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Chicago Arts District October 3-5, 2003
18th and South Halsted Streets
Passing under the railway bridge approaching 18th Street on Halsted one leaves the sterile, dreamlike world of condominium blocks, Starbucks and Jamba Juice that is the new University Village and enters onto a grittier but far more compelling urban scene: the Chicago Arts District, whose axis lies along 18th and Halsted Streets. During the weekend of October 3-5, 2003, forty-three venues provided access to the art and studios of over seventy participating artists who open their studios to the public during this annual event. The Chicago Arts District, also known as the Pilsen East area, has resisted, purposefully, the homogenization of both development and franchises; long flights of stairs and converted light-industry factories meet the eye, but the visitor is well-rewarded with access to some excellent work in studios that form the workspace and often the living space of the artist. Forty-three venues -- one can only touch on highlights. Established artist Ned Broderick's studio at 727-733 W. 18th St. has been a noteworthy anchor of this annual event for many years, and continues to be a wealth of large-scale oils and stark, moving sculpture. Broderick's oils exhibit a brightly-hued surrealism, vigorous with color. His themes include monumental, mask-like faces, rich with ironic commentary a sense of the dangers, or pathos, that linger beneath the skin of everyday appearances. Broderick's sculptures, composed of found objects, evoke a compelling anti-war theme and are also well worth seeing. The studio of Larry Roberts at 1838 S. Halsted, another long-time resident, makes for another intriguing visit. Roberts' work features non-representational oil paintings whose expressive compositions of dark loops and tangles of paint bring to mind the controlled chaos of organic growth. Rick Tuttle's book binding brought a twist of wit to his imaginatively-cased volumes, while the studio of a relative newcomer, Bruner & Bay, released a newsletter of satirical agitprop posters for the occasion. The Chicago Arts District's formal exhibition space at 2003 South Halsted Street divided itself between two shows, CS:33/The Curated Show and what was noted in the program as the "2003 Alternative Space." Participating artists in CS:33/The Curated Show were Gary Borremans, Kelly Brannon, Ned Broderick, Deva Suckerman and Marcos Raya. The exhibition presented a variety of work, primarily paintings; of note were Deva Suckerman's emotive portraits of brooding figures, done on found, time-darkened wood, but for the most part the exhibition was carried by Broderick's large oil painting Portrait of Amelia Earhardt (oil on canvas: 68" x 68": 2003) and two further sculptures by Broderick. The "2003 Alternative Space" itself featured several works in oil, with its balance being digital prints. But what, exactly, the "Alternative Space" was meant to be, and the reason for the special presentation it provided its artists -- particularly in direct competition with the attention that would otherwise be focused on the Curated Show -- was unstated and unclear. To further confuse the issue, the airy, well-lit, yet unlabeled "Alternative Space" was the room into which one first entered, giving the impression it was the Curated Show, while the Curated Show, also not labeled as such, was relegated to a darker, less welcoming side room off the main space. The Chicago Arts District is home to several galleries, and new in 2003 was 4Art Inc., making good use of the prominent ground-floor location and expansive windows of the Fountainhead Lofts building at 1932 S. Halsted. Featured artists during the Open House included Jerod Schmidt, Robin Rios, Alexander Racho, Tith Sin, Tulio Vazquez, Kayde Anobile, Brian Booth and Alexa Damon, and the combined efforts of the group made for a strong initial showing. Currently featuring only basic information about this new gallery -- brand new, in fact, its grand opening coinciding with the opening night of the event -- 4Art's web site is at http://www.4artinc.com/. The Chicago Arts District's own web site is at http://www.chicagoartsdistrict.com/ . It includes an "Artist of the Day" feature, and an option to sign up for an email newsletter. The site allows browsing of member artist's work, but not all artists have visuals posted, giving the feel of a work-in-progress rather than a finished offering. [Editor's Note: Both web sites have since expanded their content.] Several visitors remarked on the lack of publicity for the event, and it is indeed unfortunate that it did not receive wider notice. Friday attendees reported good numbers but Saturday's turnout was sparse, surprising given the excellent weather. As this is one of Chicago's most dedicated and thriving arts districts, one hopes for higher attendance next year. "Art needs to tap the vital streams of common experience, to stay in touch with the human imperatives that compel and inspire art..." The Chicago Arts District's 33rd Annual Artist's Open House is one example of the continuing vitality of Chicago's art scene. One can only hope that the junction of 18th Street and Halsted will resist the urban development foreshadowed by nearby University Village, and continue to offer unique spaces that support artistic creation. --Katherine Rook Lieber Katherine Rook Lieber has edited ArtScope.net's Visual and Performing Arts reviews since 1998. Ms. Lieber is Editor and Associate Producer for ArtScope.net. Editorial Note: Ben Shahn is quoted from his collection of essays on art, The Shape of Content, (Harvard University Press:1992). The Shape of Content and other books mentioned in ArtScope.net reviews are often in print and may be purchased through the link above or through the Amazon.com link below. |
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