Chicago Mag names Bad at Sports one of the city’s top sites.

In February’s edition of Chicago Magazine ( soon to be on newsstands ) they rate the top websites that are Chicago focused and/or based.

Bad at Sports was kindly named and showcased in the Art & Culture category along with other Chicago resources as Sharkforum, Chicago Artists Resource & Paul Kline’s Artletter. Not to forget the personal writings of Edward Lifson, cough, cough.

We thank every listener that has made this possible for the last 2+ years & the editorial staff of Chicago Magazine for recognizing the hard work of a handful of Chicago street punks like us.

In true form we take the recognition with one hand and flip off the establishment with the other hand (minus a few fingers). At least thats what I think the artist handbook decrees, who knows we were never good with rules.
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40000 Closing: Not an Exhibition

After almost 3 years of operation Chicago gallery 40000 is closing its doors starting December, 29th 2007. Below is the press release giving the details.
[Read more]

Cy Twombly gets paid for the kiss of death

Rindy Sam, the 20 year old Cambodian artist living in France that was in the news back in July has had her day in court and the judge has fined her accordingly:

1euro goes to Cy Twombly for symbolic reasons

1,000 euros ($1,425) to the painting’s owner

486 euros ($713) to the Avignon gallery where she planted the kiss

Also 100 hours of community service after convicting her of “voluntarily damaging a work of art.”

$2,139 in damages was far below the $2.8 million in damages the owner Yvon Lambert had originally requested — the full value of the painting.

He claimed it cost more than $45,000 to restore the work because the lipstick could not be easily removed.

During the trial, Sam stated continuously: “When I kissed it, I thought the artist would have understood,”

Cy Twombly has yet to comment……….

Are gardens art? When do you own art? When can you destroy art?

Chapman Kelley calls the Chicago, IL Grant Park wildflower garden he created more than 20 years ago “my Mona Lisa.”

The 66,000-square-foot plot of 45 different kinds of species splashed yellow and purple when in full bloom was once called a “magnificent piece of art.” by then Mayor Harold Washington.

But is the garden — or was it, before the Chicago Park District halved it — art by legal definition? Can you own art, does the buyer/commisoner own it and therefor destroy it when it sees fit to? Those questions and more go before a federal judge today in regards to the lawsuit filed by Mr. Kelley.

In consideration is the federal Visual Artists Rights Act which protects the destruction or alteration of works of art of “recognized stature”. The city posits that the law awsa created to protect outdoor paintings, murals & sculpture and not to protect gardens. Mr. Kelley is stating that his garden is an environmental sculpture.

Kelley is a painter, but his garden in Daley Bicentennial Plaza, just east of Millennium Park, brought him his greatest praise. It appeared in travel guides. And at one point, the district compared Kelley to other “heroes of Chicago landscape” such as Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed Jackson Park.

Is it protected art, what is the right of the artist, what is the right of the commissioner, if artists can not get longevity and recognition from public work will they continue to do it? If cities have to fear lawsuits and damages in the 6 figure or higher level when they redesign city areas will that put a freeze on public art commissions?

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich down right unfriendly to artists.

We have received this a couple of times this week and the more we think about it the more evil it seems. What is up Rod? That seven million is not going to save your sinking popularity and taking funding from artists and arts organizations is just going to alienate another (mostly Chicago) constituency. (As if this crap with th El wasn’t enough Read here) We know who were voting against. And hey why not we are getting our pens out and letting our government know what we think. So should you.

Dear Friend in the Arts,
Governor Rod Blagojevich wants to cut over $7 million (30%) from the 2008 Illinois Art Council (IAC) budget. A chorus of voices is needed to restore state’s investment in the arts and arts education! We must act now to send a powerful message to Governor Rod Blagojevich, Senate President Emil Jones, House Speaker Michael Madigan, and other state lawmakers that the arts are not pork!

The Governor’s FY08 spending plan will significantly reduce the funds available for IAC grant programs, with a devastating impact on the arts statewide. Furthermore, the Governor completely eliminated the Arts and Foreign Language grant program through the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).

Please tell Governor Blagojevich, senate and house leadership, and your state lawmakers TODAY how essential the arts are to you and your community. The Illinois Arts Alliance has made it extremely easy for you to effectively advocate for the arts. Here is what you can do: [Read more]

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