Opening: June 10th (Fri) 18:00 - 20:00
*Dan Monick will be visiting Japan and participating.

Venue: Gallery Commune

We are pleased to present "FANTASY HOURS," an exhibition by photographer Dan Monique, who has been documenting the signs and storefronts of Los Angeles for many years, in addition to his numerous commercial projects. This exhibition tells the ongoing story of the city's ever-changing landscape through works set in Los Angeles, a city that continues to fascinate artists. In addition to the exhibited works, new merchandise will also be available for purchase at the venue. We look forward to seeing you there.
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Fantasy Hours combines three series of works: Mesh and Lace, Tampa Glass, and Mixed Business, documenting Los Angeles' sprawling storefronts, neon lights, coyotes, shadows, and silent lines of light that appear at night.

Printed in tabloids and tacked to boards, these photographs are impermanent. They share a quality with their subjects. Los Angeles is known for its impermanence, but in an age when the world moves at breakneck speed, we strive to hold on to anything stable. Faded colors and cracks signal they have stood the test of time. There are no people in the photographs, but their energy is palpable everywhere. The energy of those who visit the stores daily, or who gather in the parking lot in search of everyday goods, answers, and smiles, gives even the most aged sign a glow. The gas-filled neon that never goes out beckons, soothing, as if it were the only place we should be.

The longing for human connection. The longing for reward. Scavenging for fluorescent light bulbs. A quiet moment in the parking lot of an apparently closed strip mall with the open sign still on. A fearless coyote. A fortune teller who asks me why I'm taking photos, and when I tell her I like signs, she smiles and nods. A simple hello through glass. Silence and the crackle of neon.
To me, Fantasy Hours encompass all of these things.
-Dan Monick

Dan Monick is a photographer and artist living in Los Angeles, USA. He has worked on numerous publications and advertisements, as well as portraits of artists such as Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Skrillex, and Daft Punk. He has exhibited his work in numerous galleries and spaces, including The Ace Hotel and These Days. He also runs the publishing label and studio Cash Machine.
www.dmonick.com | @danmonick