I think I missed a large section of the fair (it's hard to navigate in the windowless Merchandise Mart!) so I definitely will be back. Here's a selection of what I did see.
Art Chicago, NEXT
Last night was the preview for Art Chicago, newly combined with NEXT this year. The big news was that Shepard Fairey was in attendance and DJing later in the night. There was no shortage of star-struck fans waiting for autographs while Fairey played old-school hits like Blondie's "Rapture" along with vintage hip-hop. I was able to sit down with Fairey for a few minutes and our interview will be appear on ArtSlant, so stay posted for it.
Preview of Art Chicago/NEXT
With MDW Fair just passed, one more art fair (or is it two?) looms on the horizon: the Art Chicago/NEXT fair at the massive Merchandise Mart.
While the Merchandise Mart remains as megalithic as ever, the fair itself has shrunk. So much so that this year Art Chicago combines with its younger contemporary art-focused counterpart NEXT. Paul Klein says that this was due to Chicago galleries lobbying for the combination of the two fairs.
Here's a preview of art that will be exhibited at the fair and of the installation. Photos are courtesy of Paul Klein and Art Chicago.
While the Merchandise Mart remains as megalithic as ever, the fair itself has shrunk. So much so that this year Art Chicago combines with its younger contemporary art-focused counterpart NEXT. Paul Klein says that this was due to Chicago galleries lobbying for the combination of the two fairs.
Here's a preview of art that will be exhibited at the fair and of the installation. Photos are courtesy of Paul Klein and Art Chicago.
MDW Fair Preview
This weekend the MDW Art Fair lands at 3636 South Iron Street on Saturday (1-10 pm) and Sunday (1-5 pm). I'll be speaking on a panel at 4 pm, and I was lucky enough to get a preview of the fair as installation was in full swing. The building itself is fantastic, high ceilings and wood construction, the kind of space that developers are just itching to turn into condos or lofts. The photo gallery here is a (very) small sample of what's going to be on display; I tried to photograph spaces that were fully installed on well on their way. Regrettably some spaces were not yet publicly identified, but I think it's important to show the art anyways.
See CAB at MDW Art Fair
I will be speaking on a panel at the MDW Art Fair, April 24th, 4 pm. The fair will be held at 3636 South Iron Street and starts at 1 pm on April 23rd.
Chicago Art Blog on WBEZ
Recently I had the opportunity to talk with Alison Cuddy on WBEZ's "848" program about art and activism.
MCA Joins Call to Release Ai Weiwei
The Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, (MCA) has joined with museums around the U.S. in calling for Ai Weiwei's release. See the next page for their official statement.
Shepard Fairey to create "special project" at Art Chicago
Art Chicago announced last week that Shepard Fairey, street artist and creator of the iconic HOPE poster for Barack Obama's 2008 campaign, both seen below, will show at Art Chicago (4/29-5/2) and creating a special installation for it.
Ai Weiwei Detained by Chinese Government
As international artist Ai Weiwei was about to board a plane in Beijing on April 3rd he was detained by Chinese authorities. He has not been heard from since, as of this writing.
image via: Benutzer: Hafenbar at de.Wikipedia
Richard Serra Sculpture Vandalized
Last Sunday I discovered that Richard Serra's Reading Cones in Grant Park was vandalized recently.
City of Chicago announces Artist Opportunities
I'm a big supporter of the idea of public art even if the art itself is sometimes not what I'd like to see. Public art is a great idea and the proof is in Millennium Park. So I'm excited to see what art comes out of the opportunities that the City of Chicago has provided. I hope that artists will take advantage of this, so I'm posting the entire announcement on the next page.
I'm also wondering what the selection process will be for work going into four libraries, a police station and a senior center. There are public forums scheduled, but I hope we don't end up with something like J. Seward Johnson's God Bless America.
I'm also wondering what the selection process will be for work going into four libraries, a police station and a senior center. There are public forums scheduled, but I hope we don't end up with something like J. Seward Johnson's God Bless America.
J. Seward Johnson's "God Bless America"
