What It Is

Aqua Art Miami 2011: What It Is Booth #111

December 01, 2011

Some images from our booth at Aqua, please email info@wot-it-is.com for more details and if you are in Miami come see us. If you need a VIP pass please email us and we will send you one.

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Aqua Art Miami, 2011, 12/01/11 – 12/04/11

November 24, 2011

Aqua Art Miami 2011, press release

What-It-Is Projects is proud to announce it’s participation in Aqua Art Miami 2011 in concurrence with Art Basel Miami Beach.

What-It-Is  is a project space and exhibition venue initiated by Tom Burtonwood and Holly Holmes, and operated out  of their home in the Chicagoan suburb of Oak Park. Artists are invited to create unique and temporary art works in the domestic setting, which is open to the public by appointment.

In addition to this, What-It-Is publishes artist’s books and produces limited editions, as well as participating in international art fairs as an expansion of the project space. So far, What-It-Is has presented projects at the inaugural MDW Fair in Chicago,  the NEXT Art Fair, also in Chicago (2010/2011), Fountain Art Fair in NY (2011) and Verge art Fair in Miami (2010).

For Aqua Art Miami,  What-It-is invited an eclectic and dynamic group of artists who have previously shown at their Oak Park location, click here for a preview of featured works on display: PREVIEW OF FEATURED WORK

Andrew Rigsby
Holly Holmes
Lise Haller Baggesen
Sabina Ott
Tom Burtonwood
Stoic Swine

From Sabina Ott’s hallucinatory west coast  sensibility,  to Andrew Rigsby’s kaleidoscopic dreamscapes, Holly Holmes playful constellations,  Tom Burtonwood’s geometric permutations, Lise Haller Baggesen’s teenage Riot and Stoic Swine’s dark secrets; the show offers a variety of media, unified by a bold yet refined palette.

Each artist will exhibit one major work / installation as well as a limited edition artwork produced specifically for the event of the Aqua Art Fair.

http://wot-it-is.com

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MDW Fair, Chicago, IL, 10/21/11 – 10/23/11

October 19, 2011

Jonathan Franklin & Selena Jones

MDW Fair

What It Is: Booth #234

Fair Admission: $5

PUBLIC HOURS
Vernissage: Friday October 21, 8-11pm
Saturday Noon to 6pm
Sunday Noon to 6pm

The MDW Fair takes place  October 21-23^rd, 2011 at the Geolofts 3636 S Iron Street, Chicago 60609

GEOLOFTS is located just over 4 miles from the downtown, straddling the neighborhoods of Bridgeport and McKinley Park.

Free Parking is available in the parking lot directly south of the building. Please go down to 37th street to enter the parking lot. The exit is toward the front of the building.

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Conrad Freiburg: Home

October 03, 2011

Conrad Freiberg: Home

On October 9, 2011, 2 pm
Conrad Freiburg: Home
A recital of songs about traveling.
The event is free.

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Oak Leaves: Sept 29th, 2011

Nomadic Text, Oak Leaves, 09/29/11

“Nomadic Text” tracks a migration or words

- by J. T Morand

Oak Leaves, Sept 29th, 2011

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R James Healy talks to Bad at Sports

June 10, 2011

R James Healy, M16.2, zoetrope, 2011

http://badatsports.com/2011/episode-301-r-james-healy-and-randy-regier/

Richard Holland from Bad at Sports interviews R James Healy. Richard (an)D James talk at length about the zoetrope M16.2 that James produced for his residency at What It Is. This episode of Bad at Sports is a double feature with an excellent conversation between Troy Klyber and artist Randy Regier. Make sure you listen right to the end for the hidden track too!

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R James Healy: M16.2 Video

June 05, 2011

M16.2 3D Zoetrope from R James Healy on Vimeo.

This 3D zoetrope was created during R James Healy’s artist in residency at What It Is, Chicago, Illinois.

The piece began as a study of the American flag, its colors and the hypnotic movements of a fabric signature. Healy’s work explores perception, in the illusion of movement, the artistic practice of observation and record, and the phenomena of memory versus experience.

