Save the Date: Spring Gala June 8th 2012 at Stan Mansion
People say we throw the best parties in town, mark your calendars for the best one yet!
threewalls blog - news
The Art Lending Library is opening soon at the Hull House museum!
posted January 26, 2012 in events, news
A call from the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum:
Volunteers needed to help bring artwork to people's homes for a curiously fun and radically democratic Art Lending Library.
The Hull-House Museum's Art Lending Library provides artwork for Chicagoans to check out and enjoy in their own spaces for 3 months at a time.
For many, it may be the first time they have had a chance to have an original piece of art in their homes.
Here is how it works:
Interested participants come to the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum to choose a piece of art from our lending library collection.
We contact a volunteer to arrange a mutually convenient time to deliver the art.
The volunteer delivers the art, installs it, and takes a photo to document the art in place.
Happiness and satisfaction ensues to everyone involved!
After three months, a volunteer will return to de-install the art and return it to Hull-House for others to enjoy.
Our initial collection of artworks, curated by Abigail Satinsky and Shannon Stratton, comes from Community Supported Art (CSA) Chicago, a project of threewalls started by Satinsky and Shannon Stratton. Much like Community Supported Agriculture, in which shareholders invest in a local farm and receive a monthly payout of fruits and vegetables, CSA Chicago asks shareholders to invest directly in the arts community and receive limited edition contemporary artist projects in return. Satinsky will continue to work with us to grow our collection with other CSA projects throughout the country.
Contact Heather Radke for more information at heather.radke@gmail.com
Bia Gayotto: Resident Update
posted December 10, 2011 in news, residents | tags: bia gayotto, residents
Bia Gayotto spent her May 2011 residency conducting interviews with bicultural Chicago residents. Full versions of her interviews are now available on our website here. The project has developed into a two channel video installation titled Somewhere in Between: Chicago 2011, and will also be included in Home – Place - Community: International Sociological Perspectives, by editors Margarethe Kusenbach, Krista Paulsen, and Melinda Milligan, and Peter Lang International Academic Publishers (Frankfurt, New York, Oxford). Bia has also been invited to be a fellow resident at Montalvo Arts Center where she plans to continue working on this project.
Root Cellar CSA Press
posted November 19, 2011 in news, reviews
Check out the recent CSA press in the Huffington Post and Chicago Magazine, and reserve your share before they sell out!
Art Margins Podcast with Voices from the Center Artists
posted November 19, 2011 in news, reviews
In late October, Susan Snodgrass conducted an interview with the artists included in our current show, Voices from the Center. Check out the podcast at Art Margins Online:
http://www.artmargins.com/index.php/podcast/119-interviews/650-voices-from-the-center
Stop by threewalls before December 10th to see the exhibition! You can also check out an interactive component of the show at http://www.voicesfromthecenter.net/
John Preus: The World as Text
posted June 25, 2011 in events, news
THE WORLD AS TEXT
DESIGNED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF JOHN PREUS
At the Reading Room // Columbia College Center for Book and Paper Arts
"writerly text is ourselves writing, before the infinite play of the world is traversed, intersected, stopped, plasticized by some singular system
(Ideology, Genus, Criticism) which reduces the plurality of entrances, the opening of networks, the infinity of languages" -Roland Barthes
Visit the blog or continue reading for a schedule of events.
Introducing Downloadable SOLO Publications!
posted March 12, 2011 in news, reviews | tags: kelly kaczynski, mindy rose schwartz, publications, SOLO
Lori Waxman's essay on Mindy Rose Schwartz is here! You can download a PDF of Vintage Tchotchkes of My Very Own Mindscape, or stop by threewalls for a hard copy.
Also be sure to check out Annika Marie's essay, Kelly Kaczynski: Staging the Un-Scene.
We'll be making all of our future SOLO publications available for download.
