Apologies for not posting these pictures from the 2013 (100th anniversary) Armory Show in NYC sooner, but with a summer issue magazine deadline upon us in the office, I have been swamped.  

I went to New York earlier this month to check out the Armory Show. I visited with several Chicago galleries, and I also spoke with some other dealers from around the country. Overall, the fairs were packed, with long lines to get in by mid afternoon each day, and the vibe was busy and engaged as everyone connected with fellow art friends and tried to take in the volume of art on display.  

Below are several pictures from my wandering. Enjoy!

 

We went to the Armory Modern first on Pier 92.

Vik Muniz's puzzle piece take on Suerat's A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte. 

 

A 2012 Deborah Butterfield at Danese

 

A whimsical model-size fair ground

 

A 1970s construction by Chicago artist Karl Wirsum

 

One of Picasso's Weeping Women at John Szoke's booth recalled the pieces in the current Art Institute exhibition

 

Chicago dealer Carl Hammer's booth (we also saw Tom McCormick nearby as well as Alan Koppel)

 

Next we encountered a whole different energy (and crowd) level at the Armory Contemporary on Pier 94

 

More crowds, light installations... And Jim Campbell's light installation at Bryce Wilkowitz 

 

Spiderweby like boxes around kimonos

 

More neon lights

 

Tony Tasset's snowman at Kavi Gupta's booth.  Gallery director Julia said they had to rehang the booth 3 times as of Sunday.

 

I was really into these tiny paper cutout sculptures framed in slides, by Marco Maggi at Josee Bienvenu Gallery in NY

 

More paper cutouts from envelopes

 

Tobias Bernstrup's HOPE, 2012 installation of broken down projects/rusted buildings at Andrehn-Schiptjenko from Stokholm, Sweden

 

A work by Nick Cave at Jack Shainman

 

A delicate work created by burning through fabric

 

Running into Tony Fitzpatrick in the sea of people was a welcome surprise

 

Fitzpatrick's drawing collages were on display at Perogi's booth

 

 

A sort of contemporary Miss Havisham installation featuring a digital cake tasting. Dinner for Two: Wedding Cake, Rachel Lee Hovnanian at Leila Heller Gallery

 

Rhona Hoffman's booth 

More crowds in Hoffman's booth

 

Kendell Carter at Monique Meloche

 

 

An installation devoted to camoflauge and Andy Warhol from Gagosian

Chicago Gallery News relocated to a bright new office at the end of 2012, and since then, we have been packing, unpacking, hanging loads of covers and art, organizing and reorganizing – dealing with all the necessary evils of moving.  With each cover and artwork that went up on our walls, we felt more at home, and we’re happy with our new space.  Recently, our last empty wall was adorned with perhaps our final decorative touch (for now anyway…) when artist Elizabeth Burke-Dain completed her latest installation.
 
When we left our old office space, we unfortunately also had to leave the large blue-threaded installation that Elizabeth installed for us back in 2011.  These unique installations are comprised of a series of plotted shapes, set nails and colored thread that ultimately end up forming meticulous geometric wall weavings.  I enjoyed seeing this piece come to life over the span of three days – from the initial circular markings, to the nail settings (our neighbors did not enjoy that as much), to the final weaving that brought the whole thing together.

"I see these wall weaving installations as existing in the 'design-as-art' realm," says Burke-Dain about her work. "I have a number of different wall treatments using thread and I'm anxious to get started on another project".
 
The new installation stretches nearly fifteen feet across and nearly three feet high.  The bright yellow thread sharply contrasts the grey paint behind it and appears to almost bounce off the wall.  This work, like the older blue piece, is formed from a series of intersecting thread lines that stem from the circular shapes and nail anchors that the thread is wrapped around.  The weaving causes a dense overlapping of thread in some areas, creating the ‘X’ shapes and more saturated fields of color.
 
Elizabeth enjoys curating art exhibitions, creating PR strategies for art organizations and making things. She has a background in the humanities, arts, and art administration, and has been creating installations like these for several years.  CGN’s is the most recent addition to her repertoire, but she’s also installed her work in businesses including an advertising agency office, as well as in several other homes and residences.
 
Elizabeth would love to make many of these installations so solicitations and commissions for custom installations are welcome. These wall weavings are a great addition to business offices, design showrooms, restaurants, salons, boutiques, personal homes, etc.
 
Email Elizabeth with inquiries about a custom installation for your space, and to learn more about her work and see other samples, visit her Facebook page.

