This piece comments on the struggles of African-Americans and the stress and pressure they constantly have to deal with as the result of racism in our culture. We see here the artist’s use of a pressure gauge and other visual references to ‘applied pressure’ such as the pressed tin lid to a humidor to represent that stress. We also see the artist’s use of a bottle of holy water and a Christian cross reflecting hope gained by strongly held religious faith.
Aunt Emma’s Situation (aka: Breathe) (tag Breathe 4462)
2013
Assemblage (6.75” x 10.5” x 1.75”)
pressed copper-lined wood lid to humidor
pressure gage
pressed glass holy water bottle
small wood crucifix
pressed tin frame
circa 1930’s photobooth photo
Private collection
Exhibition history: California Heritage Museum, April 27-November 8, 2019
The artist grew up in 1950’s America, when country swing music was popular and cowboy characters were a familiar presence in movies and on TV. Often the cowboy was presented as the idealized male, the embodiment of masculinity, patriotism and goodness. They were the ‘super heroes’ of 1950’s America. As a little boy, early heroes for D’Elia included the handsome TV cowboy star, Clayton Moore who played the Lone Ranger, and the older aviation TV cowboy, Kirby Grant, who played Sky King. As a little boy D’Elia had fantasies about hanging out with them and going on adventures together. With this artwork, D’Elia celebrates the fantasy of the American cowboy. However, the use of the copper wire represents the ‘quiet prison of despair’ that D’Elia felt back then with the realization that he would likely not be accepted by the cowboy if it was discovered that he was a gay boy.
Cowboy Dreams
2015
Assemblage (15” x 16.25 x 2”)
wood foundry mold
copper wire
vintage circa 1950’s physique photograph
bell remnant
This artwork deals with desire, sexuality and temptation. As a visual pun regarding the title of this artwork, here we see two Jesuit priests, one holding a football and the other playing the flute. Whether to ‘pass’ on the temptation or ‘play’ is the dilemma here. We see a very handsome young man as the source of temptation. The photograph is a circa 1950’s vintage physique study, taken by Bruce Bellas (a.k.a. ‘Bruce of Los Angeles’). This now seemingly tame photograph was then considered to be pornography. The photograph is mounted on a trivet. A trivet is an object that holds hot plates slightly above a tabletop to prevent the heat from warping/damaging the tabletop. As we see here the trivet it is still holding a “hot plate” namely the image of the handsome young man. The artist used a trivet that had a rooster atop so that it could be painted gold as a visual pun in reference to ‘the golden cock.’
Pass Or Play
2017
Assemblage (19.25” x 22” x 5.25”)
wood wall shelf
Jesuit (priest) book ends (one with football, the other with a flute)
rooster/cock trivet with cock/rooster spray-painted gold
plexiglas
copper wire
vintage male physique photograph
Private collection
Exhibition history: California Heritage Museum, April 27-November 8, 2019
This artwork is about the fragility of life and the dangers and challenges faced during the journey.
This artwork is part of D’Elia's ‘Rolling Conundrum’ series. The rolling conundrums are artworks created to represent challenges that confront us everywhere in the world.
Fragile. (aka: Love’s Time Machine)
2019
* A Rolling Conundrum
Assemblage (55” x 22.5” x 14.5”)
circa 1920’s copper magnetic clock remnant with oak cabinet
neon light tubing and transformer with AC electrical outlet plug
copper eagle coin bank
copper skeleton key
insulated wires
large metal thumb tack
copper wire
round copper beveled glass frame
photograph of a human being birthed from a cracked egg
rolling table
This artwork is called “JOHN DOE (homage to Ed Kienholz).” Famed beat era assemblage artist Ed Kienholz (1927 – 1994) created an artwork called JOHN DOE in 1959 reflecting his view of the “every man's" condition in the 1950s.
Lou D’Elia created his JOHN DOE reflecting the current time period. D’Elia has been frustrated and concerned with the ongoing political dialogue surrounding proposed cuts to Medicare and Social Security, and the attempts at further “screwing” America's ‘middle class.’ Basically the middle class have worked their entire lives with the promise that something would be there for them in their old age. Now it is uncertain whether the promises will be kept.
