Join us from 1-3 PM on Saturday, November 18 to celebrate the new works created at CIADC in 2017. Review will feature exemplary objects from a year of making at Chicago Industrial Arts & Design Center – with works by Andrew Barco, Barbara Bejna with Nicole Hollander, Brian Blankstein, David Curry, Susan Curry, Jeff Filo, Peter Mikalajunas, Erik Newman, and Jeff Visotsky.
The entire facility will be open for the event, with work activity in Metalworking, Woodworking, and Casting. Image above – Bird by Susan Curry.
Exhibitions: Call for Entries – Review
Review will be our year-end survey of new works created at CIADC during 2017.
We are seeking your exemplary objects from a year of making in metal, wood, casting, and design – wrap up the year and show us your best work! CIADC Members and Students interested in taking part in this exhibit should complete a “Call for Entry” exhibition form available at the front desk.
To participate, please complete a submission form by Monday, October 23
· Works will be selected and coordinated by Monday, October 30
· Drop-off will take place November 6 through November 12
· The exhibit will open on Saturday, November 18
Upcoming Exhibitions | Call for Entries
This week we're happy to look ahead and announce the shape of future exhibits. Each of the projects highlighted below will form an exhibition in the next twelve months with makers and creators from the Chicago Industrial Art & Design Center community. If you're interested in a particular project or concept, be in touch!
SURVEY
As the seasons change, we look back at the body of work created throughout this year at Chicago Industrial Arts & Design Center. Our next exhibit will present a selection of new works developed at CIADC in the past year.
We are seeking personal projects that have been realized with the resources at CIADC incorporating metal, wood, casting, molding, and technological processes.
CIADC Members interested in taking part in this exhibit should send a description of your 2016 project(s) with images to socialmedia@ciadc.org or speak to Nathan Smith, Sandra Stone, or Danielle Euer at the front desk!
To participate, please be in touch by Saturday, December 10, 2016
- Works will be selected by Thursday, December 15
- Drop-off will take place during the first week of Winter Term: Monday, January 2 through Sunday, January 8
- The exhibit will open on Saturday, January 21, 2017
Cc will be a showcase of duplicates – and near duplicates. Entry deadline February 13, 2017.
99/1 will feature speculative designs for new public artworks. Entry deadline May 8, 2017.
Fault Lines will feature works that incorporate or accentuate unplanned issues with a project to its ultimate benefit. Entry deadline July 31, 2017.
To stay up-to-date on all our upcoming projects, please visit ciadc.org/community-upcoming-exhibits.
Exhibitions: Demo | September 24, 2016 – December 17, 2016
Chicago Industrial Arts & Design Center is pleased to present our next exhibit Demo – featuring works by Aushra Abouzeid, Sarah Holden, Phillip Howell, Sarah Latimer, Laura Miracle, and Martin Pranga.
Sarah Holden, Teaching Samples: Rivets, Mortise and Tenon, Alternate Connection, Foldforming, and Angle Raising, Aluminum and mild steel
This exhibit includes creations designed to be touched, moved, manipulated, examined, and activated by visitors.
A reception for the exhibit will be held during the upcoming CIADC Fall Open House on Saturday, October 15. Visitors can get a hands-on experience, as well as join guided tours of the our historic building and watch live demonstrations in Casting & Molding, Metalworking, Technology, and Woodworking.
Gallery hours for Demo are Monday through Thursday 9 AM - 3:30 PM and 7-10 PM, Saturday 9 AM - 3:30 PM, and Sunday 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM through Saturday, December 17, 2016.
Laura Miracle, Glass Book, Brass and etched glass
Exhibitions: Final Week for Country, Life & Economics
The current Chicago Industrial Arts & Design Center exhibition Country, Life & Economics will be on display through Saturday, September 3. If you haven't had a chance to visit yet, plan to come in this week, Monday through Thursday 9 AM to 3:30 PM and 7 to 10 PM, or on Saturday between 9 AM and 3:30 PM, and enjoy the installation views below!