 

Photo by Kevin Shelton / Chicago Loop Alliance

The Chicago Loop Alliance (CLA) is at it again.  The organization behind Tony Tasset’s memorable EYE and CARDINAL (2010) and Kay Rosen’s interactive GO DO GOOD (2011) is bringing a whole lot of color to Chicago this summer.  Chicagoans have been watching the initial phases of Jessica Stockholder’s Color Jam installation slowly start to transform the loop during the install process for the past few weeks, and tomorrow, June 5 is the official opening date for the third installment in the CLA’s award-winning Art Loop series.

Visitors will be immersed in the bright, new installation at State and Adams as they walk on, in, and through the canvas of renowned multi-media artist Jessica Stockholder.  Commissioned by CLA, Color Jam saturates building façades, sidewalks, and crosswalks in bold colors in Chicago’s largest art installation.  Color Jam is also the largest contiguous vinyl project in the U.S., composed of over 76,000 square feet of colored vinyl – think the equivalent of 50,000 vinyl records, or enough material to wrap 130+ city buses or cover 1.5 football fields!

Photo by Kevin Shelton / Chicago Loop Alliance

In creating Color Jam, Stockholder envisioned a “three-dimensional painting”, spilling out of windows, through doors, and into the surrounding landscape.

“The fictive potential of surface, so thoroughly cultivated through the history of painting, is always ready to burst, spilling forth imagined richness, full of emotional, subjective resonance, and wandering focus is here woven together with the more mundane everyday surface of the street corner. [“Color Jam”] celebrates and demands that the evocative surface of this Chicago street corner be expanded. The corner is canvas, stage, pedestal, and frame against which the public can view a parade of shifting color relationships.”

Photo by Kevin Shelton / Chicago Loop Alliance

On display through September 30, Color Jam invites the public to participate in a series of programs - or “jams” - taking the form of concerts, talks, and happenings throughout the Loop.  In addition, several Loop businesses are offering Color Jam-themed specials, ranging from color-tinis to hotel discounts.  For more information about the artwork, public programs, and special offers from Loop restaurants, retailers, and cultural institutions, visit www.ColorJamChicago.com.

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The CLA also coordinates monthly First Thursdays Gallery Walks.  For the third summer, Pop-Up Art Loop galleries stay open late and invite the public to their spaces for open houses and receptions on the first Thursday of each month.  Walks are free and open to the public, running from 5-8pm.  Mark your calendar for upcoming walks this summer on June 7, July 12, August 2, September 6 + October 4.  For more details and a list of participating spaces, visit popupartloop.com.

Photo by Kevin Shelton / Chicago Loop Alliance

Last night was thankfully not like our dreary day today. It was mild and pleasant for the unveiling of SAIC grad Robert Indiana's HOPE sculpture that will be placed outside of the John Hancock Center, on the northeast corner of Michigan and Delaware until about Valentine's Day 2012.  KM Fine Arts directors Anna Hollinger and Tom Kivisto welcomed the group and celebrated the fact that this sculpture will no doubt become a fixture of the public's art engagement during the next few months. Crowds of visitors will be taking pictures with and around this uplifting installation. 

The artist could not attend the opening after all, as he has been ill the past few months.  The 2,000 lb + installation was there in his place.  HOPE has travelled to other art institutions and destinations around the country so far, and the 'hope' is that some day it will end up in the Smithsonian.  So just in case you're wondering, it's also not for sale. 

Following the unveiling, there was a lovely reception for the gallery's Eyes Wide Shut exhibition on the 25th floor of the Hancock.  The exhibition features European Masters, as well as work by contemporary Spanish artist Lita Cabellut, whose large-scale portraits crackle with drama and intensity. 

The gallery is hosting a second reception this Saturday evening in honor of SOFA.  The public is invited to attend to enjoy drinks and food from 6-9pm.  Free trolleys will take you there from SOFA (Entrance 2 at Navy Pier) and the MCA (220 E Chicago) from 5-7pm.

 

Now that we are well into October, we’re sure most of you have been able to get out and go to some of the amazing events that are being offered in honor of Chicago Artists Month. And, there are still two weeks left full of artwalks, open studios, opening exhibitions, and more. Plan ahead for a few events, such as the Ruth Horwich Award to a Famous Chicago Artist, being given at the end of the month to sculptor Richard Hunt. Here are our other highlights for this third week of CAM.

