Blog

Summer Residents Are Here!

2009-07-01T11:31:00Z

Working in studios located in Hyde Park, Bridgeport, and the West Loop, our Summer Residents have been busy preparing for their upcoming exhibition. Check the calendar for show details ››

You Oughta Be In Fangs....

2009-06-11T09:22:35Z

threewalls http://www.three-walls.org

John Preus

2009-05-30T16:01:30Z

Read this great article about artist John Preus, who designed and built our entry and bookstore in this new article in Medill Reports!

WISH LIST for Jon Brumit & Christy Matson

2009-04-17T18:00:10Z

Jon Brumit and Christy Matson are doing a spectacular installation for threewalls at the NEXT Fair and we need your help!

The following are some items we're on the hunt for to be donated to the artists for their piece:

ATTENTION Star People * Light Workers * Indigo, Crystal & Rainbow Children

speakers and audio amplifiers (the bigger the better)
small oscillating fans
motion activated lights / motion sensors
all kinds of small healing devices
2 8' lengths of 2"x4"

Please email shannon@three-walls.org if you can help!

Paper & Carriage Nominated for Best New Publication!

2009-04-09T19:48:35Z

We were excited to receive news in the mail that we were nominated by for Best New Publication by Utne Independent Press Award! Check out other nominees at Utne.

Video From the Renaissance Society Panel: Is There Such a Thing As a Chicago Artist?

2009-03-12T21:01:14Z

For those of us who missed the panel discussion, The Renaissance Society has now made it available on YouTube.

Is There Such a Thing As a Chicago Artist?

Also, take a look at an earlier blog post by Shannon in response to the forum.

Bookstore Submissions

2009-03-05T18:25:43Z

If you are an independent publisher, zine maker, book or multiple artist, we are interested in your work! Please submit images, samples or contact us for an appointment: Shannon Stratton, shannon@three-walls.org.

1000 Legger at Mutherland

2009-01-23T23:04:18Z

Vicki Fowler of Mutherland will host her first 1000 Legger meeting on Feb. 7th from 4-8pm.

A 'word-of-mouth' society for female artists, 1000 Legger meetings will happen at Mutherland with Fowler and colleagues inviting female artists and other visual-arts cultural workers to come and talk about their practice over casual drinks and snacks.

This first installation will include presentations by Abigail Satinsky of InCUBATE, Emily Green of Harold Arts and Shannon Stratton of threewalls.

There is a $10 suggested donation (proceeds go towards making this and future Leggers happen). Vegan black bean soup and refreshments available.

Please join us!

Daniel Tucker

2009-01-23T22:57:35Z

Check out Daniel Tucker's posting on groups and spaces in Chicago, part of a 5 part series on socially and politically engaged art in Chicago that Daniel is writing for the Belgian art magazine, H-Art .

Series Description: This series of five articles published in <H>Art Magazine in Belgium will be an introduction to Chicago, Illinois USA and it's local critical cultural experimentation, written from the perspective of a magazine editor and curator committed to navigating the city. Look for three more articles in 2009 dealing with cultural institutions, art media and individual artists.

Another great project of Daniels is a series of questions he's been posing on 5 Questions About Art in Chicago.

W.A.G.E.

2009-01-12T21:34:53Z

Working artists and the greater economy.

www.wageforwork.com/

Check out wage for work:

Is there such a thing as a Chicago artist?

2009-01-11T23:16:00Z

The Ren hosted this forum this afternoon with Philip Von Zweck, Lynne Warren, Chuck Thurow, Paul Klein and representing our team, Elizabeth Chodos. Many have stated before me that Chicago has this discussion rather regularly, which, given its repetitiveness, must mean that the question nags at the collective Chicago art-conscience.

In short, there was no agreed upon thesis (what makes a Chicago artist) although the idea that Chicago has a remarkable work-ethic and, perhaps by, extension, notable 'craftsmanship' in its practices seemed to elicit nods of acknowledgement from the panel and audience. Being labeled 'Chicago' is for some a positive, others a non-issue, and in the case of Thurow, perhaps an exciting possibility that Chicago is on the cusp of - that is, a time when Chicago artists would find an advantage in associating themselves specifically with this city, just as artists do, say, from Los Angeles or Berlin.

In regards to work ethic, it was suggested that one of the advantages to Chicago, is an ability to work here unfettered by a 'system,' perhaps a robust commercial scene, that puts specific demands on artists work. Without that golden-noose of the kind of patronage, say New York artists 'enjoy', Chicago artists take risks or make decidedly non-commercial art. At the same time, Warren expressed disappointment in the cities commercial galleries for not supporting enough experimental, risky projects in 'their back rooms' - something that makes exhibitions here too 'provincial.' No doubt there are those that will agree and disagree with that assessment, but it begs the question that if in fact Chicago did have these 'back rooms' that Warren laments, would we have the same art.

