Reviewing The Arts

An expression of the arts seen through the eyes of of the highly imaginative.

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Actual Air - Poems by David Berman

     Another entry added to the archive of proverbial prophets and galvanized gurus. Singer/song writer David Berman (famous for his work with indie rock band “Silver Jews”) unleashes a series of thoughts and ideas in this journal like succession of narrative and abstract poems. The short entry entitled “Actual air” are Berman’s trouble-free observations and lackadaisical thoughts made flesh.

     Actual air is a beautiful display of the dedicated psyche and honorable values that live within Berman. Looking Behind the words of lyrical semblance, one can find a simple man who honors simple things. Perusing through his expressions of small town antics, it becomes easy for one to get lost within his easy-going idioms, and cloud watching philosophy. Although some of his pieces require some in depth assessment, and perhaps some off the wall speculation, this seems to be Berman’s ploy. After all, what good is art if there is obligation from the artist to explain the method of his or her madness? The true beauty of art lies within subjectivity. The idea of relation and investment within the piece is where the substance exists.

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Anish Kapoor - Cloud Gate “The Bean” (2006)

     What’s round, shiny, and a significant symbol respectively placed within the heart of Chicago? It’s the “Bean!” Well, actually it’s a robust sculpture of art weighing in at 110 tons crafted of highly polished stainless steel constructed into the shape of a bean. Properly entitled Cloud Gate, the piece comes from the creative mind of British (Indian born) artist Anish Kapoor and now resides in Chicago’s own Millennium Park. The magnificent structure measuring up to 33 feet high by 44 feet long weighs in at 110 tons and was completed for dedication in April of 2006.

     When approaching the overwhelming sculpture, the first visual impulse that comes to mind is the brilliant size of it. How can an artist manipulate something of that physical enormity and craft it to their liking? Kapoor’s piece looks as though it had at once been of spherical form, (having much resemblance of the earth) and then rightfully fashioned to an equally proportioned bean shape. Considering the fact that the sculpture could have at one point been a representation of our planet, place the scheme of the bean’s outer surface texture of a mirrored image into the situation and think…

     The piece is a reflection of human life and a skewed perspective of society on the planet earth. We can look at ourselves in any ordinary everyday mirror and see a lie, where as if we look into this piece (a reflection from the mind of Kapoor) we can see truth: A planet of warped and frustrated souls out fighting for their own well being.

     If you are in the Chicago area, consider taking some time to visit the spectacular landmark. Let the beauty of the piece feed your soul and listen to the story it’s telling you. Ponder what you will and gain from it what you may, that’s the beauty of art. Ignorance is completely subjective; and it’s all about perspective.

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Boardwalk Empire

     Not seeing the likes of organized crime since the Sopranos, HBO snorkels up and dives back into the underworld of the gangster with a new series entitled “Boardwalk Empire.” In this series, a true story, Enoch Lewis “Nucky” Johnson (Steve Buscemi), leader of the Atlanta Republican political organization is living a double life. While he confirms his place as a legitimate politician to the fat cats in Washington, he also finds himself cavorting with well-known gangsters. As Nucky climbs his way to the top, he establishes black-market businesses of bootlegging, gambling, and prostitution - swearing to rub out all who get in his way. For those familiar with the archetype of the traditional gangster, this could only mean trouble for Nucky Johnson.

     Boardwalk Empire is a unique look at the thirteen-year crime wave that took place in an alcohol free Atlantic City.  This beautiful timepiece seen at the height of prohibition stays true to the time and history of both the city and Johnson’s character without traditional gangster adoration. Though the story circulates around the evolution of Nucky, the tale would be incomplete without attention to the gangsters that facilitate, influence, and restrict the world surrounding him such as: James 'Jimmy' Darmody (Michael Pitt), Al Capone (Stephen Grahm), and Charles “Lucky” Luciano (Vincent Piazza.)

     Regardless of Buscemi’s stature, his projection as a man of power and a gangster of charisma, control, and respect (all traits noted in the classic gangster films) are completely evident in his presence on screen. Compliment this with by a brilliant cast of supporting actors and actresses into a story well told makes a concoction sure enough to be nutrient dense and fortified.

