Versionfest, Proximity, Ron Olsen and Chicago Events

It's that time of year for the annual Versionfest here in Chicago. Lasts years was a hoot and even made some people nervous. In fact a few hours away from now the Dark Matter group show opens in Bridgeport. I helped a bit with the curating and laying out the show last week and it's looking to be a good one. Dark Matter is a group show which tosses out the distinction between high and low art (let's face it, the artfairs have proven there is little difference), and instead taps into a collective consciousness that artists of all backgrounds seem to be responding to in their practice. Whether activism, collages from food containers, psychedelic vinyl porno drippings or an art informational Elotes cart these artists reach out to form communities, react against hegemonies or simple create laborious works meant to drizzle away time space and escape from one reality by creating another.
This Versionfest also marks a first for me, showing a work from my collection (in addition to one of my Thrift pictures). We included the drawing Ron Olsen made for me 2 years ago. Long time readers of the blog may recall my post on Ron and his drawing of 'perpetual battlefields'. Dark Matter indeed.

Detail from Ron Olsen, 2006 (War In Wal Mart Parking Lot)
Artists include:
Michael Genovese, Kate Bingaman-Burt, Michael T Rea, E.C. Brown, Jefferson Mayday Mayday, JC Hammes, Edra Soto, Adam Farcus, Brian Ulrich, Greg Stimac, Aron Gent, Chris Roberts, Ryan Davies, JJ Stratford, Alice Bradshaw, Randall Garrett, Daniel St george II, Sharon Parmet, Ryan Davies, Natalie Steinmetz, Cole Robertson, Lisa Yu, Christopher Ilth, A.S. Lawrence , Nat Ward, Natalie Steinmetz, Dave the Lightbulb man, Vicki Fowler, Thunderhorse, E*Rock, Neville, Erika Mikkalo, Jenny Inzerillo, J. Byrnes, Mary Balda, Jon Bollo, R.K. Shuquem, Nicholas Schutzenhofer, Jenny Tsiakals, Rose Candela, James Adam, AROE, Oscar Arriola, Juicy, Tony Arriola, Peter KISER Berry, CHILE, Sara Condo, COPE2, COSBE, CRAE, CYCLE, CYFN, Nicky Dieter, EGOR, EVOKE, FACT, GOMA, David COVE Gonzalez, GYROS, Joel DEPTE Ibarra, IRAK, JACK, Rick Jara, JARE, A. Lewellen, MELON, READ MORE, RIBITY, RK9, SHIP!, SIVEL, SMUT, SWEK, SWIS, TELLY, TRUE, TWIST, Ryan Valvick and many others . To see work by participating artists go to this Flickr page .


Another first is the debut issue of Proximity Magazine. If buddies Ed and Rachel Marzewski don't have enough on their plate with running the Versionfest and an art/performance venue, they're created a fantastic new magazine centered on local and global art and art communities. The first issue rocks and is chock full of interviews with curators, artists and writings on empowerment, cultural criticism and Chicagoland cholos. This city just got tons cooler. Buy one and feel your money funding the greater good.

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 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