Sinto que os artistas representados nesta exposição (não sendo todos eles moradores de Chicago) produziram trabalhos que dão a impressão aos espectadores, de que algo especial aconteceu em determinado período e em determinado lugar. Estou também intensamente certo de que existem outros muitos artistas excelentes que vivem agora em Chicago, ou que surgiram nesta cidade. Individualmente há diferenças óbvias e lógicas de estilo e de técnica, mas o humor irônico, o prazer da visão da classe média e a desatenção ante a "grande tradição" os mantêm juntos.
Don Baum
"Made in Chicago" an exhibition of paintings and sculpture represents the United States in the Twelfth São Paulo Biennial. The National Collection of Fine Arts invited the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago to organize the exhibition under my direction with the collaboration of Dr. Stephen Prokopoff, director of the Museum. Artists selected are Roger Brown, Edward C. Flood, Philip Hanson, Gladys Nilsson, James Nutt, Edward Paschke, Kerig Pope, Christina Ramberg, Barbara Rossi, CarI Wirsum, Ray Yoshida. and H. C. Westermann, each of whom will be represented by approximately four works. Since World War 11, Chicago has been one of the United States' vital centers for the creation of important new forms in art. Recognition of Chicago's contribution comes more recently than that of work associated with New York, Los Angeles, or San Francisco. The exhibition, "Made in Chicago" will mark this city's first major presentation to audiences abroad. When I was invited by the Museum of Contemporary Art in 1969 to organize a show of Chicago art, it was agreed among the artists and myself that the "Iower leveI" of the Museum should be retumed to its original function - abasement. This was accomplished by the installation of an octopus-like fumace, the division of the space into a number of small rooms papered with "brick" wallpaper, a ping-pong table and other mmpus room basement objects. It is this prevailing flavor that reflects the attitude of many Chicago artists. Given the opportunity of showing their work, they agree that the atmosphete must avoid conventional purity and grandeur. In fact the opposite is created. Wall surfaces and objects are introduced that compete visuaIly and at the same time compel the viewer to stmggle with works in an environment that does not enhance but instead intensifies the obsessiveness of the works. As the viewer becomes accustomed to the discordant elements, he is at the same time touched by the "bad taste" of visions that are not "ART". In a related way, many Chicago artists live in the most anonymous neighborhoods in six-flat apartment buildings. For many who know them, the eccentric group's most marked characteristic is a· devotion to cheerful isolation. Because not many concern themselves with the artist in Chicago, the artist does not even go to the trouble of styling himself into a self-conscious individualist. He remains remarkably uncompromised, expressing himself as he chooses. The artist is rareIIy criticized and never lionized. Despite the pleasure he takes in the company of his fellows, he is alone in his expression of himself. In Chicago, the artists' life-style, his environrnent, and his world view are ali very much his own business, and very much accepted by those around him - perhaps a situation unique to the artist in the United States. Featured in the show is H. C. Westermann, somewhat older in years and more prominent in reputation. Although he has not been a resident of Chicago for some years, he nonetheless has been an absent father to more current developments. His humorous and ironic sources are deeply felt by the other artists even though a direct influence may seem obscure. When asked if there is a Chicago "School" I am uncertain how to answer. However, I am sure that the art produced in the last decade in Chicago is the freshest and most innovative statement to come out of this city. I feel that the artists represented in this exhibition (not a11 of whom tive in Chicago) have produced works which make one aware that something special has happened at a certain time iQ., a certain place. I am also intensely aware
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