“Then” outweighs “Now” in Minimalist Art Exhibit

 

In a large rectangular dim-lit room, shards of broken glass litter the floor. A florescent ceiling light lies flickering in the corner. Hushed voices slither out over speakers to compete over each other.

Is this some kind Halloween Haunted House?

No, it’s the "The Language Of Less (Then And Now)" Minimalist art exhibit at The Contemporary Museum of Art.

One may not think this is the best way to introduce a highbrow art exhibit. Yet, considering the content and arrangement of some of the artworks, it is shown that the themes chaos and unsettlement are rightfully inferred through the works, but wrongfully so through the arrangement of the said artworks.

The exhibit was split into two parts: “Then” and “Now”. The “Then” or first part of the exhibit focused on great minimalist works of the 1960’s. From great minimalist artists like Alan Sonfist’s dedication to Chicago with his symmetric core earth samples, or Richard Serra’s sturdy lead object representing the marriage between a piece of art and the gallery, “Then” accurately recreated the seamless, minimalist mood of the time period.

The problem arises with the “Now” portion of the exhibit. Although each of the five parts (each represented in one of five rooms) of “Now” are independently great constructed minimalist pieces of art; bringing each together to form a whole ends up mish-mashed at best.

The themes of chaos and unsettlement were inferred from the collection. Yet, the actual artist selection for the “Now” section of the exhibit ended up being as chaotic as artwork itself.

One room featured Leonor Antunes use of cork and rubber floor to offset black fishnets that hung from the ceiling. The next room featured Oscar Tuazon’s use of dark lighting, shattered glass, and hushed speech to create a feeling of chaos. Yet another room housed Jason Dodge's interpretation of the economy by presenting tipped over scales and other every day items placed meticulously around the space.

The viewer can appreciate each work on its own but when together, the overall message seems muddled. Walking into a bright room full of cork after reflecting on a dimly lit room seems to upset the senses, therefore taking away from each minimalist piece on its own and instead creating shock value for the viewer. This takes away from the work of the art of minimalism and instead creates a hodgepodge of works whose broad overlapping theme squeezed under the one title “Now”.

While the “Then” period accurately and seamlessly represented a collection of early 1960’s minimalist works, “Now” became the antithesis to the first section by creating a muddled expression of what be a minimalist is artist today.

Overall, “Now” is a scary representation of the state of minimalism today. Halloween must have come early this year to the Contemporary Museum of Art.

* Exhibition Dates:

Then: Oct 8, 2011 – Apr 8, 2012   Now: Oct 8, 2011 – Mar 18, 2012

The Museum is free for Illinois Residents on Tuesday. Click here for other Admission prices as well as Museum hours.

Icon helps inspire return of 'Ivy League' fashion

 “He was the definition of ‘cool’. His tailored, snug two-button suits and Ivy League style made him a fashion icon in the 1950’s. He redefined the meaning of prep”.

Is this an excerpt from some highbrow fashionista magazine?

No, but it could have been according to author and Colombia University professor John Szwed.

Szwed, who gave a lecture on the late famous jazz trumpeter Miles Davis Tuesday night at DePaul University’s Lincoln Park campus, spent a great amount of time talking not only about Davis’ music, but also of his impact on fashion.

Indeed, as Szwed illustrated, Davis’ interpretation of ‘Ivy League Prep’ bore a trend to the trim clothes so often in 1950’s America. Yet, it is those same styles that have again made its way into fashion houses and boutiques over fifty years later.

Martin Torres, manager of Cram Fashion, a men’s and women’s boutique store in Lakeview, says that the same styles made popular in part by Davis in the 1950’s have again returned to the shelves as “must-haves” for the men's Fall/Winter season.

“We are seeing a return of classic American Prep”, says Torres. “From high-cuffed trousers to fedora hats to loafers- our supplying brands [check them out here] have held common themes for the fall and upcoming winter season- and people are buying it”.

‘Ive League Prep’ has its roots in the eight Ivy League colleges. It is focused on form-fitted clothing, layering, and a dedication to cuffs, collars, solid knits.

Kris Bunch, Visual Merchandiser for the Midwest division of United Colors of Benetton, says this style, which has lasted through the past five decades, has had resurgence in the past few fashion cycles.

“Slowly but surely we have seen the reemergence in popularity of the American Prep style in the US, and especially here in the Midwest”, said Bunch. “The next few fashion seasons will see a lot of cuffed pants and shirts as well as that ‘grown out of your suit’ type look that we have seen with icons like Miles Davis”.

What about those that want to achieve the perfect ‘Ivy League Prep’ look this Fall and Winter?

“That’s easy”, says Bunch. “Just print out a picture of classic 1950’s Davis and bring it into the store. We will take it from there”.

Local LGBT group 'Dances' for a cause

 

“It’s back on everyone!” screams an excited man standing on a barstool.

The bars two large chandlers flicker on and off. Bill Conti’s "Gonna Fly Now" (otherwise known as “The Rocky Theme”) cuts out. A collective hush falls over the packed aptly named Fedora Lounge. Anthony Martinez races over to the main flat screen television to turn up the volume.

