Michael Workman

In the finer granulations of the useless heaps of information generated by the DIY revolution of Internet technology, on occasion a pearl or two appear in the dungpile. It's in this largely unedited, unreflective demilitarized zone of a still-wobbly media that an intense search for new directions has focused, its pioneers lionized as conquerors of a final, untamed frontier rallied by a cry of "Hobbyists of the world unite!" And they have: at times scouring the art blogs, listservs and message boards, plump with diatribe, screed, unqualified personal opinion and often even less qualified attack, it's difficult to deny that the lunatic fringe may have found its promised land. It's exciting precisely on account of his delimited nature. Riding this frothy wave of individualism, to complicate matters still more, are new trends that emerge with each successive flood of devices released for accessing the `net. Desktops, laptops, PDAs and now cell phones, such as the spectacularly versatile Treo 650. But in 2004, the success of iPod--as everyone not hooked up to life support now knows--gave birth to a phenomenon known as "podcasting." For those living still on life support, podcasting is a portmanteau word that pairs the word iPod with the word "broadcast." It's not broadcast in the sense of TV, but a feed that allows subscribers to download files using software such as RSS (Really Simple Syndication) technology--usually used to deliver MP3s--to their computer or handheld. It's a distribution method that inspired many to develop audio programs on a radio model, though often production values are negligible at best. Podcasts have proliferated, nonetheless, and the model has only just begun to find its footing. Perfect time, of course, for an art podcast.

As perhaps the most "over-hyped thing ever," according to Chicago sculptor, lawyer, artist and teacher Richard Holland, podcasting was attractive for its connections to blogging's newfound status as an alternative form of journalism. Holland, with co-host and former art team Middle Management member Duncan MacKenzie together this month launched "Bad At Sports," a podcast and web site at http://badatsports.libsyn.com. While there are certainly other art podcasts floating in the cyber-ether, BAS maintains a stronger focus than most.

Mainly distributed through itunes (www.apple.com/itunes/) and ipodder (www.ipodder.org), the show mainly consists of the two hosts interviewing curators such as Chris Cook of the Sioux City Art Center, artists including Amanda Browder, and assessing art exhibitions after recorded walk-throughs. Their walk-through, which included audio stitched in from a hand-held cassette recorder, produced better sound than one would have ever thought possible. As a parallel, the grainy, jerky visuals of the hand-held home video recorder come to mind. But what's nicest about listening to a typical BAS program is Holland and MacKenzie's attention to at least minimal production, with weird, back-bass music nicely integrated into the dialogue. Holland and MacKenzie are also informed commentators on their subject matter, and smart enough to have not cast any wider a net than the subject at hand (occasionally record and book reviews sneak in, but visual art remains the core). While Holland's commentary tends to copious description, and MacKenzie hedges toward specialization, they manage to keep the tone conversational enough that listeners get to hear as two minds work through their individual encounters with art. Coupled with their frequent willingness to ham, and the antic feel of a program recorded for no other reason than the fun of experiencing art, BAS levitates to the top of the art podcast heap.

Blind Spot Season Two

If that's not enough audio-through-your-computer entertainment for you, try checking out "Blind Spot" on WLUW 88.7FM Sunday night from 10-11pm (the show's main information page is at www.stopgostop.com/blindspot). If you don't live in or near the Rogers Park neighborhood, you're likely outside the 100-watt range of the station, broadcasting live from the campus of Loyola University. Have a listen by downloading a live feed from www.wluw.org. Now in its second season, "Blind Spot" is a live on-air broadcast that uses the radio format as a platform for sound projects by visual artists. The September 25 program offers an hour-long a cappella chorus produced by Jacob Christopher and Brian Taylor. The program's web site promises renditions from "Bowie to Charles Mingus to The Raincoats, by singing, humming, beat-boxing, whistling, snapping, clicking, clapping, yelling, and anything else you can do with your body."

(2005-09-20)

Also by Michael Workman

Eye Exam
What an amazing weekend, with what started on Friday feeling as if it lasted pretty much the whole seventy-two hours through Sunday. At least the hangovers have, and how much art hasn't yet been viewed?
(2005-09-13)

Is River North Dead?
Imagine this headline: "River North is dead." If you're running a gallery in the neighborhood, your response would probably be something like "What the %@#&?"
(2005-09-06)

Eye Exam
Six spaces in a loosely defined area on the Near Northwest Side have recently forged an alliance to help promote each other's exhibitions
(2005-09-06)

Fall Forward: Art and Museums
There's often so much visual art happening in the Pilsen neighborhood that it's difficult to differentiate one particular event from another
(2005-08-31)

Tip of the Week
(2005-08-30)

Eye Exam
(2005-08-30)

Eye Exam
(2005-08-23)

Tip of the Week
(2005-08-16)

Eye Exam
(2005-08-16)

Eye Exam
(2005-08-09)

Eye Exam
(2005-08-02)

Eye Exam
(2005-07-26)

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