Life behind the lens

Her subjects may be a tad dull but Lauri Mendenhall livens the scene

with distinctive laugh and the burst of a flash bulb.

Mendenhall is fascinated with mannequins, and the lifeless forms

are the theme of her most recent photo series. In it, the molded

figures wear various fashions and pose in front of myriad cityscapes,

creating a double-take image of surrealism.

Her work is currently on display at the Peter Black Gallery, until

April 25 and at Newport Beach City Hall, until July 9. The photo

essay also ran in April’s issue of Coast magazine, with Mendenhall’s

images on the cover.

Modest about her craft, Mendenhall had to be pushed, prodded and

persuaded by friends to promote her own work. Although Mendenhall

worked in marketing for decades, she said it is entirely different to

endorse one’s passion.

Mendenhall’s days are busy and she describes this time as the

“most exciting in her life.” Lolita Harper caught up with her to find

out more.

Your work is on display at the Peter Blake Gallery in Laguna Beach

and you have described this show as a “glorious and exciting time.”

Break it down for us: What has it been like? What runs through your

mind, your heart?

Actually, I feel an extraordinary sense of joy and gratitude for

this rather fortunate arc in my career and in my life in general. A

number of unexpected and exciting opportunities have fallen my way

since last summer (ironically, since my 50th birthday -- who knew

this rather landmark era could have such a fun bounce to it?) But,

the circumstances of being invited to exhibit at the Peter Blake

Gallery has all happened within the last month. I’ve been a writer at

“Coast” magazine for more than nine years, and my editor Justine

Amodeo decided earlier this year to do a photo essay of my mannequin

series for the April spring fashion issue, and to use one of the

images for the cover.

Apparently, in early March, she showed my images to Blake, who

reacted strongly to the work. So about three weeks ago out of the

blue, he called and offered me this show. Needless to say, I was, and

still am overwhelmed, and completely flattered to be exhibiting at

such a reputable gallery, and in the company of artist Tyler

Stallings (who is chief curator at the Laguna Art Museum), and L.A.

artist Wess Dahlberg.

During the last five years, my art photography has been juried

into a number of group exhibitions throughout Southern California,

but I wouldn’t have sought a solo spotlight on my own at this time.

Blake has been such a joy to work with, so it’s quite thrilling. I’m

really looking forward to the artists’ reception next Saturday night

to see how the work is received by those who attend.

You are clearly a sought-after local artist, how did you get

started in the profession?

Well, I really don’t consider myself a “sought-after” local

artist. People have responded favorably to the images that are in the

current Coast magazine and seem to like the installation of work at

Blake’s, which is certainly a marvelous validation for the sort of

artistic instincts that take you in a particular direction visually.

I became interested in fine art photography in the mid-1970s. My

first husband, G.J. Pelissero Jr., was a photographer, and we used to

go on shooting excursions. He and the group of photo-artists we hung

out with during the late 1970s and early 1980s sort of exposed me to

a different way of viewing the world -- the idea of cropping with the

eye interesting slices of what you see around you. I love the drama

of light and shadow and how its interplay with linear surfaces not

only defines the mood of a certain physical space, but also

determines the subject and palette of the photograph.

What becomes significant to me is how the unexpected geometric

shapes and patterns that are formed often suggest a deeper story or

take on a powerful metaphoric meaning of their own. My other category

of work is an old theme, really. Sort of being on the lookout for

those sterling yet fleeting moments that reveal the celebrations or

foibles of life -- a subtle gesture of human experience, perhaps,

where the content tells a universal tale in a microcosmic way. Or,

better yet, reveals a humorous double entendre. Which is actually

what I hope my mannequin series achieves.

Who were your inspirations?

In a broad context of artists -- Edward Weston, Diane Arbus, Lee

Friedlander, Joel Meyerowitz, Cindy Sherman and Helmet Newton. They

are all photo-art giants, whose work I have studied extensively.

