Base URL: [http://spaces.org/archive/other/]

November 2002, 27 posts, 781 lines

[down]


The FGA #11 will be out this week...get ready!

Documenta 11, Gaylen Gerber/Stephen Prina at Art Institute and Suburban Gallery / Chicago Steve Milanowski at Wendy Cooper / WI

and the "so well deserved trashing" of:

Here and Now at the Cultural Center

[down]


Hey othergroup,

Is anybody involved in the Anti-Trans-Atlantic Business Dialogue demonstrations?

Seems like a pretty significant thing that is going down around here in the next couple of days. There is some info about it at the Indymedia Chicago site: [http://chicago.indymedia.org/.] And I'm sure there is some mention of it in the big newspapers too, though I haven't had a look.

The city has apparently removed all of the newspaper boxes from the Loop area, which really pisses me off. I like those things! Does anyone know the rationale behind that? The cops seem to be gearing up in a pretty serious way, be careful out there. Makes me wanna carry my video camera around with me.

Word,

Mike Woof

[down]


Apparently the rationale was that people might use newspaper boxes as a place to hide bombs - Which really doesn't make sense because if anyone has read the Trib and Sun Times' new "Red Eye" and "Red Streak" newspapers, it is quite clear that they are already bombing just fine on their own (nyuck, nyuck). I think it is fair to say that "Red Eye" and "Red Streak" will be remembered as two of the worst cultural abombinations since uh... The Chevy Chase Show? Cop Rock? The Chicago Project Room?

Marc Fischer

[down]


On Wed, 6 Nov 2002, misterwolf wrote:

Hey othergroup,

Is anybody involved in the Anti-Trans-Atlantic Business Dialogue demonstrations?

FYI, the newspapers are covering it, and TV also. Maps of parking restrictions, interviews with city mucky-mucks, images of police storm troopers drilling.

But I hear the AAWIH ("Artists Against Whatever Is Happening") will be there in force also -- placing disabled vehicles in the restricted parking, and leaving other automobiles double parked with the flashers on. So when you see the City tow trucks and double parked cars, think of them.

[down]


What was wrong with Cop Rock?

[down]


Cops and Rock don't usually go well together (unless of course the latter is being thrown at the former)

M

[down]


This was an enjoyable analysis. At my job, my co-workers and I usually have a lot of free time for reading every single free and not free newspaper in the city. We read literally every paper we can find: Chicago Journal (excellent and often quite witty police blotter), F, Columbia College Journal, UR, Echo, The Onion (obviously), New City, The Reader, Pulse, Illinois Entertainer, and whatever else we can scrounge up to make the day go by faster. Need to know what your horoscope in the new issue of Rollin' Out says? Email me at work.

All of us are absolutely stupefied and astounded by Red Eye, and the slightly harder to find Red Streak. We have been following both papers with utter amazement and perverse excitement. Red Eye has a sense of organization that is so anarchic that I can only assume they are using Arp's collage technique (drop it from above and glue it where it sticks). Ads and news are continuous in design to the point of being indistinguishable from one another. Incorrect information abounds (was it in today's issue that the state of Oregon was mislabeled on their handy numbered maps as Wyoming?!).

I don't think it would be too risky to predict that the second anyone has to pay 25 cents for either of these papers they are going to disappear off the face of the earth within a week. It would be like paying money for New City - which again, no one in their right mind would ever do. For proof of that just read the jaw-dropping article by Ray Pride in the new issue where he writes an entire feature column about how incredible-looking Eminem's lips are in his new movie. I kid you not. This article needs to be seen to be believed.

I do have to say however that one of the Red papers did have a pretty fabulous article on how Courtney Love's little poodle accidentally poisoned itself and died when it ate one of the breast implants that she had had removed from an operation she got in Mexico a while back (She had been holding onto the implant as a souvenir). On a related note, one of the papers also had a nice small article on a workers' strike being led by prostitutes in Paris.

But yes, any of your alternate article ideas sound preferable. I have not heard Screaming Seagull but Jim DeRogatis did interview Kawabata from the mind-blowing Japanese group Acid Mothers Temple in a recent issue of the Sun Times - even went to the trouble to have a London based writer translate the responses from Japanese. Now that is journalism.

Marc

[down]


That's right, kill The Man.

A few thought on the Red Papers. I read a lot of newspapers and have been following this phenomenon curiously. I read both today (well, read is not exactly the right word, but you understand). First, the trib's version is a lot better than the sun times, but these are both incredibly horrible, pandering publications.

The use of made up and stolen hip lingo as a means of effectively communicating with the younger generation is unbelievably patronizing - Cool man, we've got Blago in the Guv house! Streak today ran an editorial on all the "dicks" in government. As if the idea that a politician is named Richard is somehow comical to anyone over the age of 11. There are adults that might appreciate this type of writing, but they are too stupid to know how to read and so probably not an effective target audience for a newspaper.

According to an analysis on NPR last week, they are both an attempt to reach the gen x and gen y audience that has taken to the Internet and TV for news. If I am already getting inadequate news from one or two places, why would I want the same inadequate news repackaged into a third?

