We Had a Party, and Everyone Came

Well, not everybody. But 834 people did, including 17 aldermen, staff from three aldermen's offices, State Rep. Susana Mendoza, and Manny Flores. It was all kind of amazing.

The crowd represented every age, color, and background imaginable. We brought out grandparents, kids wearing skinny jeans, community organization leaders, people with fevers, eco-village residents-to-be, kickball documentarians, closet anarchists, non-voters, leagues of women voters, people with federal security clearances, guys from Pittsburgh, saxophone players, people who wore really nice-smelling fragrances, reporters, psychologists, editors, nice young men eating sandwiches and chips, women wearing pearls who really looked like alderwomen but weren't, dudes in suits who really really looked so much like aldermen but also weren't, Obama associates, bosses, close friends of former bosses, spouses, tee-totallers, drunk people, Canadians, Texans, marketers, a blonde girl who looked like participating artist Johanna Meyers but wasn't, participating artist Johanna Meyers, a woman who wore a fedora like a champ, DJs who wear doctors' jackets for fun, dominatrixes, some guy with a plastic bag full of empty bottles, the Local Tourist, artists, designers, someone who ruined all of the toilet paper (I won't say how), a gal with a black eye (it's not what you think), a guy who had a mustache like Jeremy's, drummers, married couples, divorced couples, lawyers, and more artists.

It was more convenient to text your friend in the other part of the room than go look for them, and we had a line at the door (crowd control is essential when your guests know what the city code says about capacity breach). Nobody sang "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" from the balcony to the folks outside, which seems like a missed opportunity, in retrospect. (There will be a closing reception on 4/2; perhaps this goal can be accomplished then.) People ate food named after Todd Stroger at Earwax, the restaurant downstairs.

We heard that one alderperson would not like their portrait when they saw it, but they came and they didn't say they hated their portrait, so maybe they liked it. The piece sold, so somebody liked it.

— Lauri

We're in the Tribune and the NY Times Again

The artists' bio booklet is so long! (As you might imagine, with 50 artists involved.) The best part of editing it was reading artists' statements about meeting with or trying to meet with their aldermen. Some artists couldn't reach the alderman they wanted to portray, even after many calls, while others received personal phone calls from their alderman or hung out with them for an hour or more. Some artists gave their aldermen extensive questionnaires to fill out, while others became the questioned (if you were a Chicago alderman, you might want to know what some artist planned to do with your visage before agreeing to sit for a portrait—seems wise). One artist got a tour of his chosen alderman's ward, and another has maintained regular contact with the alderman he portrayed.

Here's a nice quote from artist Rachel M. Wolfe:

This project has motivated me to move beyond the mediums I typically work in and has me incorporating new methods into my work. The energy and sense of community generated has shown me the direct impact art can and does have on people, while giving me the energy to consider exhibitions and installation ideas I'd shied away from or deemed unworthy of manifestation. A project like this gives artists of all walks the opportunity to share their voices and inspire others to share theirs. An invaluable experience, lesson, and jumping-off point.

It seems we accomplished our goals in getting artists and politicians to trade ideas; promoting awareness of aldermanic culture; and getting artists to make political art without telling them to take a particular position. The results are very impressive—the artists really did a great job, and some of them didn't have much time to make their pieces. If you're not doing anything this evening, drop by and check things out.

— Lauri

James Ewert Writes ...

James Ewert is a 50 Aldermen/50 Artists participating artist. Earlier this week he posted an account of his meeting with the alderman he's portraitizing, Berny Stone of the 50th Ward, on his blog. Check him out.

Ha Ha, This Picture Is Funny

We went to City Hall yesterday to deliver flyers and the Trib came with.

Award the Self With Lucite Things

Yesterday we were in the New York Times. Today we were on WGN's "Sunday Papers" talk show with Rick Kogan to discuss the 50 Aldermen/50 Artists show. Here's the audio file. And here's some behind-the-scenes photo footage:

Jeremy looks for hidden prizes, finds none.

Pros don't get nervous.












Chatting between on-air sessions.










We brought the LOLs. They were a bit sleepy.










A job well done deserves an award.

Our Show's Less Than a Month Away ...

So, what's been happening these past few weeks?

• We had a great kick-off party Feb. 5 that was attended by two alderpeople -- George Cardenas of the 12th Ward, and Vi Daley of the 43rd Ward. We also had the League of Women Voters sign up people to register to vote.
  
• We've done some interviews for the internews (and for more traditional media formats as well, like newspaper and AM/FM radio)
• A bunch of great artists have signed up to be in the show

In more personal news, co-organizer Lauri Apple has a show of political drawings up at Atomix Cafe in Chicago's Ukrainian Village, and co-organizer Jeremy Scheuch is also working on his The Last Unicorn Art Show that will feature an appearance by author Peter S. Beagle.

Chicago Aldermen Project Meet-and-Greet Feb. 5

On Friday, Feb. 5 from 7-9 PM, we will hold our potluck/meet-and-greet for artists participating in the 50 Aldermen/50 Artists show. If you have registered or plan to register for the show, or are simply interested in the project, please come to the Debonair Social Club at 1575 N. Milwaukee to hang out and meet like-minded folks.