Popup Art

I am a big fan of free entertainment, whether it be concerts at Millennium Park, watching movies on the demo TVs at Best Buy, or throwing a hot dog bun between two hobos and watching them duke it out. So it’s no surprise I was happy to learn about «Popup Art», a monthly event sponsored by the Chicago Loop Alliance in which downtown venues are transformed into art exhibits. It’s a great opportunity to see things Chicago artists have created that don’t involve giving your name and specifying tall, grande, or venti. Most venues are actual stores and fairly easy to find, like a clothing store we visited on S. Wabash. However, another, on E. Madison, was much less conspicuous. We searched and searched for it, assumed it didn’t exist, but then mistakenly stumbled upon it to the satisfaction of all. It didn’t have a name but I think they should call it downtown’s G-​spot. All venues had free wine and snacks. The art ranged from portraits to abstract art — that which didn’t have any recognizable form or features, you know, like Stephen Tyler’s face. One thing to remember, though: no touching, poking, or stroking the art (apparently the same goes for the artists).
The highlight of the evening was the alley-​turned-​fashion-​show just south of Lake on State Street. I never expected to see people covered in such interesting threads in a Chicago alley — let alone people who were face up and moving around. The scene pulsed with a DJ, dancers with hula hoops, and lots of booze — reminding me of the Brittany Murphy funeral after party. And yes, all the alcohol was on the house (or as the Algonquin Indians used to say, «on the wigwam»). The fashion show took place along the alley sidewalk. One model donned deep-​red lipstick, fishnet stockings, and a black umbrella. Is this what happens to Mary Poppins when the babysitting gigs dry up? Yet another emaciated girl with flaming red hair wore a red-​and-​white dress, had rouge cheeks, and dark shadows around her eyes, like the failed Raggedy Ann on a meth bender doll (by Mattel™). Dress at all these venues was way casual. In fact, my friend, wearing a suit and tie, stuck out the most. Seeing someone wearing a three piece suit at one of these events is about as unusual as seeing a blonde on «Jeopardy!».
This event is once a month and well worth it. So stop making like Tom Cruise and come out already!