“[mumbling]…Chaz…[mumbling]…has what it takes?” says the announcer.

“…Safe!”

The crowd roars with excitement. For a moment, the cheers are almost deafening. “Gonna Fly Now” swells up just where it had left off moments before. Two girls standing on the bar kiss as onlookers throw star-shaped confetti at the couple.

So what’s all the hype?

Chaz Bono has made it through week four of "Dancing with the Stars".

“Who would have thought we would be so invested in this over 2000 miles away”, yells Anthony Martinez, referring to the LA-based production. “It’s really helped to bring a greater sense of pride to our community”.

Martinez is the Executive Director of The Civil Rights Agenda (TCRA), a Chicago-based LGBT advocacy group. On every Tuesday for the past two weeks, his organization has sponsored a “Support Chaz” night at Fedora Lounge, a gay bar in River North. A night that started as a few friends having some drinks has grown into a 50+ weekly event that brings LGBT community members and their allies together for mutual support and camaraderie for Bono as well as each other. 

“Chaz being on ‘Dancing’ is a great opportunity to rally LGBT Chicagoans and their allies around a common cause”, said Martinez. “We are celebrating the visibility of LGBT persons on Television, but more importantly, Chaz’s visibility as a Transgender person in the media”.

Chaz Bono, born Chastity Bono to famous Pop Diva Cher and the late Sonny Bono, underwent female to male sexual reassignment surgery in 2008. As a Transgendered man, Bono has endured a barrage of criticism since “Dancing with the Stars” announced he would be a contestant on the show’s thirteenth season.

It was this criticism that steered Mia Phifer, chief fundraiser for TCRA, to take action. After hearing a string a transphobic jokes about Bono at a downtown bar a few weeks ago, Phifer decided to organize the gay community around Bono and Transphobia.

“I was livid”, said Phifer. “Transgender people are some of the most misunderstood minority we have. So, I thought it was important to bring the LGBT community together here in Chicago to support a cause that was playing out in the national arena”.

Phifer was able to rally ten or so of her close friends for their first event at the Fedora Lounge for week two of “Dancing with the Stars”. By week four, the event was pushing fifty.

“The turnout demonstrates how Chaz has become the LGBT underdog of the show”, said Phifer. “Chaz’s ‘no-bull’ attitude toward criticism has really resonated in his growing fan base”.

Although Chaz’s popularity with the LGBT community is growing, his dancing scores on the show have been lackluster. Chaz was tied for sixth place this past week with a combined score of 21 (out of a possible 30).

But TCRA’s founder and former Illinois State Senate Candidate Jacob Meister says the “hard facts” of the show are beyond the point. Meister says that Bono’s performance this past week is a testament to what the TCRA is fighting for.

“Chaz’s performance of the ‘Rocky Theme Song’ this past week works as a narrative to Trans-persons and members of the LGBT community as a whole”, said Meister. “It illustrates the LGBT community’s ability to rise up against any and all adversity- the importance of that imagery heavily outweighs a judges score”.

But what will become of the event if Bono gets voted off?

“Our event ends with Chaz- however far he may get”, says Meister. “But the resonance Chaz has had on the LGBT community here in Chicago won’t be going anywhere. As far as I am concerned, Chaz has already won”.

Dream House: Not So Dreamy

In one pivotal scene in the Jim Sheridan directed “Dream House”, main character Will Atenton (played by Daniel Craig) drops to his knees in sorrow after finding out devastating news. Orchestra music reminiscent of “The Sound of Music” swells as the camera pans out to the freshly fallen snow. Two minutes later, Atenton happily eats dinner with his family. Two minutes after that, he is again clutching his chest in agony.

For a film with an A-list cast and an original story idea, the schizophrenic "Dream House" can’t decide whether it’s a horror film, a romance, a suspense, or even a drama.

The film follows Will Atenton, a loving father of two girls and a workaholic at a Manhattan Publishing company. Atenton decides to quit his job and move his family to a house in Connecticut to spend more time with his family and write a novel. It isn’t long before Atenton’s wife, Libby (Rachel Weisz) notices something not quite right with the house. Stalkers, devil worshipers, and ghosts abound in a strange mix of occurrences that leaves Atenton realizing this is not their dream home. Aided by neighbor Ann Patterson (Naomi Watts), Atenton embarks on a journey to discover the truth behind his suburban nightmare.

With more twists and turns and roadblocks than I-90 construction , "Dream House" can’t decide what ‘dream’ it is trying to be. Is it a nightmare filled with trips to the mental hospital, late night stalkers staring through windows, and erie séances? Or is it a dream turned dreary soap opera due to suburban paranoia of lustful neighbors and vengeful ex’s?

Sheridan's "Dream House" could have been a great movie with a focused storyline using the actors' talents to complement the tone of the film- unfortunately, it was all just a dream.

*1 and half stars out of 4. 

*PG-13