Go Do Good

Photograph by Ron Gordon

The Chicago Photography Collective is presenting a summer show on State St with work by 11 photographers including Ron Gordon, Matt Tuteur, Paul Natkin, and Marc PoKempner.  Inspired by the Go Do Good good deeds campaign,

which in turn was based on this new public mural by artist Kay Rosen, this show will present socially conscious photographs.

The Chicago Photography Collective: Go Do Good
at the Block 37 Building
108 N State St
Chicago, IL

Opening reception: Thursday, July 7, 2011
5 to 8 pm
On view through October 1, 2011

Delicious Design League at Inkling

In addition to tonight's printmaker extravaganza at Rotofugi, Delicious Design League will have a show of screenprints open tonight Friday at Inkling in Lakeview.

Delicious Design League
at Inkling
2917 1/2 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL

Opening reception: Friday, July 1, 2011
6 to 10pm
On view through July 31, 2011

The Little Friends of Printmaking & Aesthetic Apparatus at Rotofugi

Two great Midwest printing duos will have shows of new work opening tonight at Rotofugi in Chicago.  The Little Friends of Printmaking produce vibrantly colored and beautifully designed posters.  I've purchased some fun prints by them over the years. You can check out their work here.

Aesthetic Apparatus works out of Minneapolis and also produces screenprinted posters.  I'm not familar with their work but you can catch some of it here.

The Little Friends of Printmaking & Aesthetic Apparatus
at Rotofugi
2780 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL

Opening reception: Friday, July 1, 2011
7 pm to 10 pm
On view through July 31, 2011

Uprise Skatedeck Release Party

Chicago skateshop, Uprise, will unveil their new "Sandwich Men" series of skateboard decks designed by their Brazilian friend, Felipe Motta aka Mottilaa.  There'll also be a new deck release by Cliche with a design based on a vintage map of Chicago.  Tonight's release party will also feature original artwork, prints, and t-shirts by Mottilaa.

In addition, there'll be music by the Record Players and DJ Jonny Fonseca.  The event is free and will be held next door to the Congress Theater.

Uprise Skatedeck Release Party

at 2139 N Milwaukee Ave (in a storefront in the Congress Theater building)

Chicago, IL

Saturday, June 25, 2011

8pm to midnight

18 and over 

Free

Uptown Showdown Graffiti Battle

Clarendon Park in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood will once again be the setting for the annual Uptown Showdown Graffiti Battle.  Pitting over 30 graffiti artists against each other, this live painting event will be held outdoors in the park.

Uptown Showdown Graffiti Battle
at Clarendon Park
4502 N Clarendon
Chicago, IL

Saturday, June 25, 2011
11 am to 9 pm

Poetry Foundation Building Open House

After recieving a lovely lil' gift of well over 100 million dollars from billionaire Ruth Lilly several years ago, Chicago's Poetry magazine established a foundation to administer their endownment, create an extensive website and database, and bring poetry to new audiences around the country.  This Saturday and Sunday the Poetry Foundation unveils another result of Ruth Lilly's gift, their brand new headquarters building near downtown Chicago.  Featuring a recording studio, a library for their 35,000 volume collection, a performance space, and an exhibition space, this building will help the foundation share poetry with all kinds of people.

An open house will be held both days this weekend, with poetry recitals, building tours, performances, book signings, and more.  Most of the programs are full already but you can still visit the building and attend the book signings with poets.

Poetry Foundation Building Open House
61 W Superior St (at Dearborn & Superior)
Chicago, IL

Saturday & Sunday, June 25 & 26, 2011
10 am to 7 pm
Free

Summer Meltdown

Chicago's awesome rock duo, White Mystery, will perform tonight at the Viaduct.  Tonight's performance is also a video shoot for them so come be a party of rock history!  BBU and Vamos are also on the bill.

Summer Meltdown: White Mystery, BBU, and Vamos
at The Viaduct
3111 N Western Ave
Chicago, IL

Friday, June 24, 2011
Doors open at 9:30 pm
$5 before 10:30 pm
$7 after 10:30 pm
21+

Cut, Bit, and Curious

Spudnik Press in West Town is hosting a collage show opening tonight, Friday, titled Cut, Bit, and Curious.  There'll be work by Julia Vodrey Hendrickson, Rebekka Federle, and Liz Wolf.