I read three papers each day because I just don't feel that I am getting the whole story from the trib. What they should be giving us is the smart news the major chicago papers won't cover. For example, why the newspaper boxes are missing downtown and what the city is worried about with the protests this week. Or why does my alderman continue to waste money placing speed bumps in my alley. Or what's next for japanese punk popsters Seagull Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her. Or how bad the city's recycling program really is. Or why its worth ones time to make it to the next Joymore show.

Interestingly, the reader's new (or did I just notice it) tagline is

C

[down]


Anarchy is so funny. I love it when it costs the city money and wastes civil employees' time and energy. I'd feel bad, but they are too stupid to recognize it anyway. Ultimately it only hurts the mayor and maybe his aids. And that guy on TV. I hate that guy on TV.

[down]


Every paper covered the prostitute demonstration in Paris. And I read every article.

[down]


Hey,

Any of you wonderful nice hard-working people want to help remove the final stuff from the New Art Examiner office? My guess is its 5 hours of work and I'll pay 10 bucks an hour. And lunch. And the 5 piece set of Ginsus. Well, I made up the part about the ginsus.

Thursday meeting at the NAE office at 10:00. We will have a truck. If you want any of the office furniture and want it delivered, this is your opportunity.

I could use 5 volunteers so let me know if you (or someone you know) is interested. How can you pass this up!?

Thanks,

Curt Conklin

[down]


Good luck with this curt. I can not make it on a Thursday. If you need any further help over the weekend let me know. Thanks

Geoffrey S. Brooksher, AIA Senior Associate Perkins & Will 330 N. Wabash Ave. Suite 3600 Chicago, Illinois, 60611

[down]


I have to agree here with Alan's statements regarding emotional honesty. I am generally unimpressed with artwork that is created merely because an artist believes they should be producing consistently, even when uninspired. It becomes stale when quantity overrules quality. (Quality referring to the emotional honesty Alan pointed out.) I have seen too many shows where it was clear the artist put far too much focus on what was quick, easy and generally so asinine it can be passed off as 'deep' because no one understands it, but are afraid to say so.

Robin D.

[down]


This is from an old conversation, really old but...just want to calrify some things:

1. I might be very critical but that doesn't mean I'm dissapointed or sad or angry at Chicago. Chicago is a great place to make art. The only problem...collectors and writers.The curators seem to be more involved lately and that's a great thing and really important.

2.I do belive that artists should have/make a lot of work in the studio. I hate it when I do a studio visit and get to see only five pieces and a bunch of documentation. Production is important.

3. I'm tired of all these "projects" by artists around town. It is a great excuse for artists to not make work when they spend so much time and energy doing this "projects". It is getting tired. And, then again, it doesn't help the viewer to get a clear idea of what the artist work is about. I want to see more solo shows...with a lot of cohesive work.

[down]


Right on! Those fucking collectors. It's so their fault. We should make a law that says that they have to only buy art from Chicago artists. And American cars. Let's add that law. And Wisconsin Cheese. Screw the French!

[down]


Office is cleaned out. Mags are at dusty groove. Furniture was given away to some anarchists who are planning to use it to build a catapult and take over city hall.

C

[down]


Other group,

I hate the way Topica makes it look like emails are from friends but then response goes to the group. Sorry for wasting people's eye space with this. Although I think the joke was kind of funny.

Curt

[down]


LOL Great work.......

Geoffrey S. Brooksher, AIA Senior Associate Perkins & Will

[down]


Curt wrote:

Office is cleaned out. Mags are at dusty groove.

I'm confused. Which section will we need to check out to find back issues of New Art Examiner? Soul? Hip Hop? Now Sound? World Beat? Brazil?

And secondly, can you maybe give us a heads up about which issues of NAE had the deepest grooves, the smoothest flow or the funkiest drumming?

Marc

[down]


I'm putting together a little out door sculpture garden this winter and want to know if any one has a disposable piece of work that might stand the test of time in a public space. This is not to be seen as competition for the chill show. This is instead a show that happens to happen during the winter. It is more or less an endurance test as pieces are removed or vandalized. Beginning jan. 1st, ends spring thaw. I would ultimatley like to see multiple things from each Artist over the course of the show. It will Be documented each Saturday from four different perspectives. All pieces are subject to being canabalized by other artists or mistaken for performing a function of fire Hydrants.

The No Name Winter Show, near where Deluxe was. An homage to real time in Chicago.

For information about the site

Contact www.diegobobby AT canada.com

[down]


Affordable Artists Live/Work Space

Switching Station Artists' Lofts Open House / Application Day Saturday November 23, 2002 9:00 - 12:00 a.m. 15 S. Homan Avenue

Be a part of Chicago's first city-sponsored affordable rental live/work art= ists community. One, two and three bedroom rental lofts are available in t= his new development only for income qualified artists and their families. = Located in the East Garfield Park neighborhood, close to the Blue and Green= Lines, across from Garfield Park. Historic old school building with very = high ceilings, an interior courtyard and many original finishes.=20=20

This project is sponsored by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and= Department of Housing. It is being developed by Artspace Projects, Inc., = a national leader the affordable space for artists. For more information, = check out the website:=20=20 [http://www.artspaceprojects.org/inprogress/switchingstation/index.htm] or c= all (312) 458-9229.=20

Please forward to those who might be interested. Thank you.

