|
ARTROPOLIS
(Artropolis Website)
Chicago’s Celebration of Art, Antiques & Culture
The Merchandise Mart
222 Merchandise Mart Plaza
Chicago, IL 60654
800.677.6278
Shawn Kahle, Vice President, Public Relations
skahle@mmart.com
Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc.
312.527.7074
April 27 –30, 2007
Susan Weinrebe
April 28, 2007
Imagine a vast, luminous city upon a hill, or in this case, near Lake Michigan. It is filled with residents and visitors all of one mind, to fill themselves with art for a few too short days, and to come away enriched, amazed, educated, taking some of the celebration with them.
An exposition of five simultaneous shows ranging over several floors of the behemoth Merchandise Mart, Artropolis is like the elephant eaten one bite at a time. Distinct entities in their own right, each of the shows carries its own name and roster of selected exhibitors, artists from around the world being represented in the thousands.
Art Chicago, with 132 dealers of contemporary and modern art, on-site performances, lectures and more, is the cornerstone of the exhibition. The Artist Project introduces new talent to the gallery world, while the Bridge Art Fair showcases coming-up contemporary art dealers. The International Antiques Fair displays the cream of antiques and art and finally, the Intuit Show gives a forum to outsider work.
How not to be overwhelmed by the abundance of booths? There are several choices: either return for each day of the show, or be very selective. For the day I spent at Artropolis, I settled on two of the shows and one lecture.
Michael Bonesteel, educator, art critic, author of Henry Darger: Art and Selected Writings, presented the basics of outsider art in his talk for the Intuit Show. Rather than being “inside” the mainstream of academy educated, commercially viable artists, the “outsiders” are often self-taught individuals who may not even recognize that their form of expression might be considered art. Frequently, they are visionaries, possibly mentally ill, loners, outcasts, different in some way from the social norms of the time. Yet, what they create is as worthy of being called “art” as the products of formally trained and acknowledged artists, according to Bonesteel.
Believing that, “Right now we’re in transition in how we look at art,” Bonesteel championed the concept that outsider art, “…is art like everything else, just as good, as bonafide,” in his slide-illustrated introduction to the fundamentals of outsider art.
The question is: If one’s art is included in a show like Intuit, is it still outside the mainstream? The answer in part is: That’s the problem with labels. Having said that, the Intuit Show of Folk and Outsider Art was fun, funny, disturbing, enlightening, and, at times, deeply expressive of some non-physical itch the artist was scratching. Frequently mixed-media presentations, tactile pieces studded with bits of metal, quilts naïve or brilliant in colorful ways and organization, collages with repeated images of presidents and themes, paint, chalk, toys, junk, anything a mind could think of and a hand could find, was game material to be used.
Simple looking at first, in the way that a Joseph Cornell box might appear empty or hastily thrown together, looking at a piece of outsider art with a desire to respect the message, revealed unexpected depth.
Next, with glowing examples of furniture, fine art, personal adornment, posters, and books, the International Antiques Fair brought a world of
quality merchandise to the market. The contrast with the Intuit Show was the flipside of the coin. Riches from the life goods of people, who surpassed being merely rich and privileged, were the stuff of this show.
A pasha’s ransom of exquisite rugs, Chinese screens and bronzes, French posters, Continental and American suites, vanities several hundred years old, inlaid and perfectly intact down to the sterling furnishings, rare maps and Audubon prints, Medieval prayer books, estate jewelry and Klimt lithographs, Art Deco, Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts and too much more to name, were displayed for the delectation and purchase of anyone who appreciated the finest of wares.
Accompanying the major exhibits of Artropolis, a daily schedule of satellite activities from theaters and publications, local groups, art walks and talks, dance and music, all vied for the attention of patrons planning their visit.
Artropolis, so aptly named, existing for a few brief days, is gone now. If you missed it this year, just wait.
Henry Darger: Art and Selected Writings
by Michael Bonesteel
Photo courtesy of Rizzoli International Publications
From Federalist Antiques: Circa 1835. Reflects French restoration taste in Boston furniture.
Photo courtesy of Merchandise Mart Properties
From Treasure Chest: A retro carved amethyst and nephrite jade flower bouquet brooch in 18k gold, of Austrian origin.
Photo courtesy of Merchandise Mart Properties
From Domont Jewelry: Poured glass and pearl cuff bracelet, gold plated, signed Chanel circa 1980.
Photo courtesy of Merchandise Mart Properties
From Alan Robandt and Company: This American, organic form driftwood lamp was created in the late 1940's.
Photo courtesy of Merchandise Mart Properties
From Weiss Antiques Gallery: Frederic Carder Steuben art glass, circa 1910-1920. This vase is a decorated blue aurene piece.
Photo courtesy of Merchandise Mart Properties
Jimmy Carr Tickets >
Mamma Mia Tickets and more
Cheap Theatre Tickets!
|
