A confluence of poetry, art, and music, Naked Poetry is a collaborative performance piece created and choreographed by artists Richard Shelton and Carlini Nuñez set against a poetry backdrop selected by Mary Lou Rutberg. Featured poetry  curated by Mary Lou Rutbergwill include pieces by Richard Shelton, Joan Eyles Johnson, Brendan Constantine & Mary Louise Downing.

Naked Poetry is a throwback to the beatnik era when poetry really mattered.  Whether you lived it, or wanted to, come for a night of traditional and contemporary poetry readings that are performed, yes, naked. 

Naked Poetry is the second in a series of programs to accompany the exhibition, Richard Shelton: 50 Years of Painting.  This event coincides with the second installation of work, The War Show, which continues to explore the entire scope of the artist’s 50 year career.  A multi-talented artist, Richard Shelton developed all programs accompanying this exhibition to enhance the visitor experience and provide insight into his creative process.

When: Saturday, May 16, 2015. Viewing of Richard Shelton’s new installation, The War Show from  6 pm -10 pm with refreshments served.

Richard Shelton’s paintings have been displayed in the Smithsonian Art Institution’s Hirshhorn Museum and other museums in the United States in addition to numerous private collections. Praised by critics for his technique and intensity, each of his emotionally charged paintings offers a snippet of social commentary on life in the modern world.

Caracas-born Carlini Nuñez is an artist who lives and works in Los Angeles. He received a Bachelor of Arts in political science from UCLA and did postgraduate work in environmental design and architecture. He joined Circo De Poesia in Los Angeles where he directed multimedia performances. He has performed at Los Angeles-based Independent Artist Gallery, San Francisco’s Under The Radar, and LA Freewaves. He has been the recipient of grants from The Canada Council for the Arts and National Endowment for the Arts for both  performance and interactive video art.

Mary Louise Downing Rutberg is a prolific writer of poetry. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina in Comparative Literature and is also a graduate of the Mount St. Mary’s Masters in Arts and Humanities, Creative Writing Program.  She has been a writer all of her professional life as well, and her work on behalf of clients has been published in many professional publications and media outlets.  In Washington, D.C., she was Vice President of Ogilvy & Mather Public Affairs and a member of its Senior Management Council. She was also Senior Vice President of Rogers & Cowan Public Affairs there, and in addition, served as a White House Appointee as Peace Corps Director of External Affairs. Mary Lou has provided extensive communications counsel to a number of arts and educational clients in Los Angeles, including USC and MOCA, where she held the position of Director of Communications

Temporary Space LA is an alternative exhibition platform to the traditional art gallery model.  Unlike the traditional gallery model, Temporary Space will not represent artists. Instead of showcasing the art of developing or emerging artists, Temporary Space LA will exhibit the art of mid-career and late-career artists, with particular emphasis upon artists who have been under-appreciated, both critically and economically, by the art establishment.