Erik Newman Toronada Machine – Chicago Schwinn saddle, bicycle parts, oak, plywood, miscellaneous (2005)
Carla Bruni Cold Month Project – Salvaged Craftsman drill, lamp parts from stage lighting, form mold (2016)
Julia Paloma This is Part A or The Reappearance of Sentiment – Bronze (2016)
Brian Blankstein and Emily McCormick Twist Wrench – Fire poker handle, wrench (2016)
Jeffrey Visotsky Kangaroo Tongs – Kangaroo bone, wooden spoon, clay, bronze (2016)
Laura Miracle Alley Trellis – Found chairs, macaroni tin, mason jar, soil, pothos (2016)
Members who are interested in being a part of our next exhibit, check out the call for entries for Demo.
Exhibitions: Blueprints Exhibit Compilation
Blueprints at Chicago Industrial Arts & Design Center will be on view through next Saturday, July 2, 2016. This project includes contributions from over 150 individuals – with plans and printouts from around the world. All submissions to the project are displayed in black and white printed from our office's LaserJet – we're happy to now share a full color PDF of all the 2D works from the exhibit:
In addition to the voluminous 2D submissions, there are a variety of fully-realized 3D projects on display in the exhibit from CIADC members.
Natalie Kling | Antler and steel
Aushra Abouzeid | Bark, acorn, wax, silicone, resin
Sarah Lu | Pine scrap, cardboard, hot glue (model)
Alan Baker, Bruce Church, Jessica Feith, Laura Miracle | Arduino uno, neopixel light ring, infrared range finders, wood, metal, wires
Charles Vitous | Mechanical drawings
Visit CIADC during gallery hours through July 2, or check out the Blueprints Exhibit Guide for a closer look at this project!
Upcoming Exhibitions: Call for Entries
We're happy to extend a call for entries to all Chicago Industrial Arts & Design Center members for the next group exhibit at CIADC – Country, Life & Economics.
Creativity is process channeled and invigorated within circumstantial limitations. This exhibit will focus on personal design efforts undertaken to breath new life into old materials and castaway projects – giving the available means a fresh purpose for practical applications.
Together we’ll highlight items crafted for practical use, where previously there had simply been parts and the individual drive to make something work.
Members of Chicago Industrial Arts & Design Center who are interested in taking part in this exhibit are encouraged to send descriptions and or images of your projects to socialmedia@ciadc.org, or speak to Nathan Smith and Danielle Euer at the front desk.
The exhibit will be on display at CIADC from July 23 through September 3, 2016. To participate, please be in touch by Saturday, June 18!
Upcoming Events
CIADC will be hosting a variety of new events in the next few months – here's a preview of a few Industrial Arts & Design happenings to keep on your radar.
Lake FX Summit at Chicago Cultural Center
Starting on Friday, May 13 CIADC will be one of the participants in the sprawling second year of Lake FX – check out the full schedule listings online, and stop by the CIADC table to say hello and help spread the word to the rest of the city!
Blueprints Opening Reception at CIADC
On Saturday, May 21 from 4-6 PM we will host the opening of the next exhibition at Chicago Industrial Arts & Design Center. Blueprints will feature 3D projects from each department at CIADC, including works by Aushra Abouzeid, Natalie Kling, Natalie Kling, Sarah Lu, and Bruce Church with Jessica Feith and Laura Miracle, alongside 2D designs by over one hundred artists from Chicago and across the world. (Currently, there are entrants from five continents in the project!)
CIADC will be accepting submissions for Blueprints throughout the run of the exhibit, ending July 2, 2016. To participate, fill out the project form at ciadc.org/blueprints-submissions and send image(s) via email to socialmedia@ciadc.org.
Chicago Sculpture International at Chicago Cultural Center
At 1 PM on Saturday, May 21 CIADC member Jill King will be leading of a 90 minute presentation with Karen Gubitz as a part of the CSI series Women Sculptors of Chicago, Not for Men Only!
Makerbot Makeathon at CIADC
Starting at 10 AM on Saturday, June 11 CIADC will be the Chicago host for Makerbot's nationwide Makeathon. Makerbot is inviting all educators, designers, makers, and anyone experienced in 3D printing to collaborate with in the process. At each Makeathon, those gathered will tackle challenges over the course of two days by iterating on ideas, developing STEAM content, and having fun along the way. Take part to help elevate 3D printing in the classroom: Sign up for the 2016 Chicago Makerbot Makeathon at CIADC!
