Swiss artist Carola Bürgi, formerly residing at the Lucerne Artist Studio in Chicago, is presenting Color Perception. Color Perception is a selection of her works during her stay here in Chicago. Carola Bürgi will realize a site-specific installation, integrating space and daylight of the exhibition room. Additionally she displays a photo/video oeuvre, playing with the subtle transformation of light and time of an unfinished Chicago building. And finally Bürgi presents wall pieces examining possible relations between sound and color.

Where: Chicago Art Department CAD – 1932 S. Halsted #100 – Chicago IL 60608
Dates: May 17 to May 20
Title of the exhibition: color perception
Opening: Thursday, May 17, 6:00 pm
At the opening: Short lecture With recently arrived Swiss writer and mediator for literature, André Schürmann, currently residing at the Lucerne Artist Studio in Chicago

Exhibition hours:
Friday, May 18, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Saturday and Sunday, May 19 and 20, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

About the work of Carola Bürgi
by Kathrin Frauenfelder, Art Historian, Zürich,Switzerland, 2010

Dissolving borders
Translucent material with its lucid interaction is fragmenting material limitations and equally breaking the order and dimension of a closed body. In this, it stimulates a different vision of a sculpture: that of a temporal fragment, an ephemeral and changing apparition. All of Carola Bürgi’s work plays with this concept of sculpture.

The artist considers sculpture not as a closed and impermeable object, but as a creation in a constant state of transformation. In the exhibition “jetzt.Skulpturheute” (Museum of Art in Langenthal, Switzerland, 2004) the topic was: the object, the sculptural body and its importance for contemporary sculptural creation. – Carola Bürgi’s objects are seen as a pertinent and extremely stimulating answer. Due to their material quality, they oscillate at the edge between body and its dissolution, between the border of the object and its dissipation. Her objects, liberated from preconceived ideas, open the gaze, allow for an elementary and sensual encounter with the sculpture – a corporal experience.

For more information about the artist, please visit www.carolabuergi.ch.

ARTSHOP is a Hyde Park Art Center program for South Side high school teens looking to further their art practice. With regular access to studio time for 15 weeks, guidance from experienced teaching artists, and exposure to larger art world conversations, This is a free, independent project program, designed for South Side high school artists.

Join us for the opening of ARTSHOP’s first exhibition, featuring work by 15 teen artists. There will be painting, drawing, 3D, video, and photography work on display. Opening reception Friday May 4th from 6-9pm. For more information about this program, please click here to visit the Art Center’s website.

There is a time in everyone’s life where the foundation of what they knew to be reality is torn away from them and life is set anew; awaiting the re footing, re-examination and re-understanding that makes us believe what normal really is. People often categorize motherhood and box it away in their brains, but when you become a mother it is dropped in your lap along with a baby and you have redefine your own role in society and the world. In this show the artists explore this process through works by Rebecca Rounds Benedict, Amanda Petrozzini, Sara Spruth, and Liz Tuckwell.

Chicago Art Department is pleased to host Pictures of Hope, a wonderful event featuring artwork created by foster children and teen parents in One Hope United programs and supports Child Abuse Prevention Month.One Hope United is dedicated to empowering youth and strengthening families, and we’re inviting you this April, which is Child Abuse Awareness Month, to join us in our mission to make sure every child grows up in a safe and loving environment. Join us for an evening of great art and inspirational stories at the Chicago Art Department. “Pictures of Hope” will feature an exhibition and auction of beautiful artwork from foster children enrolled in One Hope United services and students from our child development center in Bridgeport. We are partnering with two other organizations, Every Person Has a Story and Story From a New Friend, to present stunning photography and multimedia projects featuring stories and experiences from the teen mothers involved in One Hope United’s programs. Food and beverages will be provided, courtesy of The Noble Grape and The Burger Point. In addition to the art auction, there will be a small silent auction. Come get to know this amazing organization and help us make an even bigger impact on Chicago-area children and families.

Saturday April 7th from 6-10pm. Contact Stacy Peterson with any event questions.

Chicago Art Department is pleased to present “Harmonized Hysteria,” an exhibition consisting of 20 artists from The Illinois Institute of Art – Schaumburg. They will be demonstrating the ways in which people battle with the perceptions of chaos and order. This event will be composed of graphic design, photography, and various fine art pieces reflecting each artist’s interpretation of the theme.

The purpose for this gallery is to simply showcase hard work and talent from local artists around all of Chicago. Some are students, some are friends, some are family members and some are working professionals. This showcase will have graphics, photos, paintings, films and music. Refreshments will be provided. Guests will be asked for suggested donations.

https://www.facebook.com/events/289585167770297/

I met Bernie at the opening of this show, and was struck by his needle series, then discovered the rest of his work in a 2nd group of work, not realizing it was more work by the same artist. His sculptural work was mixed with screen printing, drawings, wood carvings, even a painting that Bernie made of his mother in 1947. Bernie showed me a sketchbook that he carried with him during World War II, full of pencil and ink drawings. His work is impressive in its variety, powerful in its touch, and at times comedic.High level execution and easy to look at. After meeting him, you can see where the art comes from. A wooden headboard with carved naked female figures seems classical at first until you notice the  naked body and bum of a single male figure. The only male figure in the piece is wearing nothing but a round hat, distinctly the same hat Bernie himself is wearing only ten feel away, where he sits in the gallery and talks to art enthusiasts. Playful, a nice surprise, much like the show itself.

Bernie Bluestein: A Retrospective is due to be up through March 9, 2012. Contact The 23rd Atmosphere Group Gallery for appointment hours or to connect with Bernie Bluestein.

]]> http://www.chicagoartdepartment.org/spotlight-bernie-bluestein-the-23rd-atmosphere-group-gallery/feed/ 0 http://www.chicagoartdepartment.org/inter-movement-of-being/ http://www.chicagoartdepartment.org/inter-movement-of-being/#comments Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:10:28 +0000 nat http://www.chicagoartdepartment.org/?p=4422

Video artist Edyta Stepien and dancer Ayako Kato presents  the second collaboration “Inter – Movement of Being” as a part of Chicago Arts District Second Friday gallery night on Friday, February 10, 2012.
Inter – Movement of Being is a four-hour live installation about reactions/interactions of the inner and outer physical world that originates from human desire. By filtering simple daily life gestures through five synchronized images, a single live body reflects upon emotional layers in search of correct placement of being.

 Inter – Movement of Being is a one-night event!

 Friday, February 10, 6-10pm
 Chicago Art Department
 1932 South Halsted #100, Chicago, IL 60608.
 Free

Ayako Kato: http://artunionhumanscape.net
Edyta Stepien: http://edytastepien.com