Posted by Philip Barash in CLA Blog on 8/30/2012

Chicago Loop Alliance is thrilled to partner with EXPO to present a Pop-Up Art Loop exhibition that features large-scale sculptural work from Chicago's best new galleries. The exhibition, opening to the public on September 6, is an outpost of EXPO's exciting In/Situ series, which highlights large-scale, site-specific work. From the release:

Chicago Loop Alliance’s Pop-Up Art Loop showcases large-scale installations as part of EXPO CHICAGO’s IN/SITU programOpening reception at iconic Inland Steel Building lobby Sept. 6, 2012 from 5-8 p.m.
CHICAGO (August 29, 2012) Next month, Chicago Loop Alliance (CLA) showcases large-scale installations from the international art and design exposition EXPO CHICAGO/2012 at its Pop-Up Art Loop space in the iconic Inland Steel Building lobby (77 S. Dearborn). The exhibit opens during CLA’s free First Thursdays gallery walk on Sept. 6 from 5-8 p.m. and features work from The Mission and Andrew Rafacz—Chicago galleries selected to present as part of EXPO CHICAGO’s IN/SITU program, a series of large-scale and site-specific installations. The works at Inland Steel will remain free and open for public viewing throughout September, with general visiting hours of Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. as well as the EXPO CHICAGO weekend of Sept. 22-23. For a complete list of current Pop-Up Art Loop galleries, exhibitions and hours, visit www.PopUpArtLoop.com.

The installations exhibited at Inland Steel include The Mission’s presentation of Susan Giles’ Crumpled Spire, 2011, a wood critique of Chicago’s progressive architecture based on architect Santiago Calatrava’s would-be “Chicago Spire,” a massive skyscraper that almost called Chicago’s lakefront home before the project crumbled in the 2008 economic recession. Andrew Rafacz presents Daniel G. Baird’s Endymion (2), 2011, a faux-marble clad structure based on NASA’s Vehicle Assembly Building in Cape Canaveral, taking the exact dimensions of the original structure—used to assemble rockets before space flight—and minimizing them to a more human scale.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with this new, exciting art initiative in Chicago,” said Chicago Loop Alliance Interim Executive Director Laura Jones. “We regularly showcase and celebrate work from emerging artists across the City, so it’s fitting that we’ll be hosting these installations from up-and-coming Chicago galleries.”

IN/SITU, part of EXPO CHICAGO’s innovative artistic programming, provides the opportunity for exhibitors to showcase large-scale installations, site-specific and performative works by select international artists. Situated throughout EXPO CHICAGO’s expansive floor at Navy Pier as well as CLA’s Pop-Up Art Loop space at Inland Steel, IN/SITU provides a dynamic itinerary that connects various points of interest throughout EXPO CHICAGO. In addition to their large-scale IN/SITU presentations, both The Mission and Andrew Rafacz are participants in EXPOSURE, a section of EXPO CHICAGO devoted to younger galleries.

"EXPOSURE is an integral component of EXPO CHICAGO that showcases younger galleries. It is wonderful that the two Chicago representatives from that section have the opportunity to exhibit large-scale installations in the historical Inland Steel lobby," said EXPO CHICAGO Deputy Director Nicole Berry. "We are proud to partner with Chicago Loop Alliance to create a platform for emerging Chicago artists to gain increased visibility."

Launched by CLA in November 2009, Pop-Up Art Loop transforms empty storefronts in the Loop into vibrant temporary art galleries open to the public. First Thursdays gallery walks are free, self-guided tours of the rotating exhibits throughout the Loop that include complimentary wine and beer, live art-making and music. Many of the galleries’ artists and exhibitions change each month. Pop-Up Art Loop is made possible through the generous support of downtown property owners and the Chicago Loop Alliance Foundation. Additional support is provided by Blick Art Materials, Columbia College Chicago, Beck’s Beer and Time Out Chicago.

 

Tags: CLA, Pop-Up Art Loop, EXPO

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