Please drop by and say hello to us at the NEXT Art Fair taking place this May 1-4. Meet Proximity staff members and contributors. And  pick up a copy of our latest issue and some of our sister publications.

With the official launch of Issue #4 we are gearing up to present a sampling of new content on-line. Coming soon…wait…what’s that?….you can’t wait? Oh well then by all means…subscribe and we’ll send a beautiful new copy out to you ASAP.

We have been working hard to make this spring happening.

For one we are releasing our one year anniversary issue (#004) this Friday, April 24 at the big Version Festival shindig taking place at the Co-Prosperity Sphere. It will be one nice feature of an action packed evening we have been planning for months. We hope [...]

In anticipation of Issue #4 (coming soon) we’ve decided to dish out a great deal more from Issue #3.

We’ve added Features, Reviews, Studios, Columns and so on. So read up and get excited for the next issue.

Keep in mind that we belive that ‘printed matter … matters’ so we don’t put everything on-line. Our magazine [...]

In one photo, Jimmy Stewart stands humorously in the desert, staring oddly at what looks to be a gas-powered model airplane.

Some hear the term “Beautiful Losers” and think of the Leonard Cohen book.

I went to bed at three with my hair full of Miller High Life and other people’s sweat. I set my alarm for six. I didn’t have to get up for work until eleven…

Blame Dada. Wikipedia, that hallowed inter-web tome of ceaseless knowledge, associates performance art with the Dadaists.

Trapped in the middle of this century, like a sardine in a can, exists its most relevant artist, whom I’m quite certain you’ve never heard of.

www.deliciousdesignleague.com

Photos by Ben Speckmann

Art Fag reviews Stan Shellabarger, Gordon Matta Clark, Patricia Acosta, Stina Kaczmaryn, Jeff Koons, and Michael Hernandez De Luna.

We have a gallery, a print shop, and two floors of studio space. The artists who work here range from painters to video artists, sculptors to musicians. The work that is produced here is incredibly diverse.

We aim to provide a space for thought-provoking exhibitions without compromise to the commercial market.

“As far as a scene, I feel that especially right now with photography in the art world, people just want to come up fast. They want to be the shit right now.”

This interview is part of 5 Questions About Critical Art In Chicago, an online publication presented by AREA Chicago.

Although online literary magazines have always been more accessible than print ones, it wasn’t until after 2001 that the quantity and quality began to dwarf print magazines.

Our national narrative holds many more flattering examples of what defines us as a people. Over the past seven years, for example, we’ve billed ourselves as bearers of Democracy to the rest of the globe.

The type of signs, billboards, historical markers and monuments that dominate public space inform us greatly about the culture and the politics that we live under.

In this, our second-ever lit supplement– curated by Mairead Case – please enjoy…

Proximity’s first essay for its Theory Series is by the renowned New York painter David Reed.

The well-stocked storefront in Chelsea is home to more than 15,000 publications by 5,500 international artists. Crowded shelves of limited edition artist books—reflecting a mind-boggling array of…

The square books in Columbia College’s 6×6 series, measuring 6 inches on each side, could easily be mistaken as CD jewel cases.

Stephanie Burke has outlined the art crawl nicely this weekend. Paul Klein rocks out some promotion and we are hosting  a Version Festival Fundraiser tonite.

April 16, 2009
A little late on this one…Columbia College’s Photography Department presents the final lecture for Spring 09

Frank Gohlke
April 16th
618 S. Michigan Ave. Building @ 6:30 PM

April 17, 2009
Friday April 17, 2009 7pm to midnight
@ Country Club
1100 N. Damen Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

The event is offiially called “The Version Festival User-Directed Super Raffle and V-Bay Buy-it-Now Art Auction!”

We are holding an event this Friday to raise funds to pay for Version festival. http://www.versionfest.org.

to see about half of the work on display visit the flickr [...]

Franklin Rosemont, celebrated poet, artist, historian, street speaker, and surrealist activist, died Sunday, April 12 in Chicago. He was 65 years old. With his partner and comrade, Penelope Rosemont, and lifelong friend Paul Garon, he co-founded the Chicago Surrealist Group, an enduring and adventuresome collection of characters that would make the city a center for [...]

