Mind-Boggling

You know the verse in the bible, let light shine out of darkness? This is it. The Planet is Covered by Silvery Sleep is definitely an intriguing art installation by Japanese artist Konoike Tomoko. I saw one of her pieces when I was visiting Asia over the winter break. However, this six-legged wolf covered in pieces of mirror in front of hides from its own kind is breathtaking. What makes it such a powerful piece is how the artist magnificently arranges it within the space. How the light falls down shining into the wolf and is reflected back into the room creates this illusion (and presence) of a mystical being standing before you.

As described elegantly by The Black Wolf blog: "It embodies movement, myth, self-reflection, an oblique unknowability, the esoteric, the hidden, the supernatural. It's shattered mirror surface expresses a broken reflection and it's post-animal mineral composition. It represents ourselves reflected in nature, it's our multitude of selves."

Beautifully executed. Click here for more on Mizuma Art Gallery.

Artist: Konoike Tomoko | Source: The Black Wolf

TONIGHT - GAIA: Resplendent Semblance

Maxwell Colette Gallery and Pawn Works Present

GAIA: Resplendent Semblance

March 25th - May 7, 2011

Opening Reception: Friday (Tonight), March 25th 2011 / 6 - 9pm

Pawn Works and Maxwell Colette Gallery have joined forces to bring internationally lauded contemporary artists to Chicago, who are known for their involvement in the Street Art movement. The first of these joint ventures, GAIA: Resplendent Semblance, launches this month with a series of projects showcasing the artist Gaia. The events will include a show of new, large scale paintings and decollage on wood art works at Maxwell Colette Gallery, a site specific installation and show featuring additional pieces at the Pawn Works space and a massive window installation at State Street and Adams presented in conjunction with The Chicago Loop Alliance's Pop Up Art Loop initiative.

Gaia's art is best known for his large scale renderings of human and animal forms, often in states of hybridization. Animals fuse with humans or other animals, blending visual characteristics and layers of spiritual and mythological relevance. Reclaiming a long dormant visual iconography, Gaia's images transcend cultural literacy, achieving significance on multiple levels. As contemporary urban culture deemphasizes nature, Gaia invades the city of glass, steel and concrete with a breathtaking reminder of earth and life. Functioning as a contemporary visual shaman, he facilitates uniquely urban interactions with postmodern spirit guides who in turn force us to acknowledge our lost connection with the natural and the mystical worlds.

Pawn Works and Maxwell Colette Gallery will co-host an opening reception for GAIA:Resplendent Semblance at Maxwell Colette Gallery on Friday, March 25th from 6 - 9 pm. The artist will be in attendance.

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In the mean time, if you guys missed the pre-reception at Pawn Works and need a refresher, check out his work online or at Pawn Works website. Otherwise, to prep you for the opening tonight check out what GAIA has been putting up throughout Chicago. Tucked away in some curbs and stoops, some rundown buildings and quiet street corners you will find these pieces. If you are lucky you will spot them before they disappear.

Check out more from GAIA here & here.

Beyond the Surface

Chicago's very own public artist and University of Chicago's gem, Theaster Gates, Jr. has made quite an impressive collection of work. I highly admire his deep and insightful exploration in music, visual arts and performance art. His public engagements and projects within the community have quickly evolved into a powerful platform that has shifted public programming within Chicago. His towering shoeshine stands are particularly interesting simply because its homage to Chicago's busy shine center in the West Side. Yet, his meditative gathering spaces made from wood salvaged from defunct inner-city factories are quite intriguing constructions.

Artist: Theaster Gates | Represented by Kavi Gupta

JR on TED

Artist: JR | Source: TED