REVERSE EFFECTS Art Exhibition
2019, there were many events we were thrilled to be part of. One key event stands out because of the power and positive effect it had on many lives. This was the fantastic “Reverse Effects” Art Exhibition held at the Avenue des Arts Gallery in downtown Los Angeles.
The Artist and the Cause:
What made being the production coordinator for this event so special was the brilliant work of the artist, Nancy Cartwright – well known as the Emmy Award-winning voice of Bart Simpson – and the subject matter, the psychotropic and opioid drugging of children.
As well as being an artist, author, voice-over artist and producer, Nancy is a generous philanthropist and in particular supports those causes having to do with our children and their futures.
As an advocate for children and a mother herself, Nancy produced a heavy hitting series of paintings addressing the profound social issue of the effects of psychotropic and opioid drugs on children. She joined forces with “Know More About Drugs Alliance” , to create the “Reverse Effects” art exhibit and campaign with the intention of educating and informing parents and caregivers on the dangerous effects of these drugs.
The Exhibition and Event:
The exhibit itself was beautifully curated by Nancy in collaboration with Fraser Scott – Director of A Gallery (United Kingdom) – and Peter Green of Peter Green Design (Los Angeles). Her colorful masterful artwork in the form of “reverse painting” (a challenging form consisting of applying paint in reverse layers to the back of a piece of acrylic or glass) was presented both as the original pieces and as large, full-size canvas reproductions.
Nancy spoke to the large audience attending as well as being interviewed, thereby creating increased interest and understanding regarding the danger of these psychotropic and opioid drugs.
Nancy’s paintings stunned and educated those viewing them.
Our Role in This Exhibition:
I was asked by Cartwright Entertainment to be the Production Coordinator for the Exhibit. In this capacity we handled the valet, catering, rentals, espresso service, security, entertainment and visual décor for three different events including the grand opening, as well as advising on the site-plan (floor plan) of the exhibit.
On the décor side, I had one very fun challenge from Nancy – she wanted 500 red balloons in the ceiling with pill bottles hanging from them. This required my going to the gallery and spending an afternoon of rather humorous trial and error with numerous types and sizes of balloons in order to determine what sort of balloon would indeed hold up an empty pill bottle. We also elicited the help of BalloonZilla (the company that provided the final balloon clusters) who conducted experiments in their own studio. Amazing, but in the final test, it took clusters of five 18” red Mylar balloons to hold up one pill bottle. We filled the ceiling with these clusters, and printed labels with the Know More About Drugs logo that we applied to 100 hanging pill bottles. The effect was fantastic.
Vendors and Entertainment:
We brought together an outstanding group of vendors and individuals to help create this important and memorable event.
Nancy had a very unique request for live entertainment: she wanted a solo cellist that could create a particular feeling. I found a gifted jazz and improvisational cellist – Jacob Szekely --who created the perfect sound Nancy was looking for -- a mix of soft “heart beats” and deeply moving melodies. Jacob came early to view the art work, was moved by what he saw, and expressed the exhibit perfectly through his emotional music.
