Mark Vallen at MOCA!

Life is certainly full of surprises, and being offered a one man show at LA’s Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) has unquestionably been a major kick in the teeth for me. What makes it all the more astonishing that MOCA has granted me a solo exhibit at their downtown Grand Avenue museum space, is that I’ve spent a good deal of my time on this web log writing barbs against the type of art MOCA prefers to show. So I guess you can say I’ve had an epiphany, I’ve seen the errors of my ways, and I’ve now come to embrace those in the elite art world that I’ve formally considered to be my nemeses. The true irony in my being offered a solo at MOCA is that it was none other than Ed Ruscha, a trustee to the board at MOCA, who made it all possible. I’ve written some rather unpleasant things about Ruscha on this web log, so it was a complete shock when he called by phone to offer me the one man exhibit. As it turns out, he’s really a marvelous fellow, and I take back everything negative I’ve ever said about him. Details for my MOCA exhibition are still being worked out and the dates for the show are tentative, but the working title for the show is, "Mark Vallen: Drawing The Line." I still can’t believe how fortunate I am to be so honored - and to think, it’s only April 1st. What will the rest of the month bring?

[ UPDATE: If you’ll notice the date I posted my little shaggy dog story, it’s April 1st, otherwise known as April Fools Day. To all those who have written letters of congratulations at my having been picked by MOCA for a one man show - thanks for your vote of confidence - and I’d apologize for my mischievous prank save for the fact that I’m possessed by a roguishly sarcastic sense of humor. That being said, if you’ll continue writing letters of support on my behalf, only this time sending them directly to the Director of MOCA, Jeremy Strick, c/o MOCA 250 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012 - then perhaps history will have the last laugh and I’ll get that phone call from Ed Ruscha. ]