What's Going On

This blog's been quiet as of late not out of neglect but more out of schedule. A million projects, coupled with a million prints and a million pictures to make (ok maybe subtract 840,543 out of that equation).
I couldn't be happier then this morning to receive the news that good friend, mentor and artist Dawoud Bey has started up a blog of his own. Dawoud is a man of a thousand stories and now he has the forum to tell you all. He begins already with a post on the Art fairs in Chicago and a seemingly simpler era of the 4th St. Photo Gallery.
Check them out:
What's Going On?

I'll surely be checking daily for posts.

This Week

Woah. Tons of events this week in conjunction with the Art Fairs. My social anxiety is kicking in just looking at it all.
There is indeed many good things, the Art Fairs (look for my work at Robert Koch Gallery and Rhona Hoffman); the SAIC exchange show curated by Marco Poloni that opens on Fri. (Ed Winkleman recently discussed on his blog); the SAIC MFA Photo students; Ben Gest's new work looks exciting; Cecil McDonald; oh my...
Starts off this evening.

Tuesday:

Mind the Gap, Contemporary German Photography
Manuela Barczewski, Sonia Jimenez Alvarez, Annette Jonak, Sabrina Jung, Anatasia Khoroshilova, Anne Lass, Patricia Neiligan, Almut von Pusch, Rivkah Young
Opens Tues. 6-10pm
Country Club
1100 N Damen Ave.
Show runs from April 23d - 27th 3-6pm

Wednesday:

Julia Hechtman Lecture
Noon
Wed. April 23rd
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
280 So. Columbus Drive
Room 214

Anthony Goicolea Lecture
6pm
Wed. April 23rd
Columbus Auditorium (2nd Floor)
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
280 So. Columbus Drive

Thursday:

Art Chicago, Next, the Artist Project, Artropolis, etc.
Private Preview.
Public hours:
Friday, April 25 11am–7pm
Saturday, April 26 11am–7pm
Sunday, April 27 11am–6pm
Monday, April 28 11am–4pm

Friday:

School of the Art Institute MFA Thesis Exhibitions
Friday April 25 9-11pm
Gallery 2 & Project Space
847 W. Jackson Blvd., 2nd & 3rd Floors
Exhibition hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Extending viewing: April 30 & May 16, 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

Three Hours Between Planes, Contemporary Photography From Chicago and Leipzig
Chicago Cultural Center
Participating Artists: Stefan Fischer, Jill Frank, Sveinn Fannar Johannsson, Stephanie Kiwitt, Chelsea Tonelli Knight, Dominique Koch, Lilly McElroy, Elise Rasmussen, Andreas Schulze, Jan Sledz, Scott Patrick Wiener
April 19–July 6, 2008
78 E. Washington Street, Chicago
Opening reception: April 25, 5–8pm, Gallery Talk: April 25, 5pm

Strange Habit
Curated by Luke Batten
Participating Artists: Shane Huffman, Steven Husby, Emily Kennerk, Curtis Mann and Alice Shaw
I Space
230 West Superior, 2nd Fl.
April 25 - May 31
Opening Reception Friday April 25, 5-8pm

Saturday:

Ben Gest
Stephen Daiter Gallery
311 W. Superior St. #404
April 26 - June 28
Opening Reception Saturday April 26, 5-8pm

Cecil McDonald Jr., "Domestic Observations"
Catherine Edleman Gallery
300 W. Superior St.
April 26 - May 31
Opening Reception Saturday April 26, 6-8pm

Jason Lazarus Interview Part 1

I think I've mentioned before what a fan I am of Jason Lazarus' work. His current show up in Chicago, This is gonna take one more night is full of smart, endearing, compelling and the Jay-Laz-brand-of-humor images that have come to define him and his work. I decided to do ask Jason some questions about his show. I also just learned that Jason and I will be showing together in a 2-person show here in Chicago of our photographs from the Wright Commission Jason and I both did last year. So our conversation will continue into a 2 part interview to be posted closer to our opening of that show in May.
Jason's solo show closes tomorrow and he ends it with an all day temporary installation in the space. In addition also on hand will be a self-published catalogue created for the occasion of the exhibition. The catalog is in an edition of 100, each catalogue includes a small editioned print (shown in the attachment), an interview with Karen Irvine from the Museum of Contemporary Photography, and 40 pages of full color recent work...$100.00