NEWCITY: Things to Be Next To
posted November 20, 2010 in news, reviews
Our current show was reviewed in Newcity this week:
http://art.newcity.com/2010/11/15/review-things-to-be-next-tothree-walls/
Propeller Fund mention in New City
posted November 4, 2010 in news
Citing the Propeller Fund's recent announcement of grant recipients, Jason Foumberg writes: "New organizations and collaborations will be built. That is a great model for community support."
The full article is available here: Eye Exam: The Self-Hanged Jury
Anna Mayer: Fireful of Fear
posted October 2, 2010 in news, residents | tags: anna mayer, residents
Anna Mayer's 2008 project, Fireful of Fear, recenlty marked its 2nd anniversary in the canyons in and around Malibou, CA. Despite the wildfires of this past year, 12 ceramic pieces remain in the landscape, untouched by flames. Anna completed a residency with threewalls as part of the collaborative, CamLab, in the summer of 2009.
More images of the project can be found at http://firefuloffear.blogspot.com/.
This is What Gives Life to Our Living Culture (Rambla Las Flores), 2008-wildfire-fired ceramic (forthcoming)
20" x 15.5" x 3"
Kansas City Star Review: Things to Be Next to
posted September 25, 2010 in news, reviews
Check out this review of Things to Be Next to in the Kansas City Star! Currently on view in Kansas City, the show will open in Chicago at threewalls on November 5th. Installation shots are available on Charlotte Street's flickr page.
Time Out Preview of Kelly Kaczynski: A Stagehand's Unseen
posted August 27, 2010 in news, reviews
Check out this Time Out Chicago preview of Kelly Kaczynski's show at threewalls, opening on September 10th:
Bad at Sports Interview with Eric Fleischauer
posted June 12, 2010 in news, reviews | tags: bad at sports, eric fleischauer, interview
Check out Bad at Sports' interview with our current SOLO artist, Eric Fleischauer. If you haven't seen Eric's show yet, stop by before July 3rd, or come to his artist talk on June 17th at 6pm.
Anna Mayer: THE PEOPLE CONCERNED
posted May 8, 2010 in events, news, residents | tags: anna mayer, openings, residents
If you're in LA, be sure to check out Anna Mayer's show, The People Concerned. Anna completed a threewalls residency last summer as part of her ongoing collaborative, CamLab. More information about the show is below.
THE PEOPLE CONCERNED
Anna Mayer
4755 York Blvd Los Angeles CA 90042
May 8 - 30, 2010
Opening Reception: Saturday, May 8, 7-10 pm
Closing Event: to be held at Tree and Space, Sunday, May 30 from 4-7 pm
For her solo exhibition, The People Concerned, Anna Mayer will present numerous works made for the gallery space as well as performance documents from events and moments occurring in the weeks leading up to the show. All works emanate from Mayer’s attempt to establish an “outcantatory” practice that uses language, fire, and intention to propose relationships encouraging embodiment and the rejection of discreet, linear modes of reception. Wavering between collectivity and introspection, the exhibition offers different access points for experiential discovery. The works included articulate a functional, insistently generative process taking place between people, elements, and hands touching objects.
Resident Update: Jemima Wyman
posted March 20, 2010 in news, residents
Jemima Wyman, one of our summer 2009 residents, has two shows coming up for any threewalls fans that find themselves in Australia this spring. Her solo exhibition at Milani Gallery will include new pour paintings, photo-collages and video works.
Jemima also will have work included in the 17th Biennale of Sydney, curated by David Elliott.
"The Will to Deceive"
March 25th - April 10th
Opening March 25th 6-8pm
Milani Gallery
54 Logan Rd
Woolloongabba, Qld 4102
www.milanigallery.com.au
Armita Raafat: A Few Words on her Practice
posted February 10, 2010 in news | tags: armita raafat, interview
Armita Raafat's current show at threewalls has been called "the most visually arresting of the work of the day" (Erik Wennermark). We spoke with Armita about her practice, research, and experiences behind her work. If you haven't seen the show yet, stop by threewalls by Saturday February 13th.
