I spent my whole weekend at the Merchandise Mart, where Artropolis was being held this year, and it was so huge, I don’t even think I saw the entire show! This was by far the most exhausting and amazing art event I’ve ever been to, and I documented a bit of it for show and tell! Have a look.

Support your local arts!

Featured above: Michael Rea, Tsavo Manhunters, Part I, 2009

During my first year in Chicago, I have found so much about the city to adore. The art culture is particularly amazing, and constantly expanding. This weekend (March 30—May 2), I attended Artropolis, Chicago’s Celebration of Art, Antiques and Culture at The Merchandise Mart. I spent three days engulfed in the most overwhelming collection of artwork, spanning all media. Artropolis was split into three distinct shows; The Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair, Art Chicago, and NEXT Art Fair.

After spending Friday at NEXT, and Saturday at Art Chicago, I quickly realized I wouldn’t have time for the Antique show. I was okay with that. And although Art Chicago was twice the size of NEXT—and I got to see some amazing original artwork from artists like Fernando Botero, and even one of Paula Scher’s map paintings—it was truly NEXT that had my attention. The artists that were exhibited in the show are considered ‘emerging talent,’ contributing to an international contemporary movement. I find myself inspired by the majority of this work, because these are the artists who are breaking new ground, applying traditional techniques in unexpected ways, and pioneering new media. Some of the highlights from this year’s show include Michael Rea’s giant and complex wooden sculptures, Takashi Hinoda’s ceramic characters, Sang Sik Hong’s 3D sculptures using only plastic straws, and Laura Ortiz’ detailed thread graffiti series. This collection of highlights I’ve gathered below, is merely a tiny sample of the overall collection, and I strongly encourage visiting each of these artist’s personal websites for more stunning work and information!

Note: I do not claim ownership of any of the artwork featured in these photographs, and all photos were taken with prior permission from the artist, or the gallery representing the artist.



Timothy Berg, Rebekah Myers
Something for Nothing, 2010
www.timothyjohnberg.com
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Daniel Everett
Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen, 2009
www.daniel-everett.com
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Michael Velliquette
Helios, 2009
www.velliquette.com
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Jay Shinn
Contained Element in Black, 2009
www.jayshinn.com
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Micheal Rea
Tsavo Manhunters, Part I, 2009
www.mikerea.com
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Fraser Taylor
Black Flowers, 2009-10
www.frasertaylor.com
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Raychael Stine
Halford (Ready), 2009
www.road-agent.com
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Suzanne Unrein
Tyranian Purple, 2009
www.suzanneunrein.com
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Bryan Drury
Feast, 2010
www.deanproject.com
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Takashi Hinoda
Left: White Fang, 2009
Right: Maid of Consumption, 2008
www.geocities.jp
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Owen Schuh
Anemone, 2009
Ossification, 2009
Coral, 2009
www.owenschuh.com
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Sang Sik Hong
Mouth-Red, (date not specified)
www.patrajdas.com
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Cordy Ryman
Blue Wave, 2010
www.dcktcontemporary.com
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Proximity Magazine
Public Media Institute Research Library, 2010
www.proximitymagazine.com
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Carlos Irijalba
Twilight 16, 2009
www.carlosirijalba.com
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Ana Soler
Specific On-Site Installation, 2010
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Paul Villinski
Orbit 1-9, (date not specified)
www.paulvillinski.com
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Taro Hattori
Purge, 2010
www.tarohattori.com
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Laura Berman
Umbra: DL1, 2009
www.laurabermanprojects.com
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Jeff Carter
Untitled (Chicago Tribune Tower), 2010
www.jeff-carter.net
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Laura Ortiz
Untitled (Graffiti series), 2009
www.antenaestudio.com
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For more information about Artropolis, visit their website here.