Chicago Art Department

QUESTIONS WITH JON SATROM

mikenourse — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:06:47 +0000

Could you briefly describe yourself as an artist and what you are working on right now?

I like to seek-out and exploit malfunctions, errors, and glitches and use them in my work. I make videos, play with code, and perform realtime audio/video.

As for art, right now, I am working with a few folks to organize a glitch-art festival in Chicago SEPT 29 - OCT 3: HTTP://GLI.TC/H I'm working on a non-"working" alternative operating system for the iPad called sOS (Satromizer OS) for a show called Funware in Eindhoven NL, and I'm preparing a couple desktop-performances utilizing spam and malware.

If you were a teenage mutant ninja turtle, which one would you be and why?

This is a pretty difficult question. I like aspects of all. I'm intrigued by Raphael's complexity, impulsiveness, and enjoy his sarcasm. But, sometimes, he is a bit too emo, which renders him difficult to relate to. Michelangelo gets points for nun-chucks, which are always a plus in my book. I appreciate Donatello's inventiveness. He is creative in a technical way and always seems to be taking something apart or putting something together, which I can connect with. I have no idea why Leonardo never uses his katana blades. I really don't like his top-down approach to leadership; I'm much more ground-up. He's probably the one I least relate to. Rather than creating a mutant out of particular traits from all of them, I think I'll switch sides and say that I would be the Shredder. He is always stirring up trouble, which I enjoy doing, and he seems to have near-endless resources, which would be nice. I don't like how mean he can be, so, I would try to curb the anger and be a Nice Shredder. I'd also try to patch things up with the Turtles so we could be friends and hang out. It would be great to get to know the Turtles' friends a bit better too, specifically: Mondo Gecko, Ace Duck, the Neutrinos, and Professor Honeycutt AKA Fugitoid. Maybe I'd invite everyone to a pizza party in Dimension X. Going through airport-security would be a huge hassle, but I guess I'd get use to it. Maybe I could borrow Krang's flying body suit, or better yet, I could cruse around in the Technodrome.

Could you describe your earliest memory of you interacting with art of any kind, and how that has perhaps stayed with you and your practice?

A few years ago, my parents were doing a bit of home-purging, and sent me a book from my childhood. It was a really cool book that allowed kids to document weird things in there surroundings. eg: "We have ___ spoons." or "My room has ___ electrical outlets." It had one section about the future; I don't remember doing it, but it says, in my little kid handwriting, "I want to be an __artist__, when I grow up." I've always wanted to be an artist and known that art is important to me. Ironically, I still don't exactly know what being an artist is. It's how I operate. It's who I am. I know that may sound cheesy, but it's for reals.

Were you always into digital arts? Every dabble in analog stuff? How did you end up so enthralled with the digital world?

Electronic and mechanical things have always interested me. From machinery at my uncle's farm in North Dakota to the community access television studio I worked at in high school; I was always drawn to technology. Being involved with video as the web took off in the mid-nineties was really exciting. Heck, it's still really exciting...

You have your hands in many arts circles around the city, how important is that to you?

Collaboration and supporting fellow artists is super important to me. There are so many folks doing such great work in Chicago. From noise music to independent film; glitch art to experimental realtime performance, there is a lot going on here. I wish I could go to more shows, openings, and happenings. Being involved is inspiring and invigorating.

What is one of your biggest challenges as an arts professional?

Balance and time are the biggest challenges. Balancing work that pays the bills and finding time to make artwork. I feel like that's somewhat universal as one ages, so, I'll come up with a better answer... I like to use humor in my artwork. Often, balancing the tone can be challenging. Sometimes, I want things to be crazy and ridiculous, but I also want people to seriously experience the work. I have a sort of strange commitment to seriously being absurd. I find humor in weird uses of technology or odd presets. The funny thing is: I'll spend hours teaching myself how to best misuse a particular feature in a software package that I have no logical use for. Experts says that our culture is moving more and more toward specialization. My specialized skill-set is fractured and idiotic; but, I don't really believe in experts anyway.

What do you enjoy about art in Chicago?

Chicago has a wonderful do-it-yourself (DIY) energy that can be hard to find in other cities. I feel like this comes from Chicago's working-class history. This ethic has produced unique artists and artwork for decades. If someone else isn't doing something that excites you; you can go out and do it yourself or find others who want to do-it-together.

As an artist and educator, how does learning fit into your career?