April 20, 2009
_Listening to Our Planet _
10 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday, April 20 at the Conaway Center, 11 S. Wabash
Ave., 1st floor, Columbia College, Chicago, IL 60605. Listening to Our Planet is a daylong event that celebrates the Earth and its natural beauty and resources, and raises awareness about environmental issues.  This multi-disciplinary event is a part of [...]

April 15, 2009
_Art + Design Lecture Series _
6:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 15 at Columbia College Chicago.
Founders of the World Listening Project will hold a panel discussion  in the Art + Design Lecture Series. Brett Balogh, Chad Clark, Daniel  Godston, Eric Leonardson, and Jesse Seay are the panelists. Topics  include local soundscape recording and mapping projects such [...]

April 14, 2009
Work AC: 49 Cities
Apr 14 2009 – May 30 2009

Storefront for Art and Architecture
97 Kenmare Street
New York, NY 10012

above: Site plan for Exodus. London, 1972 (Rem Koolhaas)

Buy the catalogue ($25) or download it in PDF format for free!

What was the proposed population of Superstudio’s Continuous Monument? What would the density of Rem Koolhaas’ Exodus [...]

April 16, 2009
Apr 16-26: Raumlabor Berlin in NY
10 consecutive evenings of events in an inflatable pavilion in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Roosevelt Island

(Above: Kitchen Monument by Raumlaborberlin with Plastique Fantastique, Duisburg, Germany 2006, photo by Marco Canevacci)

Spacebuster is a mobile inflatable structure that serves as an entirely portable, expandable pavilion. A new iteration of a past Raumlabor [...]

We are very pleased to announce the launch of  our online content editions. Our Online Editors Rachel Hewitt and Ian Whitmore will be navigating the waters of the Proximity editorial ocean to bring you more up to date and timely reviews, features, and visits to artist studios. Enjoy the Easter Edition: Check it out here!

April 10, 2009
GOLDEN is pleased to present its fourth show:
“You are Young”
New Sculptures by Ali Bailey

April 10 – June 7, 2009
Opening Reception:  Friday, April 10, 2009, 7 – 10pm.

This will be the British sculptor’s first solo show in the United States.
Bailey’s body of work utilizes a wide range of materials from industrial plastics to found objects, in [...]

Various Artists – Green Lantern, Mar/Apr 2009

REVIEW: Paul Nudd and Nick Black at Antena – Feb/Mar 2009

REVIEW: Deborah Simon – Packer Schopf Gallery – Jan/Feb 2009

Alumni Bookworks, 1991 to 2008 by Various Artists (The Columbia College Chicago Book and Paper Center Gallery, March 2009

So, the list has arrived for this year’s recipients. We all (should) know that a Guggenheim Fellowship is one of the most prestigious and sought after awards in the world. So we should all be thrilled that Chicago is well represented this year, especially in the arts.

The short, windy city list:
Ryan Cohan, Composer.
Iñigo Manglano-Ovalle, Artist.
Wilhelm [...]

We have a lot more going on than we can put in three issues each year. More interviews, reviews, features and studios. Keep an eye out for more in the future…we are taking the internet by storm.

May 2, 2009
SATURDAY MAY 2, 2009

A DAY OF ACTIONS

Chicago Art Parade
Saturday May 2, 2009 6pm
free!
Version is excited to announce the first annual Chicago Art Parade. Join us as we tour Chicago’s West Loop gallery district with the most immodest creations. Comprised of presentations from local and regional artists, the parade will feature a wide array [...]

May 1, 2009
Offical Unofficial After Art Fair May Day party
part of Version 09 Immodest Proposals
Co-Prosperity Sphere 3219 S Morgan St
9pm • $7

performances by:

blue ribbon glee club
Salem
love Connection
and others

The Audacity of Art Exhibition will be open for viewing.

Art fair badge holders have complementary entry>

May 1, 2009
FRIDAY MAY 1, 2009

King Ludd’s Analog Arcade – Version Fest 09 at the Experimental Station
The Experimental Station, 6100 S Blackstone Ave

The Midway Plaissance in Hyde Park was the site of the World’s Fair of 1893, an international celebration of the landing of Columbus in North America 401 years earlier. Chicago intended to out-Eiffel the [...]

