Michael Workman

Making a stop on its nationwide tour this week at the Columbia College A+D 11th Street Gallery, the 83rd New York Art Director's Club Annual Awards Exhibition will showcase the best and brightest from the world of "integrated media." That's advertising, design and interactive media for those unfamiliar with the lingo. Many artists, of course, work in the applied arts, an educational program which almost serves as a full mandate for Columbia, and this show's definitely not just for the yeoman. Matter of fact, over this shopping-heavy holiday season, it's almost a way to see behind the curtain of all those images you're bombarded with (and if you believe the arguments, influenced by), and into how they're made.

What, exactly, makes advertising and design such a powerhouse in our contemporary culture? It's the question designers and admen secretly whisper to themselves like a mantra all day everyday until it's a background prayer in their life experience. But the background here is one populated and wallpapered with company brands. It's the kind of exhibition where the wall tiles list company names such as Apple iPod, Sony Playstation and Nike Asia Pacific, where the finished works are posters, pocket calendars and appointment books, magazine spreads and TV commercial teasers. In one spot for the Spanish-language version of MTV titled "Praying," "Crying," "Bathroom," a diverse group of Latinos are shown praying: a little boy in his bedroom, a nun, an old woman kneeling at a gravestone, a boxer preparing for a bout. Over these images plays Janis Joplin's ode to material culture, "Mercedes Benz." You know the lyrics: "Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz/My friends all drive Porsches/I must make amends..." Amen. And make amends this little piece does when a title text comes up: "Many People Feel the Same Way."

Do they? Are they all praying for new cars or color TVs? Not likely. But it's the marketing culture that would like us to believe that all these people's problems could be solved with the purchase of a new pair of shoes or a downloadable music player, no matter how desperate or difficult the obstacles of their lonely lives. In marketing it may as well all be the same when viewed through the binary lens of buyer and seller. Who could ask for anything more?

Buyer's market
In keeping with the art market theme, patrons will find much to delight in at a number of special annual holiday art sales at various Chicago art galleries. First, there's Roscoe Village's August House Studio, where art-rental agent Marya Veeck will open the "15th Annual Holidaze Art Event" with painting, prints, textiles, birdhouses (yes, birdhouses) and kites (yes, kites). Book art signings are hot this year, too. Mitch Markovitz will sign limited-edition glycee prints of book covers he's designed and Caryn Lazar Amster, author of "Toys and Tragedy in Chicago," will sign her book.

Two art institutions are also in on the action. Visitors to the Lill Street Art Center's "30th Anniversary Holiday Show and Sale" will find a show divided into "Small Treasures" and "Six Chicago Jewelers," with the former showcasing work under the dimensions of 6"x6"x6." All the work here has been made by fifty ceramicists working in the region and it's all for a good cause: proceeds from this event's preview party go to support The Michael Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation. Those who find themselves up north have a place to shop at the Evanston Art Center's "Winter Arts + Crafts Expo," showcasing a wide array of mediums, including photography, prints, fiber arts and jewelry, ceramics, metal and glass. It's a keen place to find those one-of-a-kind home furnishings besides taking that thousandth trip out to Ikea or spending those hard-earned dollars at the local CB2.

And finally, serious shoppers would be remiss if they failed to check out DEPART-ment, an infrequent art and craft seller's bazaar at the West Loop's Open End Gallery. It's usually chock full of tables piled with wares from local artisans, from earrings to T-shirts to hand-tooled pocketbooks, all affordable if not downright cheap. But make sure to come early, this event usually draws large crowds who scoop up the best buys early in the evening, hanging around to catch up with friends or pose in the hall with the smokers afterward.

"The 83rd Art Director's Club Annual Awards Exhibition" shows at A+D Gallery, 72 East 11th Street, (312)344-6156. OPENING RECEPTION: December 2, 5-7pm. Through January 8. "The 15th Annual Holidaze Art Event" shows at August House Studio, 2113 West Roscoe, (773)327-5644. OPENING RECEPTION: December 3, 6-10pm. Through January 8. "The 30th Anniversary Holiday Show and Sale" shows at Lill Street Art Center, 4401 North Ravenswood, (773)477-6185. OPENING RECEPTION: December 3, 5-10pm. Through December 31. "The Winter Arts + Crafts Expo" shows at the Evanston Art Center, 2603 Sheridan Road, (847)475-5300. PREVIEW PARTY: December 3, 6-8pm. Through December 12. DEPART-ment shows at Open End Gallery, 2000 West Fulton, (312)560-1442. OPENING RECEPTION: December 3, 7-11pm. Through December 5.

(2004-11-30)

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