Hey friends. This weekend is full of activity. Plan ahead and check out as many shows as you can. Here are some suggestions.  See you around town!

FRIDAY, MAY 8

 

Solo Exhibition:Exquisite Objects

McCormick Gallery
835 W Washington Blvd, Chicago, Illinois 60607

Solo Exhibition by Chicago artist Darrell Roberts

 

Dual Natures- A Solo Exhibition by Mary Porterfield

Packer Schopf Gallery
942 W Lake St, Chicago, Illinois 60607

Reception: Friday, May 8, 6-9 pm
Exhibition Dates: May 8- June 27

Porterfield’s work questions what makes an act heroic in the midst of daunting circumstances. By amassing hundreds of figures, she depicts scenes from nature, symbolizing situations beyond her control, both literally and figuratively. Many of these situations represent her work as an occupational therapist, as she struggles to accept what she cannot change. She explores this struggle through multi-figured narratives that comprise the landscape. Some of the figures include saints, who spent their lives giving selflessly and unconditionally to those in need. Other figures strive to balance these ideals with the need to live a self-fulfilling life. She juxtaposes layered allegories in an attempt to ask and resolve: Does it take more courage to be selfless or self-seeking? Is it better to deny futility or accept what cannot be changed? If need is warranted, but not wanted, should it be abandoned? Through the dichotomous nature of the work, her intention is to create a philosophical discussion regarding the struggle to live a compassionate life.

Catalogs of the exhibition will be available with essay by Chicago art writer, Franck Mercurio.

Please also check out the amazing works of Brian Dettmer on the first floor.

 

Reception: Brian Dettmer / Antisocial Media / new book work

Packer Schopf Gallery
942 W Lake St, Chicago, Illinois 60607

In Antisocial Media, Brian Dettmer’s new show with Packer Schopf Gallery, his chosen media once again becomes antisocial by definition. The media and materials he uses in his work are antagonistic to accepted practices and work contrary to the laws and customs of society. Another reading (and perhaps a quicker reading) of the title is Anti- Social Media, a stance in opposition of the prevailing tide of an information landscape full of trivial detritus and narcissistic notions.

Dettmer questions the authoritative, singular voice the printed page provides and takes liberty to recontextualize its content and its role in our current media environment. This antagonistic stance is increasingly pertinent as digital media moves from an environment initially rich with many formats and many voices back towards a platform of a few authorities controlling and facilitating the flow and forms that our ideas and communications must conform to.

Like improv jazz, a single work can be manifested in a new variation each time. Data becomes Dada and new meanings squeeze out between the seams. Words break down and images shift references in new surroundings. Parallels between the printed page and our accepted history are made with the digital era and our accepted future as antisocial interventions are imposed to question the accepted flow and propose new readings and new possibilities.

 

“Can I See Your ID?” Second Friday Art Show

Cultura in Pilsen
1900 S Carpenter St, Chicago, Illinois 60608

Come join amfm in our first Chicago event during Pilsen’s monthly Second Friday Art Walk!

One of the most fundamental needs we have in life is our sense of identity. How we define ourselves. As Descartes said, ‘I think, therefore I am.’ Our identity composes us
of who we are as humans – personality, struggles, race, gender, sexuality. “Can I See Your ID?” is someone asking “Who are you?”

Artists will present their true identities to the world, exposing societal labels, daily struggles, talents, aspirations, and more. Society often likes to boil us down to small aspects of individual pieces of ourselves.

 

Effigies: New Paintings by Abraham

NYCH Gallery
643 W 18th St, Chicago, Illinois 60608

Brahma Brand’s upcoming exhibition, “Effigies”, is a release of the artist’s newest collection of paintings with mixed mediums. Brahma Brand, also known as Abraham, is a Chicago-based artist who has been emerging onto the scene over the past few years with work in exhibitions throughout the city.

In this collection, Abraham attempts to capture the mystery and subliminal aspect of human behavior, depicting an ethereal whim behind the physical aspect of the work.

The viewer is given the liberty to assume, convict, and make his or her own judgment about each piece, setting up a stage to let the imagination run wild. With gestural strokes on unprimed canvases, the work is playful but at the same time haunting in subject matter, resulting in the possibility of nightmares. Representing the disclosed horrors of life, our sadness and misery coexist with the dark side of our existence and the even darker side of reality.

Join Abraham for an opening reception on May 8th from 6-10pm to examine the work and speak with the artist. Effigies, curated by Abraham and Phillip Sinclair, will exhibit from May 8th through June 5 at NYCH Gallery located at 643 W. 18th St. in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago.

 

The Modernist Outlook

Gallery 19
1967 1/2 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60613

Modernist Outlook
May 8th – June 19th 2015
Opening reception May 8th 2015
From 6:30pm – 10:00pm

Artists:  Taehoon Kim , Sally Ko & Anna Zanic

 

In The Garden | Opening Reception

Hammond Arts Center
5832 Hohman Ave, Hammond, Indiana 46324

This show will feature the diverse artwork of Corey Hagelberg. This show will run from Friday, May 8th through June 5th.

