Michael Workman

Last year, the staff at Bridge magazine (where I work as director) decided to put on an art show to raise money to build out the abandoned offices at 840 West Washington as artists' studios. We called it Nova, since the word itself means "new" in many languages, and also as an acronym for how we conceived of the studios: a "Network of Visual Art." We didn't know what we were getting into. I documented the entire experience in this column last year, the majority of which had to do with efforts to secure permission from the Chicago city government to use a non-traditional space--a parking garage and second-floor office space--for our show. It was such a traumatic experience--transforming these spaces for public assembly--that we were determined to address the code issues this year head-on in our selection of venue. Our idea? Let's find a hotel. We traveled both to Miami this past December during Art Basel and to New York during the Armory Show, each major fairs that attract a number of "satellite" shows such as ~scope, NADA, Pulse, Aqua, Frisbee and the DiVa art fairs. Interestingly, the Armory Show, the second most popular fair in the United States, started in a hotel, the Gramercy. Launched and run by artists, these shows have all enjoyed a modicum of ascendancy in the art marketplace under the new global structure, permitting collectors to stop in and see work from around the world all in one place at one time. Sales of art at these shows has reflected the success of this new model, to the consternation of some who view the globalization of the art world as short-changing artists who can't afford access to it.

Hotels are a natural fit for art shows. ~scope and Aqua do it in Miami to dramatic effect, taking over the ENTIRE hotel--something I didn't understand until I saw it for myself. The front desk becomes the ticket counter. There are a lot of rooms, each of which can be used as a temporary gallery. Dealers flying in from out of town can sleep in the same rooms where they're showing and save a little money. As for city code, there are bathrooms and fire-escape routes posted on every floor, in every room. Hotels are semi-public places anyway, only a few degrees from the specific type of "use" the city wants from a space hosting a big-time art show. On that point it's worth noting that, through meetings with Chicago officials after last year's Nova, the city council voted in an ordinance for a new "indoor special event" license. This new license allows for exactly the type of thing we do with Nova--taking a space and putting it to a different use than that for which it was originally designed. Information on this license, for those interested in employing it for their own shows, is available by calling the Department of Business Affairs and Licensing at 312-74-GOBIZ (744-6249).

After a few months of seeking the right hotel--the big corporate hotels don't work because of the guests staying in other rooms--we settled on the City Suites Hotel, three miles north of the Loop at 933 Belmont. The neighborhood has long been viewed as a gateway for young tourists and newcomers to the city and a center for shopping, dining and nightlife. It was large enough to hold forty galleries and project spaces and small enough that we could afford to buy out the entire hotel for the week, a perfect fit. Situating the art show in a hotel allowed us to spend money bringing in more staff to run the show, from Dirk Knibbe who handles programming and operations, to Vanessa Chafen, working as my assistant director. We also hired an exhibitor services person, Anne Stebbins, and have Tom Burtonwood on as director of operations. Those who visit our website at www.novaartfair.com will note the handiwork of Silas Dilworth, our amazing (and overworked) designer. Over the past six months I've watched as these people worked on this show with a zeal I think unparalleled in the industry, the kind of zeal one only gets from a group of young artists wanting to take their best shot, and I think it shows. Nobody can look at the final list of galleries--from major city centers such as London, New York, Miami and Los Angeles--or the astounding list of artist's projects in area businesses, on the CTA train we've chartered for a Friday evening fashion show, or the screenings at the Landmark Century Cinemas--and not think, "Wow, this will be an amazing show." And we're doing it in Chicago. This past Monday, we moved the entire staff over to the City Suites to begin preparation for the dealers who'll begin showing up on Tuesday and Wednesday to set up their rooms for the opening on Thursday. We've spent months doing our homework and now we're excited to get this show on the road. That's why, after we finish in Chicago, we're starting right away on plans for taking Nova down to Miami during Art Basel, where we'll be showing at the Catalina Hotel on Collins Avenue in South Beach. It's the number-one place for art in the United States, and we're going to do it from Chicago.

Omission

Two weeks ago, in covering the (A) MEXICAN r4wb1t5 macro.Fest, we cited Jon Satrom and Jon Cates as the principal organizers. This list should also have included Amanda Gutierrez, who we are sorry to have omitted from the list.

(2006-04-18)

Also by Michael Workman

Eye Exam
It's hard not to like Oli Watt's art. My first art purchase was a dollar bill of his that he'd left on a railroad track for a train to flatten. A dollar bill, instead of a penny, to adjust for inflation. That sorely crumpled dollar bill, floating in a box frame, has hung on my wall for years now, a meek reminder of the half-life of ideas
(2006-04-11)

Eye Exam
`Tis spring, once again, and for art lovers around the globe, that means one thing: Chicago
(2006-04-04)

Tip of the Week
Chris Reilly's cynically, awkwardly titled piece has managed a splash
(2006-04-04)

Eye Exam
In only its fifth show since opening in September, rowlandcontemporary, the newest space to enter the development now spreading along the Fulton Corridor, finds its place on the Chicago art-world map
(2006-03-21)

Eye Exam
(2006-03-14)

Eye Exam
(2006-03-07)

Eye Exam
(2006-02-21)

Eye Exam
(2006-02-14)

Eye Exam
(2006-02-07)

Tip of the Week
(2006-02-07)

Eye Exam
(2006-01-31)

The Real Thing
(2006-01-31)

about Newcitychicago | about Newcity magazine | advertising | privacy policy | FAQ | employment