Bad at Sports

In this episode of Bad at Sports, we’re coming to you live from the Stitch and Staple Artist Book Fair at 21C Museum Hotels! Join us as we chat with Jennifer Murray, about the evolving landscape of artist book fairs and the growing role of alternative exhibition spaces. We also dive into the mind of Evan Fusco, a rising artist and art producer whose multidisciplinary practice explores themes of identity, memory, and transformation. Our hosts discuss the significance of the 21C Museum Hotels as a cultural space that bridges hospitality and contemporary art, creating opportunities for artists and visitors alike. Highlights: The history of the 21c and public art with Jennifer Murray Evan Fusco’s artistic process and how his work challenges conventional forms The role of 21C Museum Hotels as an alternative platform for art in unexpected spaces Insights from the Stitch and Staple Artist Book Fair at 21C Hotels Tune in for a dynamic conversation on the future of art in unconventional spaces and the work of emerging artists like Fusco! Suggested Links: (more links soon) 21C Museum Hotels – Learn more about 21C Museum Hotels and their fusion of art and hospitality. Jennifer Murray – Former Director of Filter Photo and a key figure in contemporary photography, now Curator at 21C Chicago Evan Fusco – Explore Evan Fusco’s portfolio. Stitch and Staple Artist Book Fair – Find out more about the event and participating artists.

  In this milestone episode of Bad at Sports, we welcome back Scott Speh, the founder and director of Western Exhibitions, to celebrate 20 years of the gallery’s existence and its significant role in shaping the Chicago art scene. It’s been 19 years since Scott’s last appearance on the show, and in this conversation, we dive deep into the journey of Western Exhibitions, its impact on the city’s art landscape, and the evolving nature of the gallery's programming. From the early days of launching the gallery to navigating the challenges and rewards of running an independent space in Chicago, Scott offers a unique perspective on the state of contemporary art and its communities. We discuss the dynamic relationships between artists, collectors, curators, and the broader public, and reflect on how Western Exhibitions has not only supported emerging artists but also helped to foster a rich cultural dialogue in the city. As the art world continues to change, Scott shares his thoughts on the future of galleries, the role of physical spaces, and how the local art ecosystem has evolved over the past two decades. Tune in for an insightful and engaging conversation about the intersection of art, community, and sustainability in Chicago. Names Dropped… Shannon Stratton, Marc Fischer, Anthony Elms, Philip von Zweck, Rhona Hoffman, Dirk Denison,  David Salkin, John Neff, Jason Pickelman, Dutes Miller, Pedro Valez, Nick Frank, Stan Shellabarger, 7/3 Split, Tim Fleming, Paul Nudd, Dan Attoe, Lisa Boyle, Rowley Kennerk, Andrew Rafacz, Lou Manilow, Robyn O’Neil, Ryan Christianson, Geoffrey Todd Smith, Edie Fake, Mark Pascalr… There were others…     https://www.shannonraestratton.com/about https://www.printedmatter.org/catalog/39749/ https://lostandfoundlab.org/anthony-elms https://artadia.org/artist/philip-von-zweck/ https://www.rhoffmangallery.com/ https://www.dirkdenisonarchitects.com/ https://www.davidsalkin.com/ https://artadia.org/artist/john-neff/ https://design.newcity.com/2024/04/05/one-more-day-in-the-life-of-jason-pickleman/ https://www.jmkac.org/artist/miller-dutes/ https://westernexhibitions.com/artist/stan-shellabarger/ https://velezpedro.com/home.html http://www.thegreengallery.biz/artists/nicholas-frank https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-fleming-772a7618 https://www.artfairmag.com/art-los-angeles-contemporary/ https://www.spudnikpress.org/people/paul-nudd/ https://thehole.com/artists/dan-attoe https://badatsports.com/2010/rowley-kennerk-gallery-closing/ https://andrewrafacz.com/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_Manilow https://www.robynoneil.com/ https://www.geoffreytoddsmith.com/ https://www.juxtapoz.com/news/magazine/features/edie-fake-off-the-grid/ https://www.luxcenter.org/artist/mark-pascale https://badatsports.com/2005/episode-6-scott-speh-and-philip-von-zweck-interviewed/   Image Credit - Credit: Josh Druding for Chicago Reader https://chicagoreader.com/arts-culture/the-past-and-future-of-western-exhibitions/ 

In this episode of Bad at Sports, we sit down with Chicago-based artist and sculptor Betsy Odom, whose work uniquely blends high craftsmanship with intentional moments when the craft fails. Odom’s sculptures often serve as playful critiques of mass cultural phenomena, gendered objects, and sporting culture, creating pieces that are both visually stunning and conceptually layered. With a deep fascination for sports culture and the ways it intersects with identity and gender, Odom’s work delights in crafting objects that are as charmingly imperfect as they are thoughtful. These "flawed" sculptures often act as queer-ed interpretations of familiar items, inviting us to question the norms surrounding them. We discuss Betsy’s approach to materials, her exploration of identity through sculpture, and how humor and subversion play key roles in her work. https://www.sfmoma.org/exhibition/get-in-the-game/ https://www.betsyodom.com/

In this episode, we explore Ours Is The Hand That Sews Time, a two-person exhibition at M. LeBlanc featuring new work by father and son, Peter and Jake Fagundo. Both artists challenge the notion of painting as a finished product, instead embracing it as a continuous, evolving process. Peter, a longtime professor at SAIC, draws from his deep archive of past drawings and appropriated imagery, creating works that bridge abstraction and figuration. His son Jake, shaped by the digital age and a dynamic array of artistic influences, balances historical references with playful figurative work. Together, their pieces create a dialogue across generations, blending tradition with contemporary exploration. We are joined by Taylor Payton and Marc LeBlanc.   https://peterfagundo.com/home.html https://www.artsy.net/artist/jake-michael-fagundo https://www.sulkchicago.com/ https://mleblancchicago.com/oursisthehandthatsewstime https://gruntsrarebooks.us/