Arts & Power

We’ve got the power—cultural power, that is. In fact, the city’s dynamic arts and culture scene is one of the reasons we believe Chicago is the best city in America. From gallery shows by some of the country’s most respected emerging artists to the Poetry Foundation’s unprecedented new $21.5 million poetry center to a hyper-cool and admirably ambitious installation from local legend Andrew Bird and partner-in-crime Ian Schneller, the city’s creative scene is boiling over. While we couldn’t hope to cover every single person and institution shaping the arts scene right now, we’ve put together our picks for the key people and organizations leading the charge in making our beloved metropolis a true zenith of creativity. Now get out there and get inspired!

Artist Of The Year
Nick Cave
Nick Cave’s “Soundsuits”—larger-than-life sculptures made from textiles—have captured the art world’s imagination ever since his first New York show at Jack Shainman Gallery in 2006. But Cave, the chairman of the fashion department at the School of the Art Institute, says this is the year he feels he’s finally arrived, calling 2011 a “critical shift” in his career. Cave and 10 assistants worked for two years to prep for the big moment: duel shows at Jack Shainman and Mary Boone galleries in Chelsea this fall. The exhibits coincided with New York’s Fashion Week, attracting droves of admirers and coverage in The New York Times. Both shows sold out. “I remember walking into Mary Boone’s gallery when I was 19 and saying, ‘If only I could get to this level,’” says Cave. “It’s happened.” And the world noticed: Cave is busy creating work for major 2012 exhibits in Dallas and Lille, France.

On The Make
It’s impossible to name the “best” visual artists, but here’s a snapshot, alphabetically, of who’s selling, creating and cutting it with critics now:

1. Laura Cartwright
While Cartwright is best known for her abstract portraits, she recently co-founded the Revolving Collections Gallery, a venture that allows her to use her artistic and curating talents in collections for commercial and residential clients.
2. Dan Gunn
A fast-rising painter, Gunn’s work has lately gravitated toward the 3-D realm. A group exhibition at Monique Meloche in January, 2011 resulted in a critically lauded solo show in September.
3. Barbara Kasten
Since the 1970s, Kasten’s abstract photography has explored light and shadow. Her work has been showcased in museums and galleries worldwide, but last year she dazzled locally with a solo show at the Tony Wight Gallery.
4. Jessica Labatte
Photograpaher Jessica Labatte, known for her creatively manipulated images of detritus found in Chicago alleys and other colorful shapes, is on a roll: She was recently part of threewalls’ Community Supported Art program, and is working on a solo show for Golden gallery’s New York location in April.
5. Matthew Lew
It’s hard to get more Chicago than Lew: In 2009, the mixed-media artist was commissioned to create “Sun Rise”: a 22x9-foot painting to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Lake Point Tower. He recently designed a line of home products for CB2 and opened an eponymous River West Gallery in 2010.
6. Robin Malpass
The president of her own marketing firm, Malpass has exhibited her nature-inspired abstract paintings since 2006. Her pieces, made with natural composites, have been on display at the Woman Made Gallery and Indiana’s South Shore Arts 64th Annual Salon Show.
7. Josh Moulton
A longtime local favorite, Moulton opened a gallery in Lincoln Park this year to showcase his paintings, which often capture Chicago landmarks.
8. Pete Nawara
Nawara’s latest project, The Mirror Conspiracy, features subjects posing in front of the camera as if it were a mirror; the images are then given an innovative pop art treatment. Also a live artist, Nawara has toured with bands like the Black Keys.
9. J.C. Steinbrunner
The painter’s fall exhibit at Mark Shale Project Space attracted more than 100 supporters on opening night; half of the show sold during the party alone. A distillation of his earlier black-and-white landscapes, Steinbrunner’s latest work boldly embraces color.
10. Jessica Stockholder
One of the biggest names in the Chicago art world, conceptual artist Stockholder recently was named Chair of the Department of Visual Arts at the University of Chicago.

The Leader
Douglas Druick
Former Art Institute of Chicago leader James Cuno’s departure from the museum last summer may have come as a surprise, but the announcement about who would take his place—curator Douglas Druick, a 26-year AIC veteran with exhibits like 2002’s Van Gogh and 2007’s Jasper Johns: Gray under his belt—was a shock to almost no one. The new director, 66, has the esteem of colleagues and art-world watchers alike. His long-range dream? To fill in “the missing links” in the collection by adding what he calls “transformative works.” For example: “In 2011, we acquired a rare work by the Russian painter Kazimir Malevich, making us only the second public institution in the country to have one,” says Druick. “I want to imagine where our audiences will be in five, 10, 20 years. We’ll keep strengthening the collection, but we also want to use the most state-of-the-art technology available to help our visitors learn about art.”

