June 30, 2014

2014: Alastair MacLennan @ Rapid Pulse

Above: Alastair MacLennan at Rapid Pulse in Chicago, on June 15, 2014.
Alastair MacLennan
"One Four Six"
The closing performance at Rapid Pulse, sponsored by the British Council
7:00 PM
June 15, 2014
Cortez Street cul-de-sac at the intersection of Noble Street and Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL

Rapid Pulse
International Performance Art Festival
June 5 - 15, 2014
Headquartered at Defibrillator Gallery
1136 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL

"Rapid Pulse is made possible with support of the British Council, Cliff Dwellers Arts Foundation, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Society for Arts, Holiday Jones, Ordinary Projects, Mana Contemporary, Vittum Theater, Nightingale, Peter Grande, Canada Council for The Arts, Manitoba Arts Council, Winnipeg Arts Council, Video Pool Media Arts Center, Maxwell Colette Gallery, Lovely, Letherbee Distillery, Nhà Sàn Collective, Noi, Chopin Theater, International Beethoven Project, Australia Council for the Arts, Happy Camper, Shawarma Garden, Bedford and Red Square. Defibrillator is partially supported by grants from the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, Illinois Arts Council Agency, and Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events."

http://rapidpulse.org/

Above: A crowd gathers to watch Alastair MacLennan's closing performance at Rapid Pulse in Chicago, on June 15, 2014.
June 15, 2014: Shortly before sunset, immediately west of Milwaukee Avenue, a little group grows till it forms a rounded crowd, girdled by the cul-de-sac in which Cortez Street terminates.  The stink of decay is thick in the evening's warm, heavy air.  Alastair MacLennan is about to begin the public "actuation" which will conclude the international festival of performance art called Rapid Pulse.

MacLennan's now in his seventies.  And his physical appearance, combined with the slow gate of his movement and gently-spoken invitation to approach, suggest a benevolent, grandfatherly figure.  Not surprisingly, passers-by are draw in from the sidewalk.

It begins, silently.  Through his movement, a sort of story begins to unfold.  Though it's uncertain where in the narrative MacLennan himself stands.

MacLennan covers his own head with black fabric.  And one wonders whether he might be the hooded victim of kidnapping--or himself the masked criminal ready to steal away something or someone.  Such ambiguity, readily available in the performative mode of expression, is characteristic of the whole of the event.

Now white fabric is unfurled.  On cue, the winds blows.  Is it surrender?  Romance?  A shroud for the dead?  Between MacLennan and the audience members who it envelops, the billowing gauze momentarily defines a yet-smaller space.

MacLennan is then, by his own doing, blindfolded.  He lurches forward.  Props have aforehand been placed in two positions, roughly ten feet apart from one another.  Finding one of the poles, he there assumes an awkward burden.  Streamers flying, though solitary and sightless, through a great, ridiculous procession he shifts his ungainly load.

At his destination, he finds a metal pail filled with water and dead fish.  Raised, it's poured over himself.  A baptism?  An immolation?  Trickery?

And the cycle repeats itself: towards what end, if any, we know not at all...

Above: Spectators inspect Alastair MacLennan's installation at Rapid Pulse in Chicago, on June 15, 2014.
Above: Alastair MacLennan, amidst crowd, beginning performance at Rapid Pulse in Chicago, on June 15, 2014.
Above: Alastair MacLennan at Rapid Pulse in Chicago, on June 15, 2014.
Above: Alastair MacLennan, masked, extends billowing shroud at Rapid Pulse in Chicago, on June 15, 2014.
Above: Alastair MacLennan, masked, at Rapid Pulse in Chicago, on June 15, 2014.
Above: Alastair MacLennan pours metal pail filled with dead fish, text, and water, at Rapid Pulse in Chicago, on June 15, 2014.
Above: Alastair MacLennan, blindfolded, begins his procession with a burden at Rapid Pulse in Chicago, on June 15, 2014.
Above: Attendee examines detritus after Alastair MacLennan's closing performance at Rapid Pulse in Chicago, on June 15, 2014.
Above: Detritus on Cortez Street after Alastair MacLennan's closing performance at Rapid Pulse in Chicago, on June 15, 2014.
Alastair MacLennan:

Born in Blair Atholl, Perthshire, Scotland, 1943

Master of Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, 1966-68

"In 1997 Alastair MacLennan (UK/Ireland) represented Ireland at the Venice Biennale, with inter-media work commemorating the names of all those who died as a result of the Political Troubles in Northern Ireland, from 1969 to then date. During the 1970's and ’80's he made (some) long, non-stop durational performances, of up to 144 hours, (neither eating, nor sleeping, throughout). Subject matter dealt with political, social and cultural malfunction. Since 1975 he has been based in Belfast, Northern Ireland and was a founding member of Belfast’s Art and Research Exchange (1978). Since 1975 he taught at Ulster Polytechnic, now the University of Ulster, Belfast, where for eleven years he ran the Master of Arts (MA) Fine Art programme. Currently he travels extensively in Eastern / Western Europe and Asia (also North America and Canada), presenting Actuations (performance/installations). Since 1989 he has been a member of the internationally regarded performance art entity, Black Market International, which performs globally. He is presently an Emeritus Professor of Fine Art from the University of Ulster, Belfast, Northern Ireland, an Honorary Fellow of Dartington College of Arts, Devon, England, an Honorary Associate of the National Review of Live Art, Glasgow, Scotland and a founding member of Belfast’s Bbeyond (Performance Art), 2001."

Quotation above from: http://rapidpulse.org/alastair-maclennan

Read more:

http://www.culturenorthernireland.org/article/1088/art-beat-alistair-maclennan

http://www.nival.ie/collections/artists-database/view/artist/name/maclennan-alastair/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alastair_MacLennan

http://www.biennial.com/2014/exhibition/artists/alastair-maclennan

Above:
Images (1-17) June 15, 2014;
Copyright Paul E. Germanos.

June 20, 2014

2014: Victoria Martinez @ Antena

Above: Victoria Martinez, foreground, with her artwork, background, at Antena, 1755 S. Laflin Street, Chicago, IL, on June 7, 2014.
"Ruthless Powers"
Liz Born and Victoria Martinez
May 16 - June 13, 2014
Antena
1755 S. Laflin Street
Chicago, IL

http://victoria-martinez.com/home.html

http://antenapilsen.blogspot.com/

Above: "Untitled 2014," plastic pockets filled with memorabilia, stitched closed; proposed site of installation depicted at right.
Above: Detail of defunct "Dollar Store" near Damen and 22nd Street; proposed site of installation for artwork shown above.
Above: Overview of "Ruthless Powers" by Liz Born and Victoria Martinez at Antena, 1755 S. Laflin Street, Chicago, IL, June 7, 2014.
Above: Martinez' "Untitled 2014," fiber work from Benito Juarez High School, 2150 S Laflin Street, Chicago, IL.
Above: Martinez' memorabilia, photograph with mother c. 1980s, Lake Michigan, Chicago waterfront.
Above: Liz Born's taxidermy rat alongside Victoria Martinez' photograph of flowers in Central America.
Above: Martinez' "Untitled 2014," floral photogram  from Benito Juarez High School, 2150 S Laflin Street, Chicago, IL.
Above:
Images (1-8) June 7, 2014;
Copyright Paul E. Germanos.