D’Elia’s JOHN DOE represents the typical blue collar American worker who basically starts off against the wall (hence the use of a three-legged table that is designed only for use against the wall). The fact that the American worker is being “screwed” is represented by the use of a large antique wood screw foundry mold for his chest/heart, and of course his balls are always being kicked (represented by the somewhat deflated Everlast speed bag hanging under the table. The ‘speed bag’ is used by boxers to sharpen their punching skills). On the backside of this artwork is an aluminum Social Security card that shows JOHN DOE’S Social Security number 000 – 00 – 0000 representing his likely fate. This artwork, as is true with all artworks by D’Elia, has a vintage numbered factory tool checkout tag attached to the artwork next to the artist’s signature.
D’Elia uses old foundry molds in his art because his father was a pattern-maker and made similar things out of wood for a living and so D’Elia grew up with them in his life. Sadly these handmade foundry molds are discarded objects now much like the American workers who have lost their jobs because their places of employment have closed and gone out of business or because they are older workers whose once valued skills have become obsolete due to advancing technology.
John Doe (homage to Ed Kienholz)
2012
Assemblage (55.5” x 31” x 14”)
male mannequin head
bow tie
wood foundry molds
mantle clock circular gong chime
wood three-leg table
Everlast speed bag (somewhat deflated)
metal lunch pail
aluminum Social Security card
Private collection
Exhibition history: California Heritage Museum, April 27-November 8, 2019
This artwork deals with desire. In Greek mythology, Adonis was the god of male beauty and desire. In popular culture, referring to someone as an Adonis calls attention to their being a very handsome young man.
Here we see a very handsome young man as the source of desire. The photograph is a circa 1950’s vintage physique study, taken by Bruce Bellas (a.k.a. ‘Bruce of Los Angeles’). This now seemingly tame photograph was then considered to be pornography. The photograph is mounted on a trivet. A trivet is an object that holds hot plates slightly above a tabletop to prevent the heat from warping/damaging the tabletop. As we see here the trivet it is still holding a “hot plate” namely the image of the handsome young man. The artist used a trivet that had a rooster atop so that it could be painted gold as a visual pun in reference to ‘the golden cock.’ Dangling from the bottom of the trivet are three glass beads…referring to the three ‘Hail Mary’ beads found at the end of a rosary…suggesting that for most people, it would be from the luck of a ‘Hail Mary’ pass to get this young man’s attention. Timing would be everything. At the end of the beads hangs a Sessions mantle clock pendulum bob embossed with a large letter “S”, which is again a reference to time, but also ‘Sex.’
Adonis
2019
Assemblage (23” x 12.5” x 4”)
wood foundry mold
rooster/cock trivet
vintage photograph taken by ‘Bruce of Hollywood’
copper wire
Sessions mantle clock pendulum bob
glass beads
copper wire
copper tubing
copper washers
This piece is a commentary on taking responsibility, or not, for decisions and actions as the result of one’s free will. This artwork is ultimately a commentary on those who do evil things to others in the name of ‘God’, ‘Jesus’, ‘Allah’ or other religious representations of “a higher power.” Here we see the bust of Jesus (somewhat aged and beat up) that sits atop a telephone lineman's field test phone where the switch is set to ‘listen only.’ Evidently the person who had been here, listening, did not like what they were hearing and so the listening device is left hanging as if the listener left in a hurry. Jesus is presented here as if he is being grilled/interrogated. The use of an Art Deco machinist’s ‘bullet lamp’ above reinforces that effect. We also see in this piece reference to Jesus’s ‘Second Coming’ promise with the use of a ‘Will Return’ sign. This artwork is part of D’Elia's ‘Rolling Conundrum’ series. The rolling conundrums are artworks created to represent problems that occur everywhere in the world. All world religions, all of which preach the power of love, have been abused by some and used as a platform to harm others. This artwork comments upon the questioning of one’s faith and beliefs and whether there exists a God or higher power.