Opening Reception Details:
Friday, May 8th from 6:30-8:30pm
Live music and refreshments will be served

Artist Statement:
I seek to emphasize and embrace opposites and contradictions in our everyday experiences. My work blurs the line between humor and tragedy, current and historical, traditional and non-traditional, high and low art, natural and industrial, accusation and confession, and beautiful and grotesque. I hope that it will encourage the viewer to evaluate and challenge their own notions of meaning, value and beauty.
The imagery and symbolism in my work comes from my life in the Calumet Region of Indiana. This region on the southern shore of Lake Michigan is where the rare biodiversity of Indiana Dunes meets one of the most industrialized regions in the world. Much of the natural beauty of this area was destroyed in the name of progress. Yet, as the lake and wind move sand on the shore, new dunes are formed. It is this symbol of “rebirth” that inspires my work.

 

Nature’s Place Group Art Exhibit of the 57th Street Art Fair 2015 Artists

The Mary-Frances and Bill Veeck Gallery
5416 S Cornell Ave, Chicago, IL 60615

Opening Reception May 8, 2015 from 6 to 8pm
Exhibit runs May 8 – July 31, 2015

Featured Artists: Kathleen Eaton, Jim Bachor, Mary Burke, Xavier Nuex, Renee Earley, Steve Skinner, Ron Mellot, Jim Delores Fortuna, Taylor Mazer, Michael Imes & more!

 

SATURDAY, MAY 9

Jason Brammer/ Jeff Zimmermann Open Studio Party

Painter-z
1035 N California Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60622

Join us for our Open Studio party on Saturday, May 9th! This one-night event at Jason Brammer and Jeff Zimmermann’s shared 3000 sq. ft Humboldt Park studio will feature:

— An exhibit of work by Jason Brammer and Jeff Zimmermann
— A musical performance by Jason involving tribal drum and bass loops layered with lush atmospheric soundscapes.
— Music by DJ Justin Reed
— Coffee by Dark Matter Coffee
— Beer by Goose Island Beer Co..

Plus…..
JASON BRAMMER – RESIN PRINT SERIES – OFFICIAL LAUNCH
This event is also the official launch for Jason’s new “Resin Print Series”, a collection of prints mounted on wood with a glossy resin top coat. They are super cool and affordable, and we’re releasing selected images from Jason’s “Remembering The Future”, “Sonic Swan Deity”, “Into The Deep”, and “Gateways” series.

OPEN STUDIO PARTY
Saturday, May 9th from 6-9pm
Open to the public, FREE admission

JASON BRAMMER / JEFF ZIMMERMANN STUDIO
1035 N California Ave, Chicago IL 60622 (at California and Cortez)
*** Enter through the double doors on the right side of the building.

 

White Ripple Gallery, Second Saturday (May 9) with BJAM

White Ripple Gallery & Co.
6725 Kennedy Ave, Hammond, Indiana 46323

New Exhibit:Armonia with collaborative artists Barry Dwyer, Jaime Foster, Andy Christopoulos, and Michael William Foster of BJAM. Plus open mic and open studios with all of the amazing studio artists @White Ripple Gallery & Co.
Visit with Kathy Los-Rathburn, Sophia Rapata, Julio Guerra, Shari LeMonnier, Guina Cesar Cuadra, Mr. S, Frankie C., and more! Plus shop for vintage, artist-made, brand new and quaint @ The Burgundy Closet!

 

Ordinary Projects presents ACRE resident Noelle Garcia: LÁLDISH

Ordinary Projects
2233 S Throop St, 5th Fl, Chicago, Illinois 60608

Ordinary Projects presents ACRE resident Noelle Garcia: LÁLDISH

Opening Reception:
Saturday, May 9, 2015
6PM-9PM (Performance @ 8PM)
Gallery hours: Sundays 5/10, 5/17, 5/24, 5/31 1PM-4PM
(Performance @ 3PM on Sunday, May 31)

Noelle Garcia is a multimedia artist grappling with ideas of identity, family relationships and the American Indian experience. In addition to traditional painting, she works in fiber media including bead work, soft sculpture and basketry. Born in Reno, Nevada she now resides and works in the Chicago area. Garcia earned her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Painting & Drawing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and her Master’s of Fine Arts in Painting and Drawing from the University of Nevada Las Vegas.

Garcia has received various awards such as the American Indian Graduate Center Elizabeth Furbur Fellowship, the Emilie Hesmeyer Memorial Award and the Barna Memorial Award. She has participated in fellowships at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian and recently been awarded a residency at the ACRE summer artist residency. Noelle has exhibited in various solo and group exhibitions in the US.

 

~THE END~