April's practically come and gone, and our spring art season has begun. Things really gets going this coming weekend. We saw things perk up this past weekend for the new, engaging MDW Fair in Bridgeport and another opening at the Zhou B Art Center, so while everyone's in the spirit we wanted to do a few blog posts this week about the three fairs at the Merchandise Mart, as well as some other important goings-on that are taking place. An overview of what's taking place when is included below, and more complete, individual blog posts will be up on our site in the next couple of days. Check back often for updates, or subscribe to our blog with an RSS feed!

Art Fairs Taking Place April 29-May 2, with previews Thursday, April 28

Art Chicago: 12th floor of the Merchandise Mart

NEXT: 12th floor of the Merchandise Mart

The Merchandise Mart Antiques Fair: 8th floor of the Merchandise Mart

• Thursday, April 28: Preview Night, 5–9 pm  Note: special tickets are required for preview party, and Antiques is hosting its own special preview benefit for RIC
• Friday, April 29, 11–7
• Saturday, April 30, 11–7
• Sunday, May 1, 11–6
• Monday, May 2, 11–4 (Antiques ends @ 3 pm)

OTHER EVENTS: Parties, Tours, Trolleys, Performances, and More

Friday, April 29

Breakfast at Christie's, James Yood + Lela Hersh: Thomas & Associates, Inc. (Friday, April 29 @ 8:30 am)

Cocktail Reception at MetCap Bank (Friday, April 29)

MFA show at Columbia College's A + D Gallery / Book & Paper Arts (opening reception April 29)

MFA show at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) (opening reception April 29)

Saturday, April 30

Gallery Parties in River North + West Loop, w/ FREE Trolleys (Saturday, April 30)

Josef Glimer Gallery readings and performances (Saturday, April 30 + Monday, May 2)

CSA (Community Supported Art) Launch Party with Chicago Contemporary (Saturday, April 30)

Art Fair Weekend Breakfast in the Chicago Arts District (Saturday, April 30)

On a visit to Chicago when I was about 10, my parents took me to see the Thorne Rooms, and they have remained one of my favorite treasures at the Art Institute.  I’m not the only one in love with the tiny, precious period rooms - the 68 rooms are built on a scale of one inch to one foot have something for everyone—a visual history of architecture and decorative arts, the astounding workmanship of thousands of tiny accessories, and memories of childhood dollhouses. And this season, the rooms feature new period-appropriate decorations.  The Art Institute didn’t miss a step, first determining, in order to be historically accurate, which rooms should be decorated. And then they procured the teeny decorations from artisans around the world.  Tiny toys have arrived from Germany, diminutive delicacies from Italy, and petite plants from South Africa, while several pieces were made in-house by the rooms’ caregiver of the last several years, Lindsay Mican Morgan.

The six decorated rooms will delight all visitors who have never seen them before, as well as those who have long been familiar fans.  Among the most elaborate is the English Drawing Room of the Victorian Period, the only room with a Christmas tree - a significant historical nod.  Today we embrace the iconic Christmas tree, or tannenbaum, but it was first brought to England from Germany in 1840 following Queen Victoria's marriage to Prince Albert (Victoria also popularized the traditional white wedding dress.) The Thorne Room Christmas tree and accoutrements are based on a famous engraving of the royal couple and their children surrounding a trimmed and toy-bedecked tree, an image that would forever popularize this holiday fixture. Other ornamented rooms include the English Great Hall of the Tudor period with a wassailing bowl, and a yule log; French Provincial Bedroom with shoes lined up before the fireplace, a crèche, and puzzle; and finally a modern-era California Hallway with an Otto Natzler mid-century menorah and box with a dreidel.

Be sure to make this a stop on a downtown visit this month, or bring along any out-of-towners in Chicago during the holidays! 

The Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60603
Tel (312) 443-3600
http://www.artic.edu/aic/exhibitions/exhibition/thorne

"I'm a kid from a sandbar, from the Pacific Northwest where I grew up watching my father pick up a piece of driftwood asking all of us children 'what do you see?' Mornings I rose to the sounds of seashells opening at low tide, gurgling their way back to sea. That was and is my life, my inspiration, my reason d'etre.  My work today is because of all things beautiful from the lip of low tide, the flotsam and jetsam of love, passion, and life."