June 19, 2014

2014: Dmitry Samarov @ Rainbo Club

Above: The irascible Mr. Porkchop at the opening reception for "Anonymous Alcoholics," in the Rainbo on June 7, 2014.
"Anonymous Alcoholics"
Shay DeGrandis and Dmitry Samarov
June 6 - 28, 2014
Rainbo Club
1150 N. Damen Avenue
Chicago, IL

http://shaydegrandis.com/

http://www.dmitrysamarov.com/

Above: Outside the Rainbo Club, 1150 N. Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL.
Above: Rainbo Club interior, "Rainbo Club #9," charcoal on paper, 30x32 inches, hung center of the stage, on June 7, 2014.
Above:"Rainbo Club #4," gouache on paper, 17x24 inches, in the Rainbo on June 7, 2014.
Above: Mr. Samarov, left, chats at the opening reception for "Anonymous Alcoholics," in the Rainbo on June 7, 2014.
Above: "Rainbo Club #5," gouache on paper, 17x24 inches, in the Rainbo on June 7, 2014.
Above: Patron of the arts John Corbett, candid, at the opening reception for "Anonymous Alcoholics," in the Rainbo on June 7, 2014.
Above: "Rainbo Club #6," gouache on paper, 17x24 inches, in the Rainbo on June 7, 2014.
Above: Outside the Rainbo Club, 1150 N. Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL.
Above:
Images (1,2,3,5,7,9) June 7, 2014;
Copyright Paul E. Germanos.
Slavish reproductions of two-dimensional artwork (4,6,8) June 7, 2014;
Copyright Dmitry Samarov.

June 10, 2014

2014: Jessica Taylor Caponigro @ Comfort Station

Above: Jessica Taylor Caponigro, photographed during her artist's talk on June 1, 2014, inside Logan Square's Comfort Station.
Jessica Taylor Caponigro: "Wait for Now"
Justin Petertil: "Mmmmm"
Curated by Robyn Paprocki
May 3 - June 1, 2014
Comfort Station
2579 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Logan Square
Chicago, IL

Documented here, Jessica Taylor Caponigro and Justin Petertil in a talk with Robyn Paprocki, on June 1, 2014:

"Comfort Station is pleased to present two juxtaposed solo shows. Inside the Comfort Station, Taylor Caponigro’s works react to the building’s original purpose as a place where travelers were stranded. Outside, Justin Petertil will install a soundscape consisting of tree-hung plastic fruit manifesting in a subtly shifting soundscape and uncanny visual, audio experience for passerby. Join us to hear about the works from the artist’s perspective.

Join us for a discussion and following Q+A session with May’s Comfort Station artists. We will learn about what inspired them to create these site-specific works and find out what they have planned next and what they like to do in their free time, among other things."


Quotation above from: http://www.thevisualist.org/2014/06/jessica-taylor-caponigro-justin-petertil-artist-lecture/

Above: Comfort Station, exterior, 2579 N. Milwaukee Avenue, in Logan Square, Chicago, IL, on June 1, 2014.
Above: Comfort Station, 2579 N. Milwaukee Avenue, in Logan Square, Chicago, IL, advertising on June 1, 2014.
Above: Comfort Station's Robyn Paprocki, left, introduces the artists prior to their talk on June 1, 2014.
Above: Painter Gwendolyn Zabicki, scheduled to show in a three-person exhibition at Comfort Station opening 5:00-8:00 PM, July 11, 2014.
Above: Andrew Rafacz Gallery artist Robert Burnier in attendance at Comfort Station on June 1, 2014.
Above: Jessica Taylor Caponigro's screen printed architectural intervention at Comfort Station on June 1, 2014.
Above: Angee Lennard of Spudnik Press, supplier of screen printing services and facilities, at Comfort Station on June 1, 2014.
Above: A detail of Jessica Taylor Caponigro's screen print, facilitated by Spudknik Press, installed at Comfort Station.
Above: Kavi Gupta's Assistant Director, Emanuel Aguilar, contributor of an essay to Jessica Taylor Caponigro's exhibition.
Above: Artist Justin Petertil at Comfort Station, 2579 N. Milwaukee Avenue, in Logan Square, Chicago, IL, on June 1, 2014.
Above: Artwork by Jessica Taylor Caponigro installed at Comfort Station on June 1, 2014.
Above:
Images (1-12) June 1, 2014;
Copyright Paul E. Germanos.

