Posted by BootsCAS on April 24th, 2010 | No Comments »
MAY 7th 2010 Opening reception 6:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Artists
Larry Krone
Sandra Marchewa
Karin Hodgin Jones
RJ Messineo
Josh Meyer
David Johnson
Performance by Larry Krone with special guest FRAN starts at 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Posted by BootsCAS on February 27th, 2010 | No Comments »
The opening reception for Wilhelm Neusser’s “BIRDHOUSEINCATTREE” took place last Friday at Boots Contemporary Art Space. Hailing from Germany, Wilhelm has been Boots’ artist in residency for the past several months. As an artist whose past work has conveyed a keen interest in the vulnerable underbelly of architectural spaces, Wilhelm Neusser pursues this train of thought by playfully displaying the animal lover as architect. His new collection of paintings and sculptures render pet’s manmade domestic structures in surreal backdrops and tenable juxtapositions.
The opening for the show was a sound success, with a healthy turnout and many positive responses! Attendees were captivated by the sculptural installations in the front room, one of which showcases a birdhouse in the center of a spherical web of silver branches hanging from the ceiling. We were pleased to have Neusser be the first artist to exhibit painting at Boots. The paintings’ masterful execution and bold use of deep reds, neon pinks, and hazy bluish grays left people intrigued by the medium’s aesthetic vitality. Thank you to everyone who attended! The exhibition is on display at Boots on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 12-5 pm, and other times by appointment. Boots is located on 2307 Cherokee St. for more information please visit www.bootscontemporaryartspace.org
Posted by BootsCAS on November 18th, 2009 | No Comments »
A few weeks ago Boots Contemporary Art Space was honored by a visit from Jane Crawford, Director of the Estate of Gordon Matta-Clark who is also the late artists wife. Her visit coincided with the last week of Theaster Gates’ installation, which had themes similar to the works on exhibit at the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts.
Boots Director, Juan William Chavez and Mrs. Crawford had a pleasant informal chat about Theaster’s exhibition, the work of Gordon Matta-Clark and the role that Boots Contemporary Art Space plays in the Cherokee neighborhood. It was an amazing Day!
Posted by BootsCAS on November 9th, 2009 | No Comments »
There was a great turn out for last nights opening for i.e. presents: The 7th Annual Midwestern Assorted Produce Snuff Shorts Film Triennial at Boots Contemporary Art Space. The show consists of several video installations by the artists that make up the loose collective i.e. which includes Benjamin Bellas, Clinton King, Noelle Mason, Magda Wong, Justin Cooper and Ross Moreno.
At Friday nights opening there were two performances by artists Justin Cooper and Ross Moreno that were a stark contrast to the last opening Holiness: in 3 parts by Theaster Gates in which a poet, church choir and the Black Monks of the Mississippi moved the audience with up lifting charismatic music inspired by the black church. Cooper and Moreno moved the audience as well but in a much more combative and confrontational way. The audience was left feeling uncomfortable and slightly confused.
Ross Moreno started the evening off with a bang; dressed in a rainbow clown wig, suspenders and a Speedo, he attempted to break the Guinness World Record for the “Most Balloon Animals Twisted in One Hour.” It became clear during the performance that Moreno was not prepared to accomplish his goal. He struggled to twist balloons into dogs, flowers and other unrecognizable forms. Balloons exploded and deflated flying across the gallery as a timer counted down the hour. At one point he gave up and stormed out, only to be coaxed back by a supportive audience. The tension and frustration built till finally Moreno completely defeated and extremely agitated unleashed his anger toward the spectators. “I twist for tips”, he yelled which made some members of the audience question whether they were supposed to actually tip him money for the performance. Moreno was inspired by balloon animals as entertainment and regulary appearing at IHOP to perform for customers while they wait for their food.
In the second performance, Justin Cooper came out to a wild round of applause generated in part by a recording coming from speakers and by people in the crowd. Just as the host of a late night talk show or comedy club would give thanks and appreciations, Cooper encouraged the show of hands. After this went on for several minutes he tried to quiet the audience down so he could deliver his performance, but just as things started to settle, a few the people in the audience would generate another round of applause and cheering. This went on for five or six minutes till it became apparent that Cooper was becoming frustrated and annoyed that he was unable to proceed. He tried to remain composed and would once again thank the audience allowing the applause to continue for a few more minutes. As the crowd began to catch on and more people started clapping, Cooper became irate, screaming at us to stop, begging us to please shut up, which only caused more applause. This felt like it could go on all night with no end and certainly could have, till Cooper finally broke character, laughed and thanked the people in the gallery.
