gallery watch

On April 9th, the first feature film from Chicago's Chris Hefner, The Pink Hotel, will debut at Music Box Theater. Taking place in an unspecified time period resembling the early 1930s, the film was shot on black and white Super 8mm film, and uses shadow and contrast to its advantage.

You can read more about the film here, and purchase advanced tickets here.

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What You See Is? - Rebecca Jacoby - InLiquid at Crane Hall - (Philadelphia)

Rebecca Jacoby (interview here) has always had an unique eye for art, but her latest exhibit takes that eye to a whole new level. Making use of space that is usually peripheral the edges of the ubiquitous white-walled gallery was the impetus for this show. Jacoby will utilize original elements of the Crane Arts Building, specifically the concrete columns that contain unusual markings. Unique visual marks like spray painted numbers and discolorations formed over years activate the imagery for each column. Shapes, colors, and textures extend directly from these sources, immersing the viewer in the site and reminding them that imagery has many origins, including the perimeters of space itself.

"Residual Energies" - Ryan De La Hoz - November 5th to November 28th - Flatcolor Gallery (Seattle)

One of the more fitting shows for this time of year is Ryan De La Hoz's new exhibit at Flatcolor Gallery. Ryan explores the world around him through childhood memories and images. Skeleton gloves, Ninja Turtles Ooze, and more act as placers or reminder of a live once lives as it mashes into a current reality.

"Residual Energies analyzes the idea of human nature and existence. The work is an amalgamation of my feelings about the planet, our actions as human
beings, and influences from my childhood (everything from Ninja Turtles Ooze to my Geode Collection) Skeleton gloves act as artifacts of existence that once was. Ladders represent abandoned progress, now being swallowed up and scattered around in a land left behind. I am always exploring the idea of fragility. A bizarre and beautiful world is left desolate for the viewer to take in." -Ryan De La Hoz

The Giant Robot's Biennial 2: 15 Years - Curated by Eric Nakamura - The Japanese American National Museum - October 24, 2009 - January 24, 2010 (Los Angeles)

To provide a visual overview of the Giant Robot aesthetic, publisher Eric Nakamura is curating artwork by individuals who have contributed to shows at Giant Robot's galleries, been featured in the pages of the magazine, or even contributed cover art. The main hall will include installations by David Choe (image below), Theo Ellsworth, James Jean, kozyndan, Stella Lai, Jack Long, Albert Reyes, Souther Salazar, Jeff Soto, and Deth P. Sun.

Fake It 'Till You Make It - Martin Ontiveros - October 16-November 8, 2009 - Rotofugi Gallery (Chicago)

What a motto, and it is one that I have heard expressed in many different ways. The idea is you need to demonstrate that you belong before you will actually be accepted. What's clear when looking through the latest images from Martin Ontiveros is that he clearly belongs and will never have to "fake it" again. Using vibrant colors and strategically placed rainbows, Martin has created a style that is founded in sci-fi, but grounded by its metal root.

Martin Ontiveros is somewhat of a legendary illustrator, and a current resident of Portland. He is the illustrator behind the Ricky Ricotta series, but it is his love of metal and color that drive his latest work.

Tracks - Philippa Blair & Figurations - Jayme Odgers & Watercolor - October 17 – November 11, 2009 - Lawrence Asher Gallery (Los Angeles)

Two very different artists converge in LA this month to exhibit their latest work. Jayme Odgers' watercolor portraits signal a departure from his typographic works, in which words are both the subject and object. With the portraits however, honest renderings of photographs taken by the artist of his friends, the object becomes the subject. The portraits are demonstrative of a high skill set. The sophisticated use of watercolors paired with a steady hand and astute sensitivity to expression reveal an exacting portrait of the artist.

Several months ago Josh Lucas sent me an e-mail that seemed simple enough. He asked who were a few of my favorite Chicago writers, and I replied. I would soon come to understand the scope of Josh's vision for what is now a 22 person art show/literary event call The Torn Pages.

Eleven writers. Eleven artists. Twenty-two of Chicago's very best, working together to write and illustrate eleven completely original, utterly beautiful and undeniably bizarre children's stories as part of The Torn Pages Show, presented by OhNo!Doom Collective.

Writers and artists include:

Joe Meno & Cody Hudson
James Kennedy & Nate Murphy
Jenah Garrett & Stacey Earley
Zach Dodson & Allison Dunn Burque
Ben Tanzer & Dominique Holmes

Coisas Esquisitas - C.A.V.E. Gallery - October 3rd to November 1st (Venice, CA)

C.A.V.E. Gallery is hosting five of the most impressive young female artists around. Kendra Binney, Danni Shinya Luo, JAW Cooper, Tatiana Suarez (image above), and Tina Darling all have a the subject of the female form in common, but take drastically different paths to create compelling images. In all honesty the eyes, the soul, the figure, of the female is compelling enough in its own right, but this women each capture something unique and vibrant. To add another dimension they each utilize nature to encapsulate the images.

My Kind of Town - Sept. 25th to Oct. 11th - Various Artist - Rotofugi Gallery (Chicago)

Once again Rotofugi is out to prove that Chicago is one of the best town to be an artist, and that this city has a thriving collection of young talent. From crazy toy makers (Travis Lampe) to creative cartoonists (Veggiesomething), to the intricate animals of Dan Grzeca, this massive collection has everything. 37 of Chicago's top artist gathered in one gallery, and by one of the most unique stores/galleries in the city. This exhibit runs through Oct. 11th.

Chad Kouri