Friday, September 24, 2010

Leon Golub & Shirin Neshat at the Block Museum


The Block Museum of Art at Northwestern University in Evanston is unveiling two new shows today featuring artwork by Leon Golub and Shirin Neshat. I saw Golub's traveling show, Live & Die, Like a Lion? at the Drawing Center in New York earlier this year.  I'd long admired Golub's large scale paintings dealing with political issues, military imagery, torture, and social injustice, but I'd never seen the drawings he produced towards the end of his career before his passing in 2004.

These relatively small drawings (8"x10")  were drawn with oil sticks and ink in an interesting combination of styles.  They depict skulls, bodies, animals, and text.  I also liked the inclusion in the show of collages and cut-out source imagery that Golub used as a basis for his drawings and paintings.  This show will be very worth seeing. The Drawing Center also produced a really nice small catalog for this show, which should be available at the Block Museum.

The other show the Block Museum is presenting is an 11-minute video installation by Iranian artist Shirin Neshat.  Titled, Rapture, this installation is composed of two black and white videos projected opposite of each other depicting a group of men occupying a fortress contrasted with a video of women walking through a desert and approaching the same fortress.  This video made for mesmerizing viewing when I first saw it at the Art Institute of Chicago some time ago.


Leon Golub:  Live + Die Like a Lion?
and Shirin Neshat: Rapture
40 Arts Circle Drive
on the campus of Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

*Free admission*
Both shows will be on view from September 24 to December 12, 2010

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Tom Torluemke is The Exhibitionist

Indiana artist Tom Torluemke will have a solo show open tomorrow Friday at the Co-Prosperity Sphere in Bridgeport.  Tom creates impressive work using a variety of techniques including painting, sculpture, murals, and mosaics.



Tom Torluemke is The Exhibitionist
Co-Prosperity Sphere
3219 S Morgan St
Chicago, IL

Opening reception, Friday, September 24, 2010
6 to 11 pm

On Wednesday, October 6, 2010 at 7pm, director/curator Gregg Hertzlieb of the Brauer Museum of Art will "roast the artist and the exhibit followed by Curator Vs Artist, a discussion of issues important to artists."

The show will be on view through October 14, 2010

Edra Soto: Homily


Chicago artist, Edra Soto has a show opening tomorrow Friday at ebersmoore in the West Loop.  Edra's installation has roots in religious spaces and traditions.  Edra has also curated a show for ebersmoore's 2nd gallery space featuring work by painters
Corinne Halbert,
Carmen Price, 
and Thad Kellstad.

Edra Soto: Homily
ebersmoore
213 N Morgan St
#3C
Chicago, IL

Opening reception, Friday, September 24, 2010
6 to 9 pm
Both exhibitions will be on view through October 30, 2010

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Shapeshifter

Shapeshifter is the name of Brian Kapernekas' new show opening at 65Grand gallery this Friday but its also the perfect word to describe the gallery's transition from an apartment gallery space to a larger (and legal) storefront space.  After operating for nearly 5 years at his apartment, gallery owner Bill Gross was visited by city inspectors and was forced to close down his space because his apartment was not zoned for conducting business.

I really liked his space when I checked out David Leggett's show there earlier this year but I won't miss the walk up to the 3rd floor apartment.  Here are a couple of very short videos I shot at David's opening reception...


This will be Brian's 2nd show at 65Grand and will consist of a new series of work composed of mixed-media paintings and constructions exploring different materials and "personal mythology".

Brian Kapernekas: Shapeshifter
*New Location*
1369 W Grand Ave
Chicago, IL

Opening reception, Friday, September 24, 2010
7 to 10 pm

On view through October 30, 2010


Girls

Johalla Project's Caitlin Arnold will have a show of photographs from her "Girls" series open this Friday at The Hills Esthetic Center.  Caitlin has been working on this series for several years, focusing on girls and their transition to adulthood.  Here are a few earlier selections from "Girls"...





