Our buddy and Gears-of-War-teammate Todd James REAS (above, in the grey shirt) has been on a tear this year….following up last year’s “Art In The Streets” installation at Los Angeles’ MOCA, with a solo show at Gering & Lopez in midtown, a great group show called “Livingston Street Market” with Steve “ESPO” Powers in Brooklyn, a Yield to Temptation book release at the Standard Hotel, and that’s not including all the exhibitions overseas that Todd’s done this year. This week, he unveiled a whole new set of large paintings at “Beyond Elegance,” a dual show with the enigmatic Alexis Ross at the Valmorbida pop-up gallery in the West Village. The big white space featured Ross’ twisted storyboards, and James’ Somali pirate scenes, along with a “nap” shack, and a small table where Ross was tattooing friends.
As always, it was a pleasure seeing Todd, his wife Dana, and all the other talented artists and friends: Kaws (whose “Companion” will be floating down Central Park West in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade next week), Julia Chiang, Steve “ESPO” Powers, Erik Parker, Kevin Lyons (who has his own pop-up shop at Colette in Dec), producer Emile Haynie, producer Benny Blanco, gallerist Joshua Liner, photographer Shadi, MOCA director Jeffery Deitch, BBC’s Loic Villepontoux, and more!

(hmm, just noticed that painting says “desrie”…weird.)

After getting proper cultured, we joined the Capsule Trade Show crew for their #CapsuleSocial cocktails for a cause! They raised a total of $2,400 for victims of Hurricane Sandy…and looked dapper doing it.

Check out photos from the Todd James REAS x Alexis Ross “Beyond Elegance” party at Valmorbida…
And photos from the Capsule Social…
After the jump

(photos by myself, along with Kevin Lyons, and Billy Farrell Agency)
I loved this quirky interview that Todd did with Yale Breslin for Life+Times.

L+T: What’s behind the name “Beyond Elegance”?
TJ: …The name is aspirational, similar to “Falcon Crest.” We need new horizons and going “Beyond Elegance” is a place even Capt. Kirk and Spock never brought the enterprise. However, we will get there November 13th.
L+T: The program also features the works of Alexis Ross. What synergies do you see between your collective works?
TJ: We both sometimes draw people who have tiny feet, but aside from that we share a point of view.
L+T: Your large-scale canvases satirize current socio-political happenings. What is it about this realm that has always been of interest to you?
TJ: As SKEME’s mother said in Style Wars, “You got to laugh to keep from crying.” That often describes my motivation. Right now, I’m focusing on that.

Make sure you check out the Todd James REAS x Alexis Ross show before it closes on 11/30/2012.

The After Party! Photos from Capsule Show’s #CapsuleSocial cocktail fundraiser for Hurricane Sandy victims, at The Wren: 1) Chris Corrado and Courtney Bonnell, 2) Deirdre Maloney and Miss Info, 3) John Januzzi, Peter Martin, Jacob Breinholt, Justin Bridges, 4) snappy dressers, 5) Nicole/Courtshop, Steve Dool, 5) Deirdre and I counting the charity ducats at the end of the night.

Related:
Trippy, Mang! #Bjӧrk’s “Mutual Core” and #WildBelle’s “Keep You” (Videos)
The Hip-Hop Dance Experience’s ‘A Day In The Life’: Feat. B.o.B., Too Short, and Miss Info
Explore Taiwan’s Foodie Culture in “Fresh Off The Boat” With Eddie Huang