100 Views of Chicago

Recently Framing Concepts was asked to bid on a 104 piece collection of woodcut block prints for a local art center. I had heard of the art center, but sadly, had never taken the time to visit.

We won the bid (yay!) and Brian, our framer, quickly got to work building the frames since they needed to be complete in less than a month. Periodically I would look at the progress, and sneak a peek at the art itself.

Flash forward to opening night at the Lubeznik Center in Michigan City (www.lubeznikcenter.org). I was very excited to be able to see all 104 pieces in order, on the wall and view the ones that I had missed while in progress. The work is '100 Views of Chicago' by Bronislaw M. Bak. The Center describes them, 'As fresh today as they were in 1967, the soul of a city is evoked in Bak’s stylized prints. 100 Views of Chicago is a folio of 100 black-and-white woodcuts published by Studio Press of Chicago in 1967. The images include iconic scenes of Chicago such as Marina City, the high rises along Lake Shore Drive, the Art Institute, the Chicago River, and the Field Museum.'

All I can say is that it is just plain FUN! Since they were completed in 1967, it has a 'Mad Men' flair about it with humorous undertones. My father-in-law grew up in Chicago, so I've heard stories from him over the years. I couldn't help but replay those stories as I wandered thru the gallery. Anyone who has spent any time at all in Chicago can relate to these pieces. Go check them out, but hurry, they're only on display until April 10th. For a tease of the art, I have attached some pics.







For more info on the artist and his work, check out his bio at Gallery4463. (www.gallery4463.com/bak_b/bio.shtm)

Footnote - while at the Lubeznik Center, don't miss the wood turning exhibit - jaw dropping!

~Pat~