Breakin' at the Writer's Bench

If it doesn't rain tomorrow Sunday, there will be b-boys and b-girls breakdancing at the Logan Square eagle monument from 2 to 5 pm.  There will also be music provided if you're inclined to dance as well.

Logan Square Monument
across the street from the Logan Square Blue Line CTA station
at Milwaukee Ave and Logan Blvd
Chicago, IL
Sunday, May 22, 2011
2 to 5 pm

Gregg Bordowitz at Iceberg Projects

Iceberg Projects, an adventurous gallery in Rogers Park, will have a show and talk by writer and artist Gregg Bordowitz tonight, Saturday.  I say adventurous because not only do they have a varied and interesting program, it's also a fun trek to get there.  I've lived in Rogers Park most of my life and I've rarely made it up to the very northeast corner of the city where the gallery is located.  It's also housed in a remodeled building behind a house on Sheridan Rd., so you go down a path on the side of the house to get to it. For tonight's show,

Gregg Bordowitz curated a great selection of artwork from the collection of Dr. Daniel S. Berger, the owner of the gallery.  There'll be pieces by Lee Godie, Leon Golub, Angel Otero, Ed Paschke, Ray Yoshida, Mark Chamberlain, Mark Jackson, and Kiki Smith.

Gregg Bordowitz at
Iceberg Projects
7714 N Sheridan Rd
Enter on the left side, the gallery is behind the house
Chicago, IL

Opening reception: Saturday, May 21, 2011
6 to 9pm
There'll be a talk by Gregg Bordowitz at 7pm
There will also be another talk in the gallery with Bordowitz and Stephanie Brooks on
June 11, 2011 at 6:30 pm.

Empire

Greg Stimac presents a new video, titled Empire, at Andrew Rafacz Gallery tomorrow night Saturday.

Greg Stimac: Empire
at Andrew Rafacz Gallery
835 W Washington
Chicago, IL

Opening reception: Saturday, May 21, 2011
4 to 7pm
On view through July 2, 2011

Best post-rapture sale sign ever

Rummage Sale, originally uploaded by jeremy pettis.

Graphic designer Jeremy Pettis is leaving Milwaukee for Chicago and is having a rummage sale on Judgement Day. Sign design by Armahn Gonzalez.

To Art and Profit

This weekend is the 3rd and final part of "To Art and Profit", an inter-disciplinary performance series curated by Abra Johnson and Meida McNeal.  I heard a lot of great things about pt. 2, which was presented last month.

Info from their site...
The final weekend focuses on a trifecta of relationships—art makers, consumers, and sponsors. How can we make commercial art that is socially relevant, appealing, and entertaining? Can we create new systems of value and new models of socially accountable and affordable art production? Can community-centered art pay?  How do artists retain their integrity and become/remain commercially viable? How can we build creative markets that don’t dumb its consumers down or lock others out?

To Art and Profit
Come As You Are: Reimagining Art with a Conscience
at Links Hall
3435 N Sheffield Ave
Chicago, IL

Friday & Sunday, May 20 & 21, 2011
8pm
$15

There will also be a free neighborhood spectacle and panel presented as part of this series at the
Southside Community Art Center
3831 S Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL
Sunday, May 22, 2011
2 to 5 pm

Kate Levant and Joseph Kramer at ESS

Experimental Sound Studio presents a show by Kate Levant and Joseph Kramer opening tonight, Friday.

Kate Levant and Joseph Kramer
at Experimental Sound Studio
5925 N Ravenswood
Chicago, IL

Friday, May 20, 2011
6 to 9 pm
On view through June 26, 2011

Good Fences Make Good Neighbors

Good Fences Make Good Neighbors from Sonnenzimmer on Vimeo.


Nadine Nakanishi and Nick Butcher of Sonnenzimmer collaborated with Anders Nilson for this show of new paintings opening tonight at Fill in the Blank Gallery in Lincoln Square.