The pieces in the show appear to have almost become a part of the gallery's architecture. Can you describe your process, from idea to installation?
I usually start from an image that, most of the time, I’ve documented myself, and write about what I am planning to do. I start the piece based on my interpretation of forms and structures of the image. Also, the readings I do relate to my concept. The work is very process-oriented, and it changes a lot in the course of making. Intuitive working has a role, too. So, it’s a combination of logical/structural decisions with intuition and process making.
Along with a notion of ruin and reference to Middle Eastern structures, pattern and ornament are an integral part of your work. How do you conduct your research, both visual and historic/cultural?
I do readings on ornament, as well as destruction and ruin related to different parts of the world, not just the Middle East. I also look at different imagery. So, the research starts general, and then sometimes gets very specific. Like last year, I documented and researched Muqarnas of a specific era in the city of Isfahan/ Iran.
One of the pieces in the show is a collaboration with another artist. Tell us about that piece and your collaboration.
The collaborative piece is a beginning of series of works between me and an American/Pakistani Artist. We are both working on Muqarnas for some different and some similar reasons. We are collaborating for a bigger project to come soon.
Gestures of Resistance
posted January 30, 2010 in news
If you happen to be in Portland, OR before June, be sure to check out Gestures of Resistance at the Museum of Contemporary Craft. Co-curated by Judith Leemann and Shannon Stratton, threewalls Director and Chief Curator, the exhibition is comprised of a study center, artist residencies, and open conversations. It runs from January 26 - June 26, 2010. A schedule, a list of participating artists, and further description of the programing is available here.
Chasing Two Rabbits: Call for Submissions
posted January 11, 2010 in events, news
Call for Participation: Chasing Two Rabbits
On February 26th & 27th, 2010, threewalls will host Chasing Two Rabbits as part of a two week animation festival featuring animation programs curated by local and national artists.
Chasing Two Rabbits is a special event curated by Sonia Yoon and Shannon Stratton, that pairs animators with live performances by sound artists and musicians.
Inspired by the experimental films of Norman McLaren, who combined abstract imagery (including scratching and painting into the film stock in earlier work, as well as paper cut-outs and live action and dance) with imaginative music and sound, Chasing Two Rabbits, acts to pair artists in both genres to produce a unique event where, rather than leaving art to illustrate a story, perhaps sound and vision will illuminate each other.
Currently we are looking for proposals from both animators and sound artists and/or musicians who would like to be ‘match-made’ with the other. Pairings will be chosen from submissions, with animations provided to musicians and sound artists to review and ‘score’ for live performance on the 26th or 27th.
Animators can submit pieces for sound, no longer than 10 minutes in length, on DVD and sound artists can send audio files (mp3, aiff, wav) on CD to Chasing Two Rabbits, c/o threewalls, 119 N Peoria #2D, Chicago, IL, 60607 or can send files or links to Shannon and Sonia c/o rabbits@three-walls.org. Please submit materials By January 15th, 2010.
“If you chase two rabbits, both will escape.”
Chasing Two Rabbits: Call for Submissions
posted January 11, 2010 in events, news | tags: animation_festival, chasing_two_rabbits, sound_art, threewalls
Call for Participation: Chasing Two Rabbits
On February 26th & 27th, 2010, threewalls will host Chasing Two Rabbits as part of a two week animation festival featuring animation programs curated by local and national artists.
Chasing Two Rabbits is a special event curated by Sonia Yoon and Shannon Stratton, that pairs animators with live performances by sound artists and musicians.
Inspired by the experimental films of Norman McLaren, who combined abstract imagery (including scratching and painting into the film stock in earlier work, as well as paper cut-outs and live action and dance) with imaginative music and sound, Chasing Two Rabbits, acts to pair artists in both genres to produce a unique event where, rather than leaving art to illustrate a story, perhaps sound and vision will illuminate each other.
Currently we are looking for proposals from both animators and sound artists and/or musicians who would like to be ‘match-made’ with the other. Pairings will be chosen from submissions, with animations provided to musicians and sound artists to review and ‘score’ for live performance on the 26th or 27th.
