MartinJon

Hacking Toys for Fun and Profit: An Interview with Nick Black

2010-02-15T18:47:00.000-06:00

Nick Black is a top class tinkerer and we at ChicagoArts had the privilege of meeting him in his studio for a quick interview about what he does, and how he does it.

Nick will be joining me in the studio for ChicagoArts Live on Monday February 22nd for a live stream of a follow up interview in which you are invited to participate by asking questions or making comments about Nick and his work or the interview.

Addington Gallery

2010-02-12T21:38:00.002-06:00

Addington Gallery opened with three newly acquired artists this weekend, and as always the surface was the focus. In the main gallery was the work of Carl A Linstum, who's mixed media paintings played a bit more like a collection of individual things, rather than complete compositions. The work did have interesting symbolism utilizing birds and butterflies and his statement talked briefly about spirituality, family and the power, or lack there of, of memory, so there was plenty to ponder. Again, I don't think the subject was all there was to see here, a big part of this show was the surface which was layered with wax and lush with movement.

Moby Dick at Packer Schopf

2010-02-03T18:03:00.004-06:00

Timothy Vermeulen's new paintings are based on specific texts from Moby Dick, and currently showing at Packer Schopf Gallery. Tim's figures, and his use of perspective that is just off enough to keep you just unsettled, is reminiscent of the early Northern Renaissance painters, think Hieronymus Bosch and Giotto, but very contemporary. There are lots of things about Tim's work that make each piece not only inviting but engaging, one is his understanding of color and how it effects mood, another is his odd sense of space, as each painting seems to open up to the room. The way he skewed the perspective in the piece made me feel as if I were being enveloped and the paintings became much bigger than their modest 13.5 X 17.5 size.

Each piece was part of the Moby Dick narrative but Tim would place himself in these paintings, participating and exploring as both an onlooker and a participant. His presance in the paintings allowed me to involve myself in the storytelling, reexamining my place in a world in flux. Tim's paintings are brave and confident and this show is not to be missed, unfortunately you only have until the 13th of February to see it.

There will be a special reception for the College Art Association Convention on Friday, February 12, from 5PM until 8PM, which will also host A book release of Words for Paintings by Jason Lahr, whose paintings are also currently on view at Packer Schopf. Don't forget to visit the downstairs gallery while you are there, ventriloquist dummy portraits by Gene Hamilton tie this three person show together quite gracefully, also downstairs get a glimpse of what's next at Packer Schopf.

M155 4m3r1c4

2010-01-29T21:16:00.003-06:00

Image from Noble & Superior Projects' blog

If you follow me on FourSquare you'll already know I was at the leet speak filled M155 4m3r1c4, or Miss America, last night at Noble & Superior Projects. I had never been there before and thought it'd be a hoot, and it was. Leet Speak refers to elite speak, because it is encoded, and there are plenty of variations to keep people, not in the know, busy for some time.

Noble & Superior Projects hosted what might have been more of a film screening than an art show, but either way I enjoyed the video. Patrick Bobilin was the Filmmaker of the pair of artists that made up M155 4m3r1c4. Patrick did an excellent job with his, part documentary part fictional self-portrait. It was a linier journey for the most part, although it utilized some wonderful symbolism and imagery to make social as well as cultural commentaries mainly revolving around cause and affect. For those of you that might be interested, you also have the opportunity to look at documentation collected during recording and referenced in the video.

In the kitchen of Noble & Superior Projects was a corresponding show, or a rider to Patrick's video and documentation, of Cara Anne Greene's curated culinary creations. That was cool too.

M155 4m3r1c4
Exhibiting through February 16
Noble & Superior Projects

ChicagoLand at Peregrine Program

2010-01-23T16:41:00.002-06:00

I went to my first Peregrine Program opening, which happened to be only their third, to see ChicagoLand, a show that consisted of work by Daniel Lavitt. After seeing it I found it difficult to talk about this show to others, because I wasn't sure what it was to be honest. It was kind of a series of sculptures, but it was also utilizing electronics. One piece in particular was an homage to the late Roger Brown, a house sculpture was hung on the wall in which when you interacted with the door the lights in the windows went on.

