CHICAGO - MILLENIUM PARK

25.06.08

I just spent a week in Chicago… a bit of art (witnessing the Jeff Koons exhibition at the MCA Chicago was unbelievable), a bit of work, great friends and some solid family time. Chicago is an amazing city, full of wonderful hard-working people, and it’s growing like crazy (in terms of population and financial clout). The vibe is great. The city is powerful. Its force seems to grow stronger every time I return. Chicagoans have a massive amount of pride in their city and it shows, much like New Yorkers, only folks from Chicago are a bit softer and more approachable. They’re respectful and attentive, particularly to their environment. Chicago has been and continues to be a leader in pushing and implementing green initiatives (integrating green rooftops in the late 80’s). In tough economic times like these with environmental woes abound, ranging from clean air to clean water and global energy demand at an all time frightening high it was wonderful to see a seriously flourishing public transit system, the CTA does a damn good job. While I rarely drive(6-12 x a year for the past 3 or 4 years) it was incredibly empowering to efficiently run around a massive city totally free of my own vehicle. Which leads me to the blue line stop on Clark and Lake, just blocks from Millenium Park. The park is far from new news to anyone familiar with Chicago, but I feel its worthy of a revisit. Millenium park is 24.5 acres of award winning design resulting in a civic center focused on art, music, architecture and landscape design. Some of Millenium Parks more prominent features include the Frank Gehry-designed Jay Pritzker Pavillion, Spanish artist Jaume Plensa’s Crown Fountain, and British artist Anish Kapoor’s first public work in the US, the 110 ton polished stainless steel Cloud Gate Scultpture - know to Chicagoans as the “bean”. Anyway, enough banter, here’s some pics.

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Tags: Anish Kapoor, CTA, Jaume Plesna, Jeff Koons, Millenium Park

Category: Art, Design

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Happenings

01.04.09

Check out some of the fun shit all of you sleepy heads missed while Lifter Baron and Celeste were in Colorado for the holiday break.

12.23.08

Some sweet new work from the sauerkid’s over in their flickr stream. Peep that shit!

12.22.08

Happy Holidays from ChangeTheThought’s very own Chris Cox! Note the use of Hand of God by Celeste Prevost. See it bigger.

12.18.08

There’s some seriously sweet deals happening in Scot Lefavor’s online store. Get over there and have a look!!!

12.17.08

We’re extra-super-stoked to announce the addition of Derek Friday’s new graphics to the header of JoyEngine.com. You can keep up with DF as he travels the interweb and pumps out super hot new work over on his blog, Finndustry. Great work man!!! Thanks.

12.11.08

John Fellows is a much welcomed addition to Andenken’s anniversary group show this Saturday, December 13th. Check that shit out!

12.10.08

With the economy in shambles and the media preaching fear like it’s their job, shit’s gettin’ crazy. One thing to be on the lookout for this holiday season… clients. They come wearing many disguises, talking big game, and spewing all sorts of… well, often just spewing. So, here’s a little tip to all the idependent professional creatives out there, when they(clients) feel compelled to tell you just how deep their pockets are - odds are they’ve got short arms. That’s it. Deep Pockets - Short Arms. Heard that one from a buddy the other day, and it couldn’t be more dead-on. Take it or leave it. Just be on the lookout for anything remotely resembling a baby seal wearing high-end denim. It’s probably not what it seems.

12.03.08

Salon Styletto opened on Monday in the San Diego area. Identity & collateral by Lifter Baron.

11.28.08

The No Coast Craft-O-Rama begins next weekend December 5th and 6th at the Midtown Global Exchange in MPLS. It will feature a variety of designers, artists, and other magical creators of handmade goods. More info at nocoastcraft.com

11.24.08

Shitty Kitten will be dropping a new body of work. Letters and Ladies will come alive December 12th at the D-note. Stay tuned for more…

11.20.08

11.19.08

Applied Ideas Volume 3:

Join Ian Coyle and friends this Friday (Nov 21) 7:30 pm at the MCA Denver for the latest round of Applied Ideas: Talks on Design.

Speakers include: Rick Griffith (MATTER), Chris Cox (Changethethought), Aaron Ray (Legwork Studio), and
Ian Coyle (Superheroes, Inc.)

11.13.08

Aesthetic Apparatus is throwing a studio warming party this Saturday, 15th in MPLS. It should be a blast meeting new peeps, drinking dranks, and eating some food. Plus they are going to have a pony!! More info here.

11.11.08

Edifice Gallery presents Nocturnal Mockery 8 goes down this weekend, November 14th-16th at the Fillmore Crossing at 3125 Sinton Rd, Colorado Springs. Works from over 70 artists will be on display w/ all sorts of special musical guests. Check it out.

11.05.08

Matt Moore aka MWM Graphics is showing some new works at the Threadless Gallery in Chicago. The show opens this Friday and runs through December 3rd.

11.05.08

Square Footage is a group show open to all artists in all mediums. All work must be exactly 1 sq. ft. The show goes down this Saturday, Nove 8th from 7-11pm at The Plastic Chapel. Be there.

11.03.08

Andy Rementer’s Freakopolis is opening this Saturday Nov. 8th at Open Space Beacon, the latest venture from ex-Denverites Kalene Rivers and Daniel Weise.

10.30.08

Ah yes, the delicious sounds of Super Mario World for all to hear!

“The complete soundtrack to Super Mario World, covered by one man using dozens of instruments. Roughly in game order, faithful to the originals, with some bizarre artistic license thrown around. A private hobby made public.”

Check it out here.

10.27.08

Lifter Baron breaks down (from afar) a bit of the creative scene in Denver. He’s seein’ some shiny shit ahead… Read up over at Because We Like To. And remember, Lifter’s always watching you.

10.25.08

Bunch is launching their new book Bastardised! Filled with submissions from designers taking their existing logo and remixing/creating their own visual reaction to their logo. Learn more at Made in Bunch and see if you can spot me in the list. And if your in London, Zagreb, or Singapore definitely swing by the launch parties and get first dibs on the book.

London:
31st Oct, 6:30-9:30pm
Maverick Showroom, 68-72 Redchurch Street, London E2 7DP
london@bunchdesign.com

Zagreb:
11th Nov 2008, 8-10pm
Galerija Karas, Praska 4
10 000 Zagreb
zagreb@bunchdesign.com

Singapore: TBA

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