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Those Amazing Lane Tech Murals: A Tour This Saturday

art, current calendar

Wander over to the Chicago Cultural Center to view a rare exhibit of beautiful vintage murals on loan from Lane Tech High School.  They'll be in residence in the Chicago Rooms on the 2nd floor until March 1.

The building of Lane Tech coincided with the timing of the mural movement in this country in the early 20th Century.  Four student artists were selected from a 1909 competition and their work is shown here along with others painted in 1913 in art nouveau style by George Henry Brandt.   My favorite features a woman joining a group of others with a handsome tiger on a leash, if you can believe the oddities of another time. (photo courtesy Chicago Cultural Center)

In 1995 Lane's Principal David Schlichting and Teacher Flora Doody initiated a mural restoration project to save many of the paintings from the further deterioration that had occurred over the years.  They enlisted the aid of Barry Bauman head of the Chicago Conservation Center who worked on the project pro bono.  An on site video from a Channel 11 broadcast describes the techniques used for the restoration of one of the murals now on view and a useful brochure re the mural project is available just outside the exhibit hall.

On Saturday, February 7 from 9:30AM-1PM you may join Mural Project Director Flora Doody herself for a tour of the many additional murals ensconced at Lane Tech.  The tour departs from the Cultural Center at 77 E. Randolph.  It is free but space is limited so you must call 312.743.1190 to reserve your place on the motorcoach.

It's Lee Godie's 100th Birthday!

art

Everyone at Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art wants you to join them this Friday, September 12th from 5-8PM to celebrate.  It's also the occasion for the first major retrospective of Lee's work (over 100 pieces will be shown) since her death in 1994.  This exhibit is curated by Jessica Moss and David Syrek.

Did you ever meet Lee Godie?  She looked like a homeless woman unless you approached and clued into what she was up to.  She hung out along the Michigan Avenue bridge, in front of the Art Institute or the convenient-for-sitting-on ledge adjoining the entrance of Neiman Marcus where she would hawk her art work, sometimes relectantly, depending on her mood.

She called herself a "French Impressionist" seriously, or as a joke but in truth she was a gifted outsider artist.  That's my Godie top left.

There are some outrageous Lee Godie stories around town and if you have one you'd like to tell yourself or just want to listen, Intuit is encouraging you to come early at 3PM on Friday.  The stories will be filmed and added to the Intuit archives.

Beginning at 5, you can have a Godie-style photo taken in our vintage photo booth, (see sample photo of Lee at right from the Lorin Adolph collection) enjoy birthday cake and a signature cocktail or try Chicago's own Half Acre beer.  With all those Godie aficionados out there, this opening is bound to be the place to be Friday night.  It's free and open to the public in the best Intuit tradition.

Join Intuit, while you're there.  Check out www.art.org

Altered Photography Workshop, Saturday, September 20, 2:30-4:30PM

In conjunction with the Lee Godie exhibit, this hands-on workshop will include the use of a vintage photo booth, enabling participants to create their own altered self-portraits.  Lee used this medium herself, as you'll see in the exhibit.  Artist Amy Mayfield will conduct the workshop.  The fee is $15 for Intuit members and $25 for non-members.

"Don't Miss: "Mug Shots" and Henry Darger Room At Intuit

art, current calendar, culture

Here are two exceptional offerings at Intuit you shouldn't miss.  You don't even have to be an art aficionado to enjoy either one.

After many years of planning, a re-creation of  the Henry Darger Room has opened.  It's a new permanent exhibit at Intuit:  The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art at 756 N. Milwaukee Av. http://www.art.org.

You'll also see the fascinating "Mugshots" exhibit, officially dubbed "Least Wanted:  A Century of American Mugshots" that's so cool it's been featured on Channel 7 and elsewhere in the mainstream press.   Mark Michaelson, the major collector of these historic American relics has curated a thought provoking assemblage of "bored, sheepish, proud, coy, tough, defiant, bounced and bruised...innocent until-proven-guilty faces that stare back at the camera..." 

Michaelson emphasizes that none of these anonymous subjects had been tried in a court of law at the time they were photographed.  Somehow, I think, there is a poignant assumption of guilt latent in the photos nevertheless, providing us a window into a shocking world of imagined crimes to which we might well have been oblivious previous to this exhibit.   See the photos, read the intriguing comments that accompany some,  a unique experience awaits.  Mug Shots will close April 12.

