DAY TRIP Ace Gallery

The Ace Gallery is an internationally recognized art gallery that showcases work from artists of all ages and genres. With locations in New York, Beverly Hills and Los Angeles, the gallery allows visitors from around the country to see contemporary art from emerging artists or the craft of already established names. The Ace Gallery has featured artists such as Dennis Oppenheim, James Rosenquist, Robert Irwin and Andy Warhol. Current Director Douglas Chrismas opened the gallery in 1961 and is known for creating museum-like exhibits. The spacious Los Angeles location, found between Burnside and Dunsmuir avenues, is on the second floor of an 11-story 1930s building. Guests can walk around the gallery freely, viewing the latest exhibits. Staff is always available to answer any questions.

GETTING THERE

Take the 55 Freeway north for about six miles until the I-5 Freeway. Merge onto the I-5 Freeway north toward Los Angeles and continue for around 30 miles. Take the I-10 west toward Santa Monica. Stay on the I-10 west for about eight miles before exiting La Brea Avenue. Keep right at the fork and follow signs for La Brea Avenue north. Turn right at La Brea Avenue south and continue for a little more than one mile. Turn left at San Vicente Boulevard. Continue straight to stay on San Vicente Boulevard and turn right at Hauser Boulevard. Less than a mile down Hauser Boulevard will be Wilshire Boulevard. Turn right on Wilshire Boulevard until you end at the Ace Gallery. Free one-hour parking is available in the parking lot behind the gallery.

HOURS

The Ace Gallery is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

ADMISSION

Admission to the gallery is free.

MELANIE PULLEN

The latest exhibit featured at the Ace Gallery is a body of work by photographer Melanie Pullen named “Violent Times.” Pullen is known for her previous work “High Fashion Crime Scenes,” in which she recreated crime scenes from forensic files and photographed them in a glamorized light. At the same time Pullen became desensitized to crime scenes, she discovered graphic war imagery and began attempting to capture the ugly reality of battle.

Her new series, “Violent Times,” contains photographs of soldiers and war scenes. With the help of set builders, actors, makeup artists and stunt crews, she formed a collection that reflects themes of conflict, combat, victory and war.

Much of the content was derived from a personal journal Pullen read. The journal, which she read at the Smithsonian, belonged to a soldier who was killed in battle.

Pullen believes the photographs represent imagery of heroism and confidence, along with delusion, fear and loss.

Pullen began “Violent Times” in 2004, and it is her first series where she uses a light-box, a device that gives the art a floating effect. Working with a top movie studio for several months, Pullen used a cast of hundreds to create a shot of a battle in Berlin. She also researched the ways in which war is glamorized with the use of uniforms and recruitment films.

“Violent Times” will grace the walls of the Ace Gallery through the end of August. Some of Pullen’s images are not suitable for children.

— Jacquelyn Rumfola