sushi on spring space becomes artist studio
Old Bank District residents will have to be patient before they can get their unagi and yellowtail sashimi just around the corner. The ground-level space of the Hellman Building Annex, next to the El Dorado where Sushi on Spring is planned, has been leased out to artist Miguel Osuna.
Osuna will occupy the 2,200 square-foot space until January of 2009 for use as an artist work studio dubbed Taller 410.
The Mexico native works with a colorful mix of oil paints to create urban-inspired scenes with an ironic tranquil quality. Even though Taller 410 isn’t technically a gallery, Osuna plans to feature his collection on ArtWalk nights beginning this Thursday evening.
Unfortunately, some young vandals decided to display their own artwork on the windows outside the space (pictured below).
Construction on the Sushi on Spring restaurant should commence early next year. In the meantime, unless Osuna knows how to make a hand roll, Downtowners will still be visiting Little Tokyo for sushi nights. Tuna Tuesdays, anyone?
Taller 410
410 S. Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
mail@miguelosuna.com
miguelosuna.com
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10 comments
i hate to have to say this, but the last thing the historic core needs is another artist studio/gallery. it’s kind of disappointing that many of these spaces have such limited hours as to basically be non-functioning with regard to the public at large, and particularly obnoxious to those who want to see the streets lit up and filled with people at night. it’s depressing, but the saturation of art galleries at this point makes me feel a very un-hip desire for “less art, more commerce.”
I agree with you 100% Rosslyn on the saturation of art galleries in the Historic Core. Since Sushi on Spring is still a year away anyway, it’s nice that the space will be used until then. Nothing is worse than an empty storefront.
If there were a real market for all the “amenities” that we can imagine downtown, they would exist. Underused space can sit empty, or it can be used for something. Despite your view of a glut of art spaces, there is still an enormous amount of empty space in the Historic Core. Ever been to Chelsea in New York, or Soho in the late 70s? There are/were HUNDREDS of galleries there, and when the commerce caught up, there was room for both.
Art galleries and art studios are 2 different things, but “less art, more commerce” is mystifying to me. The galleries ARE commerce, and they are responsible for more people on the street than any other businesses in the Main and Spring Street corridors, especially on Art Walk nights.
Rosslyn, if you feel that you can run a business that does a better job of bringing people downtown, please do so. I’d be happy to support it. But if it weren’t for the galleries, and the art business they have forged, downtown would be years behind where it is now.
yep. can you spell over-saturation?
As Stephen Friday says: Nothing is worse than an empty storefront.
Griping about there being too many art galleries in downtown would make sense *only* if all the existing spaces for retail, including restaurants and other shops, were packed with customers, with many new retailers lined up, clamoring to take the place of current leaseholders — or, more tellingly, rent-free or discount-price occupants — of storefronts.
Only when, or if, that day arrives will residents and others have some reason to gripe about “the last thing the historic core needs is another artist….”
“If there were a real market for all the “amenities” that we can imagine downtown, they would exist.”
Well, It took ALOT of work to get Ralphs to open. It is the top 15% in the entire chain. Crunching the numbers, Ralphs could have opened two years ago. That being said, if someone suggested that Ralphs didnt exist downtown in 2006 because there was no demand, they would have been dead wrong.
anyhow, downtown has TONS of room and land given current zoning rules. There could be 15 grocery stores, 70,000 more residents, 3 schools, three museums, 30 night clubs, 1o0 food establishments, and 200 art galleries in downtown if the demand was there. They could easily cram all that stuff down there and fill every space imaginable. There isnt an oversaturation of anything in downtown except parking lots.
One fact not mentioned in the post is that Miguel Osuna was one of the first tenants to move into the new downtown. He moved into the San Fernando Building seven and a half years ago, back when the area was truly a part of skid row. It’s great news that an original tenant is now opening his own space featuring his own incredible art.
No doubt Rosslyn would just love another venue selling alcohol. You just can’t have enough of that,huh, Rosslyn?
Another venue selling alcohol? Sure, don’t the artists have to get drunk before they can start painting?
I keed, I keed.
I understand the frustration about more galleries, but I think it’s more a lack of other things like specialty retail, that have been promised FOR YEARS. I have been in PE for over 2 years and they STILL have not finished or filled the retail spaces. A few more restaurants and bars would be nice. Anything! Just fill up the empty spaces!
I think there is definitely room for both art galleries and “commerce” as you say. Come on, you know what they mean. Art is not exactly an everyday purchase for most people.
Having said that, this is a very appropriate location for another artist’s studio as it is right in the very heart of “Gallery Row” and across from the Spring Arts Tower. It’ll fit right in with the Art Walk. Frankly, I hope it and all of the galleries are successful both financially and culturally and they can continue on. Success breeds success.
I own a Miguel Osuna painting. He’s a fantastic artist. I’m happy he has a great space. I would recommend stopping by his studio during the next art walk instead of complaining about it’s existence. (excuse the cliché) His work is beautiful and inspiring.
I agree, Jonny. I was thoroughly impressed by his work.
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