Barbara Koenen Project Manager Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs

[down]


Hello others in the group:

In case any of you are into it, we're hosting a lecture tonight, Wednesday, November 20 at 8:00 PM at the Bridge event space, 119 N. Peoria. Consider joining us for "A Bridge Too Far?--Art Criticism and Chicago" with James Yood. There is a $5 suggested donation (more if you've got it, free if you're broke). Coffee will be served by Intelligentsia. Please feel free to BYOB.

This is also a good opportunity to view the "Anniversary Show" exhibit by Bridge event space guests, Apt. 1R. Exhibiting artists include Jessica Swanson, Sam Salisbary, Aaron Curry, John Photos, Bryan Dewhurst, Heather Lyon, Jimmy Mcbride, Kathleen Kranack, and Matthew Weddington.

A brief overview of the event and the presenter:

A Bridge Too Far?--Art Criticism and Chicago

James Yood will present a talk that surveys the current climate in Chicago for art criticism, discuss how a critic functions, and present some considerations of regionalism and criticism.

James Yood teaches contemporary art theory and criticism at Northwestern University, where he is Lecturer and Assistant Chairperson in the Department of Art Theory and Practice. He is also an Adjunct Professor in Art History, Theory and Criticism at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Active as an art critic and essayist on contemporary art, he is Chicago correspondent to Artforum and tema celeste, and also writes regularly for GLASS magazine, American Craft, and Art and Auction. Educated at the University of Wisconsin and at the University of Chicago, he has lectured on issues in modern art at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, theTerra Museum of American Art, the St. Louis Art Museum, the Akron Art Museum, the Columbus Museum of Art, the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh, the Milwaukee Art Museum, and at many other venues. He is a consultant to Encyclopaedia Britannica in modern and contemporary art.

Among his books are Feasting: A Celebration of Food in Art, Spirited Visions: Portraits of Chicago Artists, Gladys Nilsson, Second Sight: Printmaking in Chicago 1935-95, William Morris: Animal Artifact, William Morris: Man Adorned, Hollis Sigler: The Breast Cancer Journal, and a forthcoming book on the prints of Jeanette Pasin Sloan. He has served as a panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts.

Kind Regards,

Michael Workman Editor-in-chief, Bridge

[down]


hi Jno,

I was just thinking about that web site idea - remember? I'm not sure where we left it, I think I got overwhelmed with all the tech talk actually. anyhow, I was thinking that it would be nice to combine fyi, othergroup and spaces.org at least. maybe re-thinking the concept and design of the site a bit in the process. Or, if putting the othergroup discussion up there is too much trouble, we could leave that for later. but, I was thinking that it would be nice if instead of doing fyi every week and sending it out via email, I could just choose a few "picks" for the week and have them on spaces.org - available in an easy to printout list. Are you still doing the digest? because people could get that instead of fyi. I'm just thinking of ideas... by the way, what is your criteria for posting shows on spaces.org?


-keri

[down]


sorry - I'm too tired to realize I sent that last email to the entire group... anyhow, anyone is welcome to comment or suggest ....


-k

[down]


It could be a good thing to have Othergroup on spaces. Something that maintains an archive much as it does now but doesn't necessarily have a subscription service so it becomes more anarchistic and less republican (I think thats a proper analogy). If I recall when the othergroup first started the idea was something along the lines of an on going discussion group for artists, writers and gallery owners to compare notes and offer their insites on Chicago's fractured community. Alot has changed since then. The group itself is more and more isolated in its arguments while it seems that Chicago's "art community" as a whole seems to have become less so. By putting othergroup up on spaces it may also reduce the element of othergroup as forum for advertising which became a rather vexing thing for awhile in the past.

Spaces on the other hand supports a function that fyi also serves. Its only major difference lay in the passive nature of spaces, ie, its necessary to actually go to spaces to find out about events. But even so supportart, still offers the service of emailing notices of openings (I no longer get them but I can't afford to contribute to supportart at this time, wink wink). supportart doesn't allow for ongoing events which is a problem though in a community that more and more is removing itself from one night programs and the need to be sloppy drunk to look at a show. Its pretty important to have a regular update of current shows once a week. I see a certain amount of redundancy but I also don't know that streamlining is possible given the dramatic change it might entail. this is my two cents worth.

DB

Ps. I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving.

[down]


Hi everyone,

I know you have been hearing a lot about Puerto Rico from Marc Fischer and me...well... I wrote a review about that huge event down there, PR '02 curated by Michy Marxuach. Some Chicago people were involved, so check it out at:artnet.com...look under reviews or articles.

happy thanksgiving! Pedro Velez

[down]


On Mon, 25 Nov 2002, Keri L. Butler wrote:

hi Jno,

I was just thinking about that web site idea - remember? ... etc

hi keri

I'll put it up in a few days as a listserv and a webpage. /jno