The whole show apparently had a technology theme dealing with the electronics of these lights that were part of the pieces. It was set up so that you can view the work in an ascending order of the artists technological prowess. The final piece in the show, the most advanced technologically, really caught my imagination. It was part of a house sticking out of a wall, like those damn baseballs people put on their car's rear window, and the lights in the house are on until you approach it. This is where the advanced technology comes in, although not extremely advanced in the grand scheme of programming, the lights turning off as someone approaches, has a lot to say. Actually, I spoke to the artists about this and the house was a replica of his first apartment in Chicago, and because he didn't like his room mates, he would often pretend not to be home by turning off the lights as they would approach.

I left a bit unsure if it was a sculpture show, that had some electronics, or an electronics show that used sculpture as a vehicle. In the end I guess it doesn't matter but what might matter is that we have a new space in Chicago called Peregrine Program, and although it is only a 13" X 23" box the owner Edmund Chia is showing what he likes and I am always excited about new spaces showing new things.

Talking Haiti on Two Guys and a Guest

2010-01-23T04:56:00.003-06:00

This is the first part of Two Guys and a Gust from Thusday January 21st when we were talking to Alex Polotsky about Haiti and Haiti Aid Raffle.

This is the second part of that same show.

Sculptor Bill Boyce Talks With ChicagoArts

2010-01-18T10:37:00.004-06:00

Bill Boyce is a sculptor and metal fabricator that has an uncanny sense of how things could go together. His work flows, and organically comes together so consistently beautiful that I would say it was remarkable. Bill will be joining me in the studio for ChicagoArts Live on Tuesday January 26th for a live stream of a follow up interview in which you are invited to participate by asking questions or making comments about Bill and his work or the interview.

Join us on Tuesday the 26th at 7:30pm here

Contact Bill on Facebook here or give him a call at 773-761-7845

If you know, or are, an artists that would like to be interviewed on ChicagoArts contact me through my website at http://www.martinjon.com

Help Haiti and Win Art or Donate Art

2010-01-14T19:22:00.004-06:00

I do not normally do this but, this one is from the heart, as they say. I found out less than an hour ago that someone I know died in Haiti. I have never been, nor did I have any inclination to travel to Haiti, but many people that I know have done just that. Two in particular were in Haiti during the recent earthquake.

Sue Frame who I had lived and worked with for a number of years thankfully survived although Flo McGarrell did not. I did not know Flo well enough to feel comfortable speaking about him too much, but I will say he was one of the strongest people I knew, and although I may not have spent long hours getting to know Flo, I do know there is an absence in the world without him.

Sue and Flo were in Jacmel, Haiti, building an artists center. The last I heard was that there was trouble getting the container of tools they had collected past customs. That school has fallen down the priority list now that things like fresh water has been added to the list of needs of the Haitian people.

In response to this loss of a Chicago Area artists, there is a small group of Chicagoans starting an art raffle to help give back to those giving to Haiti. If you are an artists, artesian or anyone willing to donate items to this raffle please upload images and descriptions to this flickr page. Every $5 donated to Doctors Without borders between Wednesday the 13th and Thursday the 21st will buy you on raffle ticket, just send your confirmation email to alexpolotsky (at) gmail (dot) com. For more information visit http://haitiaidraffle.wordpress.com/ , thank you.

Photos via Art21 blog and Sue Frame's Flickr page

Manipulated Found Photos at the Chicago Cultural Center

2010-01-09T13:43:00.003-06:00

Pittsburgh artists Susanne Slavick had a show open Friday Jan 8th entitled R&R(...&R) in the Northern most of the Chicago Cultural Center's Michigan Avenue Galleries. Susan works with photographs she finds on the internet of war, desolation and/or destruction. After finding the images she wants to work with, Susanne often digitally manipulates them, but that is far from the beauty that is her artwork. Susan's poetic images come from her painting over these found photographs with Gauche. Her use of contradiction and the way she hints at the unknown is uncanny and attracted me immediately.

The piece that was getting a lot of attention while I was there was Remorse: White Curtains. This piece was based off a photo of a building in which Susan had painted thin white curtains billowing from its windows. The delicate way in which she painted the curtains, and the obvious lack of people, made the work eerie and have an overall feeling of desolation or desertion. These sorts of desolate feelings were not consistent throughout the show thankfully, part of the show also consisted of a series of desert landscapes in which Susanne painted this welling up of water from holes in the ground. These works read as hopeful, and the style in which she painted these, and most of her other pieces, were derived from Persian Masters.

