Thursday, June 28, 2012

Preview: Weavemaker Pro @ The Plaines Project

Opening at 7:00 PM on Friday, June 29, 2012, "Weavemaker Pro" showcases seven fiber artists: all students within, or recent graduates from, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago's Department of Fiber and Material Studies.  Together they explore the conceptual possibilities of a craft (weaving) developed from sets of tensioned threads strung at right angles to one another.

As encountered during the show's installation at The Plaines Project, 1822 S. Des Plaines St., Chicago, IL, the work of four participating artists--Bryana Bibbs, Krystal DiFronzo, Moira O’Neil, and Melissa Leandro--is depicted in 14 photographs below:

Krystal DiFronzo @ The Plaines Project
Above: Krystal DiFronzo's "Sad Sack" hanging in basement

Weavemaker Pro installation @ The Plaines Project
Above: Weavemaker Pro installation viewed from basement stair

Moira O'Neil @ The Plaines Project
Above: Moira O'Neil's Johnny Depp

Moira O'Neil and Melissa Leandro @ The Plaines Project
Above: Moira O'Neil and Melissa Leandro

Melissa Leandro @ The Plaines Project
Above: Melissa Leandro

Melissa Leandro @ The Plaines Project
Above: Melissa Leandro, detail

Bryana Bibbs @ The Plaines Project
Above: Bryana Bibbs, detail

Bryana Bibbs @ The Plaines Project
Above: Bryana Bibbs, detail

Bryana Bibbs and Krystal DiFronzo @ The Plaines Project
Above: Bryana Bibbs and Krystal DiFronzo

Krystal DiFronzo @ The Plaines Project
Above: Krystal DiFronzo

Bryana Bibbs @ The Plaines Project
Above: Bryana Bibbs and Melissa Leandro

Melissa Leandro @ The Plaines Project
Above: Melissa Leandro

Melissa Leandro @ The Plaines Project
Above: Melissa Leandro

Weavemaker Pro installation @ The Plaines Project
Above: Installation in progress at The Plaines Project

"Weavemaker Pro"
Featuring: Bryana Bibbs, Krystal DiFronzo, Susannah Dotson, Cheloie Laggis, Moira O'Neil, Melissa Leandro, and Etta Sandry
June 29 – July 6, 2012
The Plaines Project
1822 S. Des Plaines St.
Chicago, IL
http://plainesproject.wordpress.com/

+ + +

Artist's Websites:

http://melissaleandro.com/

http://krystaldifronzo.wordpress.com/

http://ettasandry.wordpress.com/

http://www.moiraoneil.com/

http://fibermaterialstudies.com/advanced_studio/portfolio.php?st=191&p=1895

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Related Fiber Art Posts:

http://paulgermanos.blogspot.com/2011/02/review-anne-wilson-judy-ledgerwood.html

http://paulgermanos.blogspot.com/2011/09/pictorial-el-stitch-y-bitch-antena.html

http://paulgermanos.blogspot.com/2011/08/review-anne-elizabeth-moore-mca-12x12.html

http://paulgermanos.blogspot.com/2011/04/pictorial-sheila-pepe-he-said-she-said.html

http://paulgermanos.blogspot.com/2011/01/review-noelle-mason-thomas-robertello.html

- Paul Germanos

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Pictorial: Evil Is Interesting @ antena

Featured here is a collection of eleven photographs, text, and additional links which in combination help to document the otherwise ephemeral, multimedia presentation of "Evil is Interesting" at antena gallery in Pilsen, Chicago, between March 23 and April 21, 2012.

Below: Four photographs taken during a live theatrical performance of Michael Workman's "A Conversion," an art play in five acts, featuring Heather Marie Vernon, Sarah Weis, Katerina Papadatos, Snorre Sjønøst Henriksen and Heather Lynn, 8:30 PM, opening night, March 23, 2012.