I am learning that I am learning all the time.

If you were a James Bond villain on the verge of killing 007, how would you describe your plans to take over the world?

I'd probably get distracted while describing my elaborate shark-contraption that he would eventually escape from.

If you could offer one piece of advice to new or emerging digital artists, what would that be?

The great thing about technology right now is our open access to information and the immediacy of making and publishing. Don't be afraid to break things and get dirty. Technology often has a slickness that goes along with it. I remember it from the late 90s and the internet bubble. It's now embodied in the friendly social media systems we use. But, technology isn't clean, it isn't always efficient, and it definitely isn't perfect. Many folks think that they don't know enough or aren't technical enough to make digital stuff. That's so unfortunate. There are no true experts; everyone is experimenting. Often failure is more interesting than success. It's a dirty digital world and it can be your playground.

For more information about Jon and his work, please visit JonSatrom.com.

DESIGN BY CHOICE MENTORSHIP

mikenourse — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 14:50:26 +0000

The name Design By Choice comes from the direct purpose of the program to empower young designers with opportunity to have a professional’s insight and guidance in making sound career choices. Having clear goals and knowing one’s responsibility as a career professional is something that can transform the working environment in firms and agencies alike. Learning to be complete in intentions and actions and handle professional tasks at hand is essential to a healthy career and being a strong member of a team.

Design By Choice is a mentorship program that assigns young, aspiring Graphic & Interactive Designers to an industry professional in their field, with the goal of helping those designers identify a clear direction for their careers. The project will consist of: selecting a group of qualified persons to be participants, pairing participants with respective mentors who have volunteered their services, raising money to build a community networking site where the talent can showcase their work to potential clients, and hosting an event where the mentors and the participants will meet.

For more information, and to VOTE in support of this project, please visit Design By Choice website. You may also email them with any questions.

CHICAGO FRINGE FESTIVAL @CAD SEPT 1-5

mikenourse — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 02:31:43 +0000

Chicago Art Department is pleased to be one of the venues for The 2010 Chicago Fringe Festival, which features 46 performance groups that were selected by lottery. CFF shows include comedies, dramas, dance pieces, musicals, performance art, and the unclassifiable. All shows run between 45-60 minutes. All shows are uncensored. Shows run from 4pm-11pm on weekdays, from 1pm-11pm on weekends. All venues are within walking distance from each other, located around the east Pilsen neighborhood at 18th and Halsted.

Chicago Fringe Festival, September 1-5, 2010

45 Performance Groups in 8 Pilsen Venues

Tickets and full schedule available at www.chicagofringe.org

Main Box Office located at 2003 S. Halsted

Fringe Central - Open Air Party Daily and Nightly - 1714 S. Racine

GROWING UP CAD TELETHON 09/18 – GET PRESALE TIX NOW!

nat — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 18:32:40 +0000

(poster design by Marta Sasinowska)

Presale Tickets ($20) - $30 at the door

Chicago Art Department is pleased to present our annual benefit, this year a telethon-themed evening of music, food, drinks, visual arts.

WHAT: Benefit w/performances, food/drinks, silent auction art.
WHEN: Saturday September 18th, 2010, 5-10pm.
WHERE: 2003 South Halsted, at corner of Canalport.
HOW MUCH: $20 presale tickets, $30 at the door.

FEATURING:

Gourmet asian-inspired hot dog "Food Truck" booth by Cameo Roberts (former sous chef of Rick Bayless of Frontera Grill and Top Chef Masters' fame)
Desserts by Ryan Bockenfield
Intelligensia iced teas and coffee, Koval Distillery Liqueurs
Musical Acts: Volcanoes Make Islands, sssSnake, lePercolateur, IL.subliminal, DJ Maggie Litgen
literary performance by Paper Machete
Art Silent Auction by CAD resident artists and friends.
Live interactive art activities (photobooth, screen printing demo, and more)
Telethon Hosts: Nathan Peck, Mike Nourse, Nat Soti

“Growing Up CAD”, Chicago Art Department’s annual benefit, helps grow studio, exhibition, and learning opportunities for CAD resident artists as well as program participants. This year promises to be the best event yet as we move the event down the street into a beautiful 3000 square foot storefront space donated by Podmajersky. This means more art, food, drink, music, and performances. CAD will preview new ideas and plans for the coming year including the opening of a screen-printing shop at CAD West Studios, a partnership with Perspectives Charter School, the Chris Hales resident scholarship, new exhibition opportunities in the upstairs gallery, and some of the great exhibitions and events we have coming up.

