OSalon: Where Artistic Minds Meet
– by Arielle Harris
July 17,2021 outdoor OSalon event
OSalon is a gathering place with some of the most interesting, artistic minds in Los Angeles – a meeting place for artists, poets, writers, film makers, gallerists, art critics and art lovers, where they can present their work to a sophisticated, welcoming audience.
One enters the Salon through two sculpted copper gates opening up into a large room with music, soft lighting and a mecca of fascinating people. The idea was conceptualized by Linda Kunik, a Beverly Hills resident, avid art lover, and graduate of Otis College of Art and Design. She longed to keep up with the artistic, philosophical discussions while inspired at Otis, so Kunik decided to create a salon patterned after the famous salons of Paris — a meeting place for artists, poets, writers, film makers, gallerists and art lovers. A place where an artist can present their work to a sophisticated, welcoming audience and have an opportunity to explain who they are and their journey in the art world. It’s also a chance for the audience to get to know the artist, where the work comes from and why they make what they do.
OSalon was started as a critique group for artists — 3-5 artists would bring work and receive feedback. After seven years, the focus of the salon was broadened to include other art forms — poetry, literature and music. Presentations and discussions replaced the critique environment and OSalon was re-created to be a catalyst for exciting new ideas.
Linda Kunik, O Salon Host
The evening begins with a cocktail hour, a chance to meet other people, enjoy a glass of wine and hors d’oeuvres and look at the artist’s work up close. After 45 minutes, the first presenter (usually the visual artist), has 30-45 minutes to talk about their work using the projector to show whatever they want of their work and life. The same process is repeated for the second presenter. Afterwards, everyone is invited to stay and speak to the artists and guests.
“Presenters have told me afterwards that they thoroughly enjoyed the experience, because it was very different from other artist talks or readings they have done,” says Kunik. “Part of that is due to the ambience we’ve been able to create, in addition to the audience the salon has attracted — a gathering of supportive, interested people, who just want to meet and get to know artists and each other in an informal environment. Many friendships and art collaborations have been the result of meeting at the salons.”
ESPIRITU DANZANTE by Cuban artist Alberto Lescay
Previous artists include Laddie John Dill, Mark Steven Greenfield, Miguel Osuna, George Schmerholz (Canada), Martin Varo (Hungary), Stephen White, Kamol Tassananchalee (Thailand), Carla Viparelli (Italy), Brendan Constantine, Barbara Bloemink, and Peter Frank.
However, September’s salon, according to Kunik, is expected to be quite outstanding. Kunik is hosting Cuba’s Alberto Lescay, an internationally known artist, who will be the sole presenter on September 30, 2022. His two major works include El Titan de Bronce in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba and Cimarron near El Cobre outside of Santiago de Cuba. In 2021, he won the National Prize for Visual Arts for Cuba and in 2023 he is set to have a major exhibition at the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes in Havana. At the salon in September, Lescay will have an in-person art-making experience that people will get to witness. And lastly, his time here will be producing a Cuban/American documentary film currently in production.
For ongoing updates about Proyecto, OSALON with Lescay, or any future salons, please join us on Facebook or Instagram at @Linda Kunik and @OSalon.