Evil Is Interesting @ Antena
Evil Is Interesting @ Antena
Evil Is Interesting @ Antena
Evil Is Interesting @ Antena

Below: Six photographs taken during a live sonic performance by Lady Rollins, featuring Jess Speer, Peter Speer, Caroline Picard, and Devin King, 9:30 PM, closing night, April 20, 2012.

Lady Rollins @ antena
Lady Rollins @ antena
Lady Rollins @ antena
Lady Rollins @ antena
Lady Rollins @ antena
Lady Rollins @ antena

Below: The "False Love" zine by AA Bronson, Michael Workman, Dan Gleason and others, available at the gallery in limited edition:

False Love zine from Evil Is Interesting @ antena

"Evil Is Interesting"
March 23 - April 21, 2012
antena
1765 S. Laflin St.
Chicago, IL 60608

Curated by Michael Workman/Antidote Projects

Artists: Frank Pollard, Mike Lenkowski, Lorna Mills, Sarah Weis, Bill Talsma, Elizabeth Suter, Jody Oesterreicher, Micki Tschur, Sarah Legow, Industry of the Ordinary, Holly Streekstra, Samantha Ocasta, Jeffrey Grauel, Tony Kapel, Computers Cult, Maitejosune Urrechaga and others.

See also: Jason Kreke in Newcity Art,
http://art.newcity.com/2012/03/27/review-evil-is-interestingantena-gallery/

See also: Jon Brozdowski in The Chicago Weekly,
http://chicagoweekly.net/2012/04/04/a-vile-attraction/

See also: antena gallery's own information,
http://antenapilsen.blogspot.com/2012/04/vile-attraction.html

- Paul Germanos

Pictorial: Second Annual Lyp Sinc Show @ Defibrillator

An exposition of local performance art in thirteen acts, and a fund-raising event for "Rapid Pulse," an international performance festival scheduled to run at the gallery during the upcoming Summer of 2012.

Mikey McParlane @ Defibrillator
Mikey McParlane @ Defibrillator
Mikey McParlane @ Defibrillator
Above: Mikey McParlane

Jillian Soto @ Defibrillator
Jillian Soto @ Defibrillator
Jillian Soto @ Defibrillator
Above: Jillian Soto

Happy Collaborationists @ Defibrillator
Above: Happy Collaborationists

Sofia Moreno @ Defibrillator
Above: Sofia Moreno

Joseph Ravens @ Defibrillator
Above: Joseph Ravens

Taisha Paggett @ Defibrillator
Above: Taisha Paggett

Jake Myers @ Defibrillator
Above: Jake Myers

Robin Deacon @ Defibrillator
Above: Robin Deacon

Ben Foch @ Defibrillator
Above: Ben Foch

Full roster of performers: Happy Collaborationists, Ben Foch, Sasha Hodges, Mikey McParlane, Sofia Moreno, Jillian Soto, Courtney Macandanz, Rosé Hernandez, Robin Deacon, Taisha Paggett, Jake Myers, Sharon Lanza, Monica Panzarino

"Second Annual Lyp Sinc Show"
April 1, 2012 @ 7:00 PM
Defibrillator
1136 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60642
http://www.dfbrl8r.com/

"Defibrillator (a.k.a dfbrL8r or dfb) is a non-profit arts organization under the fiscal sponsorship of Fractured Atlas. Part studio and part gallery, dfb provides a gathering place to conceive, present, and promote performance art and other ephemeral forms of expression."

See also: Zachary Whittenburg and Chandler West's coverage of the event in Time Out Chicago,
http://timeoutchicago.com/arts-culture/15225161/the-lyp-sinc-show-at-defibrillator-review-photos

- Paul Germanos

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Digest: Chicago Art Scene, March 2 - 11, 2012

An informal, first-person, chronological account of eleven gallery and museum visits made in Chicago, IL, during the ten-day period from March 2 - 11, 2012

(1) Cobalt: Prima Sakuntabhai
Prima Sakuntabhai @ Cobalt Studio
7:56 PM, Friday, March 2, 2012: SAIC student Prima Sakuntabhai offers an installation, the main sculptural component of which is available to be seen not only in the gallery but also (by means of wall-mounted documentary photography) as it has been situated outdoors in various locations around Chicago. Said "main sculptural component" is built from construction-grade lumber and found (tires) objects.