Posted by BootsCAS on November 3rd, 2009 | No Comments »
i.e. member Ross Moreno will be performing at the opening reception: Friday November 6th 6:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Come witness butoh 2.0 performance artist Ross Moreno in his attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the “Most Balloon Animals Twisted in One Hour.” Ross Moreno is well known in the record breaking community for his unsuccessful attempts at breaking the record for “The World’s Tallest Towerof Dice” and ”The World’s Largest Candy Heart.” Ross Moreno currently holds fifth degree black belt in balloon twisting, having successfully passed the certification quiz at both the International House of Pancakes and the Olive Garden.
Posted by internMamie on October 31st, 2009 | No Comments »
Opening reception: Friday November 6th 6:30 pm – 10:00 pm
i.e. is a loose collection of 6 artists: Benjamin Bellas, Clinton King, Noelle Mason, Magda Wong, Justin Cooper and Ross Moreno.
The evening will consist of a video installation and two live performances.
For more about i.e. check out following links:
http://www.mcachicago.org/exhibitions/exh_detail.php?id=226#crater
Posted by internNicholas on October 24th, 2009 | No Comments »
On October 12th SAIC’s Professor and Executive Director of Exhibitions, Mary Jane Jacobs, invited Director Juan William Chavez to give his second talk at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago for the MFA seminar course. In his talk “The Constant Evolution of Being an Artist,” Mr. Chavez discussed Boots Contemporary Art Space, the fundraising and board development process, and the duality of being both a gallery director and a practicing studio artist.
Mary Jane Jacobs currently has a major program at Sullivan Galleries entitled “Living Modern Chicago,” a collaboration between the school, Mies van der Rohe Society/Illinois Institute of Technology, and other cultural institutions in Chicago. Its centerpiece exhibit, entitled “Learning Modern,” explores the history of American modernism in Chicago and how it affected education in the mid-20th century. The exhibit will investigate the interactions of all contemporary practices within the city, using Chicago itself as a living laboratory. The exhibition will run from September 26 to January 9, 2010.
Posted by internMamie on October 24th, 2009 | No Comments »
In addition to the performances on opening night, Holiness: in 3 Parts is also an installation. The minimalist sculptures in this show are what Theaster Gates calls his “backyard esthetic”. The work hanging on the walls were constructed using materials literally found in his back yard. The evidence of their previous use gives them a beautiful and austere quality. The staircase in the courtyard behind the gallery combines these ideas of sculpture and everyday object.
There are two shoeshine chairs that are also apart of the installation. The chairs have the same roughhewn quality that the sculptures embody. One is constructed from found lumber and the other covered in mismatched vinyl and alligator hide.
These objects are tied together by the video projected on the wall in the corner of the gallery near the floor. The screen is split, on one side the camera is focused on a pair of black boots being shined. On the other, a man is constructing an object out of plywood. A charismatic preacher singing, “Shine on me” occasionally interrupts this action. Over the video is the sound of monks chanting a prayer.
The combination of the video and sculptural objects creates a psychic space in which the viewer can meditate on ideas of the urban and spiritual.
Posted by BootsCAS on October 24th, 2009 | No Comments »
The screening of the new season of Art:21 at Boots Contemporary Art Space on Thursday night turned out to be a really great event. We munched on popcorn and sipped beer while watching the first episode Transformations. Yinka Shonibare MBE talks about his retrospective, followed by Cindy Sherman who discusses her processes of self portraiture. Lastly, Paul McCarthy shows some early work with Mike Kelly and new sculptures. I won’t give away any of the best parts, you will have to catch them on PBS, check your local listings or go to art21.org.
Posted by Bryan on October 10th, 2009 | No Comments »
Boots Contemporary Art Space will be screening season five of PBS’ Art: 21
Episode 3: Transformation Whether observing and satirizing society or reinventing icons of literature, art history, and popular culture, the artists featured in Transformation capture the sensibilities of our age while at times inhabiting the characters they have created. Yinka Shonibare MBE, Cindy Sherman and Paul McCarthy are featured..
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Episode 4: Systems Artists invent new processes to convey the attitudes of today’s supercharged, information-based society, examining why we find comfort in some systems while rebelling against others. Systems features artists who realize complex projects through acts of appropriation or accumulation. In some instances, they create projects vast in scope, which almost elude comprehension. Julie Mehretu, John Baldessari, Kimsooja and Allan McCollum are featured.
ALL ARE WELCOME! COMPLIMENTARY POPCORN AND DRINKS!
BYO chair as seating is limited
COME AND CELEBRATE ART WITH US!
Wednesdays + Saturdays
12 - 5 pm
Other times by appointment
