Craig Doty (All images courtesy of artist.)
Craig Doty makes really weird formal photographs that are unbelievably believable. His works are theatrical but don’t feel staged; i.e., he doesn’t impose narrative structure on the viewer, so you’re allowed to wonder what exactly the fuck is going on. They capture awkward moments in the best (as in most awkward) way. His recent inclusion in a beautifully minimal two-person, two-work show at Alogon was easily one of the best exhibitions in Chicago this year. Craig Doty’s weird stuff isn’t weird for the sake of it – it’s a serious investigation into activities and realities not everybody participates in or ever will.
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Samothrace
Lawrence, KS’s Samothrace made my favorite record of 2008, Life’s Trade (20 Buck Spin). I refuse to say why – when something is your favorite and you criticize it, some of the luster is lost. Here is a good review of the record and here is a video.
John Steinbeck
This year I read two novels, East of Eden and The Winter of our Discontent. The former changed my life, even though it’s a retelling of the book of Genesis, while the latter is the author’s final novel, an ironic tome detailing the decline of morality in the United States. Fictive texts that somehow encompass universal thoughts, emotions, and belief systems are such a Modern concept it makes me feel estranged from my own time. First I want to escape to the descriptive landscapes of Steinbeck’s California and then I want my mom to pick me up, take me to Pizza Hut and add a star to my Book It! button.
Rager
Rager has everything I want from a band: fast, well-written songs, screaming, Hewhocorrupts, circle pits, Marxism, awesomely smart, talented and attractive members, the inability to take anything seriously, and homes in both Chicago and Richmond, VA. Video here.
Hot Dogs
On July 4 i had my first hot dog over at Micah’s house. A love affair begins! Hot dogs are so delicious, and conveniently edible from a u-boat of bread. They come with lots of toppings - mustard, relish, onion, pickles, sometimes wrapped in bacon, sometimes in a soft pretzel home- but never with ketchup because … duh.
Paris Hilton is My New BFF (Image courtesy of MTV)
Paris Hilton is hilarious and apparently she smokes weed all day so when she bids adieu with a flippant “Ok…i’ve got to get back to my life now” it’s an easy laugh and a reason to have cable. Didn’t it seem like every tv show had a Sarah Palin and a transgender person this fall? Paris had both - the Sarah Palin girl made it to the final two but the m to f got cut a while ago for throwing a temper tantrum and fake puking at Knoxberry Farm. At any rate, Brittany won, and I’m sorry to spoil the outcome but if you saw the one where she got to go onstage at the MTV Japan Music Awards and say “what’s up Toyko?!” then you obviously know she was going to beat the rest of the gang, including the big necked party girl, Bikini Korrie, the Christian, the slutty party girl, and the bitchy rocker chick from New Jersey.
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Christopher Wool
I loathe painting but Christopher Wool’s text pieces blow my mind. The big block letters stenciled on canvas are perfect examples of how anti-standard being standard is and I don’t even mind their didacticism. I’m allowed to like one aesthetic thing a year and this is it.
The Green Lantern
The Green Lantern has wonderful programming. n.b. I worked with the gallery/publisher /community space this year but that should not negate how important it is for culture in Chicago. My favorite projects include the Phonebook, a yearly compendium of alternative spaces, the experimental live shows, and the consistently interesting and well-hung art exhibitions. I also think the new book shelf is really great.
Emperor Cabs
In 2008 I became friends with the dudes over at Emperor Cabs. They’ve taught me a lot about life – about stacks of 4 x 12s and what nots, about how to avoid pros on your way to get a grape flavored blunt paper on North Ave. at night, and about how to build things for a community instead of for your pocketbook.
Seamus T. Dog
Seamus has been my most favorite thing for four consecutive years. He’s the jam.
Stevie Greco is Britton’s friend
