AVAGO: Some History

A closed shop converted to a
temporary POPup Gallery
or Installation space
No longer a DEADspace!

Artist/curator Noel Korten describes his AVAGO Gallery: The name AVAGO was created, as far as I know, by Michael C. McMillen and James Doolin. At some point in pre-history, they shared a studio space in Sidney, Australia. 

This was a storefront space with a small window on the street and they took turns creating installation pieces for that window. They also invited other artists to create works for the window. The name is Australian for "have a go (at it)." I learned about it while working with them at the USC Atelier Gallery (Michael included a teaser piece at the front of the gallery to lure unsuspecting shoppers into the gallery and likened it to the previous AVAGO). 

When the Atelier had to relocate within the Santa Monica Place mall, I built a small AVAGO space into the new facade and curated various artists into that space in addition to the gallery itself.

The opportunity to create this AVAGO at the Brewery came about in conjunction with John O'Brien's Renovations show at the Brewery project. My intention was to activate this small room, which had once been a very small bathroom or water closet, and create an installation space for artists. I consider the site as an artwork of mine, however I also consider it a site for others to occupy.

This particular AVAGO is/was called Eridanus, which is the name of the constellation from which I borrowed the pattern for the holes in the door. The mythology related to Eridanus is interesting and rich, but it was really just the source I chose for the pattern. The constellation wasn't a part of the initial idea, I was only interested in seeing how much content could be inferred with the door, and yet allow other artists to use for their own works. My objective was to provide multiple peepholes in order to necessitate a multi-faceted artwork -- to create opportunities for works that might combine images, objects, electronic media, and text.

I have produced a couple of installations myself including Phaeton's Folly, and Woody. I also produced a piece for Joan Hugo that presented a Mark Niblock-Smith text. Artists who have produced works in the Brewery AVAGO are Tammy Fites, Cathy Hadad, Christian Mounger, Jessica Newman-Screntney, Bob Wilhite and of course Robert Wedemeyer.

The AUXILIARYmuseum has posted before some time ago asking if anyone remember AVAGO in Australia ... CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON THIS 

AVAGO is an old idea but a GOOD ONE!