As a painter, I have often found the greatest enjoyment in going to galleries to view paintings as apposed to other artistic mediums.  However, when I visited the Original Voices exhibit at the Ken Saunders Gallery, this bias was turned on its head.

The Ken Saunders Gallery, located in River North, exclusively features innovative glass sculptors.  Original Voices, which ran from September to October 19, highlighted four artists—Matthew Cummings, Seth Fairweather, Bruno Romanelli, and Kanako Togaway—who were truly unique.  Before seeing this exhibit, I had the preconceived notion that glass sculptures consisted primarily of kitschy figurines and brightly-colored, organic-looking abstractions resembling sea creatures.  This exhibit was something else entirely.  

I was most taken with the work of Matthew Cummings, whose sculptures were all black, clear, and white with only a few well-placed pops of color.  Cunningham’s use of such a monochromatic palette serves as commentary on negative and positive space—which is only intensified by the transparency of glass.  Some of his works, such as “Specimen Study,” were mounted against the wall in what can best be described as a shadowbox frame.  This style of installation tests the boundaries between two and three-dimensional art, as if to say, “you can frame this work too!”  Viewers heard the message loud and clear; words like composition and balance immediately came to mind.

Matthew Cummings, Suspended

Matthew Cummings, Specimen Study

Matthew Cummings, Birth and Death of a Shadow

Bruno Romanelli’s sculptures were equally impressive.  I tend to define “good” art as art that can hold my attention for more than a few minutes.  Romanelli passed this test with soaring colors; I could stare at one of his sculptures all day.  Works such as “Kraz” include a plethora of tiny bubbles and disturbances embedded within the glass that form wispy spider webs of clouds and fog.  Poetry must be called upon to describe this artist’s work.  So consider me convinced.  Although I can’t appreciate the process that goes into making glass sculptures in the same way that I can with painting, I can certainly still appreciate the results.

Bruno Romanelli, Dione

Bruno Romanelli, Kraz

If you are also convinced, go check out the new glass sculpture exhibit that is currently open at Ken Saunders Gallery, featuring Jeffrey Sarmiento and José Chardiet. KSG is located at 30 West Superior Street.  For more information about the new exhibit, visit their website.  For more informatiob about Original Voices and to view the entire catalog, visit the KSG publications.

Friday, October 21st is the day for the Artview in Lakeview trolley tour! Hop on the free trolley at any of the participating locations, and ride to galleries and local businesses to enjoy an evening of art, food, wine, fun and excitement.
 
Pick up the trolley at any of the participating galleries, including The Leigh Gallery, ArtDe Triumph & Artful Framer Studios, Slaymaker Fine Art, and M + D Gallery.  Along with these galleries, the trolley will take you to seven alternative art spaces, such as ID Chicago, Gallery Swarm, Loose Leaf Lounge, Foursided, Spare Parts, Real Art and Spex. Trolleys will run from 5-9pm so you can take your time visiting the participating spaces and ride at your own leisurely pace.

These local art hotspots offer a great way to view the neighborhood for those who have never been before or for those who want to revisit some of their favorite spaces. All the participating locations are partnering with local restaurants to provide a range of food & drink for visitors to enjoy along their route.

Get in the fall spirit at Leigh Gallery and check out some festive hand-blown glass pumpkins by Vessel Studio, as well as their fine selection of Barbaragallo’s Raku Mirrors, in addition to varied artwork from the gallery.  ArtDe Triumph & Artful Framer Studios will have new prints, fine art postcards, as well as paintings by Nancie King Mertz and lots more.  Slaymaker Fine Art Ltd. and M & D gallery will also have a variety of artwork and items to peruse.

The seven remaining locations on the tour are alternative art spaces that vary from coffee houses to furniture and eyewear stores, but all of them showcase local art.  The mixture of galleries and eclectic art spaces will really allow you to soak in the Lakeview experience and makes for a perfect Friday night.
 
Friday, October 21: 5-9pm
Click here for a map of the trolley route.

We've all seen a whole lot of white the past couple of days, so Ken Saunders Gallery is inviting everyone over to see a little red for a change. Ken will be tending bar and serving up colorful martinis in honor of a few gallery artists, as well as this month's First Thursday event.  The gallery will be open late until 7pm. This is a great reason to take a little break while you're waiting for room on the packed brown line during what promises to be a busy rush hour.

View some new Sugar Spoons by Rick Beck and new Thomas Scoon figures done in a striking red glass.  The gallery usually does something clever in honor of First Thursdays each month, and they love serving cocktails, a potent departure from the usual tiny glass of white wine found at many openings, so keep them in mind when you need a pick-me-up at the beginning of the month!

If you find yourself in the West Michigan city of Grand Rapids, (not too, too far from Chicago) be sure to check out the vast, well-groomed grounds of the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.  The impressive facility and grounds cover over 132 acres and feature more than 160 works in the permanent collection.  Temporary and permanent collections are shown within the main building’s numerous gallery spaces, several themed greenhouses and seasonal gardens, and along the winding courses and sites throughout the entire outdoor sculpture park, creating a beautiful mix of nature and art. 

While enjoying the lush gardens, boardwalks and scenic trails, visitors stumble across world renowned sculpture from modern masters such as Rodin, Picasso, Moore to contemporary artists including George Segal, Oldenburg and van Bruggen, di Suvero, Caro, Richard Hunt, and many more. 

The Sculpture Park is open year-round featuring seasonal attractions, and is definitely worth a trip to see all they have to offer.  Yet another reason to get there before October 31, 2010 is to see the prolific glass artist Dale Chihuly’s dynamic exhibition, A New Eden.  Chihuly’s second exhibition at the Sculpture Park celebrates the 15^th anniversary of the Meijer Gardens and his stunning works are displayed at 15 sites throughout the property.  Chihuly is represented locally by Echt Gallery in Chicago, among other galleries worldwide. 

History:

The Sculpture Park opened in 1995 after 13 years of planning and fundraising by the West Michigan Horticultural Society.  In 1990, Fred and Lena Meijer embraced the concept of a major cultural attraction centering around horticulture and sculpture, and has since become a top cultural destination within the Midwest region.  Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is a non-profit organization, privately funded by grants, foundations, and individual and corporate gifts.