The conversation degenerated a little bit when the idea of 'rehashing' was raised, as the negative result to our not having any historical perspective (i.e. a common holding of Chicago art). This missing link seems to still dog many in the community looking for that elusive 'room' in one of our institutions dedicated to Chicago artists or a biennial of sorts to collect them up. Whether or not this missing link adversely affects the work made here or its ability to be taken into account outside of this community was not elaborated on, but it seemed clear by the tenor of the discussion that there still is a need to be acknowledged. Chicago artists, administrators, curators, collectors or historians-at-large are just not in total agreement on who and how and for ultimately, whose benefit that perspective is for.

There is vitality to our scene, that moderator Hamza Walker was careful to reiterate, that the margins are the center in our community, and with that is ushered in a certain kind of energy. When I asked the panel if Chicago (visual art) wants to or needs to be acknowledged or branded, and by who, in order to achieve some kind of tangible marker of its own value, influence or maybe even sexiness, Walker (in short) said our acknowledgment came internally. That is, it is the energy generated here in Chicago for our artists, exhibitions, projects, curators and so on, our cultural work and its workers, that, when done again and again, with integrity and vibrancy, will keep our scene vital and spread beyond our city limits.

Please feel free to leave your thoughts and insights.

- Shannon

threewalls SOLO

2008-12-19T19:50:16Z

The committee for the SOLO program has met and applicants will be contacted by mid-January. Thank-you for your ongoing interest in our program.

Venture back into the Crystal Ball

2008-12-17T20:51:30Z

Though the night faded at the strike of midnight. These images are lasting.

See you next year!

threewallsSALON: the artist in the field

2008-12-04T21:03:27Z

Join threewalls Thursday, December 4th at 7:00 PM for The Artist in the Field (The rise of the residency and the return to nature), a SALON featuring Sarah Workneh of Ox-Bow; Abby Satinsky of InCUBATE and Harold Arts; Joe Jeffers, Emily Green and Nicholas Wiley of Harold Arts, for a discussion about the artist residency. Moderated by Elizabeth Chodos of threewalls.

Organizations that offer artists opportunities for contemplation, connection to nature and community appeared in the form of artist communes and colonies in the United States as early as the 1850's. Most contemporary organizations that house working artists for a period of time (ranging anywhere from one week to two years) have reworked the artist colony model into a newer formulation: residency programs. This seemingly nominal shift in vocabulary represents major ideological and methodological changes in art practices. Evolving art practices and increasing pressure on artists to develop resumes mutually influence the type of residencies that exist. Artist residencies throughout the country, including Ox-Bow in Saugatuk, Michigan, Artpace in San Antonio, Texas, and The Lower East Side Cultural Council, in New York, New York, demonstrate the various organizational structures that foster career development, a place for contemplative retreat, and a sense of community. The shifting and evolving forms of artist residencies demonstrate how this format offers responsive support for developing creative practices that range from the socially engaged and ecologically conscious, to craft based work and the production of discrete objects.

threewallsSALONS are an ongoing project that invites creative producers and thinkers into the gallery for an open-forum discussion about currents in contemporary visual art and culture. SALONS pose a discussion topic, gather a few key contributors and then open up the floor for discussion between those actively engaged in the 'question' and anyone and everyone who would like to come and be apart of the conversation. Discussions are gently moderated to keep the ideas flowing.

Participation needed in Dream Log project

2008-11-26T21:17:33Z

For those of you who were able to attend the opening for Turned Intos last Friday you may have noticed temporary sleeping quarters in the back gallery. One of the artists, Sarah Fuller has set up residence for the length of the show, turning the space into her own sleep lab, she will be cataloging her nights' rest with a pin hole camera and an audio diary. Visitors are asked to contribute to the project by taking home a pin hole camera and journal to record their dreams.

If you have any questions for Sarah about her project and how to participate, you can email her at wonderfuller@gmail.com

Turned Intos will be up until December 20th.

Bellwether at Alternator Gallery, Kelowna, BC

2008-11-14T19:36:32Z

This year threewalls created the traveling exhibition Bellwether for participation in two exchanges: with Vox Populi, Philadelphia in July and with Alternator Gallery, Kelowna this past October. Curated from former threewalls artists who are or were Chicago based, the show travelled in two versions, the larger in Philly and the smaller in Kelowna.

Both exhibitions featured work by: Josh Mannis (Los Angeles), Jenny Walters (Los Angeles), Duncan McKenzie (Chicago) with Christian Kuras (London), Daniel Anhorn (Chicago), David Coyle (New York), Caleb Jones Lyons (Chicago) and Heather Mekkelson (Chicago). With the Philly show including work by Ann Toebbe (Chicago),Joseph Kohnke (Los Angeles), Bill O’Brien (Chicago), Lisa Boumstein-Smalley (Chicago), and Chelsea Tonelli Knight (Chicago).

Former Kelowna resident, Dan Anhorn's work was featured in the Kelowna press, and the work of former Philadelphia resident, David Coyle was also pictured in the Philadelphia City Paper.

