For some cats, customized hot rods, lowriders, and other souped-up rides aren’t just a casual hobby. They're more like an entire way of life.
Local artist El Moisés, for instance, grew up immersed in lowrider culture. And it’s heavily influenced his art, from childhood sketches of vintage vehicles his father painted to the resoundingly vibrant Chicano pop paintings depicting lowrider cars and bikes he creates today.
Said paintings will be part of the two-day Grand Avenue Get Down he’s organizing, which will celebrate the mergence of art and autos, bring scores of tricked-out rides to the downtown thoroughfare this weekend, and fill nearby galleries with related works.
Local owners of custom slammers, low-lows, rods, and other modified vehicles are encouraged to park their rides along Grand before visiting the multicultural event’s epicenter inside 1205 Space, 1205 West Pierce Street, where Moisés displays new paintings, and renowned pinstripers like D.A. Garcia and Lucky Hellcat adorn attendees' cars with intricately-detailed lines for a “nominal fee.” Elsewhere, The Sagrado hosts Sam Gomez’s photos and lowrider bike builders, {9}: The Gallery features painter Pablo Luna’s solo exhibition, and Jackalope Trading Post offers art from Jimmy Smith.
Fri., May 3, 6-10 p.m.; Sat., May 4, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., 2013