The Conversation or Lack Thereof (a.k.a: Will Return)
A Rolling Conundrum
2012
Assemblage (52.5” x 19” x 19”)
machinist’s bullet lamp
‘will return’ door hanger
white plastic push-pin
telephone company lineman’s field test phone set to ‘listen only’
plaster bust of Jesus
wood foundry mold
copper screen
rolling table
Private collection
Exhibition history: California Heritage Museum, April 27-November 8, 2019
Clock Lobster
This artwork is an homage to surrealist artist Salvador Dali who made a lobster phone artwork in 1938. D’Elia here creates his ‘lobster clock’ that is a commentary on some of the seemingly surreal times that we all experience during the course of our life journey.
Clock Lobster ! (a.k.a.: It’s Surreal Time)
2018
Assemblage (16” x 18.25” x 7.625”)
100 year-old Sessions mantel clock
digital clock mechanism with two AA batteries
faux lobster on wood base
Private collection
Exhibition history: California Heritage Museum, April 27-November 8, 2019
This artwork is a commentary on the fact that even if you are fortunate to live to be 100 years old (or older) life passes very quickly. The artist is commenting on the importance of living your life, actualizing who you are as the unique individual that you are, and adding that back into the world. As Pancho Barnes, famous aviatrix, was noted for saying, “Don’t try to be like anyone else because we’ve seen that already!” This artwork is made up of a whale oil lamp sitting atop fragments of wood foundry molds. We see a red fox skull wrapped in copper wire sitting atop a scale. The artist has affixed to the front of the scale numerous Chinese fortune cookie sayings that he collected over the course of two years. Be sure to read some of the fortune cookie sayings that are pasted to the front of the scale. The weight of the skull has the pointer on the scale pointing to the fortune cookie saying, ‘Good times burn fast.’ This is another artwork from D’Elia's “Rolling Conundrum” series. The Rolling Conundrums are artworks created to represent problems that occur everywhere in the world affecting everyone.
Good Times Burn Fast
A Rolling Conundrum
2013
Assemblage (62” x 20” x 20”)
whale oil lamp
wood foundry mold remnants
postage scale
fortune cookie sayings
red fox animal skull
copper wire
rolling table
Private collection
Exhibition history: California Heritage Museum, April 27-November 8, 2019
Richard M Nixon, a Republican, was the 37th president of the United States and accomplished many good things for the country and world during his presidency. He enjoyed the pomp, ceremony and power of his office and presented an almost regal persona. Unfortunately, his power went to his head. He kept a White House enemies list and actively sought to undermine the power of his perceived political enemies. Ultimately, he was forced to resign following the Watergate scandal. That scandal involved his abuse of power in trying to unearth ‘dirt’ on political adversaries.
Richard Nixon's best friend was a sharp dressing, charming Cuban-American banker named Bebe Rebozo. Rebozo lived alone for much of his life in a well-decorated Key Biscayne home (Nixon eventually moved next door). Rebozo, who once worked as a flight attendant, enjoyed show tunes, and was a frequent guest at the White House and Camp David. They spent much time alone together. Of course, there were rumors that they were more than friends.
President Dick
2013
Assemblage (6” x 12” x 2”)
wood/copper foundry mold
red light bulb
cork from a bottle of Mumm champagne
women’s Western-style cowboy belt buckle remnant
remnant of pearl charm bracelet with gun
copper wire
vintage news clipping noting President Nixon’s resignation
Collection of Gino Perez
Lineman
This artwork is a contemplation on masculinity. We see at the center a photograph depicting a determined, strong masculine young man wearing a gridiron football uniform circa 1910. He is a lineman. The artwork is constructed from an early 20th century electrical resistor box that forms the base, with a wood found object sitting on top that has survived a fire. The use of copper wire and a leather belt fragment complete the assemblage; all parts commenting on the strength and energy of masculinity.
Lineman
2013
Assemblage. (10” x 13.5” x 4.75”)
early 20th Century electrical resistor box
photograph
burned wood found object
copper wire
leather belt fragment
upholstery tacks
Exhibition history: California Heritage Museum, April 27-November 8, 2019
Collection of Gino Perez
Here we see a male couple from the late 1870s early 1880s. This photograph may be the only evidence remaining of their relationship as a couple. The couple is presented with copper wire stretched across the front of the photograph, suggesting punishment by isolation from mainstream society. It must have been very difficult to have a same-gender relationship back in the 19th Century, even more so considering theirs was a race discordant relationship. This artwork is called Vox Humana. Vox Celeste. translating to Human Voices. Heavenly Voices. The artwork reflects their life path: they were once human voices and now they are heavenly voices. The entire artwork was constructed to suggest the form of a cross.