128 N Campbell Unit G
Chicago, IL

Opening reception Friday, September 24, 2010
8 to 11 pm
On view through October 16, 2010

Friday, September 17, 2010

Grime Time Magazine Release Party


Chicago's own Grime Time Magazine will hold a release party this Sunday at Black Market Caviar.  Featuring interviews, articles, and photographs documenting Chicago's graffiti scene, issue #3 is their biggest one yet.

The party will also feature a show of new photography by Ghetto P, the publisher of Grime Time.  There'll also be live painting by Brooks Golden, and the release of a Grime Time t-shirt as well as prints by some great artists including PROVE, THOR, FACT, and MELON.  I'm looking forward to this show.

Grime Time Magazine Issue and Tee Release Party
Sunday, September 19, 2010
4pm to 8pm
Black Market Caviar
1945 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL
Free and all ages

DJ's SMUT and DEMCHUCK will be spinning.

2010 Chicago Meeting of Styles

It's time for the 7th. Annual Chicago Meeting of Styles.  Begun in Germany, this showcase for graffiti art has spread around the world.  Held in various cities throughout the year, the Chicago edition is always heavily attended and features many artists.  

Events will be held in different parts of the city with a meet and greet along with dj's and performers at Gallery 54B in Pilsen Friday night.  

Walls will be painted along Kedzie St on the south side of the city between 30th and 36th streets from Friday through Sunday.

Saturday night there'll be at art show at Blitz Bar (I'll have some photographs on display), and Sunday there's a release party for Grime Time Magazine at Black Market Caviar (info in the post above), as well as a closing party at Darkroom down the street from Black Market Caviar.




2010 Chicago Meeting of Styles
Friday, September 17 through Sunday September 19, 2010
Graffiti Wall Painting along Kedzie Ave between 30th & 36th St. as well as Crawford Steel Co 1 blk east of Kedzie on 36th St.

Meet and Greet and performances at Gallery 54B
Friday, September 17, 2010
7 to 11 pm
2128 S Halsted St
Chicago, IL

Eastern*Sentral*Pacific Art Show
Saturday, September 18, 2010
7pm to 11pm
21+ after 9pm
Blitz Bar
2833 W Armitage
Chicago, IL

Grime Time Magazine Release Party
Sunday, September 19, 2010
4pm to 8pm
Black Market Caviar
1945 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL
Free, All Ages

Meeting of Styles Afterparty
Sunday, September 19, 2010
10 pm to 2 am
Darkroom
2210 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL
Free, 21+

Steve Seeley and James Marshall/Dalek at Rotofugi


Chicago's Steve Seeley (above) and East Coast artist James Marshall (below) aka Dalek, will have shows opening tonight at Rotofugi's new location in Lincoln Park.  If you haven't seen their new space yet prepare to be amazed.  It's huge.




*New Location*
2780 N Lincoln Ave (at Diversey)
Chicago, IL

Opening reception, Friday, September 17, 7 to 10 pm
Both artists will be in attendance at tonight's opening

The shows will be on view through October 10, 2010


Friday, September 10, 2010

Nick Cave: Drive-By

Amazing Chicago artist, Nick Cave, will have a pop-up shop and video installation on view beginning tonight Friday, through September 17th at the corner of Michigan Ave and 23rd St.  He'll be showcasing the elaborate soundsuits he made that are also featured in the September issue of Vogue magazine.




Check out www.soundsuitshop.com for video and more info.

Nick Cave
Drive-By:  The Soundsuit Pop-Up Shop
Corner of Michigan Ave and 23rd St
Chicago, IL

Beginning daily at dusk (8pm to 11pm) from September 10 to 17, 2010

Forget Me NOT

Chicago's Intuit is opening a group show tonight of portraits by 49 different outsider artists ranging from the early 19th century to the present day.

Forget Me NOT
Intuit
756 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL

Opening Friday, September 10, 2010
5 to 8 pm
Free reception

On view through December 30, 2010
Admission is $5.00 on all other days.

