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Celebrate the Select Media Festival, laptop DJs, and more.

Tuesday Oct 19, 2004.     By Benjamin Zoltak

Arts + Words Feed

This week’s art guide continues in the spirit of Chicago’s artist’s month and its theme: art connects. Buddy Gallery, celebrating the end of the Select Media Festival, brings together audio “wrestlers” in a cage match where laptop DJs battle for your ears. Heaven Gallery’s “Little Utopias” exhibit promises to unite technology, aesthetics and politics. Also, check out new oils at the Silver Cloud Bar and Grill, contemporary photo/videography at the MCA and some vigorous art painted on old bed linens and towels at Wendy Cooper Gallery.

Buddy Gallery
“Laptronica 5 Cage Match”
Oct. 22 only

Rating: BOTH EARS “{O}”

Hours: 9 p.m. Friday

Ed Lumpen and the gang are at it again. Chicago’s very own Nader-Raideresque electronica socio-political mastermind Ed Lumpen has organized (for the fifth year in a row) a laptop music mix off. As a final farewell to the Select Media Festival, audio heavyweights perform a full nelson of sound, battling back and forth in a cage set-up within Buddy Gallery’s space. In a show that would even make The Rock blush, past shows have included wrestling-type theater antics including outlandish costumes and play fighting. Bring your Select Media Festival stub from any other event for free admission or else say uncle to the $10 suggested donation.

Heaven Gallery
“Little Utopias: Alterations of Everyday Life Exhibition” and “Sleaze Z Fest 2”
Oct. 22 and 23, respectively

Rating: NO EARS “O”

Hours: 6-9 p.m. Friday; 9 p.m. Saturday

“Little Utopias” shows the work of 31 artists in varying media, including photos, paintings and other 2-D art, along with sculpture such as a giant geodesic dome installed within the space. The show follows the Select Media Festival aim of illustrating the meeting of technology, aesthetics and politics. For a provocative twist, try “Sleaze Z Fest 2,” a less modest version of the slightly more heralded “Z Fest” film series. Go see a fetish trilogy, including a half-naked fashion show, a sleazy art exhibition and, of course, sleazy shorts from primarily local filmmakers. Tickets are $6.

Gene Siskel Film Center
“Select Media Festival 3”
164 N. State (312) 846-2600 Siskelfilmcenter.org ends Oct. 21

Rating: NO EARS “O”

Hours: 6, 6:15, 7:45 and 8 p.m. Thursday

As part of the Select Media Festival, four highly charged political movies are available to pique your conscience-bone for a price of $9, $3 for students and faculty of the Art Institute. Featuring: “Liberty Bound,” a US Citizen's journey of discovery into the lies, oppression and corruption that has invaded the US since 9/11; “Crime of Passion,” an original 1950s film noir look at sexual politics, journalism and the LAPD; “Weapons of Mass Deception,” Emmy award-winning TV journalist, network news veteran, author and media critic Danny Schechter’s looks at the deceptive role of the media in reporting on and promoting the invasion in Iraq; “Political Advertisement 2004,” a documented look at manipulative political TV ads from the 1950s to the present. All show times respective to the hours above.

Wendy Cooper Gallery
“Peter Gallo Solo Show”
opening reception Oct. 22, 6-9 p.m.; through Nov. 27

Rating: BOTH EARS “{O}”

Hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday

Self described as artwork about “queerdom and love,” Peter Gallo carries with him mighty writing credentials, having been published in “Art in America,” “Art New England” and “Review Magazine.” A scholar of Nietzsche and Mallarme, his art resonates in the mind’s eye with provocative text and images designed to make you rethink your notions of politics, self and social relations. A must-see for any fan of found materials, Gallo works on old bed sheets, towels and wood scraps, among other things.

Silver Cloud Bar and Grill
“Artwork by Christopher Buoscio”
Buoscio.com
Ongoing/rotating exhibition

Rating: ONE EAR “O}”

Hours: 11:30 a.m.-2 a.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-3 a.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-midnight Sunday

Oftentimes when one finds art in an alternative space, there’s something lacking either in content or skill. Not so at Silver Cloud. Christopher Buoscio’s oil paintings display a succinct and illustrative style sought after by many art buyers. If you’ve been scared of dipping your toe into the market or have been looking for that unique Chicago gift, his depictions of various city icons like the L, Marquard’s Cigar Store, Michigan Avenue and more are perfectly rendered in a warm, comfortable and approachable manner. While you’re there don’t forget to pick up one of Silver Cloud’s delectable stuffed turkey sandwiches.

Museum of Contemporary Art
“Between Past and Future: New Photography and Video from China”
through January 16, 2005

Rating: ONE EAR “O}”

Hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday

Go see 130 works by 60 Chinese artists, many of whom are exhibiting for the first time in the U.S. The show is divided into four areas: History and Memory, People and Place, Performing the Self and Re-imagining the Body. Through photography and video, you’ll see the artists’ reactions to the dynamic changes made in China in the last decade. Sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and The Henry Luce Foundation, not to mention about 20 more assorted funds and foundations. Can two dozen foundations be wrong?