Animators can submit pieces for sound, no longer than 10 minutes in length, on DVD and sound artists can send audio files (mp3, aiff, wav) on CD to Chasing Two Rabbits, c/o threewalls, 119 N Peoria #2D, Chicago, IL, 60607 or can send files or links to Shannon and Sonia c/o rabbits@three-walls.org. Please submit materials By January 15th, 2010.
“If you chase two rabbits, both will escape.”
Philip von Zweck's Guest Blog
posted November 7, 2009 in news | tags: philip von zweck, studio chicago
threewalls SOLO Artist, Philip von Zweck, is a guest blogger for Studio Chicago. Check out his post, Introductory thoughts on the studio.
The Studio Chicago
posted November 6, 2009 in news, reviews | tags: the_studio_chicago; sullivan_galleries; residency
Follow THE STUDIO CHICAGO!
Studio Chicago is a yearlong collaborative project that focuses on the artist’s studio. Through exhibitions, talks, publications, tours, and research, participating organizations will celebrate the working artist and reveal their sites of creative production from historical and contemporary perspectives. With concepts ranging from the “studio as muse,” “virtual studios,” “street as
studio,” and “gallery as studio,” Studio Chicago invites participation from artists and the art-curious, beginning with Chicago Artists Month in October 2009.
Core Studio Chicago partners include: Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, Columbia College Chicago, Gallery 400, Hyde Park Art Center, Museum of Contemporary Art, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and threewalls.
threewalls will be participating in the program through linking residents to The Studio through The Studio Chicago weblog, publications like Artists Run Chicago Digest, the summer symposium and summer residents. This summer's residents, TBA, will be working at Sullivan Galleries from July 5th to September 6th.
Read TIME OUT Chicago's Blog here.
PAPERCRAFT : Featuring Christa Donner
posted September 19, 2009 in news | tags: book, christa donner, papercraft
Christa Donner, one of our 2008 solo artists, is coming to a bookstore near you! A selection of her hand drawn pop-up installations and public interventions are featured in the book “Papercraft,” a survey of contemporary art and design made with paper, from small objects to large-scale installations and urban interventions; published by Die Gestalten Verlag, Berlin. The hardcover edition includes a DVD of stop-motion animation and printable/foldable multiples. It will be released in October 2009 in the US, and more information can be found here.
Christa’s work is currently on view in Chicago as a part of “EveryBody! Visual Resistance in Feminist Health Movements, 1969 - 2009”. The show is at I Space Gallery, 230 W. Superior St. (Chicago stop on the Brown Line) and is open until October 10th. She'll also be giving a public lecture at the University of Illinois Campus in Champaign-Urbana on October 5th.
John Preus
posted May 30, 2009 in news | tags: John Preus
Read this great article about artist John Preus, who designed and built our entry and bookstore in this new article in Medill Reports!
WISH LIST for Jon Brumit & Christy Matson
posted April 17, 2009 in news | tags: next art fair, support, wish list
Jon Brumit and Christy Matson are doing a spectacular installation for threewalls at the NEXT Fair and we need your help!
The following are some items we're on the hunt for to be donated to the artists for their piece:
ATTENTION Star People * Light Workers * Indigo, Crystal & Rainbow Children
speakers and audio amplifiers (the bigger the better)
small oscillating fans
motion activated lights / motion sensors
all kinds of small healing devices
2 8' lengths of 2"x4"
Please email shannon@three-walls.org if you can help!
Paper & Carriage Nominated for Best New Publication!
posted April 9, 2009 in news, reviews | tags: Awards, Paper & Carriage
We were excited to receive news in the mail that we were nominated by for Best New Publication by Utne Independent Press Award! Check out other nominees at Utne.
Video From the Renaissance Society Panel: Is There Such a Thing As a Chicago Artist?
posted March 12, 2009 in news | tags: Renaissance Society, Video
For those of us who missed the panel discussion, The Renaissance Society has now made it available on YouTube.
