Aaron Axelrod's FREEDOM OF THE PRESS to Open 7/26 at MDCI House

Aaron Axelrod's debut solo exhibit titled "Freedom of the Press," is a series of paintings that the artist has produced to explore the current state of the press and more in depth, TV media.

"Almost all major media outlets are owned and operated by large corporate conglomerates which have their own set of personal and political agendas, which by definition, obscure and under represent the facts, all of which deceives and misleads the public."-says Axelrod speaking to the context of this series of work. Using techniques to create the aesthetics of "bad" TV signals, the paintings which Axelrod has created, become metaphors for the unclear and altered information in the contemporary media. "Freedom of the Press" not only depicts specific individuals and current events (i.e. "Crisis in Darfur", "Swine- Flu", "Al Qaeda"), but also targets major television programs and the pundits that report and offer their own views about them as well (i.e. "Chris Matthews", "Brian Williams", "Fox News", etc.)

The paintings reflect not just the concepts around the subject matter, but by the mediums/materials in which they're produced. For instance the traditional use of pastels, often thought to be a medium used to create soft, gentle, small and unassuming paintings are in this series, being used to make large, pieces of subversive and controversial subject matter. The one painting in the series that incorporates a light box, offers the idea of painting with light, which gives the same aesthetic as a television in the room, discharging colorful light fractures which get reflected of the walls and floor of the room.

Axelrod is interested in the ideas of social interaction, psychedelia, and sexuality. His work has been displayed in galleries and public spaces in cities across the country. Collaborations have included projects for KCRW, The Tonight Show w/ Jay Leno, Walt Disney, TOMS, Coachella, Skee.TV, Vans, LA Sheriffs Dept., and Google to name a few. A graduate of CalArts, Axelrod currently lives and works in Los Angeles, CA.

Aaron Axelrod's (http://aaronaxelrod.com) Los Angeles exhibit of "Freedom of the Press" will be held on Thursday, July 25th, 2013 with a Private Reception and Media Preview from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm and the opening reception from 8:00 pm to 10:00pmat the MDCI HOUSE.

MDCI HOUSE is located at 7811 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, Calif. For more information,, go to: www.mdcihouse.com.

Artwork: "Al-Qaeda" by Aaron Axelrod pastel on canvas 60' by 84'.