Category: Text
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South Side Sign Purgatory
Hidden in the shadow of the Crawford Generating Station is Ahern Signs. The company produces, cleans, repairs and installs all manner of signs, so it has an amazing collection of signs that are waiting to be processed or cannibalized for parts. Below are a few views of the collection, which reads like purgatory for retail…
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Photography at Lula, Urbanautica
Those of you who have been to Lula in the last month know that my photos are included in the Spring 2010 show, which is curated by Anders Nilsen and Marianne Fairbanks. The show focuses on the economy and housing and pairs my images with work by two other Chicago artists: Alyssa Miserendino and Alysia…
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The Row Houses of Baltimore, Maryland
As someone who primarily grew up in the Midwest and has called Chicago home for several years, cities dominated by row houses seem alien. Among those row house cities, Baltimore stands apart for the relative wholeness of these districts — even of those in tremendous disrepair. Certainly, many portions of the city have been dramatically…
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February and March Fast Track Lists
As I mentioned in October: Chicago’s Fast Track Abatement Program is a final step for buildings deemed by the city to be “vacant” and “open” and “constitute a hazard to the community.” Owners of buildings on the list must take corrective action upon receiving notice of the condition of the building. If they do not,…
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Two Thoughts About the Chicago Auto Show
While the Chicago Auto Show could certainly provide enough material to fill a book length project, I’d like to quickly draw attention to two unexpected examples of subordination that caught my eye on Sunday. The first — and more obvious example — is that the workers who constantly clean the cars and their displays are…
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Openings in Indianapolis and New Orleans
I’m excited to be participating in two out of town openings this weekend. The first is a solo show entitled “The Isolated Building” at Mt. Comfort Gallery in Indianapolis. It’s the first show in its new home in the Murphy Art Center, so I decided to really go all-out. I’m particularly excited to be working…