Avant-garde art in Costa Mesa

Editor’s note: This corrects the name of HSPACE Gallery and removes Water for Waves.

COSTA MESA — Hurley plans to host “Dalek: Chaos on the Edge of Reason” Wednesday in its HSPACE gallery on the city’s Westside.

Dalek, also known as James Marshall, is recognized for his loud, geometric print paintings.

Dalek, a former roommate of Hurley skateboarder Kris Markovich, has developed a close connection with the brand — first with the creation of custom boardshorts, later when Hurley commissioned the artist to create a mural for its 225 Forest concept store.

So it’s no surprise that the avant-garde artist was chosen to show off his artwork for the solo exhibit at the Hurley gallery. The featured piece is an 8-foot-tall, 37-foot-long continuous wall mural, which features 75 Pantone colors.

There also might be some good photo ops at the event. Academy Award winner Sean Penn plans to be there to show support.

Starting at 7 p.m., guests have the chance to buy a piece of the puzzle. The painting will be sold by the foot, so buyers might have to wrestle over their space of choice. At $200 per square foot, art aficionados can have their art cut and framed on site.

Marshall had a specific reason for the cutting-out portion of the event. The artist, through the creation of the project and the sales of the pieces, has been dissecting the group dynamic and observing how people navigate art. Unlike Marshall’s normal work routine, this mural was created with a team, so from the very beginning Marshall has analyzed the idea of art being made and unmade, through the eye of the viewer. As every artist knows, what they might see and what the audience might see can be two very different things. “What draws someone to a particular section? What does it means to them?” Marshall asked.

To satiate Marshall’s curiosity, Hurley will photograph and video every patron with their piece.

“The thought was ‘Let’s have people come in and dissect a painting’. Which section would you take and why?” he said. “Seeing the painting in 50 different eyes might completely change how I see the work.”

The HSPACE gallery, which opened June 5, is located at Hurley headquarters on the Westside. Boasting showings by indie artists, such as Mike Stilkey, the HSPACE is quickly transforming into a hub for Orange County art fans.

What: “Dalek: Chaos on the Edge of Reason” art exhibit

Where: Hurley’s HSPACE art gallery at 1945 Placentia Ave., Costa Mesa

When: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. (VIP reception starts at 6 p.m.) Wednesday