Nadine Nakanishi, Nick Butcher, and Anders Nilson: Good Fences Make Good Neighbors
at Fill in the Blank Gallery
5038 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL

Opening reception: Friday, May 20, 2011
7 to 11 pm
On view through July 2, 2011

Graffiti art show at Zhou Brothers

Chicago artists including Demon, Dgonz, Gtek, Mario ZORE Gonzalez Jr, and Brian BE Evan will have a show of new work opening at the Zhou B. Art Center tonight, Friday, as part of the Bridgeport Art Walk.

Zhou B Art Center
1029 W 35th St
Chicago, IL

Friday, May 20, 2011
7 to 10 pm

A Hostile Womb

Artist Mark Mulroney will have a show titled, A Hostile Womb, opening tonight at Ebersmoore in the West Loop.

Info from their site...
Mark Mulroney utilizes ideas and imagery from comics and popular culture, along with the conventions of illustration to formulate, satirical motifs littered with absurdity and underlying themes such as, “dying violently stinks” and “giant boobs are super”.

One group of paintings on panel are all about scrapbook pages and making pleasant compositions from leftovers. Trademarked with Mark’s use of overt imagery, they are reminiscent of Jean Arp, but with more of a narrative quality. Alongside the scrapbook paintings are a series that emulate pamphlets and other methods of disposable advertising for events that Mark wishes would have actually happened; like a photo-op with Sammy Davis Junior’s Severed Head, and a birthday party where Mickey Mantle attends and lets you tug on his arms.

Mark Mulroney: A Hostile Womb
at Ebersmoore
213 N Morgan St
#3C
Chicago, IL

Opening reception: Friday, May 20, 2011
6 to 9pm
On view through June 25, 2011

FFF Dog Fish Head & Half Acre Party

As part of the Chicago Craft Beer Week, Three Floyd's, Dog Fish Head, and Half Acre breweries will have many rare beers available in Bridgeport as part of an event co-hosted by the Co-Prosperity Sphere and Maria's Packaged Goods + Community Bar.  The $10 admission will let you sample the beer at both locations located just a few blocks apart from each other.  Lord of the Yum Yum will also perform at both venues.  Proceeds will benefit the non-profit Public Media Institute.

Beer collaboration at

the Co-Prosperity Sphere

3219 S Morgan

Chicago, IL

and at 

Maria's Packaged Goods + Community Bar

960 W 31st St

Chicago, IL

Friday, May 20, 2011

8 to 11 pm

More info here.

Rachel Niffenegger, Paul Nudd, and a Band of Bikers

Western Exhibitions in the West Loop presents a 2-person show by Rachel Niffenegger and Paul Nudd.  Rachel and Paul both have their excellent and idiosyncratic artwork up right now as part of the "Seeing is a Kind of Thinking: A Jim Nutt Companion" show at the Museum of Contemporary Art (click on image #4 & 5 in the link).

There'll also be a show of found Polaroid photographs titled, "A Band of Bikers".  Drawn from a collection found by Scott Zieher in a Manhattan basement, these pictures depict a group of gay bikers in the city and in the woods in the early 70's.

Western Exhibitions
119 N Peoria
2nd floor
Chicago, IL

Opening reception: Friday, May 20, 2011
5 to 8pm
The shows will be on view through July 2, 2011

Soul Summit

Chicago monthly's Soul Summit is happening tonight at the Double Door with DJ's Dave Mata, Duke Grip, and Sloppy White.  Tonight's Soul Summit will also feature DJ Meaty Ogre, and his amazing Soul 45's selection as well as Esteban Lagroue and Mo Manley.  Get there early for a free soul mix by Meaty Ogre!

Soul Summit
at the Double Door
1572 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL

Thursday, May 19, 2011
Doors open at 9pm
Free
21+

Gabriel Specter: Repeat Offender

Pawn Works Gallery in Ukrainian Village presents a show by Gabriel Specter opening tonight, Saturday.