Susanne's reconstruction of the destruction within photographs, digitally as well as physically, reminded me that we are not alone. These works, although sometimes screaming out for change, I see more as accepting of what can not be changed as well as an inner look to change oneself. Susanne has a deep rooted faith in humanity and spirituality, you see this as she exposes the unseen within the photographs she finds. A serious game of Tug-O-War is being played on, and literally through, the wreckage of a car bomb.

Photographs although sometimes seen as absolute facts are, like everything else, biased. Susanne Slavick, whose show will be at the Cultural Center through April 4th, has a wonderful grasp of that bias and sometimes exploits it while other times turning it on its head. All that being said, at the end of the day Susanne is making beautiful work. Is it political? Sure it is. Is it academic? Without a doubt, it is, but you wouldn't know that except for the outrageous title cards which are sure to remind you.

Megan Baker photography at AJ Kane

2009-12-16T18:33:00.001-06:00

Megan Baker, a Chicago Photographer, has a show opening Friday at the new AJ Kane Gallery at 119 N Peoria. I met with Megan to see her work and talk about her process as well as her relationship to photography; how it has evolved, and her plans for continuing to hone that relationship.

To look at Megan's work you wouldn't know she is only eighteen. Her imagery references dystopian films and the decay of small towns in the United States. The light in Megan's photographs remind me of the calm before a storm, thick and filled with potential. Her skies are often dense with cloud cover, and although they are only photographs, each one seems to have a soundtrack of either rustling leaves, wind, or the creaking boards of a ramshackle house. These soundtracks come from dozens of movies, performers, and paintings where Megan is informing her imagery, and although we very well may have seen this before, I think the work has a special quality all its own.

I was surprised to here that Megan only takes photos she thinks will work with her process. Not mucking about with dozens of photos that she knows won't work is probably a great time saver. Normally, I wouldn't think this to be a great idea, but it seems to work wonderfully for Megan as all of her photos are top notch.

As I spent time with Megan's photos they did speak to me, but they did so as paintings. I talked with Megan about her process and she references manipulating colors. As she sits with her photos she works with them, just like a painter would work with a canvas, building her composition with color and toying with mood and exploring the image. That sort of care for every pixel is the future of image manipulation in art, and I can only hope the Megan keep making great work and pushing herself and her art to new levels.

Pop Up Goes the Galleries

2009-12-11T15:29:00.002-06:00

Hey, check it out, it's winter in Chicago during a shaky economic time. How many of you can recall a time when there have been so many vacant storefronts in your neighborhood? Have been downtown recently and seen the spaces waiting for some enterprising boutique, or another Starbuck's to move in? I can recall when all of Fullerton from Halsted to Pulaski was boarded up, but that was a long time ago, long enough in fact that we don't just board everything up anymore. Pop up galleries are the new busy bee board up, the idea is too keep the building viable, while owners can find suitable tenets.

Artists around the country are benefiting from these vacant store fronts by being able to show work in high traffic areas. The Chicago Loop Alliance, who a few years ago brought us Looptopia is now offering Pop Up Galleries one which features the work of Sara Schnadt. "Inspired by the idea that we simultaneously live in a real and virtual world, and that the virtual is infinitely expansive, Network uses large quantities of electric yellow twine and mirror to suggest a virtual network landscape cutting through an otherwise ordinary space". Sara's Pop Up Gallery is called Network and can be seen throughout December at 220 South Wabash.

What the Fuck is PechaKucha?

2009-12-05T07:07:00.003-06:00

I attended my first PechaKucha night at the Hackerspace known as Pumping Station: One, last night. If you are anything like I was before I went to this, you will have no idea what any of that means, and that's okay.

Lets start with PechaKucha; the name is based on the Japanese word for "chitchat", it was originally devised in Tokyo as an event for young designers to meet, network, and show their work in public. It has evolved into what almost seems like a party game for the both creative and tech savvy, although neither of these are prerequisites. PechaKucha is essentially a speaker series, for instance, I saw seven different speakers talk about things ranging from the history of metal music to geology. Presenters have to follow some simple guidelines that limit their time, and the way they might decide to present, mainly, 20 images x 20 seconds. Each talk is then limited to 400 seconds (6 min 40sec) and hilarity ensues as the speakers try and fit, and fill information for each image.

