Version>09 Immodest Proposals. It's On.
By Jen Hazen in Arts & Entertainment on Apr 22, 2009 4:20PM
logo provided by Version>09
Art kids, brace yourselves. Version Fest 09 Immodest Proposals is upon us. Organized by Ed Marszewski & Co. (Public Media Institute), this year's events list comes close to sensory overload. From April 23 - May 2, progressive art, politics, and music will saturate the streets, galleries, and music venues of Bridgeport and the West Loop with programs galore to inspire and engage you. We’re also stoked about Friday’s Korean-Polish BBQ.
Here are some highlights of Version>09's programs:
Bridgeport WPA
A reincarnation of the depression era Public Works of Art Project under Roosevelt’s New Deal, the Bridgeport WPA exhibit at Zhou B. culminates the work of the city’s finest poster makers. Check out some kick-ass posters by artists like Sonnenzimmer, Emily Clayton, and Dan MacAdam / Crosshair, among tons of others, who created original designs to promote the importance of civic responsibility to the arts and society, in general.
Zhou B. Center 1029 W. 35th Street, Thursday, April 23, 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. Runs through Saturday, May 2. Free.
Version Group Show: The Audacity of Art
On Friday, visit Co-Prosperity Sphere for a live art performance, music, and Version’s annual Korean Polish BBQ (go early!) to kick off The Audacity of Art exhibit which includes works by several Chicago artists, such as Tyler Burke, Chelsea Culp, Ken Camden, Eileen Cohen, and others. Proximity Magazine’s 4th issue will also release at the show along with the (Con)Temporarty Art Guide Chicago.
Friday, April 24, 7 p.m. - 2 a.m. at Co-Prosperity Sphere, 3219 S Morgan St. $7 and receive a copy of (Con)Temporary Art Guide Chicago (or give $12 and receive issue 4 of Proximity Magazine). Runs thru Friday, May 15, during Version events and by appointment.
NFO XPO, Free U & Shelter Corps
NFO XPO (pronounced Info Expo) is Version’s answer to an art fair. Held at the gym of Benton House, Bridgeport’s 100-year-old community center complex, NFO XPO aims to bring art groups and community organizers together to exchange ideas and information. Participating artists and gallerists include Reuben Kincaid, Amanda Licthenstein, Anne Elizabeth Moore,Threewalls, Antena, and Spoke, among others. Food and drinks will be available, too.
Free U, aka Free University, is something like a social-networked, free public school. Engage in events like presentations, workshops, lectures, and much more. Take a tour of Bridgeport’s art studios and historic stops with Mike Pocius (2 p.m.) Or if you’re feeling hands-on creative, head to the “Artist as Leader” workshop (3 p.m.) Free U occurs simultaneously with NFO XPO and is located downstairs in Benton House’s classroom facility.
If you have some time between NFO XPO & Free U events, head out to the Benson House lot for Shelter Corps, an exercise in adaptive land use, as well as an experiment in material reuse. The works of 24+ artists including Peter Skvara, Ena Kumar, Au Fait Collective, and Art Shanties will display 12 innovative versions of shelter. Food and drink will be available. The Shelter Corps exhibit will be on display through Sunday, May 3, 2009.
Benton House, 3052 S. Gratten Avenue, Saturday April 25, 1 p.m. - 8 p.m. and Sunday, April 26, 1 p.m. - midnight. $7 adults / $3 Children ($10/$5 for 2 day pass)
Chicago Art Parade
Performances, floats, fashion, and other immodest presentations from local and regional artists, will converge in the West Loop arts district on the festival’s final day. A first for Version, the Art Parade will merge the movers and shakers of Chicago’s multi-faceted art community with the patrons who adore them. We're kinda hoping that some crazy shit ensues.
West Loop arts district, Saturday May 2, 6 p.m. Free.