Join Jason Saturday, April 12th from 11am - 5pm
This is gonna take one more night
Bucket Rider Gallery
835 West Washington
Chicago IL 60607

Here's Part 1 of the interview:
How are artistic decisions different now vs. 2003.
What things have you held onto?

the self portrait as an artist series is still important today, and to me is the main artery of the work as it was in 2003. in that series in particular, i've held on to the notion of 'play' in the work in order to penetrate, reflect, etc certain themes and ideas. the difference is that i don't have as much work in the self portrait series that is focused on the art world as institution or the notion of an artist in contemporary society...there is work now that is simultaneously political and experiential--standing in cabrini green, underneath a fireworks display that is named 'america's answer'...and so on.

I've known you for a long time and know you to be well schooled in the traditions of photography. (In fact your casual snaps always surprise the hell out of me). Though in your artistic practice you seem to push up against that. Do you see a difference btwn. the two? Is one more 'art' than another?

No not at all...I am always pining to make work that is like eggleston/christian patterson and do occassionally. i think i am focused on one way of working right now and i have to find that right time/place to flex those other muscles--pure visual play...although i think that is one thing i may work on in vienna, austria--i'll be there for a residency for 2 months this summer. i always fall back to some kind of conceptual structure, and that is my strength i think. i like the pressure this approach causes to really investigate an idea.

Your work combines photographic and artistic practice in a few ways; it makes the personal apparent, it addresses social issues and finally retains some sense of irony and cleverness (or straight up comedy). Often it does this in one picture. Is one more important than another?

to me what is important is, as it does in the self portrait as an artist series, it veers back and forth. in the exhibition that is up right now...you have a picture that is a long exposure of fireworks entitled, "Entire three minute duration of 'America's Answer' fireworks package" and this picture is 59x74" and is next to a 16x20" picture of a plant sitting on a windowsill at night called "End of summer lover, the plant on her windowsill". not only do these pictures play off each other physically but one is very interior, brooding, still, and the other is very public, political, and visually seductive. playing in the continuum of these two poles is what makes photography fun, interesting, and satisfying...that series is about the notion of an examined life--and that can contain many seemingly disparate elements. the place where those pieces coalesce is my interest.

When speaking with my class at your exhibit the other day, several of them commented that hearing your explanation and discussion of the work made it complete. Is there a concern that ambiguity might win over narrative?

yes, very much so. i have the self portrait series which is visually disparate, a diptych from the Living with a portrait series, a picture from the Wright commission, and a diptych from an artist book called "The last rose of summer on my nightstand," as well as a back room filled with 3 pieces from the Nirvana project. the show is demanding of the viewer and i don't assume everyone wants to come along for the ride. on the other hand, it's the show i wanted to mount because there are some interesting intersections among the multiple series and i wanted to investigate that. i have faith that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. also, chicago is my artistic hometown, so the place to mount a show like this is here, and hopefully some people navigate it to their delight!

This Is Gonna Be One More Night (I Miss)

Jason Lazarus
It's been amazing this last year doing so much traveling. The downside though is I miss a lot of the openings and social stuff going on in Chicago. Tonight is one that downright hurts. Some really great shows I've been aching to see are opening. Indeed if you're a 4 hour drive away from Chicago, I'd say get up and get behind the wheel.

Jason Lazarus This is gonna take one more night at Bucket Rider Gallery. Jason has been consistently producing stronger work that mixes his conceptual wit with a engaging social examination. He and I are working on a interview for the blog that you'll see soon.


Craig Doty
Craig Doty 12x12 at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Craig also is a young photographer churning out great ideas for some time now. This new work features portraits of unsettling moments of frustration, awkwardness, and vulnerability.

Lastly at Rhona Hoffman Gallery, Robert Heinecken: Dream/Circles/Cycles. Surely Heinecken's vintage works from 64-73 will provide some exciting new finds and rare examples of his photographic attacks on media and visual literacy.

I Need Your Help

Last August I posted on proposed budget cuts to the Illinois State Arts Council. Arts funding has continued to dwindle in the United States for years now even though some of our superstarblockbusterfavorites were often only able to make their work through government support.
It is amazing that this is even an issue; art organizations, individual artists, museum exhibitions, etc... all get affected. Without grants the ability to survive as an arts organization or artist becomes dependent on commercial venues and profitability of art work. Your community of art depends upon venues, without support those venues will cease.

