Arts Roundup: "Art is the new bling"

By Laura M. Browning in Arts & Entertainment on Oct 22, 2010 4:20PM

The air is getting crisper, the leaves are turning, and the fall art scene is kicking into gear. Here’s a few contemporary exhibits we think you won’t want to miss:

Rebecca Warren
Renaissance Society
Rebecca Warren won the Tate’s prestigious Turner Prize in 2006, and we’re pretty excited to see her sculptures in Chicago. Warren counts both Degas and R. Crumb amongst her inspirations, and her unfired clay sculptures of the female figure are provocative and beautiful. Three of her bronzes will be installed outside the Art Institute’s Modern Wing, and the Renaissance Society will feature an exhibit of her work until December 3. Curator Hamza Walker describes the exhibit as “a calculated ratio, some part funk-based ebullience to some part formal constructivist elegance.”

Rebecca Warren is showing at the Renaissance Society, 5811 S. Ellis Ave, through December 3. Admission is free.

Love Flows Both Ways: street culture x contemporary art
Maxwell Colette Gallery in collaboration with the Chicago Urban Art Society
Kim told you about the opening reception a few weeks ago, but did you actually go? Don’t worry, there’s still time. Housed in a former bank, this pop-up gallery explores the cross-pollination of street culture and contemporary art. Some of the more recognizable artists include Banksy, Keith Haring, and Shepard Fairey. As the Maxwell Colette Gallery declares, “Art is the new bling.”

Love Flows Both Ways is on exhibit Tuesday through Sunday at 205 S. State Street (at Adams) through December 4.

Art Loop Open
Round two of public voting starts today! Though the voting process is not without controversy (h/t Gapers Block) - this is Chicago, after all - the nearly 200 works of art will be narrowed down to the final ten, which will be announced today. Vote for your favorite finalists until October 28; the final three will be awarded prizes the following day. Not sure where to look? Check out the list of artists and locations.

Art Loop Open consists of 191 objects in ten different locations around the Loop.

50/50 Pilsen: The Blurring of Art and Craft
Pry yourself away from Etsy long enough to check out some crafty artists in person. The exhibit will only be available during October weekends, so that means only four more days (unless you make an appointment). We’re especially enamored of the gorgeous, jaw-droppingly detailed ink drawings by Brett Manning and the colorful, whimsical creations of Laura Berger.

50/50 Pilsen is on exhibit at 1915 S. Halsted during weekends in October and by appointment.

Luc Tuymans
Museum of Contemporary Art
Ben told us last week all about Tuymans’ deceptively welcoming works (see: muted oil painting of Condoleezza Rice), but we this is another one we think is worth a second mention. Go check it out.

Luc Tuymans is on exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 East Chicago Avenue, until January 9, 2011. Admission is free on Tuesdays.