Machinations: Kinetic Sculpture in the Age of Open-source, Glass Curtain Gallery, Chicago Ive recently had the pleasure and honor to work several new media artists on an exhibit titled Machinations: Kinetic Sculpture in the Age of Open-source for the Glass Curtain Gallery of Columbia College Chicago. The exhibit features works by artists from all over the country and a few from overseas who all create kinetic sculptures with a D.I.Y spirit. In tandem with the exhibit, artist and inventor Tayor Hokanson will be conducting a series of hands on workshops on how to build your own DIYLILCNC machine. The exhibit features several fascinating works including mini Strandbeest kits by Theo Jansen, a pneumatically controlled sculpture by Jeremy Boyle titled (self-playing) Guitar, a site-specific work, (n)Fold created by Pencil Studios (Sabrina Raaf and Travis Saul) and a piece that serves as a digital kinetic diary titled Deviation by Stephen Cartwright. Also in conjunction will be a book signing by Paul Catanese, creator of a series of digital relief prints created with the aide of a cnc machine. In his book, Post-Digital Printmaking, Catanese explains in great detail a number of experimental printmaking techniques. Make Magazine was kind enough to donate several issues robotics and electronic tinkering for a less formal, more educational side of the exhibit titled the Research Lab, which features projects from all over the country. The exhibit and related events are open to the public and free to attend, also a catalog accompanies the exhibit with a forward by artist Patrick Lichty. We will be sure to send updates on the progress of the workshops, thanks, curator and artist Mark Porter. Participating artists: Daniel Jay Bertner Jeremy Boyle Stephen Cartwright Paul Catanese Paul Granjon Theo Jansen Joseph Morris Anat Pollack Chris Reilly Randy Sarafan Pencil Studios (Sabrina Raaf and Travis Saul) Research Lab- Arthur Ganson, Elizabeth Rossiter , Tim O'Keefe Conor Peterson Ryan Rasmussen Steven Laurie Taylor Hokanson Website: www.colum.edu/Student_Life/DEPS/glass-curtain-gallery/index.php

Autohaemorrhaging Actuators, Recent Kinetic Sculptures and Preliminary Drawings by Mark Porter June 10-July 3, 2012 Peanut Gallery, 1000 N. California Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 http://peanutgallerychicago.com/ http://markportersculpture.com/home.html Autohaemorrhaging Actuators is a collection of recent preliminary drawings and kinetic sculptures which mimic biological functions and human/animal behaviors such as demarcation- the process of marking of one’s personal territory and autohaemorrhaging- the action of animals deliberately ejecting blood from the body as a defensive tactic. All of the works are thematically centered on the process of ejecting internal fluids with the purpose of creation, territorial marking, masking and rejection. Chicago-based artist Mark Porter creates mechanical, kinetic sculptures that act as prototypes through the fusion of custom-made and found objects and preliminary drawings with graphite, paint, wintergreen oil transfer and aluminum. Front image: detail image of Autohaemorrhaging Actuator #2, 2012, aluminum, electric motor, air pump, plexi-glass, steel, glass and pigmented fluid. "Peanut Gallery is a space for creative collaboration, experimentation, exhibition and good, old-fashioned mingling. Their goal is to connect creative people with one another and nurture a vibrant, inclusive community of artists and intellectuals."