Gemini G.E.L. Celebrates 60 Years of Innovative Printmaking in Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA — Gemini G.E.L., a legendary print workshop, is celebrating its 60th anniversary with a retrospective exhibition titled (Almost) Every Year: Sixty Years of Printmaking at Gemini G.E.L. The show, curated by Susan Dackerman and Helen Molesworth, opened in 2023 and highlights the workshop's significant contributions to the art world since its founding in 1966 by Sydney B. Felsen and Stanley Grinstein.

The exhibition features works from notable artists who have collaborated with Gemini G.E.L. throughout its history. The workshop began by inviting prominent New York artists such as Josef Albers, Man Ray, and Robert Rauschenberg, as well as Los Angeles-based artists like David Hockney and Ed Ruscha. This blend of East and West Coast talent set the stage for Gemini's reputation as a hub for artistic dialogue and experimentation.

Over the decades, Gemini G.E.L. has been a pioneer in promoting gender equality in the art world. In the 1980s, women artists such as Dorothea Rockburne and Vija Celmins began working at the workshop, followed by Susan Rothenberg and Elizabeth Murray. Today, the workshop's artist roster is distinguished by its commitment to gender equality, reflecting a broader shift in the art community.

The exhibition showcases various artistic collaborations and mutual interests among resident artists. For instance, Frank Stella and Ellsworth Kelly explored shape and color, while Robert Rauschenberg and Jasper Johns experimented with found object imagery. More recent collaborations include Toba Khedoori, Julie Mehretu, and Analia Saban, who examined linear matrices in their works. Several artists, known for their minimalist sculptures, opted for vibrant, polychromatic palettes and complex configurations in their screen-printed geometric abstractions, defying traditional expectations.

Some of the standout pieces in the exhibition include works by Bruce Nauman, Edward and Nancy Kienholz, and Richard Serra. These artists have pushed the boundaries of printmaking, using unconventional materials and techniques to create unique and thought-provoking pieces. The exhibition also highlights the workshop's role as a place for artistic experimentation and innovation, encouraging artists to step outside their comfort zones and explore new creative territories.