59 rapid prototyped models are housed in a 24 inch motorized drum. Illumination is provided by LEDs allowing the animation to be viewed in all lighting conditions.

Unlike a traditional zoetrope, the inside and outside spin in different directions resulting in the animation appearing bigger (the viewer does not need to look through the piece) Using models instead of drawings creates a far more immersive experience. Viewers can move around the piece choosing their own viewpoint like a traditional sculptural object. Another advantage of models over drawings is parallax; objects further away appear to move slower than those close by.

The stand and ‘drum’ are hand crafted from solid walnut and veneer. The majority of the other components were digitally manufactured. The zoetrope stands approx 53 inches high with a 22-inch square footprint.

His blog documents the development of the piece in depth. It covers both creative and technical issues. It was written ‘diary style’ which resulted in the recording of some unplanned topics!

The zoetrope is an edition of 13 (13 stripes in the US flag). http://rjameshealy.com

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Art Talk Chicago: Life+Turn: The Work of R James Healy

Art Talk Chicago

Stephanie Burke profiles R James Healy and his recent residency at What It Is

“…Healy is probably most well known for an animated video he did to accompany Chris Clark’s track Herr Barr. The video, which was the overall winner of the Radar Festival in 2007, features an animated cast of birds-cum-hands swirling and maneuvering an a way akin to flocking European Starlings. In the act of swooping and rushing, the flock sculpts and animates a human form. The video can be puzzling at first, leaving viewers wondering what exactly happened to their internet connection that caused the image to pixilated so horribly, until it dawns on the viewer that the pixilation is part and parcel of the video itself. The piece transcends simple music video tones and motifs, existing easily as an artwork in and of itself…”

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R James Healy: M16.2

June 02, 2011

Images of the finished zoetrope, M16.2, by artist in residence R James Healy.

Video to follow shortly.

http://rjameshealy.blogspot.com

R James Healy, M16.2, zoetrope, 2011

R James Healy, M16.2, zoetrope, 2011

R James Healy, M16.2, zoetrope, 2011

R James Healy, M16.2, zoetrope, 2011

R James Healy, M16.2, zoetrope, 2011, detail

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NEXT Art Fair, Chicago, IL, 04/29/11 – 05/02/11

April 19, 2011

NEXT: The Invitational Exhibition of Emerging Art
April 29 – May 2, 2011
Opening Preview: April 28, 2011

What It Is, is pleased to announce our participation in this year edition of the NEXT Art Fair.

We will be located in booth G3, which is located near the New Insight Section curated by Suzanne Ghez, on the west side of the floor.

Exhibiting

Lise Haller Baggesen

Tom Burtonwood

R James Healy

Patrick Lichty

Sabina Ott

Andrew Rigsby

Dave Sharma

Stoic Swine

Michelle Wasson

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WHAT IT IS: MDW Fair, Chicago, IL, 04/23/11 – 04/24/11

April 16, 2011

WHAT IT IS will be in attendance at the MDW Fair next weekend at the GeoLofts, 3636 S. Iron, Chicago, IL, 60609. Please come on by. For a map and directions please click this link.

On Saturday Tom will be leading On the Road a conversation about artist run / dealer led art fairs + expos, creating new markets, and inviting attendees to discuss the pros and cons of producing a similar satellite event outside of Chicago.

On  Sunday 24th, at 2pm,  Holly and Tom will both be participating in Better Together: A two-part conversation moderated by Jamilee Polson, Twelve Galleries Project Director, with panelists Garry Alderman and Ellen Hartwell Alderman of Alderman Exhibitions/Method Bicycle Company. The panel discussion focuses on curatorial collaboration and negotiation between partners within a fixed space.