What you can do....
• Join the online petition here.
• If you live in Ohio or Texas vote ;)
• Demand that your states increase not decrease budget funding for the Arts.
• Spread the word.

Update: Ed Winkleman also takes up the cry for Arts Funding in relation to a certain democratic candidate from Illinois, and says it much more eloquently than me.

Buy This Print (and others)

Detail of Marden Manufacturing Chair, Wright Commission, 2007, 20x26" c-print
Here in Chicago, the good folks who organize the annual Versionfest are having their annual auction tonight. With all the good goings and travels as of late I often miss all the local openings. This is another one that will be missed and too bad as there is bound to be a bounty of good art for sale and bargain to find. Check the names:

Cody Hudson, Judy Natal, Greg Stimac, Jason Lazarus, Michael T Rea, Mike Slattery, Seripop, Brian Ulrich, Paper Rad, Aron Gent, Sighn, Ryan Davies, Paul Nudd, Albert Stabler, Cayetano Ferrer, Jackie Kilmer, Rand Sevilla, Logan Bay, Ray Noland, Mike Genovese, Justin B Williams, Jeff Zimmerman, Alvaro Ilizarde, Jeremy Tubbs, Rivkah Young, Lukasz Wyszkowski, Marie Harten, JJ Stratford, Molly Delander, Tertou Uibopuu, Sarah Mckemie, Mimi Ruff, Brian Guido, Caitlin Arnold, Andrew McComb, Claudia Berns, Zack Abubeker, Philip Matesic, Nate Baker, Greg Gent, Anne Lass, Brian Sorg, Joseph Rynkiewicz, Victor Yanez-Lazcano, Michael DiGioia and others.

The info:

Friday, February 15, 2008, 7- 12 pm
THE VERSION SILENT AUCTION
Co-Prosperity Sphere
3219 S Morgan St
map
phone: 773.837.0145

A fundraiser for
VERSION>08 DARK MATTER
April 17-27, 2008

The Git Strikes Again

(I totally remember this shirt from Grad School)
2 new projects from buddy Jon Gitelson.
Items of Clothing Secretly Hidden By My Girlfriend

and

Chicago El Stories. A public art project for the Chicago Transit Authority Armitage Brown Line el train Station.

My Teachers: Paul D'Amato

If there is one person keeping film manufacturers in business it is Paul D'Amato. I know Paul drinks coffee but it does little to explain his energy and ability to produce in a super human capacity. It's not uncommon for Paul to return from a weekend trip of shooting with 80 rolls of film, and 300 sheets of 4x5. In class he would describes this attribute as 'visual greediness'. Though this does little to explain his obsessiveness when in his spare time he: surfs year round on any wave he can find in Lake Michigan (there are some); devours critical writing on art and photography; does editorial work; and lovingly tortures his son with water pistols on hot summer days, (in between watching Red Sox games). He somehow performs all this effortlessly and his photographs exploring the south and west sides of Chicago also appear effortless while tackling tough social and political issues with a strong sense of humanism.
His visual greed did rub off. As did his example that the photograph could represent ones care and concern for the subject if constructed as such. It was in Paul's class where many of the Copia pictures hit their stride and I believe that was because the atmosphere of the class.

Some notable Paul D'Amato moments:
• Paul arriving to an opening in February with ice in his hair from surfing in the lake.
• Him asking me 'why not Yale' as a grad school choice during my second semester.
• His explanation that nothing is more important to an artist than enjoying the process of making it. Above and beyond process is all one is left with.

Paul currently has an exhibit of his work up at the Daiter Contemporary Gallery here in Chicago until July 28th.
You hear Paul interviewed on Chicago Public Radio about his recent book, Barrio here.

Projects developed while in class with: copia, retail, writings.

The Map... Version, Art Chicago, et al...