Is There Such a Thing As a Chicago Artist?
Bookstore Submissions
posted March 5, 2009 in news | tags: bookstore
If you are an independent publisher, zine maker, book or multiple artist, we are interested in your work! Please submit images, samples or contact us for an appointment: Shannon Stratton, shannon@three-walls.org.
1000 Legger at Mutherland
posted January 23, 2009 in events, news | tags: 1000 Legger, meeting
Vicki Fowler of Mutherland will host her first 1000 Legger meeting on Feb. 7th from 4-8pm.
A 'word-of-mouth' society for female artists, 1000 Legger meetings will happen at Mutherland with Fowler and colleagues inviting female artists and other visual-arts cultural workers to come and talk about their practice over casual drinks and snacks.
This first installation will include presentations by Abigail Satinsky of InCUBATE, Emily Green of Harold Arts and Shannon Stratton of threewalls.
There is a $10 suggested donation (proceeds go towards making this and future Leggers happen). Vegan black bean soup and refreshments available.
Please join us!
Daniel Tucker
posted January 23, 2009 in news | tags: Daniel Tucker, political, writings
Check out Daniel Tucker's posting on groups and spaces in Chicago, part of a 5 part series on socially and politically engaged art in Chicago that Daniel is writing for the Belgian art magazine, H-Art .
Series Description: This series of five articles published in <H>Art Magazine in Belgium will be an introduction to Chicago, Illinois USA and it's local critical cultural experimentation, written from the perspective of a magazine editor and curator committed to navigating the city. Look for three more articles in 2009 dealing with cultural institutions, art media and individual artists.
Another great project of Daniels is a series of questions he's been posing on 5 Questions About Art in Chicago.
W.A.G.E.
posted January 12, 2009 in news | tags: W.A.G.E.
Working artists and the greater economy.
Check out wage for work:
Is there such a thing as a Chicago artist?
posted January 11, 2009 in news | tags: discussion, Renaissance Society
The Ren hosted this forum this afternoon with Philip Von Zweck, Lynne Warren, Chuck Thurow, Paul Klein and representing our team, Elizabeth Chodos. Many have stated before me that Chicago has this discussion rather regularly, which, given its repetitiveness, must mean that the question nags at the collective Chicago art-conscience.
In short, there was no agreed upon thesis (what makes a Chicago artist) although the idea that Chicago has a remarkable work-ethic and, perhaps by, extension, notable 'craftsmanship' in its practices seemed to elicit nods of acknowledgement from the panel and audience. Being labeled 'Chicago' is for some a positive, others a non-issue, and in the case of Thurow, perhaps an exciting possibility that Chicago is on the cusp of - that is, a time when Chicago artists would find an advantage in associating themselves specifically with this city, just as artists do, say, from Los Angeles or Berlin.
In regards to work ethic, it was suggested that one of the advantages to Chicago, is an ability to work here unfettered by a 'system,' perhaps a robust commercial scene, that puts specific demands on artists work. Without that golden-noose of the kind of patronage, say New York artists 'enjoy', Chicago artists take risks or make decidedly non-commercial art. At the same time, Warren expressed disappointment in the cities commercial galleries for not supporting enough experimental, risky projects in 'their back rooms' - something that makes exhibitions here too 'provincial.' No doubt there are those that will agree and disagree with that assessment, but it begs the question that if in fact Chicago did have these 'back rooms' that Warren laments, would we have the same art.
The conversation degenerated a little bit when the idea of 'rehashing' was raised, as the negative result to our not having any historical perspective (i.e. a common holding of Chicago art). This missing link seems to still dog many in the community looking for that elusive 'room' in one of our institutions dedicated to Chicago artists or a biennial of sorts to collect them up. Whether or not this missing link adversely affects the work made here or its ability to be taken into account outside of this community was not elaborated on, but it seemed clear by the tenor of the discussion that there still is a need to be acknowledged. Chicago artists, administrators, curators, collectors or historians-at-large are just not in total agreement on who and how and for ultimately, whose benefit that perspective is for.
