As promised, I've been meaning to blog about LA's latest independent design trade show: CA Boom which happened at the beginning of this month. The event just celebrated it's third year, and while the show is new, they've certainly made some headway. This year they had in excess of 7,500 attendees, and just over 100 exhibitors (compared to 5,000 attendees and 70 exhibitors last year). So while it's still a small show, it's growing.
This was my first year attending CA Boom, and I can say that despite it's progress, they still have a way to go... The setting, the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, is fine, but a bit rundown and dated. It's also a very small venue, if the fair wants to expand they need another space. One nice thing about the intimate size is that you can comfortably and easily see it all in an afternoon, and you can really stop and chat with all the vendors. And don't get me wrong, there are some very quality exhibitors at CA Boom. Many of whom I had not known, such as Carolyn Mendoza, a contemporary metal artist from Venice who makes some organic artworks out of welded steel and various patina techniques (see below).
Another new discovery for me was Think Forward, the brainchild of Vladimir Sierra a Los Angeles-based digital artist. After a trip to Spain in 2000, Sierra became interested in mosaics, and wanted to figure out a method for creating unusual and interesting tile configurations. After years of experimentation, Sierra created a methodolgy that he calls "ukiyotiling" (named after traditional Japanese woodblock prints which also inspire him) that allows him to create complex ceramic mosaics through procedural algorithms. You can go with one of Sierra's designs, or bring him a photograph from which to work. Below is Sierra's "Spanish Wave."
In addition to new found discoveries, there were also some well-known exhibitors that I admire and respect. NanaWall is one such company -- they make walls of glass. A friend of mine is renovating a Malibu house right now and hoping to use NanaWall to open up the house to the elements, and let in a bit of beachy air. This company has been helping clients create better transitions between outside and inside since 1986, and their products are customizable, flexible and quite elegant.
And lastly, another of my favorites was Velocity Art & Design's (a great store in Seattle, and a terrific web resource for modern design) Modern Playhouse. This was SO cool, I really wanted one for my kids. Check out the photo:
All in all it was an enjoyable afternoon, and I'm curious to see what happens next year...