Paul D'Amato at Stephen Daiter Gallery




One of my favorite Chicago photographers, Paul D'Amato, will have a solo show opening tonight at Stephen Daiter Gallery in River North.  Tonight's exhibition will feature a series titled, We Shall, focusing on residents of Chicago's West Side.  There's a preview of the show here.



Paul D'Amato:  We Shall
Stephen Daiter Gallery
230 W Superior St
4th Floor
Chicago, IL

Opening reception, Friday, September 10, 2010
5 to 8 pm
On view through October 30, 2010

John Henley and Carol Jackson at Roots & Culture

I'm glad to hear that multi-disciplinary artist John Henley is going to have a show opening tonight.  I remember seeing his hilarious animated frog video at a gallery downtown 10 years ago.  I'm looking forward to see what he'll have up tonight.

John Henley and Carol Jackson
1034 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL

Opening reception Friday, September 10, 2010
6 to 9 pm
On view through October 9, 2010

Faux Weirdo

Lauren Anderson will be showing new work tonight at Golden Age, the finely curated bookstore in the West Loop.

Lauren Anderson:  Faux Weirdo
Golden Age
119 N Peoria #2D
Chicago, IL

Opening reception, Friday, September 10, 2010

On view through October 22, 2010

Ben Stone and Joey Fauerso at Western Exhibitions

Artists Ben Stone and Joey Faureso have separate solo shows opening tonight at Western Exhibitions in the West Loop.

Ben Stone and 
Joey Faureso: Act Natural
119 N Peoria St #2A
Chicago, IL

Opening reception, Friday, September 10, 2010
5 to 8 pm
Exhibitions will be on view through October 9, 2010

Multistable Picture Fable

Artist Dan Gunn has a show opening tomorrow Saturday at Wicker Park's Lloyd Dobler Gallery.

Dan Gunn:  Multistable Picture Fable
Lloyd Dobler Gallery
1545 W Division
2nd floor
Chicago, IL

Opening reception Saturday, September 11, 2010
6 to 10 pm
On view through October 16, 2010

R'FUAH: New Works by Max Kauffman


Colorado artist Max Kauffman will have a show of new paintings and ceramics opening tonight at Pawn Works in Ukrainian Village.  Check out a preview of his work here.

Max Kauffman:  R'FUAH
Pawn Works
1050 N Damen Ave
Chicago, IL

Opening reception, Friday, September 10, 2010
6 to 10 pm

Thursday, September 09, 2010

Wendy White: French Cuts

Artist Wendy White will have a show opening at Andrew Rafacz Gallery Friday night.  Which is located conveniently next door to the Chris Johanson opening at Kavi Gupta Gallery.

Wendy White:  French Cuts
835 W Washington Blvd
2nd floor
Chicago, IL

Opening reception Friday, September 10, 2010
4 to 7 pm
On view through October 23, 2010

Chris Johanson at Kavi Gupta

Sun and Ocean #1

Person Walking Over Bridge #1

West Coast artist, Chris Johanson will have an opening of new work Friday at Kavi Gupta Gallery.  He'll be presenting an installation with connected sculptures and paintings made on found wood.

Chris has also curated an additional show opening Friday night as well titled, "The Color of Black and White" with work by Julia Asherman, Gary Groves, Dave Schubert, and Masao Yamamoto. 

Chris Johanson: Backwards Towards Forwards
Kavi Gupta Gallery
835 W Washington Blvd
2nd floor
Chicago, IL

Opening reception Friday, September 10, 2010
5 to 8 pm
On view through October 16, 2010

Button-O-Matic opening


Chicago's Busy Beaver Button Co. will celebrate their 15th anniversary with the release of a new set of artist designed buttons.  Titled, SOUVENIR, this series was curated by several of the sites that host Busy Beaver button machines including Edie Fake for Quimby's Books, Alicia Hermanny for Uncle Fun and Cody Hudson for the Empty Bottle.