There is vitality to our scene, that moderator Hamza Walker was careful to reiterate, that the margins are the center in our community, and with that is ushered in a certain kind of energy. When I asked the panel if Chicago (visual art) wants to or needs to be acknowledged or branded, and by who, in order to achieve some kind of tangible marker of its own value, influence or maybe even sexiness, Walker (in short) said our acknowledgment came internally. That is, it is the energy generated here in Chicago for our artists, exhibitions, projects, curators and so on, our cultural work and its workers, that, when done again and again, with integrity and vibrancy, will keep our scene vital and spread beyond our city limits.
Please feel free to leave your thoughts and insights.
- Shannon
threewalls SOLO
posted December 19, 2008 in news | tags: SOLO exhibition
The committee for the SOLO program has met and applicants will be contacted by mid-January. Thank-you for your ongoing interest in our program.
Venture back into the Crystal Ball
posted December 17, 2008 in events, news | tags: fundraiser, photos
Though the night faded at the strike of midnight. These images are lasting.
See you next year!
Participation needed in Dream Log project
posted November 26, 2008 in events, news | tags: participation
For those of you who were able to attend the opening for Turned Intos last Friday you may have noticed temporary sleeping quarters in the back gallery. One of the artists, Sarah Fuller has set up residence for the length of the show, turning the space into her own sleep lab, she will be cataloging her nights' rest with a pin hole camera and an audio diary. Visitors are asked to contribute to the project by taking home a pin hole camera and journal to record their dreams.
If you have any questions for Sarah about her project and how to participate, you can email her at wonderfuller@gmail.com
Turned Intos will be up until December 20th.
Bellwether at Alternator Gallery, Kelowna, BC
posted November 14, 2008 in news, reviews | tags: Alternator Gallery, bellwether, Vox Populi
This year threewalls created the traveling exhibition Bellwether for participation in two exchanges: with Vox Populi, Philadelphia in July and with Alternator Gallery, Kelowna this past October. Curated from former threewalls artists who are or were Chicago based, the show travelled in two versions, the larger in Philly and the smaller in Kelowna.
Both exhibitions featured work by: Josh Mannis (Los Angeles), Jenny Walters (Los Angeles), Duncan McKenzie (Chicago) with Christian Kuras (London), Daniel Anhorn (Chicago), David Coyle (New York), Caleb Jones Lyons (Chicago) and Heather Mekkelson (Chicago). With the Philly show including work by Ann Toebbe (Chicago),Joseph Kohnke (Los Angeles), Bill O’Brien (Chicago), Lisa Boumstein-Smalley (Chicago), and Chelsea Tonelli Knight (Chicago).
Former Kelowna resident, Dan Anhorn's work was featured in the Kelowna press, and the work of former Philadelphia resident, David Coyle was also pictured in the Philadelphia City Paper.
Dispatch: Call for Entries
posted November 12, 2008 in events, news | tags: Dispatch, political, t-shirts
Submissions due: January 15th, 2009
Exhibition: February 20th – March 27th, 2009
In conjunction with the Southern Graphics Council Conference, threewalls is hosting an exhibition of political prints on cloth and we're looking for your DIY election T-shirts!
Please submit jpegs by January 15th, 2009 to Shannon Stratton at shannon@three-walls.org with your contact information and a short description of your T-shirt: where it was made, how many you made, how often you wore it, if you gave away or sold any of the shirts.
Obama T-shirt by Lee Tracy
Welcome!
posted September 25, 2008 in news | tags: Amy Mayfield, bookstore, John Preus, Scott Speh, SOLO exhibition
A lot has changed over the summer at threewalls, including this new website that your visiting! We're very excited to have our web presence cleaned up by Neoteric Design, a small design firm in Chicago. Thanks to the Arts Work Fund we were able to make this happen!