The Hottest New Block On The Chicago Art Scene

The Hottest New Block On The Chicago Art Scene

Art on West Chicago Avenue is taking over.
Lauren Ike
Lauren Ike Jul 24, 2017
237
views

Chicago's West Town neighborhood has been named the most recent nexus of fine art and culture. Now you can find Chicago's best avant-garde designers, conceptual heavy weights, prominent painters, and world-class conceptual artists all down West Chicago Avenue!

Thaddeus Wolfe at Volume Gallery


The Mission

1431 West Chicago Ave

Michelle Magot Irregular Plane D, 2015 oil on paper 18 x 24 in.

The Mission represents artists from the United States and Latin America, promoting an international dialogue through a diverse program of provocative solo exhibitions and group shows. End of Daylight is a solo exhibition by Rodrigo Zamora, the Chilean sculptor, and painter, exhibiting now through August 5th. Zamora presents paintings that transform objects into amorphous anatomies, challenging memory and perception, specifically within the context of our relationship to our urban surroundings.

The Mission



Matthew Rachman Gallery

1659 West Chicago Ave

Kate McCarthy Lamb of God, 2017 thread, linen, cotton + synthetic fiber 13" x 9 ½" x 3 ⅛"

Matthew Rachman Gallery is an innovative store front gallery space that uniquely features contemporary art and 1960s modernist furniture. Kate McCarthy's multidisciplinary exhibition The Fantastic Nest is a must-see exhibition only on display now through July 23rd!

Matthew Rachman Gallery's upcoming exhibition The Chip opens Friday, July 28th, featuring paintings by Hannah Perry Saucier (on exhibit through September 17th).

Matthew Rachman Gallery



Paris London Hong Kong

1709 W Chicago Ave

Boyang Hou, Practice Makes Perfect, 2016, enamel, gesso on canvas, 19.5 x 17.5 in

Paris London Hong Kong is a private gallery located in the 1709 West Chicago building shared with Western Exhibitions, Volume Gallery and Document. PLHK features world-class contemporary and 20th century art. Be sure to check out PLHK and other West Town exhibitions this September at the start of Chicago Gallery Season.


Western Exhibitions

1709 W Chicago Ave

Richard Hull #3 2016, crayon on paper, 24 x 18 inches


Western Exhibition represents some of Chicago's most compelling contemporary artists. At present the gallery is showcasing 15 artists and one collaborative team, tackling the unique concept of fabric sagging in the middle between two upraised points, using this specific formal gesture to reach different conceptual goals. The group show titled A Sag, Harbored features many of Chicago's heavy weight artists engaging in fiber works. Don't miss A Sag, Harbored, showing now through August 19th!

Volume Gallery

1709 W Chicago Ave

Christy Matson Rays in Brown/Blue, 2013, Cotton, Linen, Tencel 5 x 12.5 inches

Volume Gallery focuses on American design, with a strong emphasis placed on emerging contemporary designers. Summer, typically being the "off-season" in gallery events, is an excellent opportunity for galleries to put on group shows. Volume Gallery offers The Midnight Special, a group exhibition that showcases Volume's various cutting-edge designers. The exhibition will be open now through September 8th.


Document

1709 W Chicago Ave


Elizabeth Atterbury, Slow Song, 2013, chromogenic print, 14 x 11 in.

Document is an innovated gallery that specializes in contemporary photography, film and media based art. The commercial gallery has an incredible group show exhibiting now titled, Paris, London, Hong Kong, Portland, Brooklyn, Detroit, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Diego, Oak Park, Berlin. This impeccably curated group show will be on display now through August 26th. (Trust me, you do not want to miss Elizabeth Atterbury's monotypes!)

Paris London Hong Kong, Western Exhibitions, Volume Gallery, Document



Regards

2216 West Chicago Ave

Kristen Van Deventer, Untitled Cabbage, 2016, Oil on linen, 22 × 26 in

Regards is largely a visual arts and performance space associated with conceptual arts. Regrettably, Regards is closed for the summer but will re-open in the fall. Rick Bastis will kick-off Gallery Season, opening Saturday, September 9th.

Regards



New Gallery (Coming Soon!)

2058 West Chicago Ave

Faith Wittrock, King, 2017, acrylic, enamel, latex paint and pencil on canvas 24⅛ x 24⅛ in

This gallery space is so fresh it doesn't even have a name yet!

Keep an eye out, this gallery is coming soon!

Founded in May of 2017 by Charlie and John Cibula, this new space will serve as a studio, gallery and residence on the near west side of Chicago. Adding to the growing art hub of West Town Chicago, the gallery will open in September of this year. The exhibition space is a commercial gallery that specializes in contemporary art; painting, photography and fiber based artworks. The new comer gallery will promote the work of emerging local and under represented artists and seeks to strengthen local and global networks, adding to a tradition of growing independent, cooperative and artist-run spaces in Chicago.

The inaugural opening will take place Saturday, September 2nd, 5-9 pm featuring the works of multidisciplinary contemporary artists Faith Wittrock and John Cibula.

Untitled New Gallery (Coming Soon!)


Cover Image Credit: Boyang Hou, Practice Makes Perfect, 2016 (PLHK)
Lauren Ike
Lauren Ike Jul 24, 2017
At Columbia College Chicago

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31 Reasons Why I Would NEVER Watch Season 2 Of '13 Reasons Why'

It does not effectively address mental illness, which is a major factor in suicide.
Ashley Brooke Boyd
Ashley Brooke Boyd Apr 8, 2018
163339
views

When I first started watching "13 Reasons Why" I was excited. I had struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts for a long time and thought this show would be bringing light to those issues. Instead, it triggered my feelings that I had suppressed.

