Art Against AIDS... one last time

It was announced, that tonight's "Art Against AIDS" benefit would be the last. As it is commonly known, Mother Teresa chose not to protest but to support a rally for a cause... so in 2010, The Heartland Alliance Benefit will take on the name "The Art of Human Rights". The new name seems to fit appropriately with the sentiment of Mother Teresa... Instead of being "against" AIDS, focus on the support of Human Rights. What a wonderful concept.

The University of California, San Francisco web site points out that: "The 1980s were extremely important in defining some of the connections between HIV/AIDS and human rights. By the end of the decade, the call for human rights and for compassion and solidarity of people living with HIV/AIDS had been explicitly embodied in the first WHO [World Health Organization] global response to AIDS. This approach was motivated by moral outrage but also by the recognition that protection of human rights was a necessary element of a worldwide public-health response to the emerging epidemic."

I hope you will join me in supporting the Heartland Alliance 2010 benefit... "The Art of Human Rights".

Art Against AIDS... Maggie Meiners

I met Maggie Meiners at an Artist's reception some five or six years ago. Since then, I have become one of Maggie's biggest fans. Not only is she an amazing women but she is also an amazingly talented Artist. I have included her work in a juried exhibition or two... produced a two-person collaborative show with the very talented, Jennifer Bisbing, and produced a recent solo exhibition at Gallery 180 titled "Childhood Contemplations". Her work is intriguing.

The above image is a piece titled "Three Bands", from Meiners' "Extractions" series. It will be available on Live Auction at The Art Against AIDS benefit, this Thursday at the River East Art Center. This piece comes from a powerful series of black and white abstractions, which can be seen on Meiner's web site: maggiemeiners.com. While there, take a look at the "Childhood Contemplation" series... They're pretty wonderful too.

...Simple Complexity

A little background on the above image... In 2005, I created an exhibition titled, Complex Simplicity/Simple Complexity, for Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago. Julie Karabenick's work was included in that group exhibition. I was intrigued by the images and the pristine quality in which they were produced.

In a earlier post, I mentioned receiving an email from Karabenick, suggesting that I see the William Conger Exhibition at the Chicago Cultural Center. She had mentioned that she had done an interview with Conger and that it was posted on Geoform.net. I finally had the opportunity to read the interview and it's quite wonderful. If you have a moment, read Karabenick's interview prior to seeing the Conger Exhibition. The interview gives some wonderful insights into the history—and the mind—of the Artist.

Additional work by Julie Karabenick—and others working is similar styles—can also be seen on the Geoform site. Karabenick really creates beautiful imagery. It's worth taking a look.

Art Against AIDS... Rebecca Moy

The first time I had the opportunity to experience a painting by Rebecca Moy, was while selecting work for the Art Against AIDS Preview Exhibition at Gallery 180. Moy's obsessively complex and pristine composition is quite beautiful. The irregular patterns seem to be inspired by Gustav Klimpt, while missing or avoiding an obvious narrative. A rather young artist, her portfolio seems rather comprehensive. I look forward to watching her career. Moy's piece titled "Spring" [shown above] will be available at the Art Against AIDS benefit on Thursday, February 26th at The River East Art Center. Additional work by Rebecca Moy can be seen on her web sit at rebeccamoy.com

William Conger at the Chicago Cultural Center

I received an email from Artist, Julie Karabenick, reminding me to see the William Conger exhibition at the Cultural Center. The show is a fifty year retrospective and runs concurrently with an exhibition of current work, being presented at the Roy Boyd Gallery on Wells Street.

I spent some time—this morning—exploring the Conger exhibition at the Cultural Center. It's a wonderful exhibition but seems to require a larger space. I shared the gallery with only four or five other art lovers and yet the space seemed a little too cramped. The intensity of the paintings—my favorites filled with shards of rich color—were all competing for my attention. When you visit the show, take some time to sit and focus on each individual painting... They are beautiful.

Art Against AIDS... Ted Preuss

I was first introduced to the work of Ted Preuss when I juried an exhibition titled "Human" for The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago. The group exhibition was presented in Gallery 350 during 2005. Preuss presented an image of a beautiful woman running her fingers through her long blond hair. The figure was photographed as a sculptural still life—nude—placed on a fabric-covered table—relaxed—in a moment seemingly meant for herself. The photograph, titled "Refine", defined a sense of peace while clearly being an exploration the way in which light falls of the human form. The work sold at the opening reception. Preuss was awarded a solo show, which was be presented in November of 2007.

Ted Preuss has generously donated a piece of his work to the Art Against AIDS benefit event. The piece titled "Desert Oasis I" [shown above], will be available at the main event on Thursday, February 26th at The River East Art Center. Additional work by Preuss can be seen at preussphotography.com

Art Against AIDS

Last week, the Art Against AIDS Preview Exhibition was removed from Gallery 180. The next chance to see and purchase the work is at the main event, which will be in one week... Thursday, February 26 at The River East Art Center. The exhibition and auction will include some seventy-five works of art donated by Artists from across the country. Included in the exhibition is a signed hand-pulled lithographic print by the late Ed Paschke as well as a "who's who" of Chicago Artists.

Some of my favorite works include: Carolyn Mullany's expressionistic "Stipe"; Brian Graves' exploration of the written word in "Material World"; Elvira Dimitrij's hard-edged abstraction titled "Yellow Screen" and Jason Messinger "Amber Magic" a wall-hung ceramic piece which also explores letter forms. You can see some of the pieces which will be available at the main event on flickr.com. Additional information for the event can be found at the Heartland Alliance web site. Tickets for the event are $125 in advance and $150 at the door.

Art Against AIDS
Thursday, February 26
6pm at The River East Art Center
435 East Illinois Street, Chicago Illinois 60611