WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Channel 1 Releasing (C1R) has rebranded its two retail outlets in West Hollywood to Circus of Books East and Circus of Books West, and revamped the artist gallery spaces within both locations to allow for more exhibitions.
The outlet won the 2022 XBIZ Award for "Boutique Retailer of the Year."
In addition to the rebrand, noted a rep, both stores will take on more unique gift items from LGBTQIA+ artists and small business owners.
"The overwhelming response to our Gallery@Circus [exhibition space] at the original Circus of Books caused us to rethink our offerings," C1R Retail Manager Samantha Madison said. "We were having so many artists wanting to exhibit, we had to turn many away. The [revamped] venue allows for more sexual art that most galleries shun."
The new layouts will accommodate more artists and feature smaller capsule exhibitions as well as art objects and a larger selection of coffee table books.
"I really want the stores to be a place where you can find a one-of-a-kind gift mixed with a curated array of quality sex toys. Like a sexy museum shop," said C1R owner Rob Novinger.
Circus of Books West currently features the following exhibitions:
Jason Ebrahimi
Jason is a London-born artist based in Toronto and a commissioned artist for nearly 20 years, having painted over 1,000 paintings for his clients. Jason's works are vibrant and dynamic. His palette knife technique conveys a flare of spontaneity, texture and depth. For this exhibit, Jason wanted to prove to his audience that “irregular” geometric shapes, although harmoniously challenging, when formed correctly in an unconventional method can be magical.Jeremy Lucido
Jeremy is an artist, photographer and zine publisher. His work is celebrated and collected worldwide. This photography series is intimate and understated and beautifully expresses Jeremy’s eye for the moment, for character and highly charged erotic figures.Danny Warhole
Danny is a pop artist who resides in San Diego. While Danny was growing up in the Midwest, he was awed by Andy Warhol, whose art was his first exposure to homosexuality in popular culture. Drawing from his exposure to artists like Warhol, and his own personal experiences, Danny has sought to put his own take on the artistic expression of the gay experience, combining pop art, homoeroticism and classic male forms.Glen Hanson
Glen is an illustrator and animation designer living in Los Angeles and Palm Springs. He creates fun stuff for you to frame, watch and wear. Best known for his "Golden Girls" homage designs, Glen illustrates everything and everyone from Barbra to Britney. Currently featured are his don't-miss "Sex and the City" designs.Jacob Cruz
Jacob is a Los Angeles-based artist who grew up in Pasadena. He attended art school at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. For this exhibit he brings his talent in the male figure using charcoal and pencil.
Circus of Books East currently features the following exhibition:
Samuel Hatmaker’s "The Bricks I’ve Played With"
Samuel grew up in rural Michigan. He spent two decades in New York City designing toys for DC, Disney, Hasbro, Marvel, Mattel, Nickelodeon and other leading brands. Today he lives in Los Angeles with his plush pig, Prosciutto. Sam continues to create custom action figures, costumes, dolls, props, set pieces and sculptures. He was a finalist on the first season of "LEGO Masters." His LEGO creations have been exhibited around the world, most recently at Art Basel in Miami.
"In the digital age, dick pics are ubiquitous. Men use hi-resolution close-ups of their genitals as greetings and profile photos, whether we like it or not. These exposures are today’s currency of (gay) male desire," the artist said.
"In this collection, I’m merging two realities: the pure play of my burgeoning sexuality and the crass close-ups meant to spark, and obscure, longing. LEGO is the perfect bridge, reflecting both a simple toy’s call to imagination and the pixelated form through which we detail the world online. From youth to adulthood, from rarity to saturation, from shame to pride, from analog to digital, from past to present, from toy to ar, these pieces reflect a journey.
There will be an opening party for Hatmaker's exhibit on Thursday, March 17, 8 p.m. (PST) at the Circus of Books East location.
Visit CircusOfBooks.com for additional details.