The evening will be themed around the idea of telethon (remember those?) complete with hosts in tuxedos. The event will be streamed online so that supporters who are unable to attend the event can follow along and call into the CAD hotline to pledge support.

FOOD n' DRINK
For your culinary pleasure CAD is excited to have Cameo McRoberts, Rick Bayless’ (of Frontera and Top Chef Masters fame) former sous chef – serving gourmet asian-inspired hot dogs in a food truck inspired booth. Longtime CAD supporter and pastry chef extraordinaire Ryan Bockenfield will be supplying dangerously delicious dessert treats. For drinks there will be wine, beer, Koval Liqueurs and Intelligensia iced teas and coffee.

ENTERTAINMENT
The musical lineup will include rock by Volcanoes Make Islands, gypsy jazz from lePercolateur, one-man soul pop from ssssnake, hip-hop poetry with IL.Subliminal, and down-tempo spinning from DJ Maggie Litgen. In addition to these great musicians there will also be a special selection of performers from Chicago’s own Paper Machete – a Chicago-based, weekly live magazine and parlor show - focusing on Chicago, the arts, and Chicago Art Department.

ART
Last but not least, attendees can expect to see a wide range of art for sale, inside of a silent auction, that will close at the end of the night. Pieces available will be by resident artists and program participants from the last year. Ask any previous attendees and you will find out that this is one of the best nights to get a good deal on some great art.

BUY TICKETS OR MAKE A DONATION
Our goal this year is to raise $10,000. If you have been a supporter and like what we do, please help us reach this goal. Come out and show your support by buying a ticket or make a donation online.

Presale Tickets ($20) - $30 at the door

or click here to make a general donation

Current Sponsors and Auction/Raffle Donors

CALL FOR ARTISTS | GREAT LAKES WORKSHOP @ CAD STUDIO

stacy — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 01:55:21 +0000

Great Lakes Basin Secedes and Forms New Nation!

In the year 2010 A.D, THE GREAT LAKES BASIN DECLARES INDEPENDENCE and announces to the world, ‘WE ARE NOT A COMMODITY, WE ARE THE SUSTENANCE OF LIFE!’

--- Excerpt from the Great Lakes Basin Declaration

What if the 40 million people living in the Great Lakes Basin decided to secede from North America due to a lack of sustainable priorities, habitat mismanagement, and otherwise stalled progress? Motivated by these concerns and impending freshwater crises, the Chicago Art Department will host a workshop for artists to investigate the personal habits, issues, and politics of living in Chicago by the largest freshwater system in the world.

The Great Lakes point of view will inspire and drive 4 weeks of individual/group investigation of topics such as how urban habitats can coexist with nature, modernizing modes of transportation, revitalizing local food supplies, increasing bio-habitats, and protecting our freshwater heritage.

Artists turned nation-builders will be challenged to originate and derive solutions through the medium of their choice. The workshop will culminate with a 2nd Friday Art Walk show and is part of Chicago Artists Month.

Speakers:

Rick Valicenti

Rick Valicenti is the founder and design director of Thirst/Chicago, a communication design firm devoted to art, function and real human presence. Rick was recently awarded the American Institute of Graphic Artists (AIGA) Medal in 2006 for his sustained contribution to design excellence and development of the profession. This medal is the highest honor in the graphic design profession. www.3st.com

More speakers TBD.

Class Dates: Thursdays, September 9, 16, 23 & 30; 6:30pm – 9:30pm

Art show opening: Friday, October 8, 2010; 6pm – 10pm

Where: Chicago Art Department Studio, 1732 W. Hubbard, Chicago

Facilitators: Stacy Peterson and Preethi Venkataramanujam

Cost: $100 (Participate in at least 3 classes and the final art show and you have the choice of ripping up your check or donating it to CAD!)

To register, email Stacy Peterson at stacy@chicagoartdepartment.org

WATER YOU DOING 8/28?

stacy — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 22:34:01 +0000

ItsOurWater.org

THE ART OF THE LANZA

mikenourse — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 05:39:17 +0000

Raised on an underground language of imagery from the flat world contained on the front of cereal boxes, toys and television programs, Lanza blends ironic spice into the expected charm of his visual treats.

