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…)

California based artist, Warrington Colescott, opens tomorrow (03/13/09) at Perimeter Gallery.  Colescott, while not a household name, is by no means a stranger to the art world as you can see from his partial bio below.  Colescott may very well be a name you’ll be more familiar with in time as people begin to reflect upon an amazing body of work.  As an example of this, the Milwaukee Art Museum has the largest collection of work by Warrington Colescott, and they are preparing a major book and exhibition for November 2009. (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…)

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…)

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…)

Barbara Kendrick and Sam Ainsley: Atlas of Encounters

This exhibition features works on paper by Barbara Kendrick, paintings Sam Ainsley and a collaborative installation by both artists. The exhibition catalogue contains essays by John Calcutt and Lisa Wainwright

Barbara Kendrick is Professor Emeritus in the School of Art and Design, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Barbara Kendrick, Nursery, watercolor, gouache, pencil, pastel, 2008

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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…)

We’re just getting up and running here at Culture Clod, and so we thought it would be nice to profile some great artists and share some of our personal favorites.

Gladstone Gallery March 2007 Exhibition (more…)