theo mercer – DesignApplause

Expo chicago 2012. Preview makes big bang.

Sep 20, 2012

dirty bomb 2008 | inigo mangling-ovalle | rhona hoffman gallery | click > enlarge

Dirty Bomb, by Inigo Mangling-Ovalle, serves as an appropriate metaphor for the long anticipated Expo Chicago: a wonderfully creative and well executed effort that made a big bang for the art fair’s planners, dealers, artists, collectors patrons notables media, and friends, who attended Vernissage (preview) last night. Tony Karman conceived Expo Chicago. The vision, experience and skills of Tony and his collaborators can be seen best by visiting the exposition in person. The pier’s Festival Hall is designed by Chicago architect, Jeanne Gang.

This show focuses on modern contemporary art and design (objects) and there are 120 very elite by-invitation-only dealers. It has opened to kickoff Gallery Weekend Chicago. DesignApplause won’t make any recommendations, there’s something for everyone. We have selected “objects” found at Vernissage and we will say it again: go see and enjoy good art. The dealers would like you to buy the art so they can come back next year.

photo courtesy of studio gang architects

liquid trilobal table 2010 | ross lovegrove | cardi black box

memorias urbanas chicago | juan garaizabal | galeria alvaro alcazar

DesignApplause will be interviewing Juan Garaizabal, a Berlin-based Spanish entrepreneur and conceptual artist specializing in the creation and transformation of interactive spaces as a means of artistic communication. He’s standing by his concept conceived to repurpose a Chicago building. Stay tuned.

silent music 2012 | jaume plensa | richard gray gallery

For your information, Plensa designed Crown Fountain, the interactive public art and video sculpture in Chicago’s Millennium Park. The Catalan artist designed the fountain and executed by Krueck and Sexton Architects in July 2004. Silent Music is part of a curated show, IN/SITU, loosely meaning temporary landmarks & moving situations. Like a “pop-up? DesignApplause loves the selections of curator Michael Ned Holte as they are almost exclusively objects.

visible markers 2012 | allan mccollum | carl soloway gallery

Another metaphor. Mr. Karman and crew, “thanks”. The show runs 20 > 23 September. Tickets to Expo are $20 for one day, or $65 for a four-day pass. You can get them online or at the fair. Expo runs 11a > 7p Thursday through Saturday and noon > 6p on Sunday.

(*) in/situ objects

[ expo chicago ]
The inaugural Expo Chicago, The International Exposition of Contemporary/Modern Art and Design, will be presented at Navy Pier’s Festival Hall from 20>23 September, 2012. The new fair will open the international fall arts season and will establish Chicago as a preeminent art fair and cultural destination. Vernissage, an exclusive opening night preview celebration benefits the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago.[ expo chicago ]