Untitled Document

TRANSLATION by W. Keith Brown

January, 2008.RCaro d’Offay Gallery is a unique creative environment that approaches exhibition and gallery events in an unconventional manner. First and foremost the space is seen as a mediator by which objects presented by the artists/creators of the work of art are displayed through connections with the space itself and their formal relation to one another. This approach is unorthodox when reviewing processes commonly practiced by other gallery entities who wish to exhibit works of art simultaneously, they ignore cohesive interplay and juxtaposition. Audiences are used to seeing works that do not relate to one another—imagine an exhibition featuring Joan Miro in the front gallery and Jeff Koons sculpture in the back. The works on display often times lack a formalized conceptual presentation. Caro d’Offay Gallery runs counter to this practice.
Typically, art galleries function as spaces where art objects and audiences connect via opening receptions only. Caro d’Offay Gallery strives to break down these conventional barriers by hosting happenings/experiences throughout exhibitions. Lending more to the era of salon interaction, where artists and patrons were able to exist in the space together on more than one occasion. This idea currently seems groundbreaking, hosting multiple events within the gallery space in order to activate it as a social medium becomes a larger part of what art/creative spaces can offer to those who wish to show work and the audiences who wish to view work. An example of this kind of interplay would be the Ben Brandt and Ben Marcus exhibition, which allowed two different artists to show simultaneously and seamlessly. Almost by accident each artists work complimented the other aesthetically. This is a key focus and common practice at the gallery. Multiple events surrounding exhibitions allows access to ideas and conceptual frameworks used by the artists. By keeping the space and events fluid, Caro d’Offay Gallery removes the pretentious stigma that has come to represent so many spaces in Western gallery practice.

Ongoing Events:
Textaportation exercises integrate artists with the public along the lines of what is explained above. By offering descriptions of everyday objects to artists and non-artists Caro d’Offay Gallery incorporates the challenging boundaries of language, text and object making for a global effort for understanding. The concept here is to relate gallery happenings with non-local audiences. This can be seen as outreach but more importantly it speaks to relationships insider/outsider/artist/non-artist/gallery/public, thus engaging the other or unfamiliar. More importantly, the objects created by individuals via the descriptive text of objects will be on display immediately in the gallery, again passing agency to the participant. Textaportation is open to all who have the desire to participate. Be on the lookout for future exercises, your work could be the next on display at Caro d’Offay Gallery.

Currently Showing: Kumiko Murakmi January 12-February 29th
Kumiko is a local Japanese artist who is completely enamored by the representation of Spring-like commodities consumed by Chicagoan's. For those of us all too familiar with the harsh cold and brisk winds that arrive with a Chicago winter, Kumiko has observed our always current obsession with the changing of the seasons. Through her personal investigations and research she has constructed her own creative version of a warm climate commodity, often representing flowers and small still life dioramas to express her own identification and reality of anticipating the warmer months to come. The most fascinating aspect of her work is the realization of the everyday practices in conjunction with commodified objects, which help us to cope with our seemingly seasonal depressions. Sampling the "everyday" is a common practice for artists in touch with their surroundings—as a cultural producer and creative person Kumiko has developed a way of representing these experiences through her practices. I am reminded of Henri Lefebvre's "Critique of Everyday Life" where he expresses the understanding of everyday life as an understanding of politics and culture. To reflect on our daily practices is to understand ourselves in a pure light. The humbling experience of the everyday amounts to the majority of our lived experiences/time: i.e. work, leisure and social encounters. By tapping into or highlighting this notion of everyday products that provide comfort and shield us from harsh Chicago winters Kumiko is providing commentary on consumer patterns which guard us from our physical realities. Undergirding this work is a social critique as well as a critique of everyday life.

Lumetype Courses:
Caro d'Offay invented a unique printing process called the 'Lumetype'. This process merges aspects of manual printmaking techniques - where images are printed from carved or etched substrates - with aspects of Black and White photography in a completely new way.
Through their intense tonal qualities the images emerging from the 'Lumetype' medium are reminiscent of the early days of photography yet have a surprisingly contemporary creative sensibility. (See web-site for list of courses offered at the gallery.

