My Heart is An Idiot

Davy Rothbart is the creator and editor of FOUND Magazine, a brilliant magazine devoted to publishing pictures and items that people have found.  He is also a contributor to NPR's This American Life.  My Heart is an Idiot is a funny and poignant documentary covering a two-year FOUND magazine tour in a van visiting hundreds of cities around the United States.  The film's main focus though, is Davy's quest for true love.  Including video footage of Davy's romantic entanglements from his younger days, the movie documents his attempts to convey his love for a certain woman and features Davy receiving advice on love from people he encounters around the country, including Ira Glass, Newt Gingrich, and Zooey Deschanel.

I found My Heart is an Idiot completely engaging.  The film takes you along on Davy's both funny and frustrating journey around the country and through his thought process on love.

My Heart is An Idiot
Special Chicago screening at
Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art
756 N Milwaukee Ave
(just south of Chicago and Ogden Aves, near the Chicago Ave Blue Line CTA station)
Saturday, April 30, 2011
at 7pm

Both Davy Rothbart and film director David Meiklejohn will be present for a Q & A after the screening.
Suggested donation is $10 and $8 for members of Intuit
Other screenings on this 15-city tour are listed here.

White Mystery at Johalla Projects

Chicago rock duo White Mystery presents their visual art side tonight, Friday, with a show of handprinted apparel and textiles, as well as album designs for various groups at Johalla Projects in Wicker Park.

White Mystery Art Show

at Johalla Projects

1561 N Milwaukee Ave

2nd floor above Earwax

Chicago, IL 60622

Opening reception: Friday, April 29, 2011

7 to 10 pm

On view the following week by appointment

Joe Amrhein at Firecat Projects

Firecat Projects in Bucktown presents a show of new text-based work by Joe Amrhein.  Firecat Projects does a great job of bringing interesting work to Chicago that I've never seen here before.

Joe Amrhein: A Fallibility of Perception
at Firecat Projects
2124 N Damen
Chicago, IL

Opening reception: Friday, April 29, 2011
7 to 10 pm
Free beer courtesy of Three Floyds

Art Chicago & NEXT

Chicago's annual Artropolis is open this Friday through Monday.  Comprised of three exhibitions, Art Chicago, NEXT, and the International Antiques Fair, this year's fest also has a lot of great side components.  I took a peek through some of the fair last night and really enjoyed the offerings from Carl Hammer Gallery, including an early painting from 1969 by Karl Wirsum, some always amazing huge scroll drawings by Henry Darger, and pieces by artists Martin Ramirez, Chris Ware, Joseph Yoakum, C. J. Pyle, and Michael Hernandez de Luna.

The NEXT portion of the fair had a nice selection of fresh art.  There was a lot of representation by Chicago galleries and collectives including Johalla Projects, Reuben Kincaid Project, the Post Family, and ACRE.  Pieces by Sighn, Ryan Duggan, Thorne Brandt, Tom Burtonwood, James Jankowiak, and Edie Fake were among my favorites.

1K Projectspace, a curatorial program run by Nina Bovasso in Amsterdam, had a wonderful series of  acrylic and watercolor on paper paintings by Heidi Britt Anderson.  I especially liked the mass of Snoopy-like dog heads that was being presented as a raffle prize.

Shepard Fairey, aka Obey Giant, DJ'd a 3 hour set during the preview.  He was also well represented by a show of album cover art at the Robert Berman Gallery booth complete with a vintage record player featuring a 78rpm record with a label by Shepard Fairey.

I'm going back to the fair today because I only scratched the surface last night.  I'll also add pictures to this post later on...

Artropolis: Art Chicago, NEXT, and the International Antiques Fair
at the Merchandise Mart at Wells and the Chicago River
Friday through Monday, April 29 to May 2, 2011
Here's a link to a free pair of passes to the fair

Art is Information: The Artist as Educator

Impala Gallery in Rogers Park presents a show opening tonight Friday, Art is Information: The Artist as Educator.  Featuring work by Jessica A. Wagner, James P. Conley, Michael J. Jones, KJ, Jillian Van Volkenburgh, Greta Bach, Tony Vega, Jeffrey Eckel, and Leah Beukema.  Along with a music performance by Michael Nervous.

Special guest talk at 9pm by Chairman Fred Hampton, Jr of the POCC/BPPC and son of assasinated Black Panther Party member, Chairman Fred Hampton.

