Apr 23
Setting up for Version 9 at the Co-Prosperity Sphere; Ellis Calvin
. He lifts up his shoe to reveal a small electrical sensor that is wired to an audio jack in the sole. When the shoes are plugged into an output device, synthesized drum beats correspond to Glover’s tapping foot. Yet as Glover wanders through the fundraiser for the ninth annual Version Festival, a 10-day artistic extravaganza in Bridgeport, his cleverly designed shoes shuffle beneath the crowd’s radar. Ironically, the scene reads like a microcosm of one of Version’s goals: to bring Chicago’s diverse and expansive art scene, much of which slips by public recognition, to the attention of the global artistic community.
Read the rest of this entry »
May 08
Take a moment and breathe in the pungent aromas of the season: blossoming flowers, strong fertilizer, wet grass. Springtime brings April showers, May flowers, and, all across the land, a whole lot of art. While spring is supposed to be a fecund season for just about everything, the truth is that too much of any of the above—including art—can result in a nauseating washout. Read the rest of this entry »
Apr 24
Lumpen’s eighth annual Version festival kicked off with a welcoming on Thursday night, with a one-night installation and show by Lumpen and Philadelphia-based artist collective Space 1026 at the Country Club gallery in West Town. It marked the launch of Version ‘08 with a union of the two art collectives that will continue at least throughout the arts festival. Read the rest of this entry »
Apr 16
Leave the pearls and Lily Pulitzer at home: Thursday evening, the Version festival begins at Country Club, a gallery in Wicker Park. According to the festival’s website, “Version is an annual springtime convergence that brings in hundreds of artists, musicians and educators from around the world to present some of the most challenging ideas and progressive art initiatives of our day.” Space 1026, a Philadelphia-based artist collective named after the address of their building in Philly’s Chinatown, will host Version’s opening show on Thursday evening. On Friday night, Version moves to the South Side’s Co-Prosperity Sphere for “The Dark Matter Group Show.” This former warehouse in Bridgeport was gutted and restored to reveal beautiful high copper ceilings, hardwood floors, and a fairly vast and, once preparations are complete, appealing contemporary gallery space. Music and theater performances are held in the basement, and an apartment complex occupies the second floor. Read the rest of this entry »
