Greetings All! Betty and I will be taking a break from blogging while I focus on a new project. However, the site will remain with hopes you may visit from time to time for ideas on where to explore.
Until this next adventure is complete, and I return to you, keep discovering. Look for art and artistic expression everywhere and post your experience here!
Remember this image from a past blog entry? It was taken from a Museum of Contemporary Art postcard advertising a David Bowie retrospective (2014). The show was absolutely incredible and I still talk about it today. Since his death, I’ve looked to my city to share in an on-going celebration of his music and art.
The Man Who Fell To Earth, 1976. Original stills taken by David James,
First stop, The Empty Bottle with like minded friends for the Bowie Movie Brunch.
Jim Henson’s 1986 Labyrinth
I’m always grateful for gatherings like these were communities gather to celebrate those who create art and essentially contribute to… -an affirmation of life-John Cage.
Of course while I was there I couldn’t help notice artistic expression, EVERYWHERE! Like this display of past music events (sadly the artists weren’t noted)…
Come one come all!
In closing, I’m not really sure if this entry is finished. I’m still on that Bowie path in and around our Chicago neighborhoods. Still, and as always, Betty and I want to encourage you to get out there, look for art and artistic expression EVERYWHERE and please, SHOW ME WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW!!! (even when it’s really cold!)
Betty’s response: Hell yeah!
From our two major contemporary art exhibitors, PART 1:
The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago presents, THE STREET, THE STORE, AND THE SILVER SCREEN: POP ART FROM THE MCA COLLECTION
Dec 19, 2015–Mar 27, 2016
MCA, 220 East Chicago Ave
George Segal, Box: Man in a Bar, 1969, tempera on metal, wood, and cloth
Christo, Museum of Contemporary Art Packed (Chicago)-Project for January-March 1969, graphite, fabric, oil, plastic, staples, and string on mat board
Christo, Orange Store Front, 1964-65, Masonite, plexiglas, galvanized metal, pegboard, fabric, and electric lights
Ed Paschke, Heavy Shoes, 1970, oil on canvas
Ed Paschke, Elcina, 1973, oil on canvas
Wallace Berman, Untitled, 1968, verifax collage
Claes Oldenburg, Candy Counter with Candy, 1961, plaster painted with enamel in a painted steel and wood case
Jim Dine, The Tomato, 1973, lithograph and etching on paper
Marcel Broodthaers, Tour Marilyn, 1965, glass, wood, and photographs
Andy Warhol, Troy Diptych, 1962, silk-screen ink on synthetic polymer, paint and graphite on linen
Andy Warhol, Campbell’s Soup Cans II, 1969, screen prints on paper
Andy Warhol, Souper Dress, 1966-67, silk-screen ink on paper
Andy Warhol, Jackie Frieze, 1964, silk-screen on linen
Arman, Alarm Clocks, 1960, alarm clocks in painted wood box
And last favorite, Alex Hay, Light Bulb, 1964, spray acrylic and stencil on linen, in eight parts linked by two painted linen bands
Betty’s Response: And how old are you?
Next! PART 2…
Alright all, we’re off on our next adventure but first extending to all to get out there, look for art and artistic expression EVERYWHERE, and last SHOW ME WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW!!!
Also a big thanks for the modified titled of the blog inspired by M’s song, Talk About Pop Musik 1979
…of yesterday’s entry, I wanted to say, way to go MCA Prime Time! One of three events a year, Titled Vibes transformed the museum into a melting pot of performance, live music, art & design, dance, and super delicious food and drinks. Best yet, my number one friend accompanied me for a superior good time!
Wild Belle plays tunes inside the plaza’s temporary sculpture, The Figurehead by artist Alexandre da Cunha.
Chicago based artist Josue Pellot’S installation on the 1st floor lobby.
The Impala Sound Champions projecting serious electronic tunes!
And last, a collection I found in the MCA shop that I felt was an invitation to all…to explore new places and ideas and then of course, SHOW ME WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW!!!
Greetings All! First thing first, Betty had some work done and I was solo on this week’s adventure. However, a great big thanks to Logan at Let’s Roast Cycles for his superior work and most gracious personality. Of all the ga-zillion bike shops in Chicago this one stands out for customer service and hospitality. As for Betty, she now rides like the Chicago winds blow!
Betty’s Response: Don’t look at me.
Let’s Roast Cycles, 1116 N Milwaukee, 773-278-7820
Monday-Friday: 8AM–8PM
Saturday: 10AM–8PM
Sunday: 10AM–5PM
Inspired by energy in motion I headed to the Museum of Contemporary Art. Through May 10, and part of the MCA’s permanent collection, Alexander Calder’s kinetic mobiles can be enjoyed along with his stabiles and works on paper.