Art Is Information: The Artist as Educator

at Impala Gallery

1768 W Greenleaf

Chicago, IL 60626

Opening reception: Friday, April 29, 2011

6pm to midnight

With talk at 9pm by special guest Chairman Fred Hampton, Jr of the Black Panther Party

The exhibition will be on view through May 6, 2011 by appointment

The MDW Fair

The new MDW Fair (pronounced Midway) is a massive undertaking being held in conjunction with this year's Version Fest.  Being held at the Geolofts in Bridgeport, this fair aims to present work by Chicago artists with booths and installations from over 50 local and independent galleries, collectives, non-profit groups, and publishers.  Housed in a 25,000 square foot space, including sculptures on display in an 8,000 square foot garden, this fair will bring together many of Chicago's most progressive and interesting art spaces and artists.  There's a list of participants here.

I highly recommend checking this fair out.  I've seen some preview photos and there's going to be a lot of great stuff on display.

The MDW Fair
at the Geolofts
3636 S Iron St
Chicago, IL 60609

Transportation and location information here.

Saturday, April 23, 2011
1pm to 10pm
and
Sunday, April 24, 2011
1pm to 6pm
$5 admission

The NEW New Chicagoans

The 11th annual Version Fest kicks off this weekend with the New New Chicagoans show opening tonight Friday at the Co-Prosperity Sphere in Bridgeport.  Acting as a sequel to the New Chicagoans show which was held six years ago, this show builds on it with the same artists as before plus a set of new people. 

Featuring work by Mike Andrews, Dayton Castleman, Ryan Travis Christian, Paul Cowan, Ryan Duggan, Stephen Eichhorn, Edie Fake, Aron Gent, Cody Hudson, Matthew Hoffman, Thad Kellstadt, Jason Lazarus, Rachael Marszewski, Paul Nudd, Rachel Niffenegger, Josue Pellot, Josh Reames, Anna Shteynshleyger, Sonnenzimmer, Greg Stimac, Christine Tarkowski

New New Chicagoans
at the Co-Prosperity Sphere
3219 S Morgan St
Chicago, IL

Opening reception: Friday, April 22, 2011
7pm to 1am
Free from 7pm to 9pm
$5 from 9pm to 1am

This show will be on view through
May 7, 2011
There will be an afterparty for the MDW fair on Saturday at the Co-Prosperity Sphere beginning at 10pm

Zhou Brothers

Chicago's Zhou Brothers will have a show of new paintings opening tonight Friday at their Zhou B Art Center in Bridgeport.

Zhou Brothers: Time-Portrait of History
at the Zhou B Art Center
1029 W 35th St
Chicago, IL

Opening reception: Friday, April 22, 2011
6 to 10 pm
On view through June 12, 2011

Reality Show at Noble & Superior Projects

Noble & Superior Projects in West Town presents a new show tonight, Friday, titled, Reality Show. Examining the underlying similarities and differences between televised imagery and internet based entertainment, this group show will feature video based installations.  More info on the show here.

Reality Show
at Noble & Superior Projects
1418 W Superior St
2nd floor, rear building
Chicago, IL

Opening reception: Friday, April 22, 2011
6 to 10 pm

Jay Ryan's Trouble show at Rotofugi

Chicago printmaker and painter, Jay Ryan, has a show of paintings opening tonight, Friday, at Rotofugi in Lincoln Park.  I'm really liking the direction these new paintings are going.

Jay Ryan: Trouble
at Rotofugi Gallery
2780 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL

Opening reception: Friday, April 22, 2011
7 to 10 pm

Jay will be in attendance
Music by DJ Carrie Weston
Free sodas by Goose Island
Pastries by Fritz Pastry

To Art and Profit

This is the 2nd weekend for the To Art and Profit performance series at Links Hall and other locations. 
Info from their site...
To Art & Profit is an interdisciplinary performance series augmented with arts-focused dialogues and Carnival-inspired street theatre spectacle throughout the city of Chicago.

The festival pairs Chicago-based artists across discipline and genre, asking them to create performances around select themes and questions:  What is the value of creative labor?

How can we practice a more conscientious capitalism, one that allows art makers to make a living while still nourishing the human spirit?

How can we democratize art production, widening the scope of creative voices and expressions brought to public spaces and stages?

Each performance weekend will be linked to different Chicago neighborhoods (Logan Square, Pilsen, Bronzeville).