Next we tackle the age old question what is a Hackerspace. These are community-operated places, where people can get together to work on projects, simply stated a hackerspace is a geek headquarters. Pumping Station: One, on north Elston, is Chicago's hackerspace, and I encourage you to check out an event at some point, especially if you are someone who has projects. Word of warning, this is not your typical stitch and bitch.

Pumping Station: One is a member based non-profit, but that non-profit status seems to only ensure that there is a space to house something as unique as this is. Okay it might not be a unique as all that, but I do have to say that within an environment such as this it is hard to imagine most people having this sort of experience.

Production is infectious and PS One, having 40 some odd active members, is a snowballing mountain of productivity. That sort of environment can make a huge impact on a person, even a single visit by a less than inspired tinkerer may yield a lifetime of change.

Shiny Work at the Mars Gallery

2009-11-19T11:52:00.003-06:00

If you are reading this I can assume you go to art shows often enough to warrant reading an arts blog. Whether that is true or not, I am sure Tipping Observation at the Mars Gallery would be one of the most shiny show you would come across in, and for, quite some time.

Syndy Ziegenfuss' work consists of painting, collage, I am sure some printmaking as well as other sorts of mark making. What seems to separate Syndy's work from other collage/mixed medium works is partly their size, all of these works are 50" X 50". In their presence you are almost enveloped, an illustration that was once only 3 inches now looms, life size, in front of you, kind of both creepy and kitschy.

Now on to the shiny part. These large collages are covered by a thick blanket of resin, poured by Syndy's wife, it is like the tables at Lazo's on Western. This resin covers everything, and at first being in front of these works is fun and playful. That doesn't last however mainly because of the standard quality of each piece.

We often find ourselves in front of paintings or prints or even collages and the surface quality changes. Maybe not within the same piece but between works there are usually some changes in the surface, but not in this case. There are numerous studies about how when you eat something, with a distinct texture, your mouth gets tired and bored quickly. I would use that same analogy about my eyes in an art show that utilizes the same exact surface quality throughout. Individually, or part of a group show these works would stand out because of their approachability and surface, unfortunately those qualities do not stand up in this case.

Opportunity for the Arts

2009-11-16T09:24:00.004-06:00

The directors of Home Gallery, in Hyde Park, have an exciting and interesting pilot event coming up called the Op Shop. The name refers to Opportunity Shop, and the idea here is to open a temporary space where artists can bring their work, as well as services and ideas, in order to barter, sell and openly exchange. I don't want to give the impression that this is a just retail space, although that is one aspect of what will happen within this space. Artists are being encouraged to be a part of this event organically, utilizing the space to create a dynamic and evolving installation. All mediums are welcome, so artists may host a workshop, lessons, or performances as well as sell paintings or sculptures.

Another aspect of this pilot project, which, if all goes well there will be more of, is to work in conjunction with property owners, bringing attention to their vacant spaces while helping to keep the Op Shop's costs down. This will also attract new consumers to an area and will aid in revitalizing neighborhood shops that may have seen a drop in sales over the past few months. This Op Shop will be located in a vacant space currently owned by Mac Properties in Hyde Park at 1613 E. 55th St.

If you are interested in participating in The Op Shop, you should contact the Laura Shaeffer immediately. They are also looking for people to donate time to help run the space during its open hours.

laura.shaeffer@gmail.com
www.thelarch.org

The planned timed and days for this event are as follows

Dates: 11/27 Fri - 12/31 Thu
Visitor hours: 11am-7pm, Thu-Sun,
Evenings, coinciding with events.

Opening reception: 11/27 Fri, from 6-10 p.m.
Silent Auction: 12/5 Sat from 6-10 p.m
Closing party: 12/31 Thu from 6-10 p.m.

Kevin Sonmor at Addington Gallery

2009-11-12T12:57:00.002-06:00

Roadworthy, paintings by Kevin Sonmor, opened on Friday Nov 6th at Addington Gallery, luckily for everyone who didn't get to the opening night it will be up through Christmas. Kevin's work is a delight to behold, and I mean that. These paintings are breathtaking, Kevin is hinting at landscape while utilizing abstract expressionistic movements to create meditative spaces. His use of space allows the viewer to search the painting and study his technique.

His ability to render is obvious, but his exploration of the paint is what is incredible. Thick passages of rich red paint, cover the majority of the paintings. So much so that it may be surprising that the show demonstrates an overall feeling of calm. Kevin has been painting, and has been recognized for doing so, for a long time now, this show proves why and really should not be missed.

