THE VISIONARY ART OF BURT SHONBERG - Screening + Q&A!

The Philosophical Research Society in Los Angeles is a nonprofit cultural and educational organization which presents concerts, film screenings, lectures, performance art and theatre events, gallery exhibits and more on the intersection between the creative arts and mythology, mysticism and metaphysics.

The Philosophical Research Society

Join us for a live conversation with Shonberg exhibition producer Stephen Romano plus rare screening of OUT HERE: A FILM ABOUT BURT SHONBERG

Philosophical Research Society

MOMENTARY BLASTS OF UNEXPECTED LIGHT: THE VISIONARY ART OF BURT SHONBERG– Hansell Gallery Opening Event Q&A + Screening Sponsored by Office of Nithya Raman, Los Angeles City Councilmember 4th Districtand the Los Angeles Breakfast Club PRS and Stephen Romano Gallery (based in Brooklyn, New York) are thrilled to co-present “Momentary Blasts of Unexpected Light: The Visionary Art of Burt Shonberg,” a major exhibit of the artworks of Burt Shonberg (b. March 30, 1933 - d. September 16, 1977) in PRS’s Hansell Gallery. Shonberg was one of the premiere psychedelic and esoteric artists in Los Angeles in the 1950s and 1960s. He was a close friend and associate of artist, poet, and actress, Marjorie Cameron. Shonberg also embraced the Fourth Way system of Gurdjieff, and his canvases began to reflect the mystical illumination inspired by his higher states of consciousness. His work was prominently featured in Roger Corman’s Vincent Price-starring horror film The Fall of the House of Usher and on the walls of venues like the long-gone, bohemian Laguna Beach coffeehouse Café Frankenstein. His paintings of mythical creatures in fantastic landscapes have only recently begun to attract the attention they deserve. From the late 1950s until his premature death in 1977, Shonberg was a highly admired artist of his time in Los Angeles. During this period, his eye-popping murals graced the facades and interiors of popular coffeehouses and clubs along the Sunset Strip. His paintings also adorned notable rock album covers by bands like Love and others. Please join us for the Opening Night of the Shonberg exhibit in the Hansell Gallery, followed by a live conversation in the PRS Auditorium between collector, curator and Shonberg exhibition producer Stephen Romanofrom his home in Brooklyn, along with acclaimed author and Shonberg biographer Spencer Kansa (Out There: The Transcendent Life and Art of Burt Shonberg) from his home in England (both joining via live video), and film historian &amp; author Justin Humphreys (George Pal: Man of Tomorrow) here in L.A.. Followed by a rare screening of the documentary OUT HERE: A FILM ABOUT BURT SHONBERG (2012, 78 min., dir. Marshall Berle), a fascinating portrait of Shonberg and the late 1950s / early 1960s L.A. bohemian underground that he was part of, featuring interviews with Shonberg friends including actor Sally Kellerman, screenwriter George Clayton Johnson (Twilight Zone, Logan’s Run), filmmaker Berle and others. "In the year 1957. in Los Angeles, California, I had my first dramatic experiences beyond the limits of so- called ordinary, everyday consciousness... "Every day, for seven years straight, I was hit by a number of widely-separated, momentary blasts of unexpected light. "There are, of course, certain things that one experiences in the transcendental state that are not possible to communicate in the usual way, so new types of parables would have to be created to get the message through. These discoveries I refer to could be insights or revelations into various aspects of the world we live in, nature, the mind itself, time, the universe, reality and God."—Burt Shonberg, excerpted from "Out Here: A Brief Account of How This All Began for Me" The Burt Shonberg Exhibit is presented with the generous sponsorship of the Office of Nithya Raman, Los Angeles City Councilmember 4th District and the Los Angeles Breakfast Club. Stephen Romano Gallery operates as a private art dealer, collector and independent curator based in Brooklyn where he maintains a collection of esoteric artworks. Stephen Romano has collaborated with The Buckland Museum of Witchcraft and Magick in Cleveland, Ohio, Morbid Anatomy in New York, Gagosian Gallery, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museo Reina Sophia in Madrid, GalleryX in Dublin, among many others. Websites:Burt Shonberg - <a href="https://burtshonberg.com/" title="https://burtshonberg.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://burtshonberg.com/</a>Stephen Romano Gallery - <a href="http://romanoart.com/" title="http://romanoart.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">http://romanoart.com/</a> The exhibit and Q&A + Film are free events with RSVP.Please email events@prs.org or phone 323-663-2167 with any questions.

ACCESSIBILITYPRS wants all guests to be able to enjoy our events safely and comfortably. If you require any accessibility accommodation, please reach out to events@prs.org before showtime and we will be happy to assist you. REFUND POLICIESAll sales are final. There are no refunds or exchanges for PRS events, except in the event of a medical emergency, including but not limited to a positive COVID-19 test.In the event that PRS is forced to cancel an event entirely, tickets will be refunded or vouchers offered for a rescheduled event. PARKINGParking is available in both front lot (entry from Los Feliz Blvd. when heading east) and back lot (entry from first alley way, off Griffith Park Blvd. from intersection with Los Feliz Blvd.), as well as ample street parking on Griffith Park Blvd. PRS EVENT POLICIES* We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.* Events are subject to change without notice, including guest speakers and/or performers.* We encourage you to arrive at least 30 min. before the scheduled event start time to find parking, enjoy the Bookstore and take your seats.* Please turn off all mobile devices before the show. Talking and texting are not allowed during the events.* No filming, audio recording or mobile phone recording of events, screenings, concerts or other programs by audience members is allowed without permission.* There is no smoking permitted on PRS grounds.* We strongly encourage guests to wear masks to PRS events to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.* PRS allows Service Animals into the facility under ADA and state guidelines. For further details please visit www.ADA.gov. No animals permitted whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support, under ADA guidelines and CA Health Code.* Please do not bring outside food or drink into PRS events.* Weapons are strictly prohibited at PRS events.

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THE VISIONARY ART OF BURT SHONBERG - Screening + Q&A!

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THE VISIONARY ART OF BURT SHONBERG - Screening + Q&A!

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