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Chicago artist Henry Darger lived in the midst of a then much more down at the heels Lincoln Park at 851 W. Webster St. from 1932 until he died in 1972.  He was the reclusive tenant of Bauhaus photographer Nathan Lerner and his wife Kiyoko.  They discovered, as the elderly and ill Darger began to decline, that he had created a phenomenally unusual body of hundreds of drawings depicting the struggle of a band of seven young girls, "the Vivian Girls" against an evil army he called "Glandeleninians."

In addition, an enormous text  depicting this struggle (and others) and numbering over 30,000 pages was found in Darger's tiny apartment;  his combined home and studio.  Thanks to the Lerners this amazing body of work has been saved and is now admired internationally by both Darger devotees and the just plain curious.  Comparisons have been made to influences from Japanese prints and multiple other coincidental influences.  Many people are freaked out and many are fascinated by the subject matter

Darger did keep up with the current events of his day, depending on his level of interest in same.

Eventually his life's work began to envelop his space, taking over his bed and relegating Darger to a chair for sleep.

His eccentric story only becomes more complex as it unfolds.  Intuit is showing a number of Darger's drawings (water colors, sketches and collages) in their back gallery and, for the first time, The Henry Darger Room, the permanent and long-awaited installation of the re-creation of his apartment is on view.  Kiyoko Lerner generously donated the contents of the apartment to Intuit prior to its demolition.

An  unusual collection of source material awaits to amaze, but you should visit yourself so I won't describe the room's contents here.  Intuit also has a great deal of research material on site which you may peruse at leisure.  Phone 312.860.9008 to learn more.

Don't miss this special chance to see the room in conjunction with the 13 Darger drawings on display.  This exhibit is not permanent and closes  on June 28.

There is always something amazing awaiting you at Intuit  but these two exhibits are something you shouldn't miss. 

Don't say I didn't warn you!  Check out the frequent and multiple activities from Intuit at http://www.art.org

Two Terrific Exhibits Just A Bit North In Wisconsin

art, culture, travel

There are two unusual art exhibits going on right now in Wisconsin.  If you have a bit of extra time off during the holiday season this is a perfect  and adventuresome way to spend it.  Check out their January closing dates below so you don't miss out!

One of the best art exhibits I've ever seen (and you can guess I'm a veteran of many) is at the John  Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan, about 2.5 hours from Chicago entitled Sublime Spaces. & Visionary Worlds. The Kohler has made it a special mission to save environmental art.  They've salvaged sites that were threatened with demolition and restored others enabling them to remain in place.  This wondrous exhibit (you can get an idea from these two photos, courtesy of the Center) takes up the whole museum, located in downtown Sheboygan.  You'll see in depth work from quite a few artists including a whole and very unique house belonging to Loy Bowlin, the self-proclaimed Rhinestone Cowboy who lived and dressed the part, even riding around his hometown of McComb MS in his similarly themed Cadillac.

There are woodcarvers represented and a mind-boggling assemblage of "healing machines" (photo at left) fashioned by Emory Blagdon, a reclusive Nebraska farmer.  The whole exhibit has the aura of fantasy lands come to life via the massive efforts of chief curator Leslie Umberger and her staff.

If you're lucky, Leslie herself may be giving a tour.  Call ahead to find out.  However, printed info on each artist is available on site, a user friendly device that I wish were used more frequently in museums.

Another exciting exhibit is on view in Milwaukee at the Santiago Calatrava designed Milwaukee Art Museum.  That's the one you've been meaning to visit anyway, the one with the sunscreen  that opens at noon daily, emulating the wings of a bird overlooking its' perch on the shores of Lake Michigan.

The current exhibit is of the work of Martin Ramirez;  a collection of (mostly) large drawings by this Mexican immigrant to California in the early part of the last century.

Ramirez was recently called "simply one of the greatest artists of the 20th century" by The New York Times.  Mr Ramirez spent most of his adult life in a mental institution that became a kind refuge for him to pursue his artistic obsession.  A doctor at the hospital recognized his genius and saved some of his drawings.  More were recently discovered, causing a small furor in the art world.  Now some drawings (photo at left) are in the permanent collections of both the Whitney Museum and The American Museum of Folk Art in New York.

There was a recent exhibit at the latter that has traveled to Milwaukee with some particularly marvelous additions from the collection of Jim Nutt and Gladys Nilsson, Chicago artists who were early admirers of Ramirez' work.

Warning:  The exhibit at the Kohler, www.jmkac.org closes in sections, beginning January 6 and the Ramirez exhibit at the Milwaukee Art Museum, www.mam.org closes January 13.  There are plenty of lodging accommodations and good restaurants in both cities.   Have fun!