Deborah Maris Lader at Uncommon Ground

2009-11-04T19:15:00.002-06:00

On Thursday November 5th the Uncommon Ground at 1401 W Devon, in Edgewater, will officially unveil their new exhibit. On display until February 1st, this exhibit features the work of the director of the Chicago Printmakers Collaborative, Deborah Maris Lader. Don't be fooled by the whole printmaking thing, the actual amount of prints in the show are fairly scarce, the bulk of the work are described as mixed media photographic paintings, this just means she uses an array of mediums which involves photography to create the work.

This show is, for a number of reasons, very successful. One reason I think it is successful is that the work compliments the atmosphere. You don't want to be overwhelmed with color, imagery and content while trying to enjoy a Roasted Beet Salad. Not to say that the work is vacant of any of these but one great aspect of Deborah's work is its delicate nature. Deborah's work sits on the wall with muted colors, that offer up a sense of familiarity; this allows us to feel calm in their presence. Another reason I feel this show is a success is its approachability. The surface of the work has a distressed quality which asks of the viewer a little more attention, but it accomplishes this in a very delicate manner.

This show is also, although it is a bit odd to say this, but, autumnal. Maybe it is the bird imagery or the colors, but the work seems to relish in the crisp cool days of autumn in Chicago. Deborah says one of the many themes of her work is "how we must appreciate the moment before it vanishes" and like Autumn in Chicago, this show will be gone before you know it, so get out and celebrate the opening on Thursday.

The Calumet Region, Photographs by Gary Cialdella

2009-11-02T14:20:00.001-06:00

A collection of Gary Cialdella's photographs of an area that begins in southern Chicago, and ends somewhere in Northwest Indiana, has just been published in a new book. This book of photographs took me a long time to digest, mainly because I know the Calumet region and was not very familiar with this sort of documentary photography. I don't know the area quite as well as Gregg Hertzlieb, editor and contributing essayist for this book, but I have spent enough time in the area to be familiar with the subject matter. It isn't easy to look at photograph after photograph of things you've seen before, all taken in black and white from a six foot eye level. It becomes monotonous and tiring after a while, but I am beginning to understand that there is a lot more here than was originally able to see.

Like I said, I'm familiar with the iconic images of the area, single family homes and industry not only on the same block but often on the same plot of land. These photos show urban decay, liquor and cigarette ads, war memorials, Baptist churches, train tracks and dozens of other "American" images. Upon further inspection though you are not looking only at a region you are looking at individuals. Individuals are making choices about their lawn ornamentation that lend insight into the diversity of the region. On top of that, we are lead through this region so thoughtfully by the editors that we are almost unaware of how much knowledge we are actually receiving from the photographs. Insights into daily struggles, and even inner city infrastructure begin to make themselves known after spending some time studying the work.

There is something very special about these photographs, and I have a feeling it is the relationship between the area being photographed and the photographer. A lot of what has been photographed in this book is gone now, that fact alone will entice locals to reminisce over long loved, and long since lost, local buildings and memories. This is a book you will want to spend time with, like the images of Paris by Eugène Atget we are shown a spirit of this region in a time of change.

But what about people that have never stepped foot into the Calumet region. Well in his essay Gary said

"To this day, I go out of my way to drive through the Region and take it in. Like so much of America, it is both sad and hopeful. I see the Region as a unique place, but I see it also as a metaphor for the contemporary American landscape. Calumet is a real place, and it is home."

When Gary says Calumet is real, he is right. This is where the heart of the steel Industry was, and the only reason it is not as bad as Detroit is because of Chicago. As blue collars become white all across America, we need to look to Detroit and the Calumet Region in order to remember what happens when we believe what we are told. We need to remember happiness is what you make it every day and all of that is very important in spending time with this book. The photographs herein were taken over a span of more than twenty years, and although that is nothing in terms of time, it is more than double the amount of time you would need to make significant changes in a neighborhood today.

Gary is taking us on a tour of his neighborhood, a neighborhood that has changed, and even if we have never visited the area, we have been, and will continue to be effected by that change.

Casey Roberts and Deedee Davis

2009-10-27T20:32:00.001-05:00

The new show at Home Gallery of the works of Casey Roberts and Deedee Davis I think will appeal to a wide audience. Casey's cyanotypes, and the layered glass works of Deedee, at first seem to contrast each other fairly harshly. This, for me, ended up being just an initial reaction, because upon a second look I saw that the playfulness and mystery between the two styles complimented each other quite well.

