That's How They Roll

By Justin Sondak in Arts & Entertainment on Oct 12, 2006 7:00PM

If you’re nostalgic for the caravan of moving trucks tooling around the city in late September—and really, who isn’t?—John Song and Ries Productions have an event for you. “Mobile Exhibitions” is a Humboldt Park art show on wheels, a commentary on urban evolution, and an excuse to play with balloons and piñatas.

The one true sign of neighborhood gentrification is constantly debated. The new Starbucks on the corner? The Urban Outfitters next to American Apparel? Maybe it’s the Leona’s or that new condo development that forced out the community church? For Mr. Song, it's the procession of moving trucks that transplant young college grads and lakefront emigres to the near northwest side. And so his exhibit invites you to walk through three Ryder trucks packed with portraits of and memorabilia from Humboldt Park.

Truck 1 has photos of local residents and their impressions of the HP on helium balloons. In Truck 2, sculptures representing Mayor Daley's “Graffiti Blasters” program. And Truck 3 has the piñatas of native species made from newspaper.

Mobile Exhibitions roll to various Humboldt Park parking lots on Division Street, North Avenue, and Western Avenue Sunday from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Admission is free. More information at the Chicago Artists Resource website.