Snowflakes and Red Stop, 1964
Blue Among Yellow and Red, 1963
The Ghost, 1964
Chat-Mobile (Cat Mobile), 1966
Four Boomerangs, 1949
A Detached Person, 1944/1968
Untitled, 1944 (background work Cascade, 1963)
Little Face, 1943
And perhaps my favorite is Les Mouettes (The Seagulls), 1965, beautifully installed on the bottom floor, theater entrance.
LOVE THE MCA! Alright explorers, as we say goodbye to march…
and hello to spring…
be acutely aware of transformation and glorious, glorious ART EVERYWHERE! Betty and I are out but first extending to you the invitation to GET OUT THERE and SHOW ME WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW!!!
–The residual purpose of art is purposeless play. This play however, is an affirmation of life–Not an attempt to bring order out of chaos nor to suggest improvements in creation, but simply a way of waking up to the very life we’re living, which is so excellent once one gets one’s mind and one’s desires out of its way and lets it act of its own accord. -John Cage
Thanks to an article in the Chicago Reader, Betty and I headed over to the Busy Beaver Button Company and Museum.
Betty’s Response: HELLO “mybikebetty.com” button! Woo!
The Busy Beaver Button Company and Museum, 3279 W. Armitage Ave.
BUTTONS, BUTTONS, AND MORE BUTTONS!!
Touring the buttons you immediately begin to reference the ones with personal ties, memories, and history.
Smileys!!!
I really do…
yep…
Without a doubt!
The M A N!
Buttons with functions like a hidden tape measurer.
Cheese is my favorite!
Remember the Roy Lichtenstein: A Retrospective at the Chicago Art Institute?! Well these guys did this button too! Woo!
AND from my personal collection these doozies… from left to right, Le Genie De La Bastille (a group of artist I exhibited with in Paris), an Eiffel Tower button (to prove I was there), Edvard Munch Scream button from the 2011 retrospective @ Centre Pompidou, Paris Catacombs button (creepy and awesome!), and last my David lightening bolt button from the recent David Bowie Is exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago.
A big thanks to Joel Carter, Director of Operations at the Busy Beaver Button Company and Museum, for the welcome, information, and tour of the museum. Also be sure and check out the incredible button collection at buttonmuseum.org.
Finally Betty and I are off but before we go here’s an invite to all to get out there and SHOW ME WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW!!
–The residual purpose of art is purposeless play. This play however, is an affirmation of life–Not an attempt to bring order out of chaos nor to suggest improvements in creation, but simply a way of waking up to the very life we’re living, which is so excellent once one gets one’s mind and one’s desires out of its way and lets it act of its own accord. -John Cage
Take note of these affirmations, at any given moment, all around you.
Inhibition: Sharing an experience with family and considering, what exactly is art?
Betty’s response: The work of David Bowie!
Experience: During this Thanksgiving week I set out with visiting family to Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art to explore the David Bowie retrospective.
Image taken from an MCA postcard from, “The Man Who Fell to Earth,” by David Bowie 1976. Original stills taken by David James.
A fragment of the image taken above as you enter the installation.
What I didn’t know: David Bowie mimed? He’s a painter? And whoever heard of the “verb-a-rator?” So this is my second time to see the Bowie exhibit however, when taking my family I was super nervous they wouldn’t be into it. Well they were! So much so that we explored the entire show for over three hours (MCA estimates visitors will take ninety minutes). Taken from the David Bowie archives, approximately seven rooms exhibit over forty years of his career and feature artist’s work he collaborated with like costume designers Alexander McQueen and Kansai Yamamoto, photographers Helmut Newton, Brian Duffy and John Rowlands, album artists Guy Peellaert and Edward Bell. Not only is the show visually spectacular, with images, hand written notes and lyrics, posters and paintings, mannequins dressed in his incredible costumes, film, video, and television excerpts but it is also incredibly immersive due to head sets you wear that automatically cue to play comments, interviews, and songs as you explore each room. WOO and WHEW! This exhibit continues through January 4…
SOOOOOO!!! GET OVER THERE AND SHOW ME WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW! And while you’re at it, take along a friend or loved one and show them too!
ps. As of late, and in particular, I am thinking about the question…what is art?
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, 220 East Chicago Ave., Community Free Day Tuesdays 10-8
Inhibition: This week’s challenge stems from being super tired (and little bummed out) so I decided to head over to the MCA and stoke my fire.
Betty’s Response: Good idea.
Experience: Free day at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago! Currently exhibitions are…
Unbound: Contemporary Art After Frida Kahlo
(until Oct 5, 2014)
Frida Kahlo, Arbol de la Esperanza (Tree of Hope), 1946
Doris Salcedo, Untitled, 1958
Louise Bourgeois, The She-Fox, 1985
MCA DNA: Warhol and Marisol (until Jun 15, 2014)
Isa Genzken: Retrospective (until Aug 3, 2014)
Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Untitled (the End), 1990
What I Sometimes forget: Even though your exhausted, you must feed your soul with creativity!
Sooooo let’s all get out there and SHOW ME WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW!!!!
My Bike Betty 