To Art and Profit aims to connect and engage different neighborhoods around Chicago around the value of art and artists to their immediate and global community.
Finding various ways to invite community participation, this series explores how art can be profitable, accountable and accessible. In addition to the Links performances, there will be street theater spectacles and public discussions on the following themes:

March 18-20: What Is It Good For? Defining Art's Purpose Now

April 15-17: Quit Bullshittin': Recognizing Division and Building Solidarity in the Artsay 20-22: Come As You Are: Re-Imagining Art with a Conscience


For more information, visit www.LinksHall.org.

There's info here on the schedule and a promo video here...
 

Group Hug

There's an art show opening tonight at the Co-Prosperity Sphere in Bridgeport titled, Group Hug, featuring work by Daniel Baird, Paul Erschen, Matt Nichols, Betsy Odom, Aay Preston-Myint.

Group Hug
at the Co-Prosperity Sphere
3219 S Morgan
Chicago, IL

Opening reception, Saturday, April 16, 2011
7 to 10 pm

Z-Factor closing party

Tonight's the closing party for the graffiti art and photography show, Z-Factor, at Impala Studio in Rogers Park, which I wrote about here last month.  They have a great black light installation and the DJ's on deck for tonight are amazing, including DJ Dave Mata. 

Here's a video I shot at the opening last month....


I will give you cash money (one dollar) if you could tell me the name of the song that is playing in the video.  The beat and the horns towards the end are amazing....

Z-Factor closing party
at Impala Studios
1768 W Greenleaf
Chicago, IL

Saturday, April 16, 2011
8pm till late

LOGISTICS at Garage Spaces

Happy Collaborationists present a one-night show tonight, Saturday, at Garage Spaces in Humboldt Park.  Both groups curate and provide space for artists to present ideas and artwork through installations and performances.  I don't know anything else about tonight's show except that it involves, "commerce, movement, and lots of liquids", but Garage Spaces has never let me down.

LOGISTICS at Garage Spaces
1254 N Noble
Chicago, IL

Saturday, April 16, 2011
6 to 10 pm

Record Store Day, 2011

Tomorrow Saturday, is the annual Record Store Day around the country.  There's a lot of special releases and events going on.  You can catch the full schedule of locations and available releases here.

In Chicago, one of the great things going on the same day is the pop-up store that the Numero Group record label is going to have open for one day from 9 am to 9 pm.  In addition to having all their available releases on sale, there will also be a sale of 20,000 records including rare soul and other genres in great condition.  They'll have a special 7" single available for sale to the first 100 people and there's also going to be a pirate radio station broadcasting the entire day.  It should be amazing.

Record Store Day
Various Locations in Chicago and around the country

Numero Group Pop-Up Store
1371 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL
The pop-up shop will only be open Saturday, April 16, 2011
from 9am to 9pm

Underground Comix 101

Chicago's Homeroom presents Underground Comix 101, tomorrow night, Tuesday.  This event will be moderated by artist and comics historian, Joe Tallarico,  who is also the comics editor for Lumpen magazine.  The talk will feature a discussion with George Hansen, who has produced comics and illustrations since the early 1960's, and with multidisciplinary artist, Edie Fake, whose excellent graphic novel, The Gaylord Phoenix, was just published by Secret Acres.

There will be items available for purchase as well as "a screening of rare 1920's and 30's cartoons for weirdos and nerds," according to Homeroom's site.

Homeroom: Underground Comix 101
with Joe Tallarico, George Hansen, and Edie Fake
at The Hungry Brain
2319 W Belmont Ave (just east of Western Ave)
2nd floor
Chicago, IL

Tuesday, April 12, 2011
9pm to midnight
Free

Hated Skateboard video premiere

Chicago's Hated Skateboards, run by and art directed by Ryan Duggan, is presenting the premiere of its first skate video, "Fuck Life", tomorrow night Sunday at the Hideout.  Featuring "beer, free stuff, skateboarding, and beer", this evening will also consist of the unveiling of the new Hated Skateboard decks for the season.

HATED vid soon from Dalba on Vimeo.

Hated Skateboard video premiere
at the Hideout
1354 W Wabansia (2 blks north of North Ave, 1 blk east of Elston)
Chicago, IL

Sunday, April 10, 2011
8pm to 11pm
$2.00 cover
21+

Dock 6 Collective

Dana Carter

The newly formed Dock 6 Collective kicks off their first Design and Art Series event tonight with a show featuring artwork by several artists and designers.  Curated by Edra Soto, there will be furniture and artwork by Dana Carter, Meg Duguid, ED JR., Molly Zuckerman-Hartung, Kirsten Leenaars, Kujawa Architecture, John DeSalvo, and the Dock 6 Collective.

