watch: poster art

We love the fine art of poster printing and were very happy to see some creative forms in Milan.

Locally, check out CIPBA—the Chicago International Poster Biennial Association for their upcoming events:

Friday, May 28th, The CIPBA and STA—the Society of Typographic Arts—along with the SAIC—the School of the Art Institute of Chicago—proudly present the film, “Freedom on the Fence”. A 40-minute documentary about the history of Polish posters and their significance to the social, political and cultural life of Poland.

Saturday, May 29th, sign up to attend the grand opening of the 2nd Biennial Jury Exhibition which will feature nearly 100 works by these seven masters: Paula Sher, Rafal Olbinski, Francois Caspar, Emek, Takashi Akiyama, Marta Granados, and Holger Matthies.

Sunday, May 30th, CIPBA, STA and the SAIC present a lecture by Takashi Akiyama at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Professor Akiyama will present the illustrated posters of Japan, posters of the Chinese cultural revolution, and his own work.

displaying modern art

Mixing modern and vintage is right on trend but it can be a challenge if your architecture is from another century. We hope you can forgive us for the quality of the image, but this creative idea from our Miami store was one of our favorite solutions that we wanted to share.

In Victorian times, picture rails were incorporated into the trim or molding as a way to hang portraits and art. Usually thick ropes ornate with tassels were attached to the artwork and hidden clips allowed for easy placement and positioning on the rail—without doing damage to plaster walls.

While the bungee cords shown are looped around the metal pole, consider latching their hooks on to actual picture rails to hang modern art or framed photos. Cords come in a variety of thicknesses, lengths and colors; check your local hardware store to find the most appropriate for the task and hang on!

visit chicago: for alexander calder

abstract mobile at CB2.com

A mobile is best described as a hanging sculpture of fluid motion.

Whether starting with a single wire—or balanced on a stand with a pointed tip, a stabile—thin arms with attachments are carefully positioned one off the other so they balance both physically and visually.

As their inventor in 1931, Alexander Calder is synonymous with mobiles. While sculptures that moved via machinery or motors may have inspired the name, Marcel Duchamp suggested it to Calder for his kinetic, or mobile art pieces.

Thru March 21st at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, is Alexander Calder in Focus. Don’t miss the opportunity to view this annual exhibition of his mobiles, stabiles, drawings and paintings.

Also, detour into the loop to see Calder’s Flamingo sculpture at the Federal Plaza, shown below.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/—mike—/ / CC BY 2.0

one of a finds: madhubani painting

The naive art form of Madhubani painting has been passed down from mother to daughter, generation to generation, exclusively by the Hindu women in the remote Mithila region of northern India. For centuries, paintings were created on the walls and floors of village homes to designate auspicious spaces for festivals and rituals. After this agricultural region suffered a severe drought in the 1960s, the women began selling their paintings on paper to provide food, clothing and education for their children.

This one of a find is a limited edition of 440 original paintings by artist Lalita Devi. Lalita grew up painting at her mother’s side but has been paralyzed for the past 19 years. With the help of family members who steady her hand, she continues to work her craft and share her vision.

In this piece it’s of a jungle where prey and predator live together in harmony. The brilliant colors are made from natural spices, leaves, flowers and soot, and are applied with a cotton-wrapped stick.

It wasn’t easy choosing just one from so many wonderful pieces, but each time we view the painting we’re awestruck knowing there’s so much more to the story depicted and we’re thrilled to share it.