Revolution Tattoo Halloween Exhibit Begins Saturday

art, culture, current calendar

Check out Revolution Tattoo at 2221 N. Western.  This Saturday, October 13 is a perfect time since their annual Halloween Art Exhibit reception is from 8PM til midnight.

Revolution has a swell looking red neon star in the window that I couldn't resist so I went in to talk to Max Brown (see photo).  He explained that Revolution is a custom tattoo shop and began five years ago as a gallery, adding tattoos after the first two years.  Principals are Omar Guitierrez, his soon to be wife, Cheri Basak and Max along with his brother Marshall (Brown too).

Tattoos used to be synonymous with biker culture but no more.  You may remember that not so long ago they were pretty standard, boringly so.  Now complete arm and leg tattoos, handsomely rendered are not unusual.  Servers in hip restaurants often succumb to cool-looking visuals.

I am fascinated.  In New York recently I noted a young Brooklyn father with a tattoo covering his completely shaved head and realized he can wear or not wear his decorations, depending on his chosen hairstyle of the moment, the best of both worlds, I figure.

Much of Revolution's business is referral based, although there's walk in traffic too.  Ask to see some of their reference books and you'll realize that Japanese culture, among many others is rich with the tattooing tradition.

Revolution is open Monday through Saturday from 12noon-9PM, 2221 N. Western Av., 773.486.8888.

A Rare Chance To View Contemporary Art From India

art

Betty Seid, an independent curator, formerly with The Art Institute, has assembled a body of work from contemporary Indian artists currently being shown at the Chicago Cultural Center.  All of the work shown has been produced in the 21st century.

Of course Indian culture is still quite traditional, but my over-abiding reaction to the work, bar none is that these people have the task, and a difficult one it is for them and for India itself, of  bridging the gap between East and West.  Western tools and techniques are available to them, yet the past and its tradition exerts a powerful and a necessary pull.  For this reason, the exhibit is especially fascinating.

About a decade ago my husband and I took the first of two trips to India.  The country was exotic and mesmerizing.  We never knew what surprise awaited just ahead.  We were well guided but yearned for contact with Indian counterparts.  Finally we introduced ourselves to a family having dinner at a table adjoining ours at our hotel.  It turned out that one of the gentlemen had attended our alma mater so that was a welcome entree.

Their daughter was proudly introduced as an artist by her mother.  It suddenly occurred to me to ask whether she was a traditional or contemporary artist.  The answer was the former and I must admit to immediate disappointment, particularly I suppose because she was in her early twenties.

Perhaps she changed her mind and is the company of her forward-looking countrymen and women in the exhibit.

Here's a preview:  the photo of the sculpture at top, courtesy the artist and Bose Pacia Gallery is "Three Cows" by Subodh Gupta.  The other by Anju Dodiya, bottom left is acrylic, painted on a mattress  and entitled, "Cloud Hunter," photo courtesy of the artist.

The exhibit will continue at the Cultural Center through September 23 in the Fourth  Floor Yates Gallery.  Ms. Seid  will present gallery talks on Thursday, August 16 at 12:15PM and Thursday, September 20, also at 12:15.  A number of other related programs are scheduled.  Check out  www.chicagoculturalcenter.org for additional info.

Lonnie Holley's Remarkable Installation Is At Intuit

art

An originally blank gallery space has been transformed by Lonnie Holley, an outsider artist from Alabama, into a breathtaking venue.  Holley arrived in Chicago in May as Intuit's first artist in residence.  During a two week period he gathered discarded materials from around the city and environs, and combined them to create this significant environment.

Lonnie Holley's evolution into a respected artist was difficult, replete with poignant episodes of a struggle for survival itself.  He was one of a large group of siblings from an impoverished family and began his serendipitous career making sandstone tombstones for family and friends.

Over the years he's done painting, sculpture, and assemblage.  The photo at right, courtesy of Bill Bengsten shows the finished project at Intuit.  During Holley's two week visit here he involved  groups of Chicago school children as well as the general public in his creative process.

To learn more about Holley and listen to an NPR podcast as well as all manner of things about Intuit, access www.art.org.

In the adjoining Intuit gallery you'll find an exhibit of recent gifts to Intuit's permanent collection.  It's fun to peruse this captivating work.  Included among other pieces is an exceptional early sculpture by former Chicagoan, Mr. Imagination.