OK. It is, not surprisingly, a young crowd. Attire is, surprisingly, formal. Several people appear to have brought "personal" bottles of champagne. Prima, however, is not pretentious; and she readily agrees to be photographed.  But, as we begin to shoot, a fellow in his 20s (?) walks over, identifies himself as a professional photographer, and proceeds to provide Prima with modelling instructions.

The proprietors of Cobalt, Adriana Baltazar and Antonio Martinez, are present at the opening and take time to engage me in conversation. Adriana lets me know that I speak with an accent; lacking a better response, I share a brief family history. Saul Aguirre, who's work I've seen at both Antena Gallery and also at the (late) NEXT art fair, enters the space shortly before I make my own exit from it. The parking on 21st Street is easy. Heineken in a can is served to everyone. And Prima makes an effort to say, "Thank you," as I depart.

Prima Sakuntabhai
March 2, 2012
Cobalt Studio
1950 W. 21st St.
Chicago, IL 60608
http://cobaltartstudio.blogspot.com

(2) Mission: Mariana Sissia
8:45 PM, Friday, March 2, 2012: Here, Mariana Sissia presents a collection of graphite on paper drawings. With exceptions, the pieces tend to be small in scale; and, within each frame, the worked area of the paper constitutes only a fraction of the available whole. It reminds me, a bit, of Robyn O'Neil's treatment of the material at Tony Wight's place in 2009. But, contra O'Neil, the human figure is absent in Sissia's renderings. I bump into Sibylle Friche and Daniel Quiles at the gallery's entrance. Inside, in Spanish, Quiles explains to a very attractive stranger that I'm an "event photographer." Gallery owner Sebastian Campos is most gentlemanly, in spite of the fact that I've arrived ten minutes before the closing time. No booze; no pics; it's a fairly quick look around the room.

Mariana Sissia
Mar 2 – Apr 13, 2012
The Mission
1431 W. Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60642
http://themissionprojects.com

(3) Lloyd Dobler: Carl Baratta
Carl Baratta @ Lloyd Dobler
Carl Baratta @ Lloyd Dobler
9:21 PM, Friday, March 2, 2012: I catch painter Carl Baratta on the sidewalk: he's rolling cigarettes, standing near to the staircase leading up to the second-floor gallery. While Baratta is occupied with other people (as many people begging tobacco as complementing his show) I set-up the camera, flash and diffuser. Ready, I approach and find him to be a willing subject. In spite of the falling temperature, increasing wind, and steady crowd of friends and fans, his patience allows for twenty good shots. James Kao chats with us for a few minutes, outside; Samantha Bittman chats for a few minutes, inside. Bittman lets me know that I sound like I'm from Brooklyn, New York.  No worries.

In the apartment gallery's kitchen, at the end of regular hours, apropos of nothing, I broach the subject of Chicago art fairs with Lloyd Dobler proprietors Patricia Courson and Jason Jozwiak. Maybe: (a) I remember seeing them (Patricia and Jason) at NEXT in 2010, near Saul Aguirre; and, (b) NEXT was recently cancelled? No beer; a few quick pics inside; I'm out.