- W. Keith Brown

	Quick Links		February 2008
	WPBGA TEXTAPORT		Caro d'Offay Gallery creates exhibitions with a strong curatorial focus, showing works by contemporary, emerging and established, local and international artists. Of particular interest is work that addresses the fluidity of complex, interacting systems. In an effort to engage a broader public, the gallery takes particular care to offer programming related to each exhibition.
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			Galley A & B
			A: Kumiko Murakami: "Making Spring Again" January 12-February 29th

			B: Textaport Projects - Live event Saturday February 9th, 6-9pm. Bring paint and surface. Event is free.

			The Textaport project allows artists to enter the creative process with no preconceived ideas about what they are creating. The project encourages both artists and observers to experience an act of communication through language and art that is entirely free of assumptions that could limit their perspectives. The variety of possible interpretations of the text illustrates the complexity of the interpretive act and raises awareness of the possibility of widely varying valid perspectives. It is our hope that the challenges of interpretation in the Textaport project will influence the assumptions that both artist and viewer carry outside the gallery as well. Please be our guest... Live textaport events are open to the public, and participants need not be in the same location to take part in the event. While the gallery experience is exciting, we have worked simultaneously with artists and creators around the globe. Details for the next event are below, and information on future events will be available at carodoffaygallery.com/textaport2007.html and www.myspace.com/textaport.
			TEXTAPORT: TELEPORTATION THROUGH TEXT
			We are currently seeking participants for the live textaport event on Feb. 9. The textaported item will be something in the current gallery exhibit by Kumiko Murakami. We will be releasing a descriptive text written by Jeremy Kniola this Wednesday, Feb. 6. Participants can choose between working off-site or bringing in supplies to work in the gallery between 6 and 9 pm the day of the event. On-site participants are asked to provide a white 10" x 10" primed surface and their own paints or other materials. Anyone who would like to participate can sign up here. Further dates TBA! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Chicago's Caro d'Offay gallery offers a very fresh and interesting program of exhibitions and events which immediately caught my eye when I relocated to the windy city from Europe last year. The gallery director Caro d'Offay curates contemporary art exhibitions and cultural events that stand out through their consistency of quality and conceptual strength. Artists are given freedom to experiment with new or redefined forms of expression. Thematic projects represent beautiful examples of successful collaboration and interplay between a curatorial vision and the artist's response. For instance in 'Textaport' Danny Mansmith was asked to create a collaborative sculpture merely by following 'Imposed Limitations and Remote textual Information' without actually seeing any visual evidence of what was being planned. Only throughout the making process it became apparent that the work of art in production actually was a giant pair of DIY gloves! In addition to her work running such a remarkable emerging gallery Caro d'Offay is also making a significant contribution to the development of printmaking as a contemporary form of expression. Caro d'Offay invented a unique printing process called the 'Lumetype'. This process merges aspects of manual printmaking techniques - where images are printed from carved or etched substrates - with aspects of Black and White photography in a completely new way. Through their intense tonal qualities the images emerging from the 'Lumetype' medium are reminiscent of the early days of photography yet have a surprisingly contemporary creative sensibility.So how is it done? No printing press is needed, and neither is a photographic enlarger; as a consequence the process can be used in a very easy to use and low-tech manner which makes it accessible to many artists, and photographers. The key to the Lumetype lies in the unique use of phosphorescent paints that allow for the transfer of visual information from the incised substrate - say a woodblock - via luminous paint that acts as the exposure source to photographic paper.Whilst being based on sound scientific fact the process has a magical and almost alchemical attraction which spellbinds any artist - and gallery visitor - that experiences it first-hand. Caro d'Offay wishes to share the beauty of her invention with the artistic community at large through education, exhibitions and publication. I am certain that Lumetype will become a valuable resource for many artists, allowing them to literally crystallize their creative vision through the medium of light itself." - Friedhard Kiekeben (RCA)

		NEWSLETTER	ISSUE 1