Vox Humana. Vox Celeste.
2018
Assemblage (23” x 18.5” x 7”)
wood foundry mold
organ voicing knobs (a.k.a.: organ pullers)
copper wire
photograph
plexiglass
Exhibition history: California Heritage Museum, April 27-November 8, 2019
This is the first assemblage artwork created by D’Elia. At the invitation of assemblage-artist/curator, Susan Tibbles, D’Elia was encouraged to start creating art and submit something to the juried “Bull Show” exhibition in Santa Barbara, California in September 2012. D’Elia was awarded the ribbon for “Best Emerging Artist.”
Role Model
2012 (August)
Assemblage (22.5” x 12.25” x 2.25”)
vintage small suitcase lid with wallpaper lining
as found torn vintage photograph
double coat hook with white paint added
rusted gear mechanism attached to wood
Collection of the artist
Here we see lives that no longer exist. Only their images live on as traces of light on gelatin silver photographic paper, captured in a moment in time, specifically September 29, 1918. This photo was removed from an unknown ‘family photo album’ and put up for sale on eBay. Perhaps the album was initially purchased at a yard sale because there were no living heirs to inherit the ‘family album’ and was later disassembled for sale by an enterprising eBay seller. The more likely scenario was that a surviving heir was so removed in time from their ancestors shown here that the photo album lacked personal meaning for them. In any event, the monetary value of the album and the photos therein became more important than any sentimental value that may have existed.
The photograph is affixed to a remnant of an industrial foundry mold. D’Elia uses old foundry molds in his art because his father was a pattern-maker and made similar things out of wood for a living and so D’Elia grew up with them in his life. These handmade foundry molds are discarded objects, now sadly much like the family photograph seen here. We also see copper wires on either side of the photograph. Copper wire which is frequently used as a conductor of energy is used here to suggest faded bouquets of flowers, with their blooms and their life-force energy long gone.
This artwork is from an ongoing series by the artist featuring vintage double exposure photography as a commentary on the quick passage of time and the importance of embracing family and friendship connections during one’s life. In otherwords, be grateful and cherish your life now and live it to the fullest. Most probably within just a few generations you will likely be forgotten because no one is still alive that remembers you. As time goes on the photographs of you in family albums most probably will become meaningless to future generations beyond being a visual record of an ancestor.
September 29, 1918
2014
Assemblage (5” x 4” x 1.75”)
foundry mold
copper wire
vintage double exposure photograph
This is one of the artist’s autobiographical pieces. The artist grew up in the 1950s when the US culture was very cowboy/cowgirl centric, with country swing music playing on the radio and primarily Westerns (cowboy vs. Indians) playing on the then relatively new invention of TV. As such, the kind-hearted, masculine cowboy became the artist’s male role model and ideal, which was also true for most American boys from that time period. However, the artist felt that he was somehow different from his other young male friends. He could not quite figure it out until his hormones finally kicked-in during puberty. It was then that he realized that he not only had an emotional connection to the cowboy but also a sexual attraction. In this artwork we see that the photograph of the young cowboy is placed in the center of the male gender symbol. However, instead of the arrow tip on the male symbol we see the fleur-de-lis reflecting the artist’s early childhood gut feeling that he was somehow ‘different’, only later in his teens discovering and coming to terms with the fact that he was a masculine male who was also gay.
