Jeans Generation: Group Exhibition | Los Angeles

“The ban only heightened their allure, sweeter than forbidden fruit. Soviet youth became obsessed, determined to get their hands on a pair of jeans by any means necessary. Smuggling thrived. Ever so often, a genuine pair of American jeans would appear among the contraband trickling in from across the globe. In those days, every pair of jeans was believed to be American. Because Soviet propaganda so passionately vilified the United States, many of us came to believe that happiness existed wherever denim was abundant. We dreamed about those jeans, not just the fabric itself, but the world they seemed to represent.”

Abigail Ogilvy Gallery is pleased to present Jeans Generation, inspired by Dato Turashvili’s novel, which recounts the true story of a group of young Georgians who hijacked a plane in an attempt to flee the Soviet Union. The exhibition brings together fifteen artists whose works investigate the psychology of daydreaming as a form of resistance and self-preservation.

Artists on view include Ophelia Arc, Miguel Caba, Josh Cabello, Ally Cotton, Noah Dillon, Tallulah Dirnfeld, Victoria Do, Ugo Ferro, Genevieve Goffman, Michael Haight, Juliet Johnstone, Mariam Kvashilava, Megan Mi-Ai Lee, Wilhelm Neusser, Elspeth Schulze.

Opening Reception: Saturday, January 10th from 5 - 8 pm

1923 S. Santa Fe Avenue, Los Angeles

Curated by Ana Makharadze