Cut, Bit, and Curious
Spudnik Press
1821 W Hubbard
Suite #308
Chicago, IL

Opening reception: Friday, June 24, 2011
On view through July 16, 2011

Clown Soldier at Pawn Works

NYC street artist, Clown Soldier, has a show of work opening tonight at Pawn Works in Ukrainian Village.  I'm not familiar with Clown Soldier's work, except for a sticker I saw recently, but I heard from some friends who previewed the show last night that it's really good.  It should be a fun opening.  Pawn Works is a new gallery that's been bringing in street artists from around the world to Chicago recently.

There's also word of a screeprint by Clown Soldier that was printed at Fugscreens Studios here in Chicago with the help of Mr. Billy Craven.

Clown Soldier: The Human Canonball
at Pawn Works
1050 N Damen Ave
Chicago, IL

Opening reception: Friday, June 24, 2011
7 to 11 pm

Lauren Levato at Firecat Projects

Lauren Levato will have her insanely detailed graphite drawings of insects up tonight (Friday) at Tony Fitzpatrick's gallery, Firecat Projects in Bucktown.

Lauren Levato: Lantern Fly Sex Cure
at Firecat Projects
2124 N Damen Ave
Chicago, IL

Opening reception: Friday, June 24, 2011
7 to 10 pm

Black Eye 1

In celebration of the release of the comic and art anthology, Black Eye 1: Graphic Transmissions to Cause Ocular Hypertension, Quimby's Bookstore will have 5 of the cartoonists represented in the book on hand to sign and talk about their work.  Ivan Brunetti, Lilli Carre, Paul Hornschemeier, Paul Nudd, and Onsmith are scheduled to appear!  More info here.

Black Eye 1
book signing at
Quimby's Bookstore
1854 W North Ave
Chicago, IL

Friday, June 24, 2011
7 to 10 pm

Devil Child

Impala Studio in Rogers Park will have a show of drawings and more by Charlie Megna opening tomorrow night Friday.

Charlie Megna: Devil Child

at Impala Studio

1768 W Greenleaf (1/2 block west of Clark St)

Chicago, IL

Opening reception: Friday, June 24, 2011

7 to 11 pm

The Show 'n Tell Show

A brand spanking new edition of the Show 'n Tell Show will be unveiled tonight Thursday at Lincoln Hall.  This graphic design-centered live talk show consists of interviews with Chicago artists and designers, as well as short performances and presentations where work in progress is shown.  I had a lot of fun at the previous edition and am sure this one will be entertaining as well.

Guests will include: Jim Coudal, Dawn Hancock of Firebelly Design, Veronica Corzo-Duchardt, and Ryan Duggan vs Johnny Sampson.

Tonight's show poster was designed by cartoonist and comix scholar Ivan Brunetti.

This video gives you a lil' intro to the world of the Show 'n Tell Show and its three hosts...

The live show itself is set up as a talk show with a couch on stage and each guest getting their own segment to answer questions about their work and show what they do.

The Show 'n Tell Show

at Lincoln Hall

2424 N Lincoln Ave (near Fullerton Ave)

Chicago, IL 

Thursday, June 23, 2011

8pm

21+

$5

Video for American Apparel directed by photographer Tony Kelly

Directed by Tony Kelly for American Apparel from Tony Kelly Photography on Vimeo.


I love how the one kid is just conducting his business on the phone on his tiny couch.

Brian Evan Show and Fundraiser

Brian Evan, artist, and former director of Pilsen's 54B Gallery, went through some really severe emergency medical issues with his heart recently and is just now starting to recover.  A fundraiser is being held for him featuring artwork by Brian and his friends at the new artspace that he and ZORE are running at the ZhouB Art Center in Bridgeport.  Today is also his birthday!  Come out and support a great person.  The Co-Prosperity Sphere on Morgan St also has an opening tonight so you can make it a Bridgport night.

Brian Evan Fundraiser

ZhouB Art Center

1029 W 35th St

4th floor, Suite 404

Chicago, IL

Friday, June 17, 2011

7 to 11 pm