The gallery event that highlights a new ERA for paddle
September 24, 2022
Bright Moments Gallery
46 Market Street Venice, CA 90291
Only a short time ago, our Mecca, our home, became the location for a tournament not having anything to do with paddle tennis. This unprecedented move created a foreword movement – like a short ball that forces you to make a deep approach shot and come to the net. With a volley of other slights by the other sport invading our courts, we were up in arms and together we all responded with a defiant, “Not here!”
Then without notice, courts #4-11 closed for re-construction. There was uncertainty if they would ever return as dedicated paddle courts? To ensure that they would, The Venice Beach Paddle Tennis Historical Committee sprang to life, headed by our own legend & lawyer, Larry Nagler.* Meanwhile our community, using only courts #1-3, and others around town, continue to do what we have always done – get on a court and play like it’s do or die.
On this evening of community, art, performance, libations and wholesome food, we came together, off court, to live iT up and celebrART our vibrant community by featuring the multi-talented work of paddle players at the Bright Moments Gallery, once a boxing gym with vintage bricks, newly restored wood floors, and high ceilings thanks to owner Seth Goldstein who was riding his bike down the boardwalk and saw Fernando Wulff playing. The rest is history…
On the walls two artists, Ron the Killer and RAF, sported their talents with paddle as the main subject matter.
Ron The Killer who bought his first “Axe” paddle from Art Contreras many years ago and recently experienced a reconnection with Venezuelan food because of The Arepa Stand where he met Zeus, Maria, and Wulff. He is a Venezuelan American multimedia creative. His progression from creating graffiti in Venezuela to studying graphic design and then animation in the United States has culminated in art that can’t be contained by any one medium, often using some combination of graffiti, illustration, motion graphics and augmented reality.
His exploration in melding these mediums has led to him finding his style, a unique blend of cartoon and street art with bright colors and detail
He created the striking video installations “Streetoon Paddle.”
In one installation, there are two skeletons engaged in a jubilant eternal rally that exemplifies our lives as paddle players: in a state of constant motion. Wulff loves the idea that, like our community, these creatures do not discriminate against age, race, gender, or economic background. Strip away our mortal conceits – the clothes, the jewelry, our skin with tattoos – and we are all just bones.
In a third video screen, a skeleton with a sports headband, humorously plays with a fiery background that symbolizes the passion that fuels our game and the spirit of competition we desire at any age. Who was this skeleton when he was alive? The answer is simple: one who continues to live and die for paddle!
These skeletons also remind us that the Death card, when pulled from a tarot deck, signifies major changes and re-birth. The new fences at the Venice courts herald the end of the pandemic, of gaping holes and decay and the new beginnings of strength and unity. With the help of many paddle players who voiced their opinions at several Venice meetings, and those who have written letters in support of our efforts to have a say about the future of our game, we have sealed the fate of our courts so that they truly remain paddle courts in perpetuity.
RAF is originally from London but also grew up in Tuscany. He started playing paddle in 2007 after injuring his shoulder playing tennis. You have probably seen his banners at the Venice courts. He had wanted to do a street art mural of paddle players last year, 2021, however the fences were becoming a big problem for our active community. RAF scaled down his idea to help #patchtheholes. As you can see, they exhibit beautifully in a gallery as well.
He created the black and white imagery of figures in motion or posed against the ever changing colors of Venice Beach; the palm trees at times silhouetted by the setting sun. These graphic banners serve a dual purpose to the players and to spectators visiting from around the world. For the competitive and focused player these banners did nothing more than block the annoying holes in the fences and keep the ball in play. But to visitors from near and far, who have maybe never seen paddle tennis, the banners may have drawn them to the sidelines before they were mesmerized by athletic play between competitors.
RAF wanted to “capture the sport but in a more street style art form which reflects the creativity of Venice.” Paddle. Players paid for their own banners and supplied a photo for RAF to design. We thank everyone who contributed to this campaign, #patchtheholes, and LA City Rec & Parks in particular the Venice Recreation Center for their support.
In addition to the art, we were also treated to an incredible ballet performance by new player, Jaime Reid. Jaime studied ballet in Toronto and is an instructor at the famed Debbie Allen Dance Academy. She dazzled us with her beautiful dance performed to tango-eque tunes that brought our community together in a circle of wonder, amazement, and excitement. It was a truly “classy” affair that elevated our sport and “upped our game” as a group of not just paddle players who live and die for paddle but artists who live and die for paddle. How about that?!
This evening was heightened by the delicious margaritas made by Adam Schoenfeld with spirits generously donated by Tequila 512. We were also treated to craft beers by Boomtown Brewery donated by The Hawkins Brothers who discovered paddle, as kids, because of their Dad who played in Manhattan Beach back in the 80’s.
Everyone enjoyed the avocado toast bar whipped up by everyone’s favorite player, Chef Mike Payne, as well as the Venezuelan delicacy, arepas, made by The Arepa Stand – sibs Zeus & Maria from Venezuela.
The evening was an exhibit of so many talents and people coming together in support of paddle. As our community grows and engages more people, our sport becomes more relevant not just in our own personal lives but as a true entity and force in Venice and hopefully beyond. We are at a point where we have to advocate for our community, voice opinions, and stand our ground in the midst of so many issues that can take our attentions away in a million directions these days. We must stay focused – like one must do in a match – and continue to improve by building our network of people like you who love this game.
As courts #4-11 near completion and as the pro-courts # 1-3 face reconstruction, we are coming to the end of an ERA – one that started in the pandemic and made us all aware of the fences which adds definition to our sport. Without them, we would be that other sport.
With new fences we will see a rebirth of our game, our community with new people and events and tournaments in our future. That is truly something we should Celebrart.
Thanks to all who have taken a part in tonight’s event. Check out the photos in the Gallery
Do you have a passion, besides paddle, that you would like to share with us?
Let me know,
Christine Lee, editor of The Paddle Times
LONG LIVE PADDLE TENNIS
Peace & Love Brought to you by the Street Paddle Fam
Photos in order of appearance:
Jose Ortega with “paddle” tennis balls;
Banner of “Gordon” by RAF; Video of “Streetoon Paddle” in mirror reflection by Ron the Killer
“Streetoon Paddle” by Ron the Killer
Alia Nadar & Christine Maddox with video installation by Ron the Killer
Reggie with “Next Gen” by RAF
“Denise” by RAF
Jaime Reid, dancer.
*Venice Beach Paddle Tennis Committee: Katrina Glusac, Esme Gregson, Steven Gumplo, Christine Lee, Larry Nagler, Leslie Martino and Daniel Wulff. Email [email protected] with any questions.