     Boardwalk Empire is a brilliant portrayal of 1920s politics, racketeering, and sleaze found evident on the boardwalk of Atlantic City. It would be worth your Sunday evening to treat yourself to an action packed hour of sex, indiscretion, and top shelf libations guaranteed to put hair on your chest. Another well done creation from the resourceful minds at HBO. 

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Guy Tillim: Avenue Patrice Lumumba

     Columbia College’s very own Museum of Contemporary Photography is proud to present Avenue Patrice Lumumba; photographs of a poverty-stricken third world country seized by the lens of photographer Guy Tillim  (South African native.) The gallery will be presenting Tillim’s work in social conflict from January 6th to March 10th 2011.

     The exhibit is an exploration and a documentation of the decay, destitute, and struggles seen in a post- colonial South Africa.  Throughout the series are photographs of what would be an apocalyptic world minus the glamorous bang in which only the media could offer. The deprived people captured in the moment are indications of a humanity forsaken. Scene by scene we are brought into a lifestyle unlike anything we have experienced. While the ingrates complain to their cable company about a disruption in service, the natives encapsulated in Tillims images gather drinking water from a stagnant swimming pool.

     The powerful expressions seen in Avenue Patrice Lumumba portray a story of demise and a message of graciousness. We should honor our own good fortune and reach out to those being characterized. Should you ever lose sight of your own mortality and inherit the overfed tendencies of the greedy, take some time out of your day to experience the gift of fortune that Tillim has brought to us. Be reminded of just how good your life really is, and also how potentially horrible it could be.

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Let the right one in (2008)

     In light of the recent vampire films that have surfaced their way out of the woodwork comes a story with true nutritional value. Let the right one in is a breath of fresh air adaption of John Ajvide Linqvusts 2004 novel. Swedish director Tomas Alfredsons cold, yet inspiring film is the story of an overlooked and victimized young boy (Kåre Hedebrant), and his transformation from a captured caterpillar to a blossoming butterfly made possible by his unlikely vampire friend (Lina Leandersson).

     Let the right one in is a beautiful demonstration of how truelove and companionship can exist within a world filled of hate and selfishness. The taboo example of preteen sensuality and romance directed by Alfredson is not offensive or risqué at all. If anything, the performance given by Hedebrant and Leandersson is both admirable, and a cunning display that should be noted to all who claim “devoted to one another.”

     Let the right one in is a wonderfully adapted film of inexplicable fidelity united by captivating story telling. With all of the vampire hype that has recently surrounded the film industry, it is good to see a piece with truly unique and interesting characters. The story elements and film motifs go beyond the extent of empty shelled characters, overexposed bare-chested manliness, and cheesy love scenes dedicated to giving false hope to those who cannot see beyond the world of fiction. 

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R-Gang: 20th century music for 21st century people: Live at Sideouts (Island Lake, Illinois)

     It’s a crowded night at Sideouts bar and eatery in Island Lake, Illinois. The nightlife brings many middle-aged women and men styled in fashions that drastically disagree with their time; their search for youth continues. The mob is merry, the booze is flowing, and stage is jumpin. “ R-gang” a groovin’ six man band consisting of: Robert Davis (Lead vocals), Anthony Owens (Vocals), Bill Syniar (Bass), Todd Brown (Keyboard), Will Crosby (Guitar), and Linard Stroud (Drums) take the stage to begin their set.

     R-Gang is a laid back sound combination of Motown and rhythm and blues. Their funkadelic voice and energetic personalities omit the resonance of confidence, soulful passion, and a seasoned stage presence. Compared to other bands of their genre such as: The Staple Singers, Marvin Gaye, and Smokey Robinson, R-Gang adds a psychedelic rock inspired zest that sweetens the flavor ten-fold. The colorful lights twisted and curled as Robert Davis eagerly danced to the music. As boogie fever broke out, the horde of alcohol inspired recipients lunged to the stage and began swaying to the colorful music twirling in the environment.

