StarBulletin.com

Art meets fashion at first friday fund raiser


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POSTED: Friday, December 04, 2009

The blurring of lines between art and commerce is at its finest when both sides unite for a greater good. “;The Anti-Canvas”; art show and auction for charity is a case in point.

The event, which runs from 5 to 9 p.m. today at SoHo Mixed Media Bar, was created by the combined efforts of surf apparel company Hurley and local lifestyle publication Contrast Magazine. One-of-a-kind Hurley board shorts bearing the artwork of 22 local and nine mainland artists will be exhibited and auctioned off in a benefit for Save Our Sports, the Junior Lifeguard Program and the Samoa Relief Disaster Fund.

“;Contrast helped us connect with artists here,”; said Brooke Dombroski, a Hurley retail marketer and freelance photographer for the magazine. “;We used artists who have name recognition as well as emerging artists. It was an opportunity for the new artists to stand with others who are established.”;

Artistic styles used include photography, tattoo art, illustration, painting, graphic design and collage. Works are applied to the shorts using technology called sublimation, which takes a printout of the artwork and uses dye to imbed the image into the fabric. The entire process takes approximately one minute.

Dombroski said the event allows Hurley to bridge art and fashion, something of constant interest to the company, while providing clothing to young adults seeking one-of-a-kind fashion.

Kristen Lee Lim, an art student in her last semester at the University of Hawaii, contributed “;a digital montage of silhouettes inspired by exotic dancers and the nude female form.”;

Lim said the collection of work that formed her piece has been quietly traveling the community. It started out as part of the Bachelor of Fine Arts student show at UH, spent some time in the UH art office, then moved to local retailer In4mation at Ward Warehouse. Next up is a stint at Manifest in Chinatown.

Lim considered going on to graduate school—until she got her feet wet in the art community.

“;I think I'll do art for a while,”; she said. “;Hawaii is blossoming right now—it's an awesome place to be.”;

Contrast editor Daniel Ikaika Ito couldn't agree more.

“;This event brings to light the vibrant scene of art, music, culture and fashion,”; he said. “;We believe Honolulu is up to par with other metro cities like Los Angeles, New York, Tokyo. We're the perfect spot between Japan and California, and each side is hungry for each other's culture. We're a good bridge for both.”;

The icing on the cake: “;'Anti-Canvas'—the name is edgy, avant-garde, and that's our style,”; said Ito. “;It's reminiscent of 'antichrist' and that pushes buttons. We like that.”;

Other highlights:

» Ong King Arts Center (184 N. King St., 306-7823 or 428-3233): In a surprising turn, the recently closed space holds “;The Resurrection of First Friday @ Ong King,”; with musical guests Black Square and Quadraphonix with Taimane Gardner; dance by Da Kini Dance Company; “;The Final Fool,”; theater by MC See; and art by Beecha Champ, Erin McCullough and Luc-Aime Beauchamp. $10 for performances, which run 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Art show is free.

» Hawaii State Art Museum (250 Hotel St., 586-0900): Alongside opening its museum doors, HiSAM also hosts “;Live from the Lawn”; from 6 to 9 p.m. This month's “;Jazzy Holidays”; features performances by the Hot Club of Hulaville, Mele Mai Paki Lima (the Hawai'i Handbell Choir), Family Dinner and vocalist Candes Gentry with pianist Pierre Grill. Downtown @ the HiSAM, the restaurant on the first floor of the museum, will be open.

» Peggy Chun Gallery (1161 Nuuanu Ave., 545-4810): The gallery will host a trunk show to introduce its line of ICON accessories bearing images created by Chun, including “;Boo in Bowl”; and “;Banana Patch Heaven.”; Items include handbags and other small leather goods. Also, view never-before-seen works by Chun. Enjoy wine from Wine, the Experience, while browsing.

» Mendonca Building Courtyard (1126 Smith St., 262-5930): Celebrate with Christmas-themed watercolors by Angela Mathieu, greeting cards by Sonya Napoleon, jewelry by Shayne Turner, photographic art by Eric Hannah, acrylics by Dennis Kline, photography by Heather Titus, vintage clothing from the Dustyflint Collection, box dinners from Kate Wagner and entertainment by Fred Gayagas.

» Chinatown Boardroom (1160 Nuuanu Ave., 585-7200): Dive master Erin Pfuntner's ocean photography is on exhibit in “;Beneath the Surf.”; A portion of the proceeds from sales of Pfuntner's work will go to the Surfrider Foundation—Oahu Chapter.

» Louis Pohl Gallery (1111 Nuuanu Ave., 521-1812): The gallery is exhibiting two shows. “;Fun-Fantasy-Function”; focuses on gorgeous ceramic work by Daven Hee, Cory Lum, Diane KW and Joel Park. The second, “;Deck Yer Walls,”; features works by artists Roxanne Chasle, Vince Hazen, Matthew Kawika Ortiz, Aaron Padilla, Maika'i Tubbs and Allison Uttley.