NEWSPACE

PRESS RELEASE

SUBJECT: Norman Zammitt “Pure Light and Space” Michael H. Lord Gallery Preview Reception Wednesday, January 5, 2011, 6:00 - 8:00 pm 1090 North Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 760-699-8957

On exhibit January 5 - January 30, 2011

RELEASE: 1ST WEEK DECEMBER, 2010

“Pure Light and Space” is the apt description of Norman Zammittʼs 1970ʼs iconic Los Angeles paintings. Often mural size, Zammittʼs paintings are luxurious, radiant experiences drenched in fused colors. He presents objectivity and distills silence.

Beginning Wednesday January 5, 2011, 6:00 - 8:00 pm, Michael H. Lord Gallery invites you to celebrate a major exhibition and sale of Norman Zammittʼs historic paintings through Sunday, January 30, 2011, curated by Joni Gordon.

PRESS RELEASE PERSPECTIVE

Light and Space stands on its own artistic and philosophic merits. It is not a branch of minimalism. Light and Space is clearly formulated in Los Angeles by a group of gifted artists like Robert Irwin, John McCracken, Larry Bell, Craig Kauffman, Maria Nordman, Helen Pashgian, James Turrell, DeWain Valentine, Norman Zammitt.

Their achievements in art are found in major museums. Norman Zammitt is in LACMA, Museum of Modern Art, Norton Simon, Palm Springs, San Francisco, Corcoran, Hirschhorn Art Museum among others. Zammittʼs professional career began with Felix Landau in 1960, one of Los Angelesʼ now historic but then perceptively brilliant Los Angeles, New York and European art dealers.

In the 1970ʼs Norman Zammitt wrote:

“Painting is my love, not withstanding technical gymnastics and I am now able to apply a deeper relativity. Compositions of color within color and color without color. I am working for a “colorless” painting alive with brilliance.”

Quote from a letter to Jane Livingston

“How I paint: Raw canvas on a stretcher bar, prepared and painted by hand with acrylic colors and fine hair brushes”

“Mathematical progressions in color are more related to growth rates of living organisms than to mathematical formulas.”

“Form is born of color. It is the emotional and spiritual I search for. It is a unity and harmony in opposites resolving their conflict to which my exacting ways are dedicated.”

Next September, 2011, through its broad investigation into Los Angeles historic art developments and achievements from 1940 - 1980, the Getty Museum will re-perceive Light and Space and place it in its ultimate position as one of Americaʼs greatest art movements - begun and developed in Los Angeles with Los Angeles artists.

Norman Zammitt will be shown in context at the Getty during Pacific Standard Time.

Three public exhibitions clearly honor Norman Zammittʼs paintings:

“The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting” Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1890 - 1985 Organized by Maurice Tuchman in 1987

“Translucence, Southern California Art from the 1960ʼs and 1970ʼs” Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena, 2006

“SoCal: Southern California Art of the 1960ʼs and 70ʼs from LACMAʼs Collection” Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 2007 Curated by Carol S. Eliel in 2007

Now is the time for Norman Zammittʼs works of art to be seen, acclaimed and enjoyed in Pure Light and Space.

Joni Gordon, Curator