Beginnings
Art Gallery/Living Space
Construction begins: 1979
Completed: May 1980
Budget: $3,000
Monthly Rent: $150
The concept behind this project was to design and build a low-cost alternative living space for Richard Kuhlenschmidt combining a contemporary art gallery and living quarters in one space.
The location chosen was the Los Altos apartment building at 4121 Wilshire Bld. Los Angeles, CA 90010
The requirements set for the project included a gallery and storage space, kitchen, toilet, dressing room/shower are a bed, desk, and closet. Interior was a low maintenance neutral environment. Walls were painted with acrylic /latex white paint, floors were covered with smooth black rubber tiles and grey indoor/outdoor carpeting, light was a combination of fluorescent, incandescent and natural light.
The space chosen was a basement space, 4′ under ground level. Windows provided natural light and ventilation.
The space was 450 sq. ft. divided to separate the gallery and living space. Doors are used only for entrance to space and to secure privacy to living space. Each interior space was partitioned with walls to provide privacy.
Existing plumbing and electrical were used. Materials were obtained at lowest possible cost through wholesalers, salvage yards, surplus yards, and recreational vehicle supply houses. Furniture was kept to a minimum consisting of an eating table, desk and four chairs. Subterranean level of the space eliminates the need for auxiliary heating and cooling.
Living area measured 250 sg.ft. Kitchen consisted of Formica table, Formica cabinets, stainless steel sink, drop-in gas range, compact refrigerator, and convection oven. Toilet area consisted of toilet and shelves. Dressing room/shower area consisted of Formica cabinets, stainless steel sink, ceramic tile and marlite shower.
Bed was futon mattress on storage platform. Desk was Formica top on file cabinet. Gallery measured 8’xl5′ plus a reception area which measured 3’x8′. Gallery was a contained space with no windows or openings other than main entrance. Gallery was lit by seven fluorescent lights. Additional storage and reception booth complete the gallery space.
1982
In 1982, the space was enlarged by renting an adjacent trunk room and converting it into a larger exhibition space but keeping the original living quarters. During construction the gallery sponsored Jim Isermann’s in situ installation “Motel Modern” at Stovall’s Inn of Tomorrow in Anaheim, CA while the construction on the new gallery was completed in preparation for Robin Winter’s exhibition in December 1982
1984
The gallery moved to 9000 Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood in late-1984. Kuhlenschmidt continued to live in the space until early 1986.