Info from the gallery...
Brooklyn-based, Gabriel Specter is internationally known for precise street installations that revitalize forgotten environments. Taking an anthropological approach to his subject matter defines Specter’s aesthetic. Striking paintings and sculptures document change, celebrate the marginalized and ultimately become monuments to common urban experience.
In his first Chicago show Specter addresses the culture of repetition in street art that he notoriously denounces. He generally refuses to work in multiples, but in this work, REPEAT OFFENDER, Specter plays with repetition on his own terms.
First, he garners images from previous projects to hand-paint, carve and paste a central, large scale 8’ x 8’ piece. Using that as a reference he re-paints selected sections resulting in works that vary in scale, color and medium from that of the original. Specter stretches his muscles in figurative and abstract painting with this new body of work. Each piece is meticulously made employing a range of techniques and materials to impart an authentic, ‘stolen-from-the-street’ quality.


Gabriel Specter: Repeat Offender
at Pawn Works Gallery
1050 N Damen Ave,
Chicago, IL

Opening reception: Saturday, May 14, 2011
6 to 10 pm

Chicago Street Art book

In addition to the huge Chicago Street Art show, which I wrote about here,  tonight's also the release party for the Chicago Street Art book by Joseph J. Dupre.  I have some documentary photographs included in the book but I'm recommending it because it does a great job of introducing you to street artists whose work doesn't always get the recognition it deserves.

Here's a picture I have in the show with work by Solve, who was tragically killed three years ago...

...and this is a photograph by Chris Diers of a huge piece by Nice-One....

Artists covered in the book and the show include Artillery, Bonus Saves, Brooks Golden, Chris Silva, CLS, Senor Codo, Cody Hudson, CRO, Cyro, Chris Diers, Don't Fret, Emen, 80 Legs, Tom Fennel IV, "It's Yours, Take It", Goons, The Grocer, Juan Angel Chavez, Klepto Salem, Melt, Nick Adam, Oscar Arriola, Poor Kid, Safety First, Saro, Sighn, Solve, Tiptoe, The Viking, You Are Beautiful, and more.

The book is about 100 pages, 8 1/2 x 11" and will retail for $15.00.  Copies will be available tonight at the show opening from 6 to 11pm, as well as at the gallery during the duration of the show, online, and at local bookstores like Quimby's.

The Chicago Street Art show and book release party
at the Chicago Urban Art Society
2229 S Halsted (parking in rear)
Chicago, IL

Opening reception: Friday, May 13, 2011
6 to 11 pm
The show will be on view through June 4, 2011

Chorus

Chicago multi-media artist, Charles Mahaffee, presents a solo show at Lloyd Dobler Gallery exploring repetition and message distortions through video, drawing, and sound.

Charles Mahaffee
at Lloyd Dobler Gallery
1545 W Division St
Chicago, IL

Opening reception: Friday, May 13, 2011
6 to 10 pm
On view through June 24, 2011

Riders

Artists Johanna Wawro and Andy Resek spent a year exploring the life and culture of a Chicago-based Mexican-American family with a ranch in Rensselaer, Indiana.  This show will combine photography, video, installations, performances, and painting exploring Mexican ranch culture.  There'll also be a performance by artist Juan Angel Chavez as well as airbrush work by Angel Cruz.

Opening night events include....  custom branding of wood or leather items brought by attendees, mariachi music, a live horse, DJ Dubatonik of Radioglobal and DJ collective Sonorama spinning cumbias, tropical and latin funk .

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

Opening reception: Friday, May 13, 2011
7pm to 2am
On view through June 10, 2011

Daisy Chain

Pilsen's Antena Gallery will present Daisy Chain tonight, an "anarchic performance event", a live performance art series being performed tonight and broadcast at the same time.  Check out the list of intriguing pieces curated by Adam Trowbridge and Jessica Westbrook here.

Daisy Chain
at Antena Gallery
1765 S Laflin (1/4 blk north of 18th St & a few blocks east of Ashland)
Chicago, IL

Opening reception and performances: Friday, May 13, 2011
6 to 10 pm
On view through June 11, 2011

The Chicago Street Art Show ~ sneak preview

The long anticipated Chicago Street Art Show will open this Friday, May 13th  at the Chicago Urban Art Society in Pilsen.  I was happy to be invited to contribute some documentary photographs to the show.  Here's an excellent video depicting some of the installation work this week....

Chicago Urban Art Society: The Chicago Street Art Show Teaser from Nick Brazinsky on Vimeo.

