Michael Workman

If using the homeless as objects for your own sexual pleasure is your bag, then "Objectifying the Abject: Exploitation, Political (In)Correctness and Ethical Dilemmas" should hit the spot. As if the homeless didn't have enough problems, first there was "Bumfight" and now this. Few exhibitions in recent years have been quite so callous in the treatment of their subject matter or tailor-made to intentionally court and confront directly the art-going public's sense of moral outrage as this exhibition. It's the project of SAIC professor Barbara DeGenevieve, whose historic censorship battles with the NEA in the 1980s briefly directed the spotlight of nationwide exposure her way. It's been a while since she's had that kind of attention, but comes out guns blazing with this show of video and photographic documentation of her attempts to solicit male panhandlers for nude portraits. According to Gallery 400's website, the purpose is to "engage questions of exploitation, objectification and the sexualization of the bodies of a segment of the male population who are rarely, if ever, sexualized." While it's true that artists are expected to and often do cross moral boundaries in pursuit of their art, DeGenevieve has made an art of the crossing itself, often with her purposeless justifications serving as their own end result.

Barbara DeGenevieve shows at Gallery 400, 1240 West Harrison, (312)996-6114, through February 25. (2006-02-07)

Also by Michael Workman

Eye Exam
It's amusing that, on a weekend with so little of the white stuff actually around, there's a preponderance of art about snow
(2006-01-31)

The Real Thing
If art is a word owned by the visual arts more than music, cinema and other media, then few institutions have a stronger hold on Chicago's version of it than the Hyde Park Art Center
(2006-01-31)

Tip of the Week
Mark Booth, best known for his biomorphic text paintings, has organized an interdisciplinary festival that connects sound, performance and the language arts playing at Links Hall every weekend night through the month of February
(2006-01-31)

Eye Exam
Fans of small art spaces will want to check out the current show at Lobby Gallery, its penultimate exhibition before director Matthew Robinson closes the doors for good
(2006-01-24)

Kimmel Bits
(2006-01-24)

Eye Exam
(2006-01-17)

Eye Exam
(2006-01-10)

Eye Exam
(2006-01-03)

Eye Exam
(2005-12-20)

Eye Exam
(2005-12-13)

Eye Exam
(2005-12-06)

Eye Exam
(2005-11-15)

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