We will be exhibiting the following artists:

Lise Haller Baggesen
Tom Burtonwood
Lauren Carter
Colleen Coleman
Theodore Darst
Anni Holm
James Jankowiak
Patrick Lichty
Sabina Ott
Rob Ray
Andrew Rigsby
Stoic Swine
Anthony Vizzari
Michelle Wasson

Public Media Institute, Roots and Culture and threewalls announce:

THE MDW FAIR

Visual Arts Landing in Chicago

April 23^rd & 24^th, 2011
www.mdwfair.org
Geolofts, 3636 South Iron Street, Chicago, IL, 60608
Hours:

Saturday, April 23^rd: 1-10pm

Sunday, April 24^th: 1-6pm

CHICAGO: threewalls, Roots and Culture and Public Media Institute are excited to announce The MDW Fair, a first annual gathering of independent art initiatives, spaces, galleries, publishers and artist groups from the Chicago metropolitan area and beyond. With over 50 participants, The MDW Fair demonstrates the diversity, strength and vision of the people and places that make up the rich art ecology of our region.

Held April 23-24, 2011 at The Geolofts, 3636 S. Iron Street, Chicago, the fair features 501(c)3, commercial and unincorporated galleries, independent curatorial projects, publishers and media groups in over 25,000 square feet of exhibition space that includes a 8,000 square foot sculpture garden with work by local artists. In addition to exhibitions by participating spaces, local podcasters Bad At Sports will host a live game-show and panel discussions will be scheduled throughout fair hours chaired by Britton Bertran, Jamilee Polson, Lorelei Stewart and Steve Ruiz.

The MDW Fair is a manifestation of the collective spirit behind the region’s most innovative visual cultural organizers, focusing on the breadth of work done here by artists and arts-facilitators alike. Please join us and see why Chicago remains a center of ingenuity and talent. Participants include: Twelve Galleries, Peregrine Program, Western Exhibitions, Alderman Projects,  ACRE, 65 Grand, Roots and Culture, Lloyd Dobler, Flat 9 Prelude, Adds Donna, Johalla Projects, Devening Projects, Linda Warren Gallery, Green Gallery, Sidecar Gallery, Pentagon Gallery, Post Family, Iceberg Projects, Slow, Reuben Kincaid, The Hills Esthetic Center, Ebersmoore, Antenna, University of Illinois at Chicago, LVL3, No Coast, JNL Graphic Design, Roxaboxen, Packer Schopf Gallery, Monument II, Stockyard Institute, Harold Arts, Heaven Gallery, The Suburban, ZG Gallery, Regional Relationships, The Storefront, Hornswaggler, University of Chicago, 2^nd Bedroom/TAG TEAM, Chicago Arts Review, Oxbow, Bad At Sports, What It Is, The Hyde Park Art Center, threewalls, The Cultural Center, Rebuild Foundation and  The Chicago Urban Art Society.

For press inquiries, contact Ed Marszewski at edmarlumpen@gmail.com

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Tom talks to Amanda + Martin from Bad at Sports

http://badatsports.com/2011/episode-293-the-new-york-art-fairs-2011/

Amanda Browder and Martin Esteves interview Tom Burtonwood at the Fountain Art Fair in New York last month. We talk about What It Is, is; and some of the artists we were showing in NYC including Lise Haller Baggesen and Sabina Ott. Thank you Bad at Sports!

Bad at Sports Episode 293 NYC Fairs 2011

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Inaugural Artist in Residence: R James Healy

April 02, 2011

R James Healy

What It Is is pleased to announce our inaugural artist in residence R James Healy. James is staying with us in sunny Oak Park for the next month or with an exhibition of his work tentatively scheduled for late April. Based in London, UK,  James is an animator and freelance 3D artist specializing in visual effects. While at What It Is James will prototype and develop one of his custom made zoetropes.

R James Healy

Follow his progress here, on his blog http://rjameshealy.blogspot.com and on twitter: rjameshealy

Also check out Clark: Herr Barr, overall winner of the Radar Festival 2007

“The look of this piece is a continuation of previous experiments, manipulating images by sampling. The technique is largely influenced by the Vorticist paintings of David Bomberg, specifically, ‘In the Hold’. Bomberg drew a grid over his canvas then fragmented the picture into geometric shapes whilst retaining the dynamic of the original scene. The intention of employing the technique in this piece is to create an ambiguity of form, allowing motion to reveal the subject.

