Brannan Mason: A gallery with a social conscience
Author:Abigail StoneHaving shaken up the personal audio industry with Noble Audio, Brannan Mason now has his sights sets on the art world. His new self-titled gallery, located on Santa Fe in Los Angeles’ downtown, may resemble other galleries in the area with its breadth of square footage, bow truss ceilings and white walls, but look closer.
In addition to displaying art, Mason is committed to donating a minimum of 10 percent of the gallery’s earnings on the artworks to vetted non- profit organizations. The donations will be made in the name of the buyer of each work and every exhibition will highlight a distinct cause that each artist is passionate about.
There’s also a virtual component with a viewing room corresponding to each exhibition available on the gallery’s website with users able to purchase work and put pieces on hold. Launching in May, the website will showcase an integrated appointment system where collectors can specify artists and work they’re interested in, enabling the curators to create a completely bespoke and private experience. A podcast rounds out the current list of the gallery’s innovations.
The inaugural exhibition, Cornerstone, presents the U.S. debuts of French photographer Etienne Rougery-Herbaut and Haitian artist Samdi; the A.C.L.U. is the beneficiary with donations supporting the Immigrants’ Rights Project.
“Art galleries need to take on a little bit more of a proactive role,” says Mason, “They need to be a bigger part of not just the immediate community but the global community. It’s not just enough for an art gallery nowadays to be just a place that shows cool art.”
BrannanMasonGallery, 1923 S. Santa Fe Avenue, Los Angeles 90021. Gallery hours are Saturdays 12-6 with other times by appointment