INNESS RETROSPECTIVE OF LANDSCAPES TO OPEN

A retrospective exhibition of landscape paintings by 19th-Century American painter George Inness opens at the County Museum of Art on Thursday and continues through May 11. The survey of 63 landscapes shows the artist’s development from early, highly detailed paintings to the increasingly free, richly colored, expressive works of his later years.

Inness (1825-1894) is considered one of 19th-Century America’s most original and, in some ways, most modern painters.

On trips to Europe in 1851 and 1853, he studied the Old Masters, carefully observing compositional structure, tonal effects and painterly techniques. He also came under the influence of the Barbizon School painters, adopting their attitudes toward humble rural subject matter. While the more critically acclaimed landscape painters of the time painted America’s awe-inspiring wilderness as spectacle and divine manifestation, Inness’ works of the 1860s were pastoral, images depicting nature tamed by human cultivation.

In the late 1860s and following decades, the artist returned to the theme of violent weather, which had energized his visionary compositions of the 1840s and early 1850s. A commission took him to Italy where he painted lyrical sun-filled landscapes in a broad, bold style until 1875 when he returned to the United States and produced highly dramatic works, imbued with an almost frenzied energy. In his mature works, Inness clearly understood that it is the artist’s function to interpret nature, not just depict it.

Organized by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, “George Inness” already has been presented in New York, Cleveland and Minneapolis. It will conclude its tour at the National Gallery in Washington. The illustrated catalogue contains entries on each painting exhibited and essays by Nicolai Cikovsky Jr., curator of American Art, National Gallery, and Michael Quick, LACMA’s curator of American Art.

An exhibition of 19 mixed-media “Portraits” done by Llyn Foulkes in 1985 opens today at Santa Barbara’s Contemporary Arts Forum and remains on view through March 16.

The recent series continues the artist’s ongoing concern with contemporary society in visions of tormented, mutilated visages, indictments of the power structure and its victims.

REQUESTS: Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions is seeking volunteers to help install its opening show and prepare for the grand opening celebration Friday, 8 p.m. to midnight, at its new Industrial Street domicile. According to LACE management, the street will be blocked off, bands will play and Mayor Tom Bradley is expected to attend. LACE’s debut exhibition at the new location is “TV Generations,” to run through April 12. Volunteers may select their own working hours, and need only be willing to work. To apply, call Jeff Mann, LACE exhibitions coordinator, (213) 624-5650).

The Los Angeles Institute of Contemporary Art is now accepting proposals from artists and guest curators for exhibition proposals for 1986 and 1987. The proposals can be for exhibitions, video programs, performances or off-site projects of any kind. Artists may submit their own work or that of others. Complete exhibition proposals by guest curators are encouraged. All proposals will be reviewed by LAICA’s exhibition committee which meets monthly. Information: call Eric Magnuson, exhibition coordinator, 559-5018.

The El Camino College Art Gallery is accepting applications for exhibition proposals for the 1986-1987 academic year. Works in painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramic and photography will be considered; artists may apply by sending proposals and slides through March 20. Information and application forms may be obtained from Judith Markwell, El Camino College Art Gallery, Torrance, 90506.

Los Angeles collector Eli Broad has loaned the Phoenix Art Museum 75 works for an exhibition called “American Art of the 1980s,” on view through May 18. A second exhibition at the museum, running through Feb. 23 and titled “Altered Egos: Samaras, Sherman and Wegman,” contains more than 40 Cindy Sherman photographs owned by Broad.

The Long Beach Museum of Art is accepting applications for its 1986 “Open Channels” Television Production Grant Program.

Artists may submit a one-page typewritten project treatment, a resume, and a sample of their recent work on or before April 1 to “Open Channels, Long Beach Museum of Art, 2300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, 90803.

Projects should be eight to 12 minutes long and may be experimental, documentary or narrative in style. Five artists will be awarded $1,000, a case of videotapes, and five days access to 3/4-inch production and post-production equipment for the completion of their projects.