Once the viewer has accepted they’re looking at a bird/hand, any similar moving black shape is adequate. As the project developed it became apparent that the hands had a strong sensual quality. Clearly this would be lost by total fragmentation. I strove to strike a balance, presenting detail in some shots, reserving it in others to give a broader sense of shape and motion. The compression required by streamed video is not sympathetic to this piece, but I do feel the intention is clear.” – R James Healy
www.rjameshealy.com

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Fountain Art Fair New York

February 19, 2011

LOCATION:

PIER 66 MARITIME @ 26TH STREET & 12TH AVENUE
IN THE HUDSON RIVER PARK

DATES:

GENERAL PUBLIC HOURS:

March 4-March 6, 12pm-7pm

SPECIAL EVENTS:

Thursday March 3, 12pm – 5pm – VIP & Press Preview

Friday, March 4, 7pm – 12am – Opening Night Reception

Performance: Gordon Voidwell, Tecla and Generic

Saturday, March 5, 7pm – 12am – Performance: Ninjasonik and NSR

About FOUNTAIN ART FAIR:

“The artists displaying their multimedia wares here are true avant-garde upstarts. Saturating your eyeballs with new imagery while listing on a rusty boat? Priceless.” -NBC New York

“Presenting a solid mix of street art, fine art, installation, performance, and all around general creativity, the Fountain Art Fair was a breath of fresh air for those tired of the white tents and fancy cocktails.” -Warholian.com

“Possessed of a scrappy, youthful verve lacking in its more prestigious neighbors. Fountain was distinguished by a vintage street/self-taught aesthetic” -ArtForum

“The way an art fair should be.” -The Economist

“For a riverside art fair with more grit, the Fountain Art Fair truly delivers. Named after Duchamp’s famous urinal, this one had the piss and vinegar. It’s this scrappy energy that augurs well for the continued vitality of art in the age of the declining Dow.” -Time Out New York

Fountain Art Fair was founded in 2006 as an attempt to leverage support for smaller independent galleries to gain access to larger collectors and critics. Since its inception, Fountain has held five exhibitions in Miami, one in Chicago, and is now celebrating its sixth exhibition in New York.

From its roots deep within the independent Williamsburg art scene, Fountain has grown to represent over 20 international avant-garde galleries and projects, showcasing progressive primary-market works.

Fountain’s venue, Pier 66 Maritime, is a 10,000 square-foot complex adjacent to all the major New York exhibitions such as The Armory Show and Pulse New York.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

New York (February 1, 2011)

Fountain Art Fair New York will celebrate its sixth successful year of showcasing avant-garde, independent artists and galleries during Armory Arts Weekend on March 3-6.

An exhibition known for its vibrant energy, focus on daringly impressive emerging art, and complete disregard for convention, Fountain is proud to announce a lineup of exhibitors and performances that is sure to outshine last year’s art frenzy.

This year Fountain returns to Pier 66 Maritime, a sprawling 10,000 sq ft venue (including salvaged lightship The Frying Pan) that provides a raw, singularly resonant environment for experiencing Fountain’s distinct mixture of progressive art, installations, and live performances.

Featuring over 20 exhibitors and independent projects-with emphasis on cutting-edge Brooklyn-based galleries and artists-Fountain will open its doors on Thursday, March 3rd with a VIP & Press preview.

Public access to the exhibition begins Friday, March 4th at 11am. Among the art projects and exhibits presented, Fountain New York 2011 will feature several veteran participants including Christina Ray Gallery, Grace Exhibition Space, Leo Kesting Gallery, We-Are-Familia, Greg Haberny, McCaig-Welles, and more.

Fountain is also pleased to welcome many outstanding new exhibitors, including Microscope Gallery, What It Is, Danni Rash & GILF!, Camel Art Space, and Mark Demos.