     R-Gang really knows how to work their crowd. They provided an excellent time with a vigorous musical atmosphere that can be appreciated while casually drinking a beer, or cutting a rug on the dance floor. The local band is not hard to find and should be sought after. For those appreciating the soulful salt and psychedelic pepper found in this particular salad, take your date and your dancing shoes to see R-Gang; check your local pub for details.

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Rod Tuff curls and the Bench-press: Live at Sideouts (Island Lake, Illinois)

     Driving on a very wet Friday night in Island Lake, Illinois, one cannot help but notice the rockin’ vibe and packed parking lot of Sideouts bar and eatery. A typical bowling alley/bar combination, Sideouts is a venue very much in love with both music and their Chicago sports teams. Tonight’s musical headliner was Rod Tuff curls and the bench-press, an up and coming rock and roll cover band from Chicago, Illinois.

     Much like a bottle of wine uncorked prematurely, the band is a green taste to the potential it could have and still could be. At first glance, one would expect a more modern sound. The band’s mismatched wardrobe involving 80s inspired shorts higher than respectable, elongated tube socks pulled up to the knees, and skintight baseball shirts bring to mind an expected sound culmination not unlike emo and punk.

     The band took the stage and began cavorting to their sound of classic rock inspired covers. Their sound did not match their look and the interest of the band’s voice did not reach far. Their girlfriends eagerly danced and swayed in the front row as one inebriated gentleman enthusiastically danced about, drink in hand.

     Although full of personality and impending capabilities, Rod Tuffcurls and the Benchpress really need to find a sound and look to truly compliment who they are and what they represent. What are they trying to say being a cover band? What and where will that lead them to? One finds inspiration from personal experiences and triumphs. Displaying what others have encountered is a cop out for cheap entertainment. Give the audience something to think about. Give them something to feel. Apply your beliefs and incidents to create something truly exclusive. Until then, I will put this bottle back on the shelf for more aging.

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PH Productions Presents: Studio BE - A night of improv and sketch comedy.

     Tucked away in a sea of bars, fast food restaurants, and gently nestled apartments lies Studio BE, a venue dedicated to improv and sketch comedy of all sorts. Studio BE is a very modern comedy club with a kicked back, drink if you got em’ sort of attitude. The atmosphere makes you feel right at home and eagerly gears you up for a night of entertainment.

     The lights dimmed and the music started. Immediately, the energetic host of the show sprang from behind the curtain with enthusiasm. With the introduction of cheap Irish jokes he would quickly move on to rightfully embarrass himself with an Irish jig as he anxiously searched for laughs.

     The event pressed on with a mixed sex line up of the studios improv gym class, a cast of 3 males and 3 females representing a diversified age range. Although the group was thoroughly entertaining to watch as they searched for comebacks and quickly delivered their lines, the substance simply wasn’t funny. Their material was stupid, generic, and contained zero originality. Needless to say, the first impression of Studio BE was mediocre at best.

     As the show moved onto the headliners, the improv gym class moved to sit in with the audience and the all stars of the studio took the stage for an audience inspired all- star match up. In this part of the show the audience would team up comedians and offer suggestions on certain circumstances. The all-stars went on with skits that involved awkward work settings, the lives of the elderly, and embarrassing yoga positions involving cheap jokes about flatulence and sexual relations; sometimes linking the two. Ultimately, the all-stars did not bring light to the moment. The headlining brood fed off of the small amounts of audience laughter to counter with gibberish chatter, stupid faces, and slow moving dramatic movements in a poor attempt to increase the humor.  

     The comedy styles of studio BE are nothing to boast about. For some extra money it would be highly suggested taking yourself and your cash to a venue possessing more experience and a keener sense humor. As this venue seems to be a gathering of those inspired to act and spread laughs simply as a hobby, other comedy clubs possess an air of dedication and know how for the art that only professionals seem to omit. 