April 30, 2009

222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, 7th Floor
Chicago, IL 60654
Hours: 7pm – 10pm (preview show for NEXT) •
by invitation email info@nextartfair.com for invitation.

About Next
More than an art fair, NEXT is a showcase for the world’s talents and an adventure in cutting-edge culture. An opportunity to redefine the relationship between art and its public, NEXT is a portal [...]

April 30, 2009
THURSDAY APRIL 30, 2009
part of Version 09 Immodest Proposals
On the Trail of a Disorderly Future ( A tour)
2 PM at the Southwest corner of State and Wacker in front of the Renaissance Hotel
You will need train fare ($2.25)

The Place:
Deep beneath the surface of the city, a tangled ribbon of corridors runs throughout 40 [...]

April 28, 2009
TUESDAY APRIL 28, 2009
Bridgeport Space Crawl/ Opening at Eastern Expansion
Multiple locations (see below)
free!

Spaces in Bridgeport are open for a walking /bike riding tour with a new exhibition or performance featured at each location.

Eastern Expansion 244 W 31st St
“Immodest Proposals // Unbescheidene Angebote!!
6pm – 9pm

25 artists from Germany, USA, Netherlands and Belgium exhibiting photography, [...]

April 26, 2009
SUNDAY APRIL 26, 2009
part of Version 09 Immodest Proposals
The NFO XPO, Shelter Corps, & Free University + MORE
The Benton House complex, 3052 S Gratten Avenue
1pm to midnight • $7 adults $3 Children

The NFO XPO continues with additional programs for the Free University, as well as an outdoor video screening, and some fine performances.

Program Platforms:

NFO XPO [...]

April 25, 2009
SATURDAY APRIL 25, 2009
part of Version 09 Immodest Proposals
The NFO XPO, Shelter Corps, & Free University + MORE
The Benton House complex, 3052 S Gratten Avenue (Map)
1pm to 8pm • $7 adults / $3 Children ($10/$5 for 2 day pass)

Off a small public park in Bridgeport is a 100-year-old community center complex named the [...]

April 24, 2009
FRIDAY APRIL 24, 2009

The Audacity of Art
(Version 09: Immodest Proposals Group Show) / Happening
Co-Prosperity Sphere, 3219 S Morgan St (Map)
7pm – 2am • $7 (or $12 and you receive a copy of the new issue of Proximity Magazine)

The Audacity of Art exhibition reveals big plans, dream projects and Immodest Proposals through the [...]

April 23, 2009

OPENING OF VERSION
DisORIENTATION Day / Bridgeport WPA / Backstory Supper Club
Zhou B. Center 1029 W. 35th Street (Map)
Hours: 5 pm – 10pm • Free!

This year Version Festival is working and playing primarily on the south side of Chicago to stage our events, make public art, and interact with our communities. We open the festival [...]

April 24, 2009
April 24 – May 30

Response: Art and the Art of Criticism

Fred Camper and Adelheid Mers; Janina Ciezadlo and Silvia Malagrino; Alicia Eler and Carrie Schneider; Jason Foumberg and Carol Jackson; Claire Wolf Krantz and Claire Prussian; Corey Postiglione and Duncan MacKenzie with Christian Kuras; Lane Relyea and Conrad Bakker; Polly Ullrich and Christopher Meerdo; Lori [...]

April 18, 2009
The High Mayors of Chicago
works by Kevin Jennings
April 18 – May 15, 2009
Opening Reception: Saturday April 18th, 7-11pm

Second Bedroom Project Space presents The High Mayors of Chicago, a group of works by artist Kevin Jennings conflating the powerful Irish mayors from Bridgeport and the High Kings of Ireland. The artist will explore the link between [...]

April 17, 2009
April 17th -28th

I try to erase you but you’re still here. A collaborative project featuring work by Regina Mamau and James Rigalo. Opening Reception Friday April 17th, 6-9pm, readings at 6:15, 7:15 & 8:15.