Recognizing and supporting Fountain’s commitment to up-and-coming, culturally resonant artwork are this year’s sponsors, including standout media institutions and tastemakers such as The Village Voice, Gakwer Artists, Flavorpill, The Onion, and The L Magazine.

Continuing Fountain’s precedent of recognizing music as a vital contemporary art form, breakout funk/pop force GORDON VOIDWELL will bring his danceable, infectious live show to Friday’s public opening night reception (March 4). With an 80′s inspired sound that’s been compared to Prince and the Talking Heads, GORDON VOIDWELL is the alter-ego of Bronx-born ex-chorister turned rap geek, Will Johnson. He will be joined by the upbeat electro-pop of TECLA, crowned by The Fader as “ringleader of a new electric circus.”

Saturday night’s event (March 5) will continue to rock the barge, with performances by hip hop/pop-punk trio NINJASONIK and other special guests.

Additional Fountain participants and sponsors will be announced in the coming weeks, as well as more details on the exciting and carefully-culled lineup of exhibits, installations, partners, and events that will push Fountain New York 2011 even further beyond the boundaries of the traditional art fair model.

Fountain Exhibitors: Camel Art Space, Brooklyn * Cheap & Plastique, Brooklyn * Christina Ray Gallery, New York * Grace Exhibition Space, Brooklyn * Leo Kesting Gallery, New York * Marianne Nems Gallery, New York * McCaig-Welles, Brooklyn * Microscope Gallery, Brooklyn * Mighty Tanaka, Brooklyn* Temporary States, New York * Thaddeus Kwiat Projects, New York * We-Are-Familia, New York * What It Is, Chicago
Independent Artist Projects: Allison Berkoy, Brooklyn * Danni Rash & GILF!, New York * Evo Love, Miami * Greg Haberny, New York * Marni Kotak, Brooklyn * Mark Demos, New York

FOUNTAIN ART FAIR INFORMATION PRESS CONTACT:
Briana Green
864.981.0288 | press@fountainexhibit.com http://fountainexhibit.com
Follow Fountain Art Fair on Facebook and Twitter LOCATION
Pier 66 Maritime (aka The Frying Pan) at 26th Street, New York, NY 10011
NO CARS WILL BE PERMITTED IN HUDSON RIVER PARK DATES
General Hours: March 4-6, 11 AM-7 PM
VIP/Press Preview: Thursday, March 3, 11 AM-7 PM
Public Reception: Friday, March 4, 7 PM-midnight
Special Event: Saturday, March 5, 7 PM-midnight ADMISSION
Public Weekend Pass: Friday, March 4th through Sunday, March 6th | $10
VIP/Press Preview: Thursday, March 3rd | $20 at door

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Caitlin Arnold interviewed by Claudine Ise for Bad at Sports blog

October 26, 2010

Installation view of Caitlin Arnold's exhibition at What It Is, Oak Park, Il.

Big thank you to Claudine Ise for publishing her article and interview with Caitlin Arnold on the Bad at Sports blog. Please check it out, Claudine and Caitlin engage in a really interesting and insightful conversation that sheds a lot of light on Caitlin’s practice and thinking as an artist.

http://badatsports.com/2010/caitlin-arnold-girl-photographer/

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Chicago Art Review

January 21, 2010

http://chicagoartreview.wordpress.com/2010/01/05/minireview-michelle-welzen-collazo-anderson-bernard-williams-what-it-is/

Comments (0) | Tags: Bernard Williams, Chicago Art Review, Michelle Welzen Collazo Anderson, Press, Steve Ruiz

What It Is: Huffington Post / Artletter

December 12, 2009

Big thank you to Paul Klein for mentioning last weeks show in his recent Huffington Post piece / Artletter on the “Schism” in Chicago Art, and thank you to everyone who made it out to the show. Bernard and Michelle’s work is up for another week or so, to make an appointment to view the exhibition please email info@wot-it-is.com

Best T + H

Comments (0) | Tags: artletter, huffington post, paul klein, Press