A quick note, remember this from last year’s posting of Hebru Brantley’s, Chi-Boy in Wabash Arts Corridor?!
Well check out where I spotted him last…
At the CTA’s red line stop, Lawrence
KEEP THOSE EYES SEARCHING FOR ART EVERYWHERE!
Greetings explorers! Betty and I cruised this week to the south loop to check out recent mural additions from the project initiated by The Wabash Arts Corridor, Chicago Loop Alliance (CLA), Vertical Gallery, and The Buckingham. First stop is a photo op Betty couldn’t resist…
At Balbo Ave. and Wabash Ave.
As awesome as Betty looks aside this piece, check out the work below juxtaposed on our city’s landscape.
Van Buren St. and Wabash Ave.
Balboa Ave. and Wabash Ave.
Balbo Ave. and State St.
Wabash Ave and Balbo ally
It’s so fun to ride around and discover these works. There’s also a lot to be said about a community that supports their artist along with enhancing our incredible city. Woo!
Betty and I are off but first we encourage all to get out there and EXPLORE! Discover art and artistic expression and then share those experiences. Lastly, SHOW ME WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW!
756 N Milwaukee Ave.
There’s no better way to get a feel for a city than to travel it by foot or by bike. It was only when I immersed myself biking the city of Chicago did I begin to have a personal relationship to the unique history and cultures that make it so interesting. I now feel like I a a part of the city. So when Betty and I rode to Intuit:The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art to check out the work of Courttney Cooper I was delighted by the visual journeys on display.
From memory alone he creates maps of his city, Cincinnati. On paper he collects at his job with Kroger grocery store, and with ballpoint pen, he passoinately depicts his city with incredible detail.
Images are taken from Untitled 2009 and Untitled 2015.
We love the Intuit gallery and the work they do in order to present art and artist stories we may have never known about.
Betty and I are off on our next exploration! Join in all, look for art and artistic expression everywhere, and then please…SHOW ME WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW!!!
Carl Hammer Gallery, 740 N Wells St.
Now through May 14 check the work of Michael Hernandez De Luna. Using the U.S. Postal Service as a collaborator (unknown to them) Luna creates meticulously detailed stamps. The subject matter varies but in general his work reflects his perspective on social and societal issues and pop culture. When the stamped letter is mailed and reaches it’s final destination he considers this one aspect a success. In some displayed stamp sheets you’ll see more than one stamp has been used and thus indicating they were confiscated in route. Below are some favorites however, considering my younger viewers, others are adult themed, extremely relevant, and satirically hilarious therefore mature ones visit Carl Hammer to check out these gems.
yeeeeowzah! I LOVE ART! Ok! Betty and I are off on our next adventure but before we go remember, look for art and artistic expression everywhere…
…like this painting of clothes hung out to dry. So awesome these little surprises when you’re LOOKING.
Last of all, and always, when you discover these treasures don’t forget to SHOW ME WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW!
From the Museum of Science and Industry, Betty and I then traveled to …
DuSable Museum of African American History, 740 E 56th Place
the DuSable Museum of African American History for a look at Terrence Reese’s exhibit, Reflections. In this series of black and white images, Reese documents influentials known and admired who have shaped our history. Composed in their personal environment, each image captures a moment, while mirroring or reflecting the person within the photograph. In all there are about 20 images but here are a few below to peak your interest…
June Kelly
Helen O. Dickens
Barry Martin
The Nicholas Brothers
B. B. King
Aside each image is a touching memoir written to more fully understand the person’s story.
Last, we headed over to …
Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 S. Cornell Ave.
Guggenheim Fellowship recipient Sabina Ott’s installation, who cares for the sky, can be viewed, climbed, passed through and contemplated in until May 1. Inspired by Gerturde Stein’s, The World is Round Ott recreates the story of the challenge to better understand the world after a laborious mountain climb. In this collaborative effort, video and countless art pieces by other artist contribute to the “journey” Ott takes us on.
How great is it to be able to physically engage with ART?!
Ok! So Betty and I are off on our next adventure but first extending to you the invitation to do the same. Along the way, look for art and artistic expression everywhere and post it here all while you SHOW ME WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW!!!
This week, in our amazing Chicagoland, we are enjoying springtime temperatures in the 60’s! That means on my day off Betty and I went crazy on a glorious 25 mile roundtrip to Hyde Park. First stop…
The Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive
Now through February 2017 the Brick by Brick Lego exhibit displays a lot of fun where you’ll be awed and inspired by over a dozen landmark structures and then invited to create!