In my more immediate environment in the early years, Jerry

Burchfield and Pelissero were tremendously influential in how I

learned to look with a third eye. In my daily life now, my main

source of inspiration is Mike [Mendenhall], my wonderful husband and

soul-mate, whose constant love and support of my blithe spirit is the

best rudder for encouragement anyone could ask for. And, I’m blessed

to have a circle of great creative friends.

What role do you think visual arts play in everyday life?

Wow, where do I begin? This is the issue where my advocacy and

passion doesn’t get much higher. The arts are a vital necessity to

the successful flourishing of any society. The expression of art in

all its forms -- whether in dance, music, acting, or painting -- is

the texture that defines a culture. It not only stimulates curiosity,

but an openness for achieving one’s full potential of the human

experience and a great sense of well-being in every other aspect of

life.

Beginning in 1979, I have spent my entire career devoted to the

arts in Orange County -- as a publicist, art journalist, and in the

last five years, with my own artwork. I am also a founding board

member for Arts Orange County, a 9-year-old nonprofit arts council

dedicated to strengthening the arts and arts education with specific

programs throughout our regional school system. I have also been a

consultant to the Sage Hill School Arts Council, which has been a lot

of fun.

Although the arts are not treated as a major political issue in

this country, our nation is best served by having leaders who have a

sense of curiosity and who are arts savvy. In my opinion, this

openness to the arts becomes a mighty fine barometer as to how

authentic they will be in guiding our multi-cultural nation in the

global arena.

What was it like interviewing Katharine Hepburn? Any tidbits or

insights on the star you can give us that we may not know?

It was an incredible experience because I had idolized her since I

was about 12 years old, and her overall life and “tweaky” style had a

tremendous influence on me. The focus of my interview, in 1992 at her

New York Turtle Bay townhouse, was about her own body of work as a

painter but she steered the conversation to include comments about

Spencer Tracy and battles with her health....

I listened to the tape of the interview again last year, and

realized how terrified I was at the beginning of our meeting. She was

82 then, yet her signature gruffness was everything you would expect,

and at one point, she started interviewing me.

What surprised me the most was how vulnerable she became as we

talked and how almost mushy-at-the-core she was about so many things.

And, she really loved that I had named my Bearded Collie puppy

Hepburn. There will never be an American legend like Katharine

Hepburn again, that’s for sure. And I remember thinking afterwords,

on my way back to the hotel, that just being in presence of someone

like her, eats up at least 11 of the 15 minutes of fame Andy Warhol

promised each of us.

For those who are not well versed in the subject, where can one go

locally to find really great exhibits and pieces? Why would you

recommend these places?

Orange County has a wealth of wonderful museums -- the three

biggies being the Laguna Art Museum, the Orange County Museum of Art,

and The Bowers -- for a feast of amazing cultural art. But I also

love the smaller venues like Fullerton Museum Center, the

Muckenthaler Cultural Center, and the Irvine Museum for its treasure

trove of California Impressionism.

When I recommend galleries, it is as much about the work they

carry as it is about the engaging spirit of the gallery owners. In

Corona del Mar, that would be Southern California Art Projects and

Exhibitions, owned by Jeannie Denholm and Diane Nelson, who go beyond

the traditional gallery format with educational services for clients.

In Laguna Beach, naturally, I’ve enjoyed Peter Blake’s Gallery since

he first opened nearly 10 years ago. I also like Marion Meyer

Contemporary Art, J. Kamin Fine Art, and William Merrill Gallery.

What is your most memorable photo essay? What was it about that

series of images that sticks with you?

The mannequin series is an ongoing thing with me, so I guess in

that respect it is forever memorable. I am always sort of on the hunt

for them -- particularly when I travel -- because they are these kind

of dangling participles, quietly role-playing their way through

whatever culture they represent. They become a fascinating commentary

on the panoramic interpretation of human beauty.