Immersion Week at CIADC
Starting Monday, June 13 CIADC will offer our first five-day continuous education Immersion Week. Designed for those who are not able to commit to a typical 10-week class and/or for those who want the continuity of the Monday – Friday, 6 hours per day schedule. Be immersed and grow leaps and bounds with your creative object making!
Makers Ball at CIADC
Summer Classes at CIADC
Final View: Instructor Showcase
The latest Chicago Industrial Arts & Design Center exhibition Instructor Showcase will come to a close this week on Saturday, April 30. If you haven't had a chance to get a close look, plan to come in this week, Monday through Thursday 9 AM to 3:30 PM and 7 to 10 PM, or on Saturday between 9 AM and 3:30 PM.
Above is a top-down installation view of la vita e bella by Matt Runfola – forged and fabricated steel, stainless steel, patina. Join Matt for an intensive education during CIADC's upcoming Immersion Week in Metal Fabrication.
Here's a split-second of Nathan Aldredge's color-shifting sculpture, made with micro-controller, 3D printer, CNC router, et cetera. Nathan's next class at CIADC begins Saturday, May 14: Intro to Rhino: 3D CAD Modeling For Design.
Luminous in the northwest corner of the gallery is Laura Miracle's Door Chandelier. In addition to Laura's next 5-week woodworking course, she will be leading two single session instruction modules: Model Making for Furniture and Objects on Tuesday, May 10 + Wood Finishing Techniques on Tuesday, May 24.
Composite scaling installation detail from Fiberwave by Mark Carroll. Join Mark in Intro to Composite Fabrication, beginning Monday, May 2.
Solid bronze Drop Garden, by Nikki Renee Anderson.
Detail of Exposing Trophy by Sarah Holden – mild steel and nylon stockings!
Suspiciously well-balanced Shaker Tower by Erik Newman – constructed with cherry, walnut, oak, aluminum, and plastic army men. Join Erik for his second five-week session of Intro to Woodworking on Wednesday, May 4.
Behold: Your tears evoke a taste as memorable as honey by Dominic Sansone – sand-cast aluminum and walnut. Learn the secrets of the trade with Dominic in Intro to Sand Cast Metal starting Saturday, May 7.
Reflection and distortions surround Genie Vessel by Quentin Shaw. Join Quentin in Intro to Metalworking on Saturday mornings beginning May 7.
Here are some of the evolving 3D printed components of Alan Baker's work-in-progress 3D Scanner. Join Alan for the next spring session of Intro to Electronics and Microcontrollers For The Built Object, starting next Wednesday, May 4.
Next up in the gallery is Blueprints, opening reception on Saturday, May 21 from 4-6 PM!
Blueprints: Constructing the Walls of a Reinforced Concrete Factory on a Horizontal Platform
As we begin preparing materials for the next Chicago Industrial Arts and Design Center exhibition Blueprints, CIADC office manager Danielle Euer has done some research on the origins of our building at Ravenswood and Schreiber:
"A reinforced concrete three-story and basement factory building 40 ft. high is now being constructed in Rogers Park, Ill., by laying out the walls on a horizontal platform resting on steel jacks, which raise the completed walls to a vertical position after the concrete has set. The building, which is 34 x 82 ft. in plan, is the first of a series of structures to be built by the Uno Manufacturing Company, which proposes to manufacture various toilet preparations that make a fireproof building desirable. To further this end, United States steel sash, tin-clad doors, concrete floors and partitions are used."
This description comes from the opening paragraph on page 352 of Volume 64, Number 13 of Engineering Record, printed in September 1911.
The building was constructed in 1910 by the Monolithic Concrete Construction Company, and Danielle informs us that "toilet preparations" as mentioned above was an early 20th century phrase used for what we would now call perfume. And or: "burnishing soaps, liquid and scouring soaps, silver and brass polishes, furniture polish, writing inks and disinfectants of all kinds," as per Hotel World of December 13, 1919. At any rate, we have cosmetic concerns to thank for the fireproof structure that is the 6433 North Ravenswood of today.
Further, the Record goes on to describe and depict the construction of the building in thorough detail. For example: "A unit floor system is to be used in which the lower 2 3/8 in. of the 6-in. floor is cast in 3 x 15-ft. slabs in the stock yard, one on top of the other with building paper between each slab."