Diana McKnish, Excerpt from Of This Land The Artist's Touch

This evocative statement from artist Diana McKnish refers to her childhood long ago - 80 years to be exact.  Her latest exhibition is installed throughout the sprawling treasure trove that is Salvage One, and it celebrates both McKnish's 80th birthday and her 40 years as an artist.  McKnish creates her creatures and female figures from driftwood, steel, and found objects, including some from Salvage One and various flea markets.

Salvage One is a magical destination - part high-end flea market, part vintage design warehouse.  McKnish's own figures made from driftwood and metal blend in well with old chuch pews, iron gates, foosball tables, old neon pharmacy signs, and Mad Men-era vinyl couches.  And McKnish's own messages of discovery and unpredictability fit with in Salvage One's whimsical setting.

Salvage One

1840 W. Hubbard (60622)
Th, F 11-6; Sa 9-5; Su 12-5; Call for additional hours
Staff@salvageone.com

thru november 21:
Diana McNish: Women
A celebration of 80 years of observation and 40 years of sculpting.

Vintage clothes, scarves and bags – oh my! This weekend the usual antiques extravaganza that is the Randolph Street Antiques Market is devoted to vintage clothing, fashion and jewelry for Modern Vintage Chicago. Don’t miss the chance to take a stroll in the West Loop on a lovely fall weekend and to find some super cool, unique items.  Special sections abound – Scottish jewelry, textiles, designer bags, shoes, and more…  Grab some friends and get some Christmas shopping done early – or treat yourself!

You don’t even have to drive to the market – they’ll come and pick you up and drop you off from Water Tower Place on Michigan Ave. (Just East of Michigan Ave on Pearson)

Water Tower pick-up times:
11am - 12noon - 1pm - 2pm - 3pm

Departure Times from the Market:

11:30am - 12:30pm - 1:30pm - 2:30pm - 3:30pm - 4:30pm.

Valet Parking and ample free street parking available.

The Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair returns this weekend as the premier destination for antiques in the Midwest. If your taste is less antique and more vintage, break into collecting with the debut of Emporium, a new pavilion at the Fair. Eclectic and affordable, dealers specializing in 18th and 19th century finds, like Mid-century Modern furniture, vintage clothing, jewelry, found items and folk art will ensure you walk away with something old...but new to you.

Antiques don't seem like an obvious taste choice to people in the contemporary art world, but I encourage people to attend to see the variety of things to discover - there is such a range of prices, as well as a total guarantee of quality.  Many people poke around antique shops during a long weekend in the country, or have tried to squeeze through narrow aisles in a bustling flea market or junk shop, hoping for some fabulous find amidst the clutter, but going to a highly-reputable fair where each piece has been vetted for authenticity is a perfect place to start to get to know the world of true antiques.

Plus, the show is really trying to win over younger visitors and future collectors more than ever before, trying especially hard to prop up the industry's aging collector base.  Part of the problem lies in the name 'antiques' itself - what else can it convey other than age?  But really, something that's old can certainly be new again.  Antiques and vintage finds can be surprisingly affordable, and they have things going for them that the latest coffee table designs in Crate and Barrell do not: history.  Age is actually proof that something has stood the test of time and appealed to a wide arrange of tastes in a variety of homes.  if you find the right piece for your needs, you'll be able to enjoy it for years to come, while appreciating something very unique. 

If you'd like to attend the fair this weekend and get a free pass, email info@chicagogallerynews.com to ask for a free pass and a special code (limited number available.) If you have any great stories of discovery, feel free to leave a comment here on this blog. And one more thing - did I mention the jewelry at the fair??  From bakelite to diamonds, you'll find something to enjoy all season long...

The fair runs October 1-4. For a dealer list and more information, go to merchandisemartantiques.com

Fair Dates and Hours
Thursday, September 30  Preview Night, 6–9 pm (CGN's free passes include the preview after 6pm!)
Fri, October 01   11 am–7 pm
Sat, October 02   11 am–7 pm
Sun, October 03   11 am–6 pm
Mon, October 04   11 am–3 pm

Nula Thanhauser

Beverley R. Fine Antique & Period Jewelry

Gold Figures - Arts220

Richard Norton Inc