Currently on view at the Tate, Defining Constructivism explores work by two of Russia’s most influential avant-garde artists, Alexander Rodchenko and Lyubov Popova. Charting their evolution from abstract painting to graphic designs, the show includes cinema and theatre poster designs, books and costumes as well as paintings and sculpture.

This couldn’t be a more timely review of heavy weight constructivists at a time when the term, and meaning of the movement are constantly being thrown around (See Shepard Fairey/ObamArt).  The ideas of constructivism are often not sited directly as the movement itself and ideas behind it are often lost in the coopting of the term for the needed purpose.  That’s precisely what makes the Tate show so special.  You can see first hand, what the movement was about, how it was embodied in these two leading figures and how its spirit was defined by the philosophy that drove this work. (more…)

Chicago Public Library has an open invitation to area artists, designers and any one else for that matter who thinks they have a great poster idea. The competition has already officially began and entries must be received no later than 11:59 PM CST on Thursday April 09, 2009. So, get to work! (more…)

From Hitsville

Jim DeRogatis has a post about Chicago rocker and Visa spokesperson Billy Corgan speaking before Congress about the so-called Performance Rights Act, with which the music industry hopes to extract money from radio stations for playing their music.

Radio pays songwriters a “publishing” fee, but there’s no “performance” equivalent. That is, Pepsi spokesperson Bob Dylan gets a few pennies each time Hendrix’s “All Along the Watchtower” is played on a terrestrial radio station, but the Hendrix estate gets nothing. (more…)

Have the interest but not the time?  The Haute Librarian will custom design a personal book collection for you.  Have the desire but not the information?  The Haute Librarian will build a foundation for a lifetime of pleasure. (more…)

If you’re a fan of Luna, the dream/indie pop band who made 7 studio albums and played their final shows in February 2005 — or if you’re more familiar with Dean and Britta in other projects (Dean fronted Galaxie 500, and Britta was the voice of cartoon character Jem to name only a couple prior accolades), you’ll be excited to learn that this dynamic duo is at the MCA on Saturday, March 8th, performing 13 Most Beautiful… Songs from Andy Warhol’s ‘Screen Tests’.

Their current project was commissioned by the Andy Warhol Museum and the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.  The Screen Tests are silent film portraits that Andy Warhol shot at the Factory between 1964 and 1966. The subjects – both famous and anonymous – were visitors to Warhol’s studio. (more…)

Gino De Dominicis is likely an artist you may not be familiar with. This is for good reason.  He spent most of his life avoiding contact with the art world and is widely viewed as an illusive and mysterious artist.  If you’ve heard of him, you know he’s quite an interesting story.  The Rome based artist was some what of a cult figure in European art circles and know for his eccentricities. The myth’s about the artists biography are especially interesting concerning his reported death in 1998.  (more…)

Okay, so you might be wondering how this fits withthe Culture Clod concept.  Well, don’t think about it too much. These guys are probably one of my favorite bands, and they are coming to Chicago’s Double Door on Friday, March 13th. 

If you’re in the area and want to see one of the best bands to ever rock the U.S. by way of Sweden, come on out and join the party.  TSOOL puts on a great show, and if want to know more about them, just google them already.   They are supporting their new album, Communion, and will be performing one night only. 

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Geometry as Image opened in January at Russell Bowman Art Advisory in Chicago and runs through the end of March (March 21st).  If you love modern geometric abstraction, and want to see 20+ world class artists work, Geometry as Image is for you.  These works on paper by such known artists have an intimacy that allows a wonderful insight into the artists known larger works.  These are incredible works and wonderful lineup of artitsts.

JANUARY 16 – MARCH 21, 2009 (more…)

Well, its no lie that we’re suckers for a good modern art and design auction, and one of the best here in the Midwest, and for that matter in the country, is hosted by Chicago’s very own Treadway-Toomey Gallery. You can see a nice preview of the auction lots here.  We see several pieces we’d like to take home, but given our paycheck-away-from-poverty status, we’ll just admire from afar. (more…)