One can see the evidence of the building paper on the ceilings throughout 6433 Ravenswood, as above. In the Universal Portland Cement Company Monthly Bulletin of February 1912, Monolith's flat-wall system for constructing the building is further discussed:
"The end walls were first erected and following this, the third wall, weighing about 250 tons, was raised, meeting the overlapping pilasters so perfectly that a slight amount of grout completed a perfect joint."
"The second view shows the platform almost completed for the last wall. Raising was accomplished by means of a five horse-power steam engine, shown at the right, through eleven jacks at about ten-foot centers, beneath the platform, and took but eight hours. It came to the exact final position within a small fraction of an inch."
Clearly, planning goes a long way. Check out the full details from Engineering Record and the Universal Bulletin for the whole story, and send us your own preparations and plans for the Blueprints exhibition, opening Saturday, May 21 at Chicago Industrial Arts and Design Center.
As a parting note, below is a nice confluence of subjects at the end of the Engineering Record article, with the construction costs of the building at 6433 listed directly above the cost of using an Electrically Operated Blue Print Machine in St. Louis, circa 1910:
Exhibitions Review
Midway through our first winter, the Chicago Industrial Arts & Design Center Gallery is pleased to have exhibited works by nine CIADC members in the first two exhibits at 6433 North Ravenswood Avenue.
The first exhibition at the space Architecture: Form and Feature included works by Janet Austin, David Curry, Victoria Fuller, Emily McCormick, and Victor Nelson, and was a program partner of the inaugural Chicago Architecture Biennial. Works in the show investigated forms and features of architecture while presenting these elements in the context of indoor objects.
Nature Will Destroy the Foundations of Architecture by Janet Austin
Steel, copper, brick mortar - 52'' x 21'' x 14'' (2015)
Spiral Play by David Curry
Steel - 23'' x 23'' x 21'' (2015)
Mé(knobs) à Trois by Victoria Fuller
Wooden dresser drawers, dresser knobs - 19” x 25” x 27” (2013)
Measured Steps by Victoria Fuller
Folding rulers - 36'' x 36'' x 13'' (2001)
Double Bays by Emily McCormick
Welded, heat-treated mild steel - a. 11'' x 7'' x 15'' b. 9.5'' x 6.5'' x 13.25'' (2015)
City Scape Under Construction by Victor Nelson
Fabricated steel - 19'' x 17'' x 37'' (2013)
Construction #1 by Victor Nelson
Fabricated steel - 26'' x 25'' x 45'' (2013)
The current installation at CIADC The Cast and Fabricated Metal Object: 6 Months in Review features new works by David Curry, Alan Gelman, Emily McCormick, Peter Mikalajunas, Dan O'Brien, and Jeffrey Visotsky. The exhibit showcases two very different approaches to creating 3D works that are very prominent at CIADC - metal casting and metal fabrication.
Blended Family by Dan O'Brien
Fabricated steel (2015)
Installation detail of Short-eared Owl by Emily McCormick
Cast aluminum, steel, faux feathers, oak limb (2015)
Installation detail of Victory by Peter Mikalajunas
Forged and fabricated steel, found object, wood (2015)
Installation detail of Smokey Ridges by David Curry
Fabricated and patinated steel, glass (2015)
Installation detail of Retired Champ by Jeffrey Visotsky
Cast aluminum, found object (2015)
Installation detail of Steel Guitar by Alan Gelman
Found and fabricated steel, copper (2015)
If you haven't already stopped by the gallery space to check these works out in person, The Cast and Fabricated Metal Object will be on display through Sunday, February 28, 2016. The following exhibit will showcase creations by CIADC instructors, and will open with a CIADC reception and event during the afternoon on Saturday, March 19, 2016.
In addition to studio access and education, CIADC is very invested in community - and we want to know what everyone is up to outside of our own space! If you have exhibitions, installations, public works, artwork, work-work (or whatever-have-you) upcoming, please share it with us by emailing Nathan via socialmedia@ciadc.org.
Once you've seen what's on in the Member Gallery for each new exhibit, venture out and explore the varied and vibrant art projects going on in neighborhood - click below for a map outlining venues and public artworks that surround CIADC!
