PSN's Larry Wilson reminds us that the Armory Center for the Arts' exhibition, "Jirayr Zorthian/Richard Feynman, A Conversation in Art," opens next week.
Besides being a rare exhibition of Zorthian's work and an even rarer exhibition of Nobel Prize winner Feynman's art, there's another artist on display: retired JPL'er and Altadenan Richard Davies, who will present six paintings of freewheeling galaxies in space. Gotta go!


Palm Axis said…
As a kid, I was told I could purchase a pigmy goat from J. Zorthian. I had some vague fantasy of myself walking a goat with a rhinestone collar. I headed to the ranch unannounced and was welcomed anyhow, by the man himself. He took me on a tour of the grounds and eventually his studio. I recall a meticulously rendered harem scene. Upon closer inspection, I could see that the backdrop of sand dunes was in actuality, a scene of wreathing bodies participating in an orgy. I was to dumb to run so I stuck around. Eventually I pulled out my pitiful oil paintings of horses from the back of my 73 mustard colored Chevy Vega. He was so sweet and encouraging and I didn’t even buy a goat.
Friday, June 20, 2008 at 10:15 AM
Steve Lamb said…
I knew Zortian pretty well. Before 4603 got split in two I was his Town Councilman and he called whenever a building inspector or zoning inspector would show up. Those poor folks just had no appreciation of the fact that Zorthians Ranch was, and hopefully will stay, a monument to the Bohiemian past of Altadena.
It was amazing, but everytime I used to meet an Old Architect, you know a guy who studied under frank Lloyd Wright and ten years or more ago was ninty years old, as soon as they knew I lived in ALtadena they would ask how Zorthian was. They all knew and loved him and his sweet wife Dabney (Who I happen to miss a great deal)
He was indeed a great Artist, but his ranch and his life were also works of his art.
I know Richard Davies from the Underground Arts Society where I also exhibit, and he is a excellent Artist and a sweet gentle soul.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008 at 04:36 PM