David Lovejoy’s art show, titled “Archaos,” is currently being displayed at the Bergamot Station in Santa Monica.

The gallery consists of two sections, one being the Gallery of Functional Art, for functional work, and the other named the Lois Lambert Gallery that consists of sculpture, painting, and mixed media pieces.

Lovejoy says the name for the show is derived from the idea of traditions and technologies that keep their value through time.

“My work includes elements that are arcane, archaic, architectural, archeological, and when there are over two dozen in one room, a little chaotic. I thought ‘Archaos’ was a good fit,” Lovejoy said.

Lovejoy’s art pieces, which are exhibited in the main gallery, consist of old antique and rustic looking parts, brought together to make a finished work.

While most people would consider this work “found art,” Lovejoy’s pieces can be can be more appropriately referred to as repurposed.

“What he thinks of and what he uses are very distinctive,” said Lois Lambert, owner of the gallery. 

Lambert fell in love with Lovejoy’s pieces and offered him a show.

“His work is very original,” Lambert said. “There are an awful lot of people who do found-object assemblage and they look like junk.”

Lovejoy’s pieces are in fact very clean, and each part is thoughtfully placed to create an object that looks like it actually has some type of purpose.

For example, his piece entitled “Introspector” involves a black case, fitted with gauges, fans, wires and a magnifying glass.

“When I found a gauge reading “Disintegrations per Minute,” I wondered what type of process would require such a reading. Obviously, it must be a combination lie detector or time machine,” Lovejoy said.

Lovejoy creates an object that is both complex and simplistic at the same time. They are definitely eye-catching and keep the viewers’ attention through intense detail, textures, rustic colors and interesting topics.

Lovejoy’s use of lenses is also very prominent in his work.

One piece entitled “See Box” is specifically made to be opened and closed in order to see through the different lenses.

When looking through the different lens combinations, distorts the viewer’s conception of reality.

“I enjoy altering or distorting the viewer’s view. There is almost always a subject – something to be seen when looking through the lens, but it’s not necessarily the focal point of the work. I like that you can both conceal and bring attention to something with a lens.”

Lovejoy gives new life to old objects that no longer have a purpose, and the way he creates his objects does justice to parts that we once depended on, but now consider junk.

“Archaos” will be up until March 11 and is free to the public.