Friday night's party will feature free ice cream from Nice Cream, beer, as well as a 6 foot tall button machine filled with 10,000 buttons from the SOUVENIR series for 25 cents a piece.

3279 W Armitage
Friday, September 10, 2010
7 to 10 pm
*Free*

Renegade time

End of summer is here but the good thing about it is that it brings the onset of the art season as well as the annual Renegade Craft Fair.  There's always a great selection of screenprints, artwork, and other handmade things.  This year there'll be work by over 300 artists.

Renegade Craft Fair
Division and Damen St.
Chicago, IL

Saturday & Sunday, September 11 & 12, 2010
11 am to 7 pm
*Free*

Sonar Chicago

Sonar, the Barcelona, Spain-based music festival, will present a taste of their festival here in Chicago tonight through Sunday.  Featuring the likes of Kid Koala, Oval, and a whole slew of DJ's and experimental groups at the Chicago Cultural Center, Smart Bar, and Millenium Park.  It should be a lot of fun.  The full line up and schedule is listed at their site, www.sonarchicago.com/en

Millenium Park
Michigan and Randolph St
Thursday, September 9, 2010
noon to 9 pm
Free

Chicago Cultural Center
Michigan and Randolph st
Friday and Saturday, September 10 and 11, 2010
noon to 8 pm
Free

Sonar Club Night by Red Bull Music Academy at
Smart Bar
3730 N Clark St
10 pm to 4 am
$5 21 and over

Sixty Inches From Center

Columbia College's C33 Gallery is hosting an opening tonight for their new Chicago contemporary graffiti art show.  Featuring work by Azteca, Klepto Blutt, Zoe McCloskey, Hebru Brantley, Magda Sayeg, Brooks Golden, Stockyard Institute, and Jova. Some of the artists also painted murals specifically for this show.

Sixty Inches From Center:  Contemporary Graffiti
C33 Gallery
Columbia College
33 E Congress Parkway
(on the corner of Wabash & Congress)
Chicago, IL

Opening reception is Thursday, September 9, 2010
as part of Columbia College's ArtCrawl from 5 to 8 pm

The show will be on view through October 16, 2010

Wednesday, September 08, 2010

Qwel & Maker

Qwel & Maker kick off their nationwide tour in support of their new album, Owl, with a release party and show at Reggie's in Chicago this Friday night.  Also featuring performances by Galapagos4's Typical Cats, Meaty Ogre, Maxilla Blue, and the Peachtree.

Friday, September 10, 2010
 8pm  17+
$10 pre/$12 at the door
2109 S State St
Chicago, IL

Upski wants you to do something


Author and activist William UPSKI Wimsatt has just come out with a new book, "Please Don't Bomb the Suburbs".  Coming after his seminal hip-hop book, "Bomb the Suburbs" as well as, "No More Prisons" and "How to Get Stupid White Men Out of Office" which he co-authored with Adrienne Maree Brown, this book consists of a new set of essays and stories as well as ideas for supporting the progressive movement in this country.

He's currently on tour around the country doing readings off his new book.  He'll be stopping in his hometown of Chicago this week with readings at Quimby's Books in Wicker Park Wednesday night and at CUAS - The Chicago Underground Art Society in Pilsen on Friday.  Click here for more info on the book and his tour.

William UPSKI Wimsatt: Please Don't Bomb the Suburbs
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
7 pm
Quimby's Bookstore
1854 W North Ave
Chicago, IL

and at the
Chicago Urban Art Society
Friday, September 10, 2010
6 to 11 pm (reading at 7pm, party from 9 to 11pm)
2229 S Halsted St
Chicago, IL

Thursday, September 02, 2010

Phoebe Fisher


Fantastic painter Phoebe Fisher will have a show of new work opening tonight at Connect Retail Showroom in Wicker Park.  This is part of the Book Club Series presented by Simpletype Graphic Studio.

Phoebe Fisher
Connect Retail Showroom
1330 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL

Opening reception is Thursday, September 2, 2010
from 6 to 9 pm
and the show will be on view through the end of September.