was also mesmerized by Lori B.

“She is beyond a performance and music experience,” Bruce said.

“The audience is a participant rather than just being a person in the

audience.”

He said the intensity of her music and intimacy is tangible --

like one could reach out and touch it.

“She is so willing to be vulnerable, her vulnerability is honest

and genuine,” Bruce said. “She really reveals herself and stands

naked before you in her soul. She sings the tales of broken spirits.”

The song “To Be or Not to Be” is about a woman who was raped.

“She told it so eloquently, such strife makes us look at our own

humanity -- it paints a portrait and tells a story of human trials.

It brings empathy to the suffering we all incur that we all feel.”

He enjoyed how she took the audience from the depth of pain to

laughter and frivolity and liked that her own interpretation of

herself is Medusa meets Little Bo Peep. She has long red curly hair

and dressed in layers of skirts giving her that Bo Peepish quality

clothes wise.

“She’s an amazing human being, my experience with her was life

changing,” Bruce said.

Bruce said he would call Koch a vivid soul, one of the last true

Bohemians in Laguna Beach.

“He created a space for true art to happen, a forum for that

wonderfully magical, special thing.”

Koch said he loved having the event saying that he has a little

bit of PT Barnum in him, expressing that he’s a bit of a show man.

“People were laughing, I love watching people’s reactions,” Koch

said. “I think the full moon helped.”

Koch said following the weekend that people who couldn’t make it

were disappointed and told him that they heard that they had missed

the art happening of the year.

I’d have to agree. To capture a little of its essence one can go

online to www.lorib.net and find out more about her our her CDs that

are available. James said if anyone wants to contact him about

anything to call him at 497-5526.

* SUZIE HARRISON is a reporter for the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot. She may be reached at 494-4321 or suzie.harrison@latimes.com.