A bellwether is a herald or a harbinger. ThreeWalls brings a group of artists, all based in or formerly based in Chicago, whose work imparts a kind of warning or predication. Riding the line of disaster prophesy, the work suggests both decline culturally and environmentally, as well as simultaneously deconstructing the meaning of art or the Avant-garde as a pilaster of faith in the abstract. Positioning a group of artists whose work creates disruption within the accepted narrative of modern art alongside work that proposes a menacing or hesitant narrative, Bellwether is both a document of current doubt and anxiety in the face of cultural disrepair, as well as a provocation from a group of artists working from outside the traditional poles of the Avante-garde.

David Coyle, Edgar Allen Poe, pictured left, Heather Mekkelson, Debris Field, put his out on the last, installation, pictured right.

Caleb Jones Lyons, Radio Stack, the dream is over, pictured left; Jenny Walters, Better Miller, pictured right; running perimeter of room: Duncan Mackenzie and Christian Kuras, Values Values Values

Dispatch: Call for Entries

2008-11-12T18:25:54Z

Submissions due: January 15th, 2009
Exhibition: February 20th – March 27th, 2009

In conjunction with the Southern Graphics Council Conference, threewalls is hosting an exhibition of political prints on cloth and we're looking for your DIY election T-shirts!

Please submit jpegs by January 15th, 2009 to Shannon Stratton at shannon@three-walls.org with your contact information and a short description of your T-shirt: where it was made, how many you made, how often you wore it, if you gave away or sold any of the shirts.

Obama T-shirt by Lee Tracy

The T-shirt, arguably considered an American invention, insofar as it is worn as one’s primary garment, and not an undershirt, became a substrate for advertising and political support in the 1950s. Since then it has played an invaluable role in the promotion of politics, sub-culture, music, leisure activities, businesses, sports team, personal slogans and more. The T-shirt is the walking, talking billboard – and probably still the most effective and inexpensive way to get a message out!

Perhaps in concert, printmaking and DIY are experiencing a significant revival. As an inexpensive medium for mass-producing a message or artwork, the hand-pulled print is making a major re-appearance as the most distinct way to promote bands, indie-movies, craft fairs, art events, book releases and rallies. The silk-screened T-shirt shares this appeal. As the election year heated up, the number of small-run T-shirts, printed by individual crafters and print collectives or one-offs by artists, designers or hobbiests ballooned. Nothing could be more American about the T-shirt as a vehicle for rhetoric: casual, commercial and accessible.

Dispatch is an exhibition of grass-roots political efforts, the millennial DIY ethic, micro-capitalism and the intersection between the commercial and craft in print media. As a document of the hundreds of T-shirts that were designed and printed by individuals (for their own use or to sell at craft fairs or raise money for campaigns), Dispatch makes visible, en masse, both the artistry and sheer multitude of designs that were made in support of the 2008 presidential and associated campaigns.

Chicago, both the root of the president-elect Obama’s campaign and a city with a strong grass-roots ethic in both the arts and politics, is a natural host to this exhibition. Dispatch draws on this, celebrating both the artistry and efforts of these makers, while drawing attention to how artwork and micro-industry became both an important form of participation in the millennial political process as well as a highlighting how the 2008 presidential campaign both appealed to and drew on millennial DIY culture.

As a companion to the exhibition and archive of the work, a catalog of the work featured at the gallery, with profiles and stories on a selection of artists about their prints, why they made them, where they wore them and how their garments may have made an impact on their community will be available.

Doog Vs. Live

2008-10-19T00:47:22Z

Welcome!

2008-09-25T19:49:58Z

A lot has changed over the summer at threewalls, including this new website that your visiting! We're very excited to have our web presence cleaned up by Neoteric Design, a small design firm in Chicago. Thanks to the Arts Work Fund we were able to make this happen!

Other news includes our move out of 2A, the renovations at 2D and the shake up of our residency program.

First of all - we'd like to welcome Scott Speh and Western Exhibitions to our floor at 119 N Peoria. Scott has moved into our original 2A location, and we're really happy to have him. 2A was where threewalls started in 2003/04 as a residency program. Last year we held our first year of 'SOLO' exhibitions in that gallery. But don't be confused, we are still programming SOLO, those exhibitions will just happen in 2D, just down the hall. The first SOLO exhibition for 2008 is Amy Mayfield, opening October 17th.

Second, we want to thank John Preus for the beautiful work he did on 2D, building out the front space into our new bookstore. You might recall a rather lame Ikea shelf functioning as a distribution area last year - well this year we are committed to the bookstore concept, with the 'lobby' of the gallery designed by John from repurposed building materials like old oak doors, shutters and part of the tree Material Exchange used in their spring exhibition. We'll be building our inventory over the next months, but please put the word out and come by for a look and sit on the swing to browse some books.

As for the residency - its gone 'mobile.' The apartment and studio are on the 3rd floor, and residents will be town both to do self-directed research as well as participate in thematic residencies. Those in the latter group will work with our staff in producing an exhibition or presentation in collaboration with other organizations or sites.

All of us at threewalls would like to thank you for your ongoing support! We look forward to seeing all of you this year!

- team threewalls.