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Swan Lake Ballet: 1986

     Swan Lake is a picturesque performance of grace, elegance, magic, and majestically refined beauty. The ballet performance (a 1986 screen adaption) is based on a German fairy tale that was originally performed live in Moscow, Russia at the Bolshoi Theatre in 1877.

     This remarkable performance is a celebration of life and a tribute to sophistication and poise. The excellence of this concert is truly shown through the marvelously crafted choreography of Marius Petipa and Leonid Ivanov matched up to the colorfully orchestrated score created by Peter Tchaikovsky. The recital takes you through a beautiful story driven by an ensemble of diverse instruments while displaying a roller coaster of dramatic ballet dance movements executed in superb fashion. As we move from the different sections of act one to act two, the scenery and context of the story changes, but still maintains the feeling that you are watching a beautiful painting come to life before your very eyes.

    Although ballet may be targeted for a specific crowd who initially appreciate the subject, all can value this presentation of Swan Lake. The show is an emotionally grappling piece of art that should not be overlooked or easily dismissed. For those of you who are looking for a chic night of complexity, enchantment, and cathartic story telling please take the time to recognize the value of this lovely story that has been created for you.

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The Ballad of the Sad Café: Carson McCullers.

     American poet and novelist Carson McCullers expresses her heartfelt loneliness, and outlandish relationship with the unknown in her 2005 short story entitled “ The Ballad of the Sad Café.” Taking place in a southern village, the story depicts the image of one Miss Ameila, a lonely divorcee who knows her Whiskey. Her general store turned café is a meeting place for villagers and passer by’s who come to wet their whistle and jabber on over the latest gossip. The arrival of a mysterious hunchback (her long lost cousin) would be the beginning of a dramatic shift into a prospect that she would not be expecting.  

     McCuller’s is a beautiful writer. Her words are vivid, bold, and pull you right into the world with which she has created. Unfortunately, the context of the story seen in “The Ballad of the Sad Café” is not much to be cared for.

     Given the overall feel of the time and place that the story is set in, the slow moving delivery of information and drab release of visualization is indeed very appropriate. The problem with this particular course of action is keeping your reader awake and concentrated. Reading the story, one cannot help but feel the occasional nodding off with quick affirmation to stay awake and focused. Should you find yourself skipping pages in search of information, you are not alone.

     The problem with this short story is, should we care about the characters that are being presented before us? If so, why? It is to be understood that there are vital story plots within the piece that reaches a singular climactic point, but if you leave your readers perplexed that this is that moment, then they will feel unsatisfied and cheated. If this is the goal of the story, then mission accomplished.

     Based on reading this particular morsel of McCuller’s work would not entice my literary appetite for her main course. Based on her keen word usage and phrase placement fellow writers can appreciate McCuller’s writing for what it is. However, given her demographic, the arch of the narrative is leisurely and monotonous. There are definitely other stories in the world to enrich ones time with. Seek these and fulfill the true potential that story telling has to offer.

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Peter Fischli and David Weiss: The Sausage Photographs, and a Quiet Afternoon.

           “The Sausage photographs, and a Quiet Afternoon,” is an exhibit desperately displayed at the art institute in Chicago, Illinois from February 3rd to April 17th 2011. The crank works of object formation and childish practice of playing with ones food is brought to you from the minds of Peter Fischli and David Weiss, proclaimed artists and filmmakers.

     The exhibition is a demonstration of balance, proportion, and a cut-rate form of art seemed influenced by a substance-induced boredom. Passing the pieces on display, one cannot help but feel insulted by the lack of matter existing behind the literal interpretation of the pieces. This “art” is a pathetic attempt on humor, and a poor lesson in the school of profound deliberation seen by the “emotionally purging” objects and grotesque food.

     At an almost equally embarrassing loss of words, the presence of images against titles with a supposed amount of open depth is both undeliverable and misunderstood by any audience. Titles like “ A restless night,” a black and white photograph of two balanced chairs resting on a ceramic pot and a cardboard tube bring no emotional substance or spiritual nourishment to the moment. To those who crave it, go elsewhere! The presence of vivid shadows and allegorical titles alone do not immediately inquire a piece to dramatics!