Deedee Davis' work was very similar to animation cells. On separate sheets of glass with she'll paint and layer the foreground, middle ground, and background of each piece. This creates space and makes a perceptible shadow of one layer on the next. Her layered flat imagery lies out these loose narratives, although there is not a whole lot of information on what those narratives might be. In Elisabeth Furnace II, and Pluto 1 Water1 we might investigate far enough to understand how the titles and images relate but there is more going on here than that relationship. Deedee's work draws the viewer in with her use of bright flat color and allows us to play within the space.

Casey Roberts, has work that showcases his love for printmaking. This will take a little more explaining, Casey works with cyanotypes; this is a process in which a light sensitive liquid is applied to the paper where he makes images by manipulating light and shadow, as well as bleaching colored areas to create multiple tones. These works are little prizes for the viewer because at first glance they look similar to watercolors but slowly reveal themselves as much more. The playful quality and natural imagery of his work invites you into these natural spaces, although they are not there to comfort you. These spaces are uncomfortable by design. Not meant to drive you away, but to help you notice. Brushstrokes and overlaps in this medium don't respect the image that Casey is trying to create, this is very important because there are very often two images on these paintings, one being the surface the other being the images just beyond the surface. This creates a beyond the looking glass kind of thing that plays with your imagination and allows you to explore.

Yozo Hamaguchi at Floating World

2009-10-23T22:44:00.002-05:00

Floating World Gallery had it's inaugural show today, with a wonderful display of mezzotints by Yozo Hamaguchi. Yozo was an oil painter until meeting E.E. Cummings in France who mentioned that his drawings would look great as prints. The rest is history as they say, Hamaguchi returned to Japan and studied printmaking. The prints on display at Floating World are from many stages throughout Yozo Hamaguchi's career. With such wide variety of work it is easy to see the progression of skill Mr. Hamaguchi achieves within the process.

A Mezzotint is done in one of two ways, additive or subtractive. Hamaguchi utilized the former, although the later has historically been more popular. You can easily see that this is the case, because along side of the prints at Floating World are the plates, which is rare for a gallery to put on display. Only adding marks where he wants the ink to print, these plates are inscribed with millions of tiny dots and line to create vast areas of even tones and gradations. His ability to manipulate the tools in creating these prints are on display for all to see, and his mastery of this technique unquestionable.

The one thing that did overshadow the Hamaguchi exhibit though, was the opening of the Floating World Gallery itself. This huge space dedicated strictly to the art of printmaking was astonishing. As a sometimes printer myself it is a joy to know that Chicago, which has a deep history with printmaking, has another stellar venue, for not only showing and selling, but for educating people on prints and the printmaking processes. With an intimate showing space upstairs and the large open gallery down, this space it sure to attract, as well as create, print lovers of all sorts.

Floating World Gallery
1925 N. Halsted
312.587.7800

Th!nkArt, Not Just Another Gallery

2009-10-21T10:58:00.002-05:00

went to my first Th!nkArt event this past Friday, and for the event Laurie Glenn, founder of Th!nkArt, hosted an "Aparté," which in French means "something that is apart." This event seemed to have no primary focus, the large scale paintings by local artist Larry Roberts, did not have any more significance than did the opportunity to talk to others, or the ability to hear a brief speech by Senate hopeful Cheryle Jackson. These events are set up with the intention of creating discourse, and it did that quite well.

I find it hard to talk about Th!nkArt because it is kind of complex. Laurie has built Th!nkArt within a vision, and even though I can tell that vision has continuity, it is hard to pin it down to something short and sweet. One thing you can't escape is the French feel. Th!nkArt has a partnership with the Paris-based Friedland Rivault Gallery and works in conjunction with a number of other French Institutions both here in Chicago and abroad. For instance, at the event I attended, Laurie introduced a France Delegation of 10 emerging elected officials of color who were visiting Chicago. This alone was done in conjunction with Chicago United, United Congress, The Sister Cities International Program of Chicago, and Groupe Professionnal Francophone. So you see, reaching out and creating discourses is something that Laurie truly believes in, its not just another buzz word for her.

