The Hoosier state is showing Chicago some love with this exhibition of long-standing Chicago graffiti stalwarts such as Slang, Risk, Stef, Mike Genovese, ChuCho, Chris Silva, Pilot and many more. With the explosion of graffiti-influenced art, design and advertising it is important to remember why this form of art was so influential in terms of its questioning of public-versus-private space, art versus vandalism, vandalism versus advertising and who controls the urban landscape. With graffiti, the where and the when of the work is not constant and must be given consideration with each piece. As well as showcasing the artists that are the foundation of the graffiti community in Chicago, this show highlights artists that are well versed in the considerations of space and location that are involved in the creation of their visual work. The show includes such stand-out pieces as a tribute to the infamous graffiti bomber CAP by the artist Pilot, entitled “I’m not a graffiti artist, I am a graffiti bomber.” Indeed all of the artists in this show have defined themselves as both bombers and artists. If you want to know the difference and understand why your soda can and sneakers look like they do, you need to see this show. (Sara McCool)
Through July 11 at Indiana University Northwest Gallery for Contemporary Art, 3400 Broadway Ave, Gary IN (219)980-6891.
All You Need Is Love: A Review of "LOVE: Still Not the Lesser" at MoCP Museum of Contemporary Photography shows a collection of work from a dozen international artists on the subject of love and in all its many manifestations and forms: Straight love, queer love, family love, love of others and love of the self.