June 7, 2014

2014: Rapid Pulse Vernissage @ Defibrillator

Above: Cuban performance artist Carlos Martiel, left, at the Rapid Pulse Vernissage on June 5, 2014.
Rapid Pulse
Vernissage on June 5, 2014
International Performance Art Festival
June 6 - 15, 2014
Headquartered at Defibrillator Gallery
1136 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL

Artists: Antibody Corporation, Jessica Elaine Blinkhorn, Anna Brown, Alison Crocetta & Peter Reese, Diaz Lewis: Cara Megan Lewis & Alejandro Figueredo Diaz-Perera, Disorientalism: Katherine Behar & Marianne M. Kim, Espand: Hanna M. Owens & Soheila Azadi, Linda Hesh, Lai Thi Dieu Ha, Jason Lim, Alastair MacLennan, Carlos Martiel, Mikey McParlane, Teoma Naccarato, Kira O’Reilly, Freya Björg Olafson, La Pocha Nostra, Matthew Prest, Raquel Punto, Boryana Rossa, Michal Samama, Sandrine Schaefer, Manuel Vason, Julie Vulcan

Support: Rapid Pulse is made possible with support of the British Council, Cliff Dwellers Arts Foundation, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Society for Arts, Holiday Jones, Ordinary Projects, Mana Contemporary, Vittum Theater, Nightingale, Peter Grande, Canada Council for The Arts, Manitoba Arts Council, Winnipeg Arts Council, Video Pool Media Arts Center, Maxwell Colette Gallery, Lovely, Letherbee Distillery, Nhà Sàn Collective, Noi, Chopin Theater, International Beethoven Project, Australia Council for the Arts, Happy Camper, Shawarma Garden, Bedford and Red Square. Defibrillator is partially supported by grants from the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, Illinois Arts Council Agency, and Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.

About: Rapid Pulse presents a dynamic range of styles and forms of performance art. We invigorate Chicago by bringing to the city artists of exceptional calibre from around the world. Rapid Pulse includes live performances, public interventions, a video series, social events, artist talks, and panel discussions. Spilling over to other venues in the neighborhood, Rapid Pulse embraces the local and the global simultaneously. The curatorial committee for Rapid Pulse consists of The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago Curatorial Assistant, Steven L. Bridges; Curator and Performance Artist, Julie Laffin; MA graduate in Art Administration and Policy from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Giana Gambino; and Defibrillator Founder and Director, Joseph Ravens.

http://rapidpulse.org/

http://www.dfbrl8r.org/

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rapid-pulse-international-performance-art-festival-tickets-11306515091

Above: Espand members Soheila Azadi, left, and Hanna M. Owens, right, at the Rapid Pulse Vernissage on June 5, 2014.
Above: Performance artist Julie Potratz, left, and Rapid Pulse's Giana Gambino, right, at the Vernissage on June 5, 2014.
Above: Ordinary Projects' Meredith Weber, left, and and Rapid Pulse's Dasha Filippova, right, at the Vernissage on June 5, 2014.
Above: Performance artist Matthew Prest at the Rapid Pulse Vernissage on June 5, 2014.
Above: Performance artist Sandrine Schaefer, left, Christian Cruz, center, and Elena Katsulis at the Vernissage on June 5, 2014.
Above: Joseph Ravens of Rapid Pulse and Defibrillator, thanking guests at the Vernissage on June 5, 2014.
Above: Giana Gambino assisting Joseph Ravens at the closing of the Vernissage on June 5, 2014.
Above:Dasha Filippova of Rapid Pulse, thanking guests at the closing of the Vernissage on June 5, 2014.
Above: Dasha Filippova of Rapid Pulse, modeling fashion the Vernissage on June 5, 2014.
Above: Musical entertainment at the Rapid Pulse Vernissage on June 5, 2014.
Above: Musical entertainment at the Rapid Pulse Vernissage on June 5, 2014.
Above:
Images (1-12) June 5, 2014;
Copyright Paul E. Germanos.