@ Spoke
119 N. Peoria St. #3D

April 17, 2009

LAURA FAYER – Pull of the Moon
April 17 through June 13, 2009
Opening reception Friday April 17, 5:00 – 8:00 pm

Thomas Robertello Gallery is pleased to present Pull of the Moon; an exhibition of new abstract paintings by New York-based artist Laura Fayer, April 17 through June 13, 2009. This is Fayer’s second solo exhibition with [...]

April 17, 2009
Zg Gallery, 300 W. Superior St., Chicago, IL 60654
T. 312.654.9900  |   www.zggallery.com
Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 am to 5:30pm

MOLLY BRIGGS
Clearing: New Paintings & Works on Paper

April 17 – May 23, 2009

Opening Reception: Friday, April 17th, 5:30- 7:30pm

Molly Briggs, “Clearing Study #14,”

Acrylic, ink & tempera on paper, 22 ½” x 30”, 2009

Zg Gallery is pleased [...]

A group of Dutch and Palestinian artists/peace activists are taking orders through their website, where for a small fee they will spray-paint any message you desire on the Palestinian side of the West Bank separation wall. Read more about this project here.

Last year Chicago-based artist Jason Lazarus sent a message. You can see the work [...]

One of the best shows to have debuted since last year is Cody Hudson’s and Corey Arnold’s jam at the Andrew Rafacz Gallery. Take take a peak before the show comes down May 9.  If you don’t know Hudson you should read this recent interview conducted by the cats that design Proximity magazine: The Post [...]

April 30, 2009
OUR LITERAL SPEED
will be made manifest at
THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
In association with Art Chicago, the Art Institute of Chicago, the University of Illinois at Chicago, the Renaissance Society, and the Smart Museum
April 30 – May 2, 2009

Accompanying Exhibition
May 1 – July 4, 2009
Gallery 400, University of Illinois at Chicago

OUR LITERAL SPEED manifests the imperatives that [...]

April 24, 2009
MARC  DENNIS
Truth and Allegory
Exhibition Dates:  April 24 – May 30, 2009
Artist’s Reception:  Friday, April 24, 5:30 – 8:00 P.M.

Carl Hammer Gallery
http://www.hammergallery.com

We just ran into Git this weekend during a foray into some pretty mediocre art openings in Chicago. Somehow we came across John’s blog while discovering Brian Ulrich on the 50 States Project (post below). Ahh the internet.. So John has been asking friends to curate some YouTube vids recently. Yes, that might sound [...]

The 50 States Project has brought together 50 photographers from across the USA.

Each photographer lives in one of the 50 States and during the year long project each photographer will represent the State [...]

Clio-award winning Luden’s cough drops commercial from 1967 with a Frank Zappa soundtrack. Thanks Richard Metzger.

April 3, 2009
In Gallery 1

GEOFFREY TODD SMITH
Geoffrey Todd Smith is a Friend to Beauty!

In Gallery 2

GEOFFREY TODD SMITH
I Could Look at Myself in Your Eyes Forever

Show Dates:
April 3 to May 30, 2009

Opening Reception:
Friday, April 3, 5-8pm

Gallery Hours:
Wednesday to Saturday, 11am to 6pm

More info:
312.480.8390
scott@westernexhibitions.com

Preview:
http://westernexhibitions.com/GTS/images.html

Western Exhibitions will open two new shows by Geoffrey Todd Smith on [...]

April 3, 2009
April 3 – May, 2009

In Gallery 1:

Geoffrey Todd Smith
Geoffrey Todd Smith Is a Friend To Beauty!

In Gallery 2:

Geoffrey Todd Smith
I Could Look At Myself In Your Eyes Forever

Western Exhibitions
119 N Peoria [...]

April 3, 2009
Rebecca Shore
AEiOU
New Paintings
April 3-May 8
(reception April 3, 5-9pm)
Hal Rammel in the East Wing

Corbett vs. Dempsey
Corbett vs. Dempsey is located on the third floor of the Dusty Groove Building, above Dusty Groove America, 1120 N. Ashland, just south of Division Street, in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood.

Corbett vs. Dempsey is open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday 11am [...]