Jody Zellen's 'Of a Lost Utopia' at Paul Kopeikin Gallery

Jody Zellen's exhibition 'Of a Lost Utopia' at Paul Kopeikin Gallery in Los Angeles from May 26 to August 25, 2007, explores the complexity of contemporary societies through drawing, digital photography, collage, an artist's book, and a DVD animation. Zellen uses media coverage of cities as raw material, collecting, drawing, and combining fragments to layer meaning. Her work involves daily newspaper reading, scanning photos into diaphanous grays, and coloring figures in soft hues of celery green, brown, and blue. The figures are repeated at different angles and sizes, creating rhythmic pulsations. In the DVD animation, drawn figures loop, appearing and disappearing, critically pastiching media messages. Zellen's practice contrasts with Martha Rosler's 1967-72 series 'Bringing the War Home: House Beautiful,' which juxtaposed domestic bliss with Vietnam War horrors. Zellen benefits from expanded information techniques and editorial practices since then. The exhibition includes works like 'Coverage Inside,' where figures are repeated to suggest movement and diversity.