.....and here's a preview of, (T)HUG LIFE(?), the huge collaborative piece that Chris Silva has been working on for this show with a great list of Chicago artists including: Nick Adam, David Cuesta, Lauren Feece, Brooks Golden, Thor Goodlife, Matthew Hoffman, Dan Ezra Lang, Brian Steckel, and Robert Stevenson....

The Chicago Street Art Show
at the Chicago Urban Art Society
2229 S Halsted St (1/2 blk south of Cermak Rd)
Chicago, IL

Opening reception: Friday, May 13, 2011
6 to 11pm
On view through June 4, 2011

Celebrate Free Comic Book Day with Trubble Club

Today's the annual Free Comic Book Day, sponsored by the comic book industry to encourage people to visit their local independent comic book shop.  Quimby's Bookstore in Chicago will welcome members of the infamous Trubble Club to do drawings of your conception/or death based on your own suggestions.  Trubble Club is a collaborative drawing group that produces comics by having a member draw the first panel and then having a different person draw the next panel, and so on.  Resulting in a sometimes funny, sometimes gross, (and sometimes both) comic.

And if you want to take part in the drawing madness, Trubble Club will also have free starter drawing pamphlets with panels you can draw your own comics in.  It's a win-win!

Free Comic Book Day with Trubble Club
at Quimby's Bookstore
1854 W North Ave
Chicago, IL

Saturday, May 7, 2011
7pm

American Dreams + Nightmares

Printmaker Jeremiah Catalano-Reilly will have a show of new silkscreens opening tonight at Paper Boy in Lakeview.

Jeremiah Catalano-Reilly: American Dreams + Nightmares
at Paper Boy
1351 W Belmont
Chicago, IL

Opening reception: Friday, May 6, 2011
5 to 8pm
On view through June 1, 2011

Strange Electronics 2

Chicago art space, Enemy, will showcase new music produced by circuit bending and other techniques in a show titled, Strange Electronics 2: Realtime A/V and Hardware Hacking, tonight Friday in Wicker Park.

Here's the lineup for tonight...
Cracked Ray Tube: Kyle Evans and James Connolly

Battleship: Zachary Mark and Jeff Milam

Arcanebolt: Mark Beasley, Tamas Kemenzcy, and Alex Inglizian

Monica Panzarino performing with Becky Grajeda and Emilie Crewe

and Vaudeo Signal: Ben Baker-Smith and Evan Kuhl


Strange Electronics 2: Realtime A/V and Hardware
at Enemy
1550 N Milwaukee, 3rd floor
Friday, May 6, 2011
9pm to midnight

Joey Potts: Character Analysis

Joey Potts, who studied in Maryland and lives in Chicago, will have a show of new work including paintings, drawings, sculptures, prints, and handpainted toys, opening tonight in St. Louis.  His work never ceases to amaze me.  It's hard to believe all that crazy, character heavy imagery comes out of such a normal looking person.  If you're in the St. Louis area you must check this show out.

Joey Potts: Character Analysis
at Aisle 1 Gallery
2627 Cherokee Street
St. Louis, MO 63118

Opening reception: Friday, May 6, 2011
7 to 11 pm

Off Howard ~ Tessa Perutz at Casualliving

West Loop gallery, Casualliving, presents the first solo show by Tessa Perutz tonight, Friday.  Check out her new artwork as well as the amazing interior work that Casualliving has built in their space.

Tessa Perutz: Off Howard
at Casualliving
119 N Peoria
3rd floor - #3B
Chicago, IL

Opening reception: Friday, May 6, 2011
6 to 10 pm

Fight for Your Right revisted by SOLO

Chicago artist, SOLO, has been working on some great projects this year.  Before he knew about the recent sequel to the 25 year-old Beastie Boys video for (You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (to Party), he had the idea to illustrate all 42 characters in the original video.  49 days later he was done and this is the amazing result...

He also did the interior artwork for Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar, a new restaurant that is set to open next week.  Here are some preview shots by Timothy Hiatt showing a wall by SOLO....

And if you haven't seen the sequel to that Beastie Boys video yet, you should! Here's the full length, 30 minute version chock full of celebrity comedian cameos....