Putting on an exhibition is a daunting task, let alone a large festival. There are walls to be built, painted, plans to follow, supplies to find, text to write, websites to build, help to find, equipment to wire, lights to light, and the ever present surprises, (in addition to getting people there and.... the artwork)!
Needless it's also exciting and sitting in front of a pile of work from some of our favorite photographers is even more intoxicating.
In fact to get you all to there, my new assistant Kristin made a wonderful little Google map so you can plan your visit around Chicago. Full of all the fun stuff and art places around the city with a full map of all the locations for the Versionfest (including the infamous Kaplans).
MAP

Chicagraphy.org

Julian Montague, from the Stray Shopping Cart Project
Somehow Jon Gitelson and I have managing some time to curate a large photo show for the annual un-commercial Versionfest here in Chicago. This years line up is a bit more refined and hopes to showcase mini-shows of 10 of our favorite agraphers...
We launched a website, www.chicagraphy.org to announce the event. The show also coincides with the very commercial Art Chicago fair.
Needless next weekend should be a good time to visit the windy city. It'll feature:
Amy Stein (New York, NY); Bill Sullivan (New York, NY); Jason Lazarus (Chicago, IL); Zoe Strauss (Philadelphia, PA); Shawnee Barton (Chicago, IL); Todd Deutsch (Minneapolis, MN); Michael Northrup (Baltimore, MD); Julian Montague (Buffalo, NY); Mary Farmilant (Chicago, IL); Jack Edinger (Chicago, IL)

Jay Wolke

One of the most fascinating things about photography is how it ages. Not like any fine wine but it in some cases gets more brutal as we can distance ourselves from having to reflect on our current surroundings.
Jay Wolke, an early Chicagrapher if there ever was one, points us to a harrowing realization that our yesterday wasn't all that far off. Jay makes documentary photographs in 3 projects that begin with 'A' but his most recent book, Along the Divide captures a stretch of the Dan Ryan expressway from the 1980's here in Chicago. Standed motorists, burning cars, homeless underpass dwellers, and burnt amber apocalyptic sunsets image a modern city on the brink on the 21st century. We'd like to think this is another time and another place until we realize that 30 years later we're looking at the same things.
Jay's project also makes me think of Zoe's, and it's wonderful to think of something as simple as a stretch of highway can make foster a historical and anthropological investigation.

It's All About the Benjamins....

Buy This Print, Madison, WI 2005 22x28"
Time again for the annual auction to help fund the annual VersionFest. I'll have the print above available and there will be many good bargins to be had, (including lots of Chicagraphy).
Some of the many:
Cody Hudson, Paper Rad, Jack Edinger, New Catalogue, Jason Lazarus, Nathan Baker, Brandon Sorg, Brian Sorg, Curtis Mann, Claudia Berns, Matt Siber, Anni Holm, Chase Browder, Jon Gitelson, Alee Peoples, Scott Weiner, Felipe Garcia, Ryan Davies, Michael Genovese, Greg Stimac, Johana Wawro, Juan Chavez, Rachael Olson, Mike Slattery, Scott Whipkey, Eloise Dahl, Stereo Field Mouse, Rebecca Moy, Nancy Julson-Riely, Gisela Insuaste, Jeremiah Ketner, Mark Didado, Yunicorn, Daniel Peter, Brian Sowell, Sarah McKemie + Terttu Uibopuu, Caitlin Arnold, Justin Schmitz, Tammy Mercure, Phelan La Velle, Joe Rynkiewicz, Ashley Singley, and many others..

Friday April 6, 7pm
Co-Prosperity Sphere
3219 S. Morgan St.
Chicago

Battle of the Vowels... an O vs. an A

Chad Muthard stirs it up with his Final Four Photo March Madness. I'm honored to be included, though sad that I'm up up against good friend Todd Deutsch. Here's how the fight would begin btwn. a Chicagrapher and Minneographer.
• Beer. Todd and I like beer and we have shared a few. I've certainly beat him in the tall beer department though I imagine he'll outlast me in quantity. Could be even here.
• Todd's a dad, i'm not. Knowing this I imagine Todd has forearms of a lumberjack. Kids love to be tossed, thrown and have adults propell them through space with velocity. My bmx days will do little good over Todd's kid heavy workouts.
• I would steal his soul with a candid 645 medium mallmart snapgraphic while Todd is distracted with the youngsters. Todd wouldn't even know what hit him.
• While I'm winding my film Todd may have a secret weapon of a blog posting, defaming character asassination-ray. Drunken party pics, attacks on my work, inventive wikipedia editing and dissing my use of the words 'kind of' and 'like' could buckle my knees and send me off into a void of no-comments-on-my-posts, and banish me to the bottom-feeder of a google search.
I imagine we'd more likely giggle over a beer and talk about lenses.

The real war here was discovered this weekend in a discussion with Colleen Mullins at the SPE conference:
• Is Minneagraphy/minneography spelled with an 'O' or an 'A'?

ps. image courtesy of 9 hours of waiting standby for flights.