Candida Alvarez - Here

I did another 'Drive By Exhibition High'  - this time in the never a dull moment City of Chicago 

The Chicago Culture Center offers a lot of programs but does not do a great job with advertising. I made my way into the gallery. There is not much I can say about this artist is that she is very versatile and all over the map. For an artist who is unsure of what path to take she does make you confident in realizing you do not have to choose - just make art. I made small talk with the gallery security guard and he said that everyone who came in was amazed that all the work was done by the same artist. 

Nothing was consistent. There were some similarities in her painting techniques but other than that none of the work seemed to follow any theme or storyline. I did admire her unapologetic approach to taking risk and adding subtle detail. The exhibition hall even had the baseboards covered in a graffiti print. 

I think my favorite piece in the whole exhibition is one titled "Listening to Haruki Murakami while looking at the sunset". Other patrons were unimpressed by the piece. At first glance it did look like a simple grid with no forethought. I spent some time observing it and the title alone made me suspicious. It was evident that she put some thought into the color palette and the symmetry - or lack thereof. While all of the squares were perfectly except for the ones at the end. Definitely intentional but not sure why. I am convinced she planned it that way - maybe perhaps the row represents the sun actually setting (the title) and the rows prior to that were just her simply listening to the music. Either way, nothing like an exhibition invoking interesting conversation. 

Her exhibition is wrapping up this weekend! Don't miss your chance!

Andy Warhol - Digital Prints

While I was in Atlanta for a wedding I decided to do a 'Drive By Exhibition High'. I have never been to the High Museum so I was eager to cross it off my list. To my surprise, an exhibition starring Andy Warhol himself was taking place.

I must admit I never understood the hype around Andy Warhol. An unpopular opinion? Yes, but I saw him more as a socialite than an artist. Influential? Sure - he introduced Jean-Michael Basquait to the world. His only claim to fame is he found 'Art' in everyday media while simultaneously shattering the archaic definition of 'Art'. Other influential artists hated him since he had no reservations when it came to stealing ideas and using photographs without permission. Mixing and matching photographs together and calling it your own - a process of a genius or something else ?

The exhibition had an exceptional presentation. All of his well known work was on display including the infamous Campbell Soup ans and portraits of Mao Zedong and Marilyn Monroe. I did get chills.

His methods were uncommon but it has become the foundation of digital art. I would not be surprised if his prints were the inspiration behind Adobe Photoshop. My first pieces were made on the computer copied majority of his methods. Lesson learned - you would be surprised by who or what has directly influenced you.