     If art is merely an expression of self and an interpretation of our existence, what separates great art from the pictures children create? Are they themselves not an expression of inner emotion and a validation of existence? Sooner or later, the line is drawn. The intersection of art from anything less is stipulated. The same must be done in reference to Fischli and Weiss’ “The Sausage Photographs, and a Quiet Afternoon.” There comes a point where art ends and over analysis begins, anything over the line is to be considered beyond reason and without grasp.

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Touch and Go: Ray Yoshida

     Anyone involved within the art community of Chicago for the past 50 years would be very familiar with the name Ray Yoshida (1930—2009). The artist, a Hawaiian born native, began his studies at the University of Hawaii and then resumed them (shortly after the Korean war) at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC). After receiving a Bachelors degree in fine arts as well as a Masters from the University of Syracuse, Yoshida would decide to return to Chicago (1959) to teach at SAIC, a career that would thrive four decades. Yoshida died in January of 2009 in Kapaa, Hawaii; He was 79 years old.

     The windy city’s collage artist, painter, and professor is being honored at the Sullivan Galleries: a modern, walk about display venue of fine art located in the heart of downtown Chicago from November 12th, 2010 to February 12th, 2011.

     The gallery is a representation, and a tip of the hat to the artist’s life not only from the perspective seen in Yoshida’s art, but also from those whom have been influenced by his words, ideas and pieces. The gallery itself holds four sections or art, which reveals the evolution of Yoshida’s inspiration from oddball comic book collages, to abstract paintings.

     The brilliance behind the gallery being expressed by Yoshida, as well as those he has motivated, is to not take life too seriously. Walking about the gallery grasps a great sense of humor and a different way of looking at everyday meanings and scenarios (whether it be comical or surreal). More importantly noted is the feeling of importance and legacy that this man has left to the world. He has inspired so many to craft one simple, but important message within their art. Yoshida has fulfilled what is to be believed as his sole purpose in life: to inform a dogmatic world obsessed with austerity that lightheartedness should be present to stabilize it’s opposite. Life demands balance!

     If you are in the Chicago-land area, please take some time to visit the Sullivan Galleries holding Yoshida’s art on display for a limited time. Let the benefits of soulful inspiration move you in the same way that Yoshida has moved others. The torch of reason and influence must be passed for hope in future generations.  

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Oracle Productions Presents: "Woyzeck"

     Tucked between the concrete barrier of quick stop convenient stores and inexpensively satisfying restaurants lies Oracle Productions, a free in public access theatre with a cast of young dedicated artists devoted to performing for those who dare to enter.  Tonight’s presentation is a piece entitled “Woyzeck,” a story written by George Buchner about young mans difficulties and his ultimate downfall into madness.

     When entering the stage area of Oracle Productions one cannot help but be conflicted with the idea of being entertained, or being murdered.  The makeshift stage, extremely limited seating, and voyeuristic bathroom which the actors pass through with no disregard make one question the level of professionalism that Oracle Productions are trying to display. The space is uncomfortable to say the least, and does not give much of a stellar first impression. Nevertheless, try not to concentrate on the scratchy atmosphere omitted by the venue. Enjoy the show.

     From what one can decipher behind the abrasive “depth” of word usage, theatrical body movements, and absurd facial gestures delivered by the cast of Woyzeck, the story is a tale of temptation onto the kind hearted. With many references to lust, the underworld, Satan, and the biblical city of Sodom, this narrative is a highly sensual and expressive rollercoaster ride through one mans agony. Coincidently, if you are not a fan of the avant-garde style of theatre acting, it may bring you to your agony as well.

     To put it bluntly, Oracle Productions’ performance of Woyzeck is a very type casted call for entertainment. The establishment is a very low budget scene generating “you get what you pay for” results. If you can follow the story context, get involved within the colorful use of poetic dialogue, and appreciate the “starving artist” impression then please, take a chance. However, if your style or choice of entertainment sits in a higher class of expectations you may want to consider some alternative keywords for your Google search.