(In the interest of full disclosure you should know that I am both a founder of Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art and a member of its' Board).  Notwithstanding, you should get on over to this non-profit organization's space for some of the most exciting art activity in the city.  And definitely join while you're there!

Intuit is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 11-5PM; Thursday 11-7:30PM.  The Lonnie Holley exhibit closes September 1.

A Serendipitous Yield From A Traffic Jam

art, nepotism

Despite the fact that we've lived in the city for a very long time, my husband and I have finally had to face one of life's grimmer realities, the commuter traffic jam.

On summer weekends we generally travel an hour and 45 minutes to southwest Michigan or "Harbor Country", as it is dubbed by local chambers of commerce.  Recently we decided to return to town on a Sunday evening instead of our usual Monday morning, but to our dismay the construction backup began not too far west of Gary.  We decided to take highways 12 and 20, then 41 to avoid the horrors of interstate 90.  It wasn't too bad,  and then the sun began to set, relieving our strained eyes from its' glare.  We exclaimed anew as we found ourselves stuck once again as a dark vintage iron bridge began to rise,  permitting a boat to pass.

What a boat!  It was enormous, old, long and bulky and sported a huge crain on its' deck.  Other inconvenienced motorists joined us, all in awe at its' majesty.

I believe it was called the Mariner but I'm not sure.  However, if you're coming back to Chicago some summer evening from the east, try that route.  You might see something else intriguing, who knows.

Hop Down To Munster. See Mike Noland's "Call Of The Wild"

art, current calendar

Mike Noland is a Chicago artist of notable merit, and now through July 15th you can view his ouevre broadly in an exhibit at the South Shore Arts Center in Munster.  It's a half hour at most from downtown Chicago.   The exhibit, the first in the Center's invitational Outstanding Midwest Artists Series is jointly curated by Arts Center Executive Director John Cain and art enthusiast Eugenie Johnson.

Noland is influenced by both his favorite outsider artists and by Chicago imagists but his work is strongly his own   I'm hoping to provide you with additional images but they're not available to me just now since I'm out of town.  This one, of the energetic fish is courtesy of the Carl Hammer Gallery.

South Shore Arts is at 1040 Ridge Road in Munster.  Hours are 10-5 weekdays, 10-4 Saturday and 12 noon-4 Sunday.  Call 219.836.1839 for additional info.  Also ask about the Italian restaurant in town with swell food and a stopped-in-time 60's atmosphere.  You can try it for lunch.

Many of the pieces shown are for sale which for me, adds to the excitement.  It would be tough to make a choice since most are noteworthy.  You can also pick up the handsome full color catalog that accompanies the exhibit with an excellent essay about Noland by  James Yood who teaches at The Art Institute of Chicago and writes for Art Forum magazine.   It's available without charge.  Don't miss this exhibit!

A companion Noland exhibit at the newly opened Lakeside Gallery West in Michigan City, Indiana should be noted.  It's at 827 Franklin with weekend hours from noon -5PM or by appointment at 219.363.2750.

Of course, both exhibits are free and open to the public.

Lonnie Holley Is Intuit's First Artist In Residence

art, culture, current calendar

Be sure to get over to Intuit:  The Center For Intuitive and Outsider Art to meet outsider artist, Lonnie Holley who's visiting Chicago from Birmingham, Alabama as their first artist in residence.  You can actually see him at work until this Friday when he'll be showing the results of his two week visit to Chicago at a 5 PM reception.

Holley has taken over the main gallery of this non-profit arts organization, a recent participant in Artropolis, to demonstrate how he makes his work.     With the aid of Lucy Slivinski, a mainstream artist who uses discarded materials in her work, he has toured much of the city and its' environs for appropriate salvage and any remnants of urban life he may want to use.

Holley is the confident survivor of an extraordinarily difficult life.  He was one of 27 children, lived for a time in foster care as well as in the Industrial School for Negro Children in Mount Meigs, AL., from which he ran away.  He left school before completing 7th grade and became a student of National Geographic magazine.

His art began with carving sandstone which was used as industrial waste and progressed to painting and sculpture using found or recycled material.

His work has been shown at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC., the American Folk Art Museum in New York and the High Museum in Atlanta.

Do stop in to meet Holley while he's in town.  He's extremely articulate and is happy to answer questions.  The exhibit continues at Intuit through September 1, however.  Don't miss it.  The photo of his chair sculpture is included, courtesy of William Arnett.

For more information about Intuit and its' many activities, access its' website www.art.org.
Gallery hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 11AM-5PM and Thursday, 11AM-7:30PM.