Golden Gate Bridge
Hoover Dam
Burj Khalifa
Ping An Finance Center
Falling Water
Gateway Arch
International Space Station
Great Pyramid of Giza
Roman Colosseum
American Eagle Roller Coaster
And last an imaginary landmark far far away…
Cinderella’s Castle
Wowza! Super fun with lots of building stations to do your own thing.
Alright! Betty and I are off to the DuSable Museum of African American History for our next entry. Till then we’re extending to you a great big invitation to get out there, explore, look for art and artistic expression everywhere, post a blog here all while you SHOW ME WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW!!!
The Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N Central Park Ave.
Greetings All! This week Betty and I made two trips to the Conservatory to observe light, man-made and the natural occurrence. Currently the light installations of Jens Jensen’s, Solarise: a Sea of All Colors can be enjoyed through September 22, 9 am – 5 pm daily and until 8 pm on Wednesdays (where dramatic effects take place after the sun goes down).
Daytime:
Portal
Nighttime:
Overlooking the park during an exquisite sunset
Portal
Prismatic
Continual loops of color within the installation…
Florescence
Wow and Whoa! It’s incredible the effect color has on you within your environment not to mention the earthy smells, warm climate, and discovery around every corner at the conservatory. Treat yourself to this experience as these Chicago days cling to winter.
Alright! Betty and I are off on our next adventure but as always we’re extending an invitation to all to get out there, explore, look for art and artistic expression everywhere and last, drop us a line and a photo and last…SHOW ME WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW!!!
Greetings All! Betty and I are super jazzed because spring is HERE! We’re back on the streets and more excited than ever. First stop…
The Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington Street
Through May 1 make sure you check out the kinetic beast of Theo Jansen. Created to roam the beaches of the Netherlands, eight of his works are featured in an exhibition entitled, Strandbeest (beach animals) and currently inhabit the Cultural Center. Also on exhibit are…
Demonstrations on how these creatures travel. Animaris Suspendisse, 2014
Smaller interactive beast.
The evolution of design and process, Animaris Apodiacula 2012-2013
Animaris Adulari, 2012
Animaris Umerus Segundus, 2014
Remnants or “fossils” of beast past
Video, photography, and drawings documenting 25 years of development
Overwhelmed by the hours and hours of work Jansen has put into these moving sculptures, I couldn’t help but wonder what he has learned that will contribute to future pieces. And although they are created to travel the sands, these life-like monochromatic creatures are absolutely stunning against the interior of the Cultural Center. A must see.
Alright! Betty and I are off on our next adventure but before we go we’re extending to you a great big invitation to get out there, explore, look for art EVERYWHERE, and then SHOW ME WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW!!!
OK! So two and half more weeks of this crazy down-time, and before I can ride Betty again, so I wanted to share some street art images from a couple of past trips to Paris. Both trips were invitations to exhibit with the artists group, Genie de la Bastille. So here we go…
Whew! My heart is calling for Paris streets and the discovery of art any and everywhere. Till then Betty and I are powering up to hit those Chicago paths and of course encouraging you to do the same and then please, SHOW ME WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW!!!
This week’s posting will take in consideration that I will have some unexpected down-time the next couple of weeks. Therefore in preparation for that I greeted a very special visitor and off we went for a couple of experiences…
Museum of Contemporary Chicago, Columbia College Chicago, 600 S. Michigan Ave.
Now through April 10 celebrate MOCP at 40 with an exhibition featuring their permanent collection. With over 150 images to explore here are a few favorites and some you’ll recognize.
Sally Mann, Candy Cigarette, 1989
Diane Arbus, Two Girls in Matching Bathing Suits, Coney Island, 1967
Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Carson McCullers, 1940
Dorothea Lange, Migrant Mother, Nipomo, California, 1936
Daniel Coburn, Judgement Veil, 2014
Jennifer Greenburg, Something Funny Happened in the Kitchen, 2011
And next there was this from local artist, Jake Mertin on the walls of Umami restaurant.
Umami
Sweet
Salty
Bitter
Sour
A beautiful day of discovery, great mom company, delicious eats, and ART! Alright, while we’re out Betty and I are wishing you adventure and along the way look for art and artistic expression EVERYWHERE!!! And of course, SHOW ME WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW!!!!
My Bike Betty 