The NEW Old

Fresh off of the heels of a spectacular performance in New York, Indie Hip-Hop trio The New Old plans on setting the stratosphere ablaze yet again in Chicago with a show at Subterranean located in the bustling Wicker Park neighborhood, 2011 West North avenue. Be sure to check them out tonight, doors open at 9pm. Also checkout their latest self-titled project available on iTunes.

Oxxford Tailors Chicago ::.

Oxxford Clothes - Chicago, IL from Oxxford Suits on Vimeo.

Helmets are Stoopid!?!

* via Ogilvy & Mather

Mass Density

Jesse Greene, better known to some as artist Dense83, captures the essence of real and raw urban Chicago culture by merging avant garde techniques with traditional graphic motifs and fine painting.His history as a multi-faceted craftsman speaks to the current work of Dense83, painted on canvas and found objects, which fuses the mediums of contemporary fashion photography, graffiti, crisp graphic aesthetics, mechanical line and vivid color. You can catch him in Chicago at this month's Milwaukee Art Festival



To learn more about Dense83, see more of his work, or purchase some of his pieces visit:
http://dense83.com/

Biking on the path to the masses ::.

Living in Chicago, you wouldn't think that cycling is a cult following. Some might say it is at this point. It makes you think about all the cities and towns that need to embrace the bike. A new campaign has been developed to reach out to communities to enhance their efforts in those places that need to be more bike friendly. This movement is growing rapidly. This is such a good thing.

What to do this weekend....

The first event of its kind in the US, created by American Contemporary Artist Scott Helbach and bear.illa CEO Lonnie Edwards. Paint Wars is a North American tour that focuses on challenging talented artists in friendly competitions of live improvised art using paint markers (Krink, Montana, Pilot, Molotow et cetera...) to raise money for different charity organizations within the host city. Each artist gets 90mins to come up with an amazing image, and the audience chooses the winner(s) via "ballot box" style vote. Paint Wars will be coming to a city near you, who knows, your city may be next on the tour. Stay Tuned...

PAINT WARS CHICAGO

July 9th, 2010 - July 10th, 2010
Anode Gallery 718 West 18th St, Chicago, IL 60616
5pm - 1am
15$* (includes all you can eat and drink)
20$* (2 day entry all you can eat and drink BOTH DAYS)

*Proceeds to benefit the Arts of Life Foundation (artsoflife.org)

Gift BAGS will be given to the FIRST 30 guests and GIVEAWAYS will be handed out throughout the night

Guest DJs
DOTS
TOP KEY
JOHN SIMMONS

SPECIAL MUSIC PERFORMANCE BY:
THE NEW OLD
NEAK

FEATURED ARTISTS IN THE CHICAGO EVENT
Ian Bennett
Rocio Urbano (Director of the ConNatural Artists urban arts organization)
Dense83
Kevin Lahvic
Mario Mena
Rooster
Salena Restos
Amish
Eric Stenberg
Arturo Lopez
Micheal "Mist" Bahana
Hansel De La Cruz
Jose Rerales
Roberto Saucedo

Hosted by: Lonnie Edwards and Ennis Alexander Martin III

(via becomebearilla.com)

Child at Heart

Meet Kevin Lahvic, a modern day renaissance man, he has his hand in everything these days from creating magnificent art to hosting plays at his studio and...oh yea...he's also the association President of the prestigious Flat Iron Arts building in Chicago (flatironartists.com). That explains why so many awesome things are going on at that place. Quite possibly one of the nicest gentlemen I know, just being around this guy for 5 minutes gives you a renewed sense of child-like exuberance for creativity. I got a chance to catch up with the always busy Mr. Lahvic.

Lonnie Edwards: Tell us about yourself..?
Kevin Lahvic: “Ask a class of first graders if there are any artists in the room and they will all raise their hands. My hand’s still up.”
L.E: Can you talk a little bit about how you first got interested and involved in art?
K.L: “My identity as an artist is truly my first memory, my first awareness of “self.” It’s all I’ve ever known. So the interest and involvement was really just part of being, with no identifiable starting point. Art is my oldest friend and the one constant.”
L.E: What is your general aesthetic? How would you describe your work’s subject matter to someone?
K.L: “Creating art makes my happy, literally. I work with a variety of themes and a range of styles, but the common thread is imagery that evokes a warm and positive vibe. The greatest compliment I can receive from someone is that my work makes them happy.”
L.E: I'd say your work brings me back to that feeling as a kid when I got the first batch of churros in the morning before school. Trust me, it was very exciting, I was a husky kid....So, what is your goal with your art?
K.L: "Self-expression, creating art, is really not a choice, it’s what I HAVE to do. So, I guess my goal is to continue to support myself as an artist and enjoying the blessing of doing what I love for a living."
L.E: Wicked fresh answer! And with that being said, any words of advice for other artists, designers, or creatives trying to master their craft and find their place ?
K.L: “Create, Exhibit, Share, rinse and repeat.“

Kevin Lahvic will be participating in the Chicago portion of a North American tour called "Paint Wars" July 9th -July 10th for more information on the event and tour got to:
becomebearilla.com

For more information on Kevin Lahvic and to purchase some of his work visit his site:
www.kevinlahvic.com

Jennifer Stern

Checkout some exquisite artwork from this bright new star on the the art scene, Jennifer Stern. Rumor has it she will be taking part in an all women's collective art event in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood late this summer.

See more of here work at:
http://www.jennstern.com

Also checkout her interview with bear.illa on:
becomebearilla.com

Ray Noland (CRO)

Go to the heart of the art district this week and enjoy the fantastic works of Ray Noland. Many of you may know him as CRO, he's the genius behind the "Run Blago Run" street art that was seen throughout Chicago not long ago. He also created, “Go Tell Mama!” – a grassroots Barak Obama art, video, and street campaign which began in 2006 and toured the country during the election of ‘08. Noland is the featured solo artist of the event called "Sweet Tea & American Values", brought to you by the Chicago Urban Art Society. I was there for the opening reception, and it was amazing. We HIGHLY RECOMMEND going there. The exhibit runs through June 30th 2010 at:

Chicago Urban Art Society: exhibition + creative-use space
2229 S. halsted street
Pilsen, Illinois