October 21-23: Artwalks, Tours, and Open Studios

 Artview in Lakeview Trolley Tour

On Friday October 21^st trolleys will run from 5-9pm to help you explore the Lakeview area galleries easily. The tour starts at The Leigh Gallery and stops at 11 other locations, including galleries and alternative art spaces. Start at The Leigh Gallery on Halstead and then you’ll make your way on the trolley to Slaymaker, Art de Triumph/Artful Framer Studios, and M & D Gallery. The seven remaining alternative art spaces are ID Chicago (a place that combines modern home-wear, eyewear and art), Gallery Swarm (an alternative space with varying styles of art), Loose Leaf Lounge (stop in and enjoy a cup of hot tea while viewing the local art show), Foursided (“Chicago’s most creative framework and art boutique”), Spare Parts (a place that showcases unique local designers), Real Art (artist owned custom framing gallery) and Spex (combines art and vision). The complimentary trolley tour also includes samplings of local food and beverages -  a perfect start to the weekend.

 Bridgeport Art Walk and Open Studios

The Bridgeport neighborhood is one of the city’s fastest growing communities of artists, and this weekend’s artwalk will have many of their groups and galleries teaming together to raise awareness of that. The event kicks off on Friday October 21^st with an opening reception from 6-10 pm hosted by the Artists of East Bank at the Bridgeport Art Center. On October 22^nd from 1-6pm and October 23^rd from 1-5pm there will be an array of activities to enjoy, including two guided tours, media festival events, panel discussions and open art spaces. Iron Studios, Zhou B Art Center, Bridgeport Museum of Modern Art and numerous other art centers are among those joining in the fun-filled weekend of special events. You may also simply grab a map and explore at your own pace. Click here to viewmap and list of events. Going on in conjunction with the artwalk is the Bridgeport Art Center Open Studios. The opening reception will also be on Friday October 21^st from 5-10 pm, and studios will be open for the artwalk from 1-5pm on Saturday and Sunday. The Artists of East Bank are an in-house community, and over 40 of them will be opening their creative spaces to the public. The current show includes installation, wood working (with a live demo from a very nice gentleman in a utili-kilt) jewelry, painting, and more.  The gallery space is relatively new, and the artists are eager to show it off.  This explosion of art and art-filled activities will give you an idea of why the Bridgeport neighborhood has grown so rapidly, and reinforce the Chicago Artists Month theme of Artful Networks.

  Art Connections: Zhou B Art Center

The Zhou B Art Center, located in Bridgeport on 35^th Street just down from where the White Sox play, is owned by the artistic duo the Zhou Brothers and offers a variety of galleries, artist’s studios and special events. Zhou B is participating in the Bridgeport Artwalk, hosting various events throughout the weekend. The eclectic space coordinates monthly 3^rd Friday openings with all of their in-house artists. The art center hosts 3^rd Fridays every month, and this Friday Oct 21^st from 7-10pm come to the 4Art Inc Gallery for 3^rd Fridays Open Studio’s 5 Floors of Artist Studio’s and Galleries. Zhou B is home to dozens of artists, ranging from established to emerging and varying in mediums and style. Also check out the JAWAchic jewelry show, featuring Christine Simpson Forni, one of Chicago Artists Month’s chosen artists.  As you can tell this place is jam packed with fun things to do. Click here for a list of artists and their studio numbers.

 

Presentations and More

 October 21: Ethics of Conservation

This panel discussion at Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art will have you pondering a variety of long-debated issues at Ethics of Conservation. The discussion, on Thursday October 21^st from 6-8pm is open to everyone, and fueled by Henry Darger’s written and visual work In the Realms of the Unreal. It deals with the idea that though he may not have wanted to ever have this work seen by the public, now that he is deceased conservationists have been torn by the decision to show his work or to not show it, as he is not here to cast his opinion. This captivating and debatable issue is one that has puzzled art historians and conservationists for centuries and is still prevalent in today’s art world.

 

October 25: Ruth Horwich Award to a Famous Chicago Artist: Richard Hunt

 A Conversation with Richard Hunt, held on October 25 from 5:30-7:30pm at The Cliff Dwellers, will honor the Chicago sculptor Richard Hunt.  The award is given each year to spotlight the enduring career of a Chicago artist for Chicago Artists Month. This event at Cliff Dwellers includes the presentation of the award to this year’s recipient, and a conversation between Richard Hunt and dealer Tom McCormick of McCormick Gallery. Enjoy the lively conversation, meet the artist and enjoy refreshments against the backdrop of Lake Michigan from high above Michgan Ave. Mingle with members of the art community and take part in supporting one of Chicago’s greatest while reveling in an art-enlightening experience.