Carl Baratta
March 2 - April 28, 2012
Lloyd Dobler Gallery
1545 W. Division, Second Floor
Chicago, IL 60642
http://www.lloyddoblergallery.com

(4) Johalla Projects: Wow-house
Chiara No in Wow-house @ Johalla Projects
Wow-house @ Johalla Projects
10:30 PM, Friday, March 2, 2012: "Wow-house" is a group show. Again, I'm late. Johalla's Anna Cerniglia graciously tolerates my behavior (lying on floor, drawing too near the artwork, etc.) as I work my way around the room with the camera. In the exhibition, Jessica Taylor Caponigro's name is familiar to me. And I remember seeing a sculptural installation which she executed at Eel Space in Pilsen. Actually, several names, e.g., Chad Kouri, are familiar to me. The last show which I saw within this space belonged to Heidi Norton.

Maybe, Johalla reminds me of Julius Caesar? but larger? If Lloyd Dobler or The Suburban often show a similar style of work, they do so in a very much more compact, and quasi-domestic, context. The building complex at 1821 W. Hubbard in its own way affects the viewing experience within the galleries which it houses: the (fragmented? sprawling?) physical parameters of its architecture are such that individual artworks often struggle to connect to one another. It's easy for things to feel "lost" or (nasty little word) "de-contextualized" here.

"Wow-house"
March 2, 2012- March 25, 2012
Johalla Projects
1821 W. Hubbard, Suite 110
Chicago, IL 60622
http://www.johallaprojects.com

(5) Depaul Art Museum: Re: Chicago
Davis/Langlois in Re:Chicago @ DePaul Art Museum
Davis/Langlois in Re:Chicago @ DePaul Art Museum
Davis/Langlois in Re:Chicago @ Depaul Art Museum
4:45 PM, Sunday, March 4, 2012: It's the last hour of the last day of "Re: Chicago" at the Depaul Art Museum. All pretense aside, I'm here for a last look at “Living the Dream” by Davis/Langlois. Built, largely, from abstracted Pop iconography, the D/L installation incorporates both a relatively (rollerly?) painterly, direct application of vivid pigment to the museum walls, and a graphic, monochromatic treatment of geometric figures on traditional supports. Too, a freestanding, three-dimensional "screen" functions as a framing device: itself being filled with asymmetrical, linear elements "interrupting" a clear view. After this piece comes down, it won't be possible to appreciate the variable relationship between its parts by means of the surviving photographic documentation. The museum's attendants are great. And my exit is physically blocked till I've accepted a card advertising the next show: Studio Malick, opening March 29, 2012.

Davis/Langlois in "Re:Chicago"
September 16 – March 4, 2012
DePaul Art Museum
935 W. Fullerton
Chicago, IL 60614
http://museums.depaul.edu

(6) Defibrillator: Force Majeure
NON GRATA "Force Majeure" Chicago
Marek Choloniewski @ Defibrillator
5:20 PM, Sunday, March 4, 2012: The amount of time and energy invested in "Force Majeure," the two-part performance hosted by Defibrillator and New Capital, is amazing. I'm dumbfounded that these people haven't received more and better press.

Marek Choloniewski, et al,
Defibrillator Gallery
1136 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60642
http://www.dfbrl8r.com

NON GRATA
New Capital Gallery
3114 W. Carroll
Chicago, IL 60612
http://newcapitalprojects.com

(7) threewalls: Alan & Michael Fleming
Alan & Michael Fleming @ threewalls
Alan & Michael Fleming @ threewalls
Alan & Michael Fleming @ threewalls
Alan & Michael Fleming @ threewalls
Alan & Michael Fleming @ threewalls
Alan & Michael Fleming @ threewalls
Alan & Michael Fleming @ threewalls
7:56 PM, Friday, March 9, 2012: Dance moves, aluminum cans, patterns of organization, etc., are all being recycled here. It strikes me as artwork drawn materially and theoretically from whatever was found to be convenient, pre-existing in the environment around SAIC. That's not to say that there's no effort evident; but whether there's any innovation is another matter altogether. Everything looks vaguely familiar. An obvious art historical reference, e.g., Carl Andre, can be a double-edged sword.  It's a calculated presentation which manages also to feel at turns disposable; much of this genre is not intended to be precious. There's some staring and some snickering at me. I've worn the wrong sort of clothing; I've cut my hair; I have two cameras hanging from my neck; I'm looking too closely at the artwork. I'm not a part of the "community," and it's obvious. Marissa Perel is good to wave; she showed at LVL3 with the Flemings in "No Joke." I try to be fair, take the best possible photographs, understand what's happening, and leave.