Laurie has a long history with art, artists, politics and France. This history has created a rich experience that she can't help but infuse into everything she does. Laurie's approach is quite simple; get your hands dirty and keep an open mind. Th!nkArt is not just a Gallery, and you will not understand what Laurie is trying to achieve by attending one event. I had to talk with Laurie, who is very approachable, in order to get an idea of what the underlining themes of the event were and how everything was tied in together. As I mentioned earlier nothing was any more significant that anything else throughout the evening. So Larry Roberts' paintings, as well as the music and the French delegation, aided the experiences by creating a launching point for discussion, as well as places to rest. Laurie has been laying the groundwork for Th!nkArt since 2006 and I am excited to see what the future of Th!nkArt is going to be.

Golden Age Presents Medium Rare

2009-10-15T22:33:00.007-05:00

Golden Age, an innovative and niche bookstore on west 18th Street, has and interesting show of works opening on Saturday Oct. 17th. The show consists only of works previously published by Medium Rare. Founded in 2008 by Milano Chow, Medium Rare works with young emerging artists to publish works in an affordable and accessible format.

Being inside Golden Age is a total experience, and if you haven't, this is the perfect opportunity. Opened in 2007 by Marco Kane Braunschweiler and Martine Syms, Golden Age is an odd niche shop that outwardly seems to cater to the ultra hip in the indie publishing book world. In reality, they are not selling books at all, actually I found it difficult to call anything within the entire store an out and out book. Sure, most everything there had multiple pages bound together in the traditional book fashion, and one might very well mistake Golden Age for a small Quimby's. Fortunately, for us in Chicago, it isn't. Golden Age sells art, it may as well be called the Golden Age Gallery, because I found everything in there a small bound curated collection of art.

Now enter Medium Rare, a publisher from New York who has some of the same ideas about books as does Golden Age, they curated a selection of works from its previously published artists books.

Collage, watercolors, photocopies and other mediums you might expect from young artists making book art will be on display at Golden Age from October 17th to November 17th 2009.

Featuring:
Anna Peaker
Brock Potucek
Elina Minn
Jaakko Pallasvuo
Emily Ryan
Eric Marth
Jason Rosenberg
Jessica Williams
Lucas Soi
Megan Plunkett
Michi Turner
Pia Howell
Tara Sinn

Golden Age
1744 W. 18th Street
Chicago, IL 60608
Opening Oct. 17 7pm - 10pm

Photos of works by
Jason Rosenberg
Eric Marth
Jessica Williams

Industry of the Ordinary

2009-10-09T12:12:00.003-05:00

It looks like Packer Schopf will be the place to be Sunday night if your into the art scene at all. Industry of the Ordinary have invited thirty-nine people within the category "cultural workers," which I understand as writers, teachers, art advocates and anything else you can think might loosely fit into that genre. Some of the names being dropped for this show include Dawoud Bey, Inigo Manglano-Ovalle, Tony Tasset, Natasha Egan, and Paul Klein. Each of these "cultural workers," were given a different verb, and each will be displaying, performing, reciting or whatever else the will do to expose you to whatever they decided to do for that verb they were given. This should prove to be a fun time, I am excited to see how it all turns out, I even heard that there will be a priest taking confessions via text messages.

Packer Schopf Gallery
942 W. Lake St. Chicago, IL 60607
p 312.226.8984
packer@packergallery.com
Sunday Oct 11th
5pm - 8pm

Interview with Renee Prisble Una

2009-10-05T21:41:00.003-05:00

Renee Prible Una talks with ChicagoArts about how Teaching and her meditation practice inform her art making and had become an integral part of her process.

On Monday October 12th Renee will be doing a followup interview on ChicagoArts Live you will be able to ask questions and participate on UStream.

You can find out more about Renee on her website, and don't miss her shows in November at The Noyes Cultural Arts Center in Evanston and at Perimeter Gallery in Chicago.

Ravenswood Art Walk

2009-10-02T08:39:00.002-05:00

Let me begin by saying October is the beginning of Chicago Artists Month, so there will be no shortage of art events, or wine and cheese for the next thirty days. Having said that, this weekend you will want to check out the Ravenswood Art Walk or RAW. You may have seen the crow logo on red posters around town, but if not don't worry, I will fill you in on the haps right now.
180 artists converge on the Ravenswood Corridor Saturday and Sunday from 11am - 6pm. There is a mapped route, and if you are inclined, the starting location is 4256 N Ravenswood (west side of the Metra tracks). This is the Central Gallery, and here you will be able to see one piece frome every artists involved in RAW Throughout the event you will also be able to participate in the GREAT ART RAFFLE featuring over $3,000 worth of art by some of our talented and most generous artists. There will also be FREE trolley service.