Installation by Edra Soto

Design and Street Art Series
at Dock 6 Collective
4200 W Diversey
Chicago, IL

Opening reception: Friday, April 8, 2011
6pm to midnight
Also on view on Saturday, April 9th, from noon to 6pm

UIC MFA Thesis Show

UIC presents their 2011 MFA Thesis Exhibition beginning tonight, Friday, at Gallery 400. Featuring work by Melina Ausikaitis, Daniel Baird, Aay Preston-Myint, and Brittany Ransom.


2011 MFA Thesis Exhibition
at Gallery 400
400 S Peoria St
Chicago, IL

Artist reception Friday, April 8, 2011
5 to 8 pm
On view through, Saturday, April 9, 2011

A Variety of Fits

Johalla Projects presents a show by Adam Grossi opening tonight, Friday.  Featuring new drawings and paintings.  Here's an interview with Grossi in the current Red Eye.

Adam Grossi: A Variety of Fits
at Johalla Projects
N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL

Opening reception: Friday, April 8, 2011
6 to 9 pm

A Mouth Which Shouts is a Cave for the Hand

West Town gallery, 65Grand, will have a show with work by Ian Pedigo open Friday night.

Ian Pedigo: A Mouth Which Shouts is a Cave for the Hand
at 65Grand
1369 W Grand Ave
Chicago, IL

Opening reception: Friday, April 8, 2011
7 to 10 pm
On view through May 7, 2011

April Showers

Hot on the heels of their collaborative show last month in Logan Square, artists Chris Silva, Lauren Feece, Lindsey Meyers, and Robert Stevenson will have a second show in the same space with all new work. 

April Showers
at I Am Logan Square Gallery
2648 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL

Opening reception: Thursday, April 7, 2011
6 to 9pm
On view through April 30, 2011

Jaguar Headband Twins

Logan Square's Comfort Station will show new collages by Jordan Martins tomorrow night, Saturday.  Comfort Station is housed in a recently renovated century-old building at the end of Logan Boulevard directly across the street from the Logan monument.  I always liked that lil' building so it's great to hear that it's been restored.

There'll also be 5 different dates with live music performances in the gallery.  The schedule is posted here.

Jordan Martins: Jaguar Headband Twins
at Comfort Station
2579 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL

Opening reception: Saturday, April 2, 2011
7 to 10 pm
On view through April 30, 2011

Beast Friends

Wicker Park gallery OhNo!Doom presents a new show, Beast Friends, featuring work by Keith Noordzy and Kali Meadows tomorrow night Saturday.

Beast Friends
at OhNo!Doom
1800 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL

Opening reception: Saturday, April 2, 2011
6 to 10 pm
On view through April 30, 2011

Emmy Star Brown at Paperboy

Emmy Star Brown has a show of paintings on glass opening tonight Friday at Paperboy in Lakeview.  Her intricately painted pieces are always amazing.

Emmy Star Brown
at Paperboy
1351 W Belmont
Chicago, IL

Opening reception: Friday, April 1, 2011
5 to 8 pm

M.I.A.M.I.: Must I Always Mention It

New West Loop gallery space, Casualiving, has a show opening tonight, Friday, by Enzo Moscarella.  Including collaborations with Jasmin Guerrero, this show will focus on Moscarella's interpretations of Miami people and culture.

Gators, 2009 ed. 1/12

Enzo Moscarella: M.I.A.M.I.: Must I Always Mention It

at Casualliving

119 N Peoria St

#3B

Chicago, IL

Opening reception: Friday, April 1, 2011

6 to 9 pm

On view through April 7th by appointment

Risk and Reward

Diabolic, self-portrait by Erik DeBat

Chicago artist, Erik DeBat, has a huge retrospective show opening tonight Friday at the Blackstone Hotel's Art Hall.  Check out the great Critic's Choice write-up in the Chicago Reader.

Erik DeBat: Risk and Reward
at the Renaissance Blackstone Hotel
636 S Michigan Ave
Chicago, Il

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

6/6/6: Six Artists, Six Cities, Six Connections

Llloyd Dobler Gallery presents a traveling show opening tonight titled, 6/6/6.  A show about connections, each artist in the show in turn selected another artist from around the country to join the show.  The resulting group of six artists will presenting this show at six art spaces around the country.  

6/6/6: Six Artists, Six Cities, Six Connections

at Lloyd Dobler Gallery

1545 W Division, 2nd flr

Chicago, IL

Opening reception: Friday, April 1, 2011

6 to 10 pm

On view through April 30, 2011