This week sees the opening of a "fascinating" exhibit: Star Trek: the Art of Juan Ortiz, at the Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills.
This was a project I had been following for some time--the idea of creating original art posters for each of The Original Series episodes--eighty, including the pilot--was irresistible to anyone devoted to the series.
Showing a remarkable talent for not only art, but industry, Ortiz has been releasing four posters a month since August of last year, available as prints and t-shirts.
The retro-inspired posters largely call back to the more symbolic/abstract posters of the 60's, which has an organic feel to it, given Star Trek's air dates.
The gallery has all the posters available for up-close viewing, but for those who would like to take them home for closer perusal, they have all recently been released in beautiful oversized hardcover format. At the exhibit preview, Ortiz himself was present to sign books, along with art admirers Nichelle Nichols and Michael Okuda.
If you're a fan of Star Trek: TOS, a trip down to the Paley Center is well worth the effort of fighting the Beverly Hills traffic for a chance to see such bold and creative graphics, inspired by such a groundbreaking show. Links to purchase the book or other printed items are available at
http://www.juanortiz.org/
The Paley Center for Media is located at 465 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. Hours are Wednesdays to Sundays 12:00 to 5:00pm, closed Mondays and Tuesdays. The exhibit will open to the public Wednesday, November 20, 2013 and close January 5, 2014.