Don't forget to come to 4147 N Ravenswood to see the special exhibit: The Blago Project which is housed in Blagojevich's former offices (Where the FBI wiretapped and eventually raided!!) This project was open to anyone involved in the Ravenswood Art Walk and consists of artwork made to the theme of Rod Blagojevich.

What:
Ravenswood Art Walk

Where:
4256 N Ravenswood

When:
Sat Oct 3 11am-6pm
Sun Oct 4 11am-6pm

Ivanov and his High Class Problems

2009-10-02T00:19:00.002-05:00

I arrived at the ViaDuct Theater ready to see a Russian play. Even though I had known Ivanov had some comic flavor, I was very much prepared for something tragic and depressing. Ivanov did not disappoint in the least. A midlife crisis story, written in the late 1800s about a landowner and his high-faulting friends, Ivanov is riddled with bad love, greed, betrayal, and lots of Vodka. This is not the play to attend if Blue Man happens to be sold out, but it is definitely worth a once over.

Ivanov is a Russian play written by Anton Chekhov and originally performed in 1887. This particular production is being presented by SiNNERMAN Ensemble and was written and directed by Sheldon Patinkin. Sheldon's theater credentials start at being a founding member of Second City, and is far from over when you find out he is currently the chair of the Theater Department of Columbia College Chicago. SiNNERMAN, on the other hand, are ten artists who met at the School of Steppenwolf back in 2005, since then they have expanded to having 12 members. This all seems like a recipe for a great show, and some of the show is just that, but unfortunately some things fail to impress.

The writing in Ivanov is top notch, barring a few overly noticeable Russian references, the language used was approachable, and more often than not, seamless. The set design was sparse and suitable; the lighting, on the other hand, tended to be weak every time the story left the stage area. The performances were all over the place: some were stellar, others fell flat; I did see a preview, but some of the cast definitely need more time to understand their characters.

Sue Redman was exhilarating as Sasha, a character introduced in the second act, It helped that Sasha was young, vibrant, and as a character, she had the least 'doom and gloom' outlook on life (remember this is a Russian play.) I want to express that Sue's performance was not just about her character, but more about how she understood Sasha- who she was and why she was in the position that she found herself. She didn't just memorize the lines, she knew what they meant and why she was saying them. The same goes for Howie Johnson as Pasha, a neighbor of the lead, Nikolai Ivanov.

The lead, Jeremy Fisher, was one of two performance issues I had with this production. Jeremy can memorize the hell out of some lines- I'll give him that, but I was constantly looking to the reactions of his counterparts on stage to figure out what emotion Ivanov was expressing. It seemed as if Jeremy had no idea what the words he was spouting meant. This was your lead of a Russian play, he is absolutely distraught, and yet Jeremy only goes through the motions. He can drool on cue, but he just can't deliver the lines.

My other issue is with Ryan Martin, again memorizing like a Christian, but his performance lacked in the delivery. Beyond that, I was happy to see the passionate performances by most of the remaining cast and I would like to thank them all for helping me figure out what was going on with Ivanov.

Ivanov will be held at the Viaduct Theater, 3111 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL 60618.

The show opens Thursday, October 1, 2009, 7:30 p.m. Runs Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 5 p.m. Preview on September 30 at 7:30 p.m.; Daylight Saving ends November 1.

For tickets, phone: 773-296-6024. Tickets are also available at http://www.viaducttheatre.com and http://www.goldstar.com.

Tickets cost: $20 general admission - please note that the Viaduct Box Office adds a $1 phone and $4 on-line service charge to the below listed prices.

Ticket prices:

$30 on Saturday, October 3 for Wine, Cheese and Chat Opening Celebration

$15 student/industry Thursdays and Sundays (with ID, door purchase only)

$15 special tickets (door purchase only) for these special shows:

Sunday, October 11 "I'd rather see a play than run 26 miles" Marathon Show

Halloween weekend, Friday, October 30, and Saturday, October 31

"Theatre is the original costume party" (costumes encouraged)

Pay-what-you-can for September 30th preview

Group rates for eight or more available - call 773-296-6024