Special
2013
Assemblage (12.5” x 12.75” x 3.5”)
foundry mold
leather belt fragment
upholstery tacks
copper wire
remnant of curtain rod with fleur de lis
photo booth photo
Private collection
Exhibition history: California Heritage Museum, April 27-November 8, 2019
Starting at an early age, boys in the US are trained to be competitive. In school, boys are encouraged to play sports and compete in physical and mental activities. Indeed, PE is a scheduled part of the day in most schools. Competitive games establish winners and ‘losers.’ Competition has fueled human progress and failure. Capitalism is a very competitive game about money, with the extent of the accumulation of money suggesting a male’s dominance/potency. Here we see competition represented by men wrestling, and the action takes place inside a cash drawer. On top sits an eagle, which is a symbol of freedom. However the eagle is also a bird of prey. There was a popular saying from the 1920’s – 50’s “The Eagle flies on Friday” which reflected the fact that most workers in the USA got paid on Friday….during a time when the 25 cent and 50 cent US coins, as well as the dollar denominated gold coins, featured an eagle. With the use of the calendar and placing it in the foreground, D’Elia is commenting that men seduced by ‘the money game’ may sadly realize later in life the spiritual cost of the game, in that they failed to devote enough quality time, energy and focus to develop and maintain meaningful loving life-affirming relationships.
The Money Game
2013
* A Rolling Conundrum
Assemblage (50” x 22.5” x 14.25”)
eagle flagpole topper
photograph taken by ‘Bruce of Hollywood’
cash register drawer and wood coin holder insert
small desk calendar
rolling table
Time Traveler
Time Traveler (aka: Destiny)
2013
Assemblage (12” x 7.75” x 3.75”)
weight scale balance mechanism
foundry mold fragment
fishing line
upholstery tack
circular black metal and glass frame
vintage photograph of human hatched from an egg
lid to humidor
Self-Portrait taken at the Tate Modern, London
Lou D’Elia is an assemblage artist and portrait photographer. D’Elia (da-LEE-uh) frequently incorporates vernacular and circa 1950s male physique photography, copper wire, illumination and visual puns into his artwork. His artworks are often social commentaries on the dynamics of social/political use and abuse of power, challenging definitions of masculinity and male role expectations, as well as exploring journeys of personal growth/fulfillment and the acknowledgement that life passes by all too quickly.
D’Elia often uses vintage wood foundry molds in his art as a nod to his father, who was a pattern-maker in the 1950s. These hand-made foundry molds are discarded objects now, a fate similar to American workers who lost their jobs because their places of employment closed or went out of business, or because their once-valued skills became obsolete due to advancing technology. D’Elia’s art studio is located in his father’s former wood shop.
D’Elia was born and grew up in the seaside Ocean Park neighborhood of Santa Monica, California, during a time when it was largely a blue-collar neighborhood populated by Douglas Aircraft Company factory workers, fisherman, artists, poets, beatniks, and expats from the pre-WWII refugee influx and post-war migration from Europe. The Ocean Park neighborhood also played host to the beginning of the bodybuilding and physical health culture in California, attracting open minded individuals who moved there to lead healthier lifestyles and develop their physique. There were very few children in the neighborhood where D’Elia grew up, and so the adults from his neighborhood were his childhood friends, encouraging his imagination, curiosity and creativity. D’Elia’s artworks reflect and comment upon his roots and life experiences.
D'Elia began creating assemblage art in 2012, with an eye toward his eventual transition from one passion to another upon retirement from his career in the mental health field. D'Elia had earlier obtained a Ph.D. from UCLA and completed two NIMH-postdoctoral fellowships at the Geffen-UCLA School of Medicine obtaining postdoctoral degrees in Neuropsychogeriatrics and Clinical Neuropsychology. After 32 years in his profession, D'Elia retired from his career as a clinical geroneuropsychologist, psychotherapist in private practice and co-director of the Neuropsychology Assessment Laboratory (adult and senior-adult divisions) at the Geffen-UCLA School of Medicine. Retirement allowed D'Elia all the time he needed to fully focus on his other passion: creating art.
D’Elia’s life-long appreciation of art and fellow artists led to being one of the organizing and founding members of what became the Photography Council, Los Angeles County Museum of Art. He has curated or guest curated numerous photography exhibitions at museums in California. While a student at UCLA, D’Elia also worked on assignment as a freelance photographer of artists and entertainment celebrities including Andy Warhol, Alfred Hitchcock, and others. His work was published in film/entertainment magazines of that era.
Lou D'Elia continues to reside in the Ocean Park neighborhood of Santa Monica where his studio is also located.