With season two coming out soon, I have made up my mind that I am NEVER watching it, and here is why:

1. This show simplifies suicide as being a result of bullying, sexual assault, etc. when the issue is extremely more complex.

2. It does not effectively address mental illness, which is a major factor in suicide.

3. The American Foundation of Suicide Prevention has guidelines on how to portray suicides in TV shows and movies without causing more suicides.

"13 Reasons Why" disregarded those guidelines by graphically showing Hannah slitting her wrists.

4. It is triggering to those who have tried to commit suicide in the past or that struggle with mental illness.

5. It glorifies suicide.

6. It does not offer healthy coping solutions with trauma and bullying.

The only "solution" offered is suicide, which as mentioned above, is glorified by the show.

7. This show portrays Hannah as dramatic and attention-seeking, which creates the stereotype that people with suicidal thoughts are dramatic and seeking attention.

8. Hannah makes Clay and other people feel guilty for her death, which is inconsiderate and rude and NOT something most people who commit suicide would actually do.

9. This show treats suicide as revenge.

In reality, suicide is the feeling of hopelessness and depression, and it's a personal decision.

10. Hannah blames everyone but herself for her death, but suicide is a choice made by people who commit it.

Yes, sexual assault and bullying can be a factor in suicidal thoughts, but committing suicide is completely in the hands of the individual.

11. Skye justifies self-harm by saying, "It's what you do instead of killing yourself."

12. Hannah's school counselor disregards the clear signs of her being suicidal, which is against the law and not something any professional would do.

13. The show is not realistic.

14. To be honest, I didn't even enjoy the acting.

15. The characters are underdeveloped.

16. "13 Reasons Why" alludes that Clay's love could have saved Hannah, which is also unrealistic.

17. There are unnecessary plot lines that don't even advance the main plot.

18. No one in the show deals with their problems.

They all push them off onto other people (which, by the way, is NOT HEALTHY!!!).

19. There is not at any point in the show encouragement that life after high school is better.

20. I find the show offensive to not only me, but also to everyone who has struggled with suicidal thoughts.

21. The show is gory and violent, and I don't like that kind of thing.

22. By watching the show, you basically get a step-by-step guide on how to commit suicide.

Which, again, is against guidelines set by The American Foundation of Suicide Prevention.

23. The show offers no resources for those who have similar issues to Hannah.

24. It is not healthy for me or anyone else to watch "13 Reasons Why."

25. Not only does the show glorify suicide, but it also glorifies self-harm as an alternative to suicide.

26. Other characters don't help Hannah when she reaches out to them, which could discourage viewers from reaching out.

27. Hannah doesn't leave a tape for her parents, and even though the tapes were mostly bad, I still think the show's writers should have included a goodbye to her parents.

28. It simplifies suicide.

29. The show is tactless, in my opinion.

30. I feel like the show writers did not do any research on the topic of suicide or mental illness, and "13 Reasons Why" suffered because of lack of research.

31. I will not be watching season two mostly because I am bitter about the tastelessness.

And I do not want there to be enough views for them to make a season three and impact even more people in a negative way.

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.
Cover Image Credit: Netflix
Ashley Brooke Boyd
Ashley Brooke Boyd Apr 8, 2018
At Baylor University

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7 "Bachelorette" Premiere Party Essentials

Are you ready for "The Bachelorette" premiere on May 28th?
Elizabeth Monnig
Elizabeth Monnig May 23, 2018
22
views

"The Bachelorette" is premiering on Monday May 28th! Are you ready? Here are some ideas for the coolest premiere party ever with your best girl friends.

1. Fangirl over Becca and how awesome she is.

Becca is such an awesome person. She was a favorite from the beginning of Arie's season and it is clear why she made it all the way to the final 2. She is strong and independent as well as beautiful. Becca's not about all the crazy drama that some women bring to the "Bachelor"; she just wants to find her true love. And we're all rooting for her to do just that this coming season!

2. Rewatch Arie's breakup with Becca.

Most people agree that Arie's breakup with Becca was pretty tasteless. As a result, he has lost a lot of his credibility as a handome and wanted bachelor. Nevertheless, no matter how hard it was to watch Arie and Becca's breakup, Becca's strength is what stands out in the encounter. Arie broke her heart, but she was able to stand strong just a short time later at the finale episode and discuss her relationship with him. She was ready to move on to find her real true love--something the producers were happy to give her.

3. Research the eligible bachelors.

Check out the fabulous eligible bachelors that will vie for Becca's hand this season. If you ask me, there are some really cute ones too! Who needs Arie?!

4. Gather your favorite girls for a viewing party.

Get all your best friends over for a viewing party! You can prepare for a fabulous season by doing #1-3 together! Get dressed in your comfy pajamas or maybe get dressed up in your cutest little black dress to make it a classy evening. Time for some bonding time with your favorite ladies!

5. Get your viewing party snacks.

No viewing party is ready without some epic snacks. You can make some pretty good "Bachelorette" themed goodies for your night. You can make a heart-shaped pizza to share. Perhaps bake some red velvet cupcakes with roses? Top it off some drinks of rosé to fit with the theme.

6. Vote and discuss your favorite eligible men.

After the episode is over, take a vote amongst yourselves as to who you think will be in Becca's top 3. Who has the most potential versus who do you think is going home in the next episode? Who do you like the most? Who do you think will be this season's villain? Only time will tell.

7. Prepare for next week.

Even before this episode is over, make plans for the episode next week! You've got a whole season to look forward to, and this is just the start!

Get ready for the best "Bachelorette" season yet! We love Becca!

Cover Image Credit: Entertainment Tonight
Elizabeth Monnig
Elizabeth Monnig May 23, 2018
At Orlando, Florida

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