The Patron
Mayor Emanuel
On paper, Mayor Emanuel looks to be a culture vultures’ dream: Not only did he receive a scholarship to the Joffrey Ballet as a young man, he counts Wilco and Smashing Pumpkins as his favorite Chicago bands, attends performances at the Steppenwolf and American Theater Company, heads to small music venues to check out new acts and can be seen around town at many a dance performance. To boot, the mayor has gone on record as of late discussing his commitment to ramping up the arts across all fronts both downtown and in the neighborhoods, from the Louder Than a Bomb poetry slam to storefront theaters, not only for their own sakes, but because they make the city so attractive to both businesses and citizens. While the mayor has his work cut out for him getting the Department of Cultural Affairs in order and dealing with budget issues, he appears to be making substantial headway on both fronts. We’re going to predict he attacks this challenge with the same zeal he once did those tough jetés.

The Crowd Pleaser
Lollapalooza, held every August in Grant Park, remains one of the city’s biggest cultural tourist attractions. The 2011 festival, which featured artists including Coldplay, Muse and Eminem, sold a record-breaking 270,000 tickets. The 2012 festival takes places Aug. 3-5. lollapalooza.com

The Building
The Poetry Foundation

Since it was founded in 1912, Chicago’s Poetry magazine has published the early and often unknown work of everyone from TS Eliot to Ezra Pound. This year, the hugely prestigious literary magazine found a home worthy of its credentials. Made possible by a $200 million donation from pharmaceutical heiress Ruth Lilly in 2002, the Poetry Foundation opened the doors of its 22,000-square-foot, $21.5 million building in June. Suffice to say, there’s nothing of its kind in the poetry universe: The beautiful, two-story, LEED-certified center on Superior and Dearborn features a 30,000-volume library, 4,000-square-foot public garden, exhibition gallery and 130-seat multipurpose space. The venue is perfect for poetry readings thanks to the acoustic-centered design, which includes sound-eliminating walls, floors and special hingeless chairs to minimize noise pollution. In addition to readings from some of the world’s greatest poets, be on the lookout for events galore, including lectures and a weekly Poemtime program for children. 61 W. Superior St., 312.787.7070, poetryfoundation.org

The Business
Cinespace
The canceling of über-hyped NBC drama The Playboy Club after three episodes was a letdown, but it’s destined to be a footnote in the history of Cinespace, the 48-acre, 1 million-square-foot studio that opened last May and was the site of much of the show’s filming. Another big show, Kelsey Grammar vehicle Boss, is shooting there, with more shows on deck, and Cinespace has featured in the production of 1,000 movies so far. “Chicago has great infrastructure for a studio—union labor, beautiful locations—and the L.A. execs like the four seasons,” says manager Alex Pissios. Pissios is also working to convince the Chicago film community to move into on-site offices so the facility can become a one-stop shop for visiting Hollywood honchos—who are also drawn by Illinois’ 30 percent tax incentive. “In the ’70s and ’80s, so many shows and movies were shot in Chicago, then it died down,” he says. “We’re here to wake the sleeping giant.” 2588 W. 16th St., 773.521.8000, chicagofilmstudios.‌com

Now That’s Initiative!
How does one of the country’s most respected cultural institutions ratchet things up? Bringing in a living legend never hurts. The Renee Fleming Initiative at Lyric Opera of Chicago promises to, among other programs, deliver a much-anticipated world premiere opera in 2015-2016.

The Collaborator
Andrew Bird

Talk about an appeal to the senses. Beloved Chicago musician and composer Andrew Bird collaborates with sculptor, inventor and luthier Ian Schneller for Sonic Arboretum, a sure-to-be hot ticket installation and performance at the Museum of Contemporary Art this month. So, what is a “sonic arboretum”? Imagine, in the MCA’s atrium, a “forest” of 70 of Schneller’s custom-made “audio horn” speakers, made from compressed recycled newsprint and dryer lint, ranging between 3 and 9 feet high, which Bird will program with various compositions to play in layers of loops as visitors walk through. Throughout the duration of the instillation, Bird, via off-site computer technology, will change aspects of the compositions. For the lucky Bird fans able to get tickets to the two scheduled on-site concerts, look for the hyper-talented, quirky musician to accompany the horns on violin. Dec. 6-31, with live performances on Dec. 21 and 22. 220 E. Chicago Ave., 312.280.2660, mcachicago.org

The Visionary
Tim Long

Every great artist needs a great interpreter and the late, great couturier Charles James would count himself beyond lucky to have Chicago History Museum costume curator Tim Long in his corner. The driving force behind the exhibit Charles James: Genius Deconstructed, Long spent two years studying onetime Chicagoan James’ work. The result? An extraordinary exhibit featuring 15 of James’ most iconic designs as well as drawings and other materials to help viewers understand James’ revolutionary techniques. “This is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time because it combines two of my interests, historic dress and construction of dress,” says Long. Enthusiasm is so high for the exhibit that, in October, the museum threw its first Costume Ball in 10 years to kick off the festivities. Through April 16, 1601 N. Clark St., 312.642.4600, chicagohistory.org