Alan & Michael Fleming
March 9 - April 21, 2012
threewalls
119 N. Peoria St.
Chicago, IL 60607
http://www.three-walls.org

(8) Pilsen: Chicago Arts District
9:00 PM, Friday, March 9, 2012: I park. I wander along Halsted. Gavin Rehfeldt is good to say hello. I know not for whom this place is meant, but it is not meant for me. And that's OK. I take no pictures; I drink nothing; I leave.

(9) Eel Space: Kristina Paabus & Charles Mahaffee
Charles Mahaffee @ Eel Space
Kristina Paabus @ Eel Space
10:24 PM, Friday, March 9, 2012: I'm late to arrive at Eel Space: the opening is scheduled to end at 10:00 PM, about which time it is when I grab the door's handle. An odd sort of "hummm" is audible in the stairwell leading up to the exhibition (apartment) space. Inside, proprietor Patrick Holbrooke appears to be gritting his teeth and holding his breath as he waits for the crowd to exit his gallery/residence.

Luckily, Kristina (Kristina Paabus, one of the artists who has work on display) is chatty. She's stacked progressively diminishing sheets of builder's insulating foam board to create a peaked form, subsequently covering the whole with gesso. And the story she's telling links Estonia to Azerbaijan to the sculptures which she's made. I reach into Patrick's fridge and grab a "Hamm's" beer.

Charles Mahaffee's installation occupies the room opposite Kristina. Amplifiers which he's placed at either end of the tight space are the source of the "hummm" heard earlier. The walls are papered with repetitive, circular doodles centered on (100?) individual sheets.

Packing-up to go, two guys introduce themselves as visitors from Cuba. They're interested in my camera, and want to learn about the video capabilities of Canon's 5DMKII. I'm not using a 5DMKII, but that does nothing to stop the conversation. Patrick's really not looking happy.  Some blonde-haired woman (named Miriam? or Gillian? and working as a guide for the Cubans?) yells, "Vamanos!" and we all leave.

Kristina Paabus & Charles Mahaffee
Eel Space
1906 S. Throop St., 2F
Chicago, IL 60608
http://eelspace.wordpress.com

(10) Alderman: Brendan Meara & Robert Chase Heishman
Brendan Meara & Robert Chase Heishman @ Alderman Exhibitions
BMW Outside Alderman Exhibitions
5:00 PM, Sunday, March 11, 2012: Whichever of Chicago's art opening lists I've consulted, I've not been made aware that the central event at Alderman is a screening. I'm (mistakenly) in no hurry, and so I don't think twice about talking with Bill Gross and (Congratulations!) Dahlia for 15 minutes outside. Yet again, I'm late. Climbing up the staircase to the venue, I find at the top a film in progress: audience facing me. On the screen a fuse is burning. I give the fuse ten minutes. It's still burning when I exit the space. Visual content is being delivered too slowly, on this day, for me. I'm sorry.

Brendan Meara & Robert Chase Heishman
March 11, 2012
Alderman Exhibitions
1138 W. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60607
http://www.aldermanexhibitions.com

(11) ACRE: Joseph Rynkiewicz
Joseph Rynkiewicz @ ACRE Projects
5:52 PM, Sunday, March 11, 2012: There seems to be substantial overlap between this crowd and the crowd which was at threewalls on March 9, 2012. At the center of the space there is a dirty fragment of particle board depending from a string.

Joseph Rynkiewicz
March 11 - 12, 2012
ACRE Projects
1913 W 17th St.
Chicago, IL 60608
http://www.acreresidency.org