Using found objects and words to develop his paintings; Lanza mixes the old with his new. His antique frames are built using old trimming and moldings, found scraps of wood, and old wooden drawers. Combining features of cartoon and folk art, his work is a composition of extractions and rearrangements from his drawings and sketches that explore a self-contained realityanother universe incorporating fantasies and illustrations. He brings to it a distinctive liking for tightly stitched paintings, amiable art patterns and crystalline, hard-edged shapes as well as an affection for old wallpaper, tin toys and cartooning. Lanza works both big and small and in two and three dimensions, depicting emotional relations between characters with a touching, comedic sense.

Raised in a small town north of Milwaukee WI, Gabe Lanza craved more in life. After leaving his job as a product designer at Harley-Davidson Motor Company, he set out to pursue his life-long dream of becoming a poor artist eating ramen noodles in an overpriced city. Now a full-time painter and sculpture, Gabe lives and works out of his studio in Bridgeport, a southern neighborhood in Chicago, IL. When hes not on the road traveling to art shows, Gabe enjoys sipping Whiskey Old-Fashions, riding his vintage motorcycle, and playing board games with his wife, baby boy and 26 pound cat.

Please visit gabelanza.com to see more awesomeness that is Gabe Lanza.

RED on GREEN: CREATIVE @ CAD

ryan — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 16:57:32 +0000

Local filmmaker Ryan Miller filmed 40 extras at CAD on the RED Camera as part of a tech rehearsal for his work-in-progress, "A City to Make Me." The intention was to coordinate Hair/Wardrobe/Makeup and Production Teams. It was a resounding success, as well as the catalyst for much improvement next 'go-round'! What follows is simply a document, a sketchbook of ideas, produced at CAD. "Thank you all for making this event a success..."
EXPLORE THE FILM:http://acitytomakeme.blogspot.com.

ART AGAINST INCARCERATION | AUG. 28

mikenourse — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 05:45:30 +0000

This art show and fundraiser for Project NIA will encourage people to learn about the nature and impact of the Prison Industrial Complex through visual art. While public education is our priority with this art show, Project NIA will also use the art as a way to fundraise to support our programs and work. We conceptualize art as inherently political and are committed to utilizing art as a tool toward eliminating oppression.

A number of talented artists responded to our call for donations of original poster designs that make a statement about the prison-industrial complex, school policing and zero tolerance policies, or the injustice and racism of the juvenile legal system. In particular we would like to thank the following artists who donated art to Project NIA: Micah Bazant, Tyrone Boucher, Kevin Caplicki, Audrie Carie, Billy Dee, Ariel Durrant, Catlin Fullwood, Querido Galdo, Miguel Jimenez, Douglas Minkler, Ricardo Levins-Morales, Mauricio Pineda, Jesa Rae, Andrea Slocum, Simon Strikeback, Lewis Wallace.

In addition, we would like to thank the Just Seeds Artist Collective for allowing us to show prints from their Voices from the Outside: Artists against the PIC portfolio at our event. For a preview of those prints, visit the Just Seeds website.

All of the proceeds will go directly to towards supporting the work of our Juvenile Justice Expungement Clinic which helps individuals seeking assistance with clearing criminal records.

Saturday, August 28th 2010
7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Many People's Church
1505-07 West Morse Street
**Pay what you can at the door $**

Please RSVP at projectniaevents@hotmail.com.

HARD SCIENCE | AUGUST 27, 7-10PM

chuckp — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 23:50:24 +0000

Hard Science is a gallery experience meant to showcase artistic interpretations of scientific concepts and theories. Although we live in an era of high technology - actual scientific principles, research, and theories seldom cross over into the realm of art. Many concepts that are being proven often times can be compared with contemporary conceptual art. Conversely much of the imaging and data created in research can function as contemporary art - as it proves concepts that may be disassociated from the actual representation, such as images of particles appearing as spiral streaks and years of research represented by the addition of a number on a scale.

Curators Chuck Przybyl and Edyta Stepien have invited artists from multiple disciplines to create work that will specifically illustrate or relate to understanding scientific concepts. Working closely with Teppei Katori of MIT and Fermilab they have created a unique scientific experience in the realm of art.

Participating Artists:

Edyta Stepien
Margaret Noble
Cleveland Dean
Jason Frohlichstein
Teppei Katori
Todd Frugia
Mark Salach
Nat Soti
Amie Sell
Stacy Peterson
Chuck Przybyl

Audio Segment by Brian Klien

Closing Reception August 27, 7-10pm