After Supper Visions
He has been called “an ideas guy,” originally from St. Louis but quickly rising to prominence in Chicago’s respected art community, as creator of such hugely popular exhibits as Art on Track and Built. Now, Chicago-based artist Tristan Hummel is Program Manager and Curator of Chicago Loop Alliance, giving tremendous new publicity, affirmation and credibility to “After Supper Visions” and its artists. As crowds continue to visit the new exhibit at 23 E. Madison, Tristan graciously paused to answer a few questions on the impact ASV is having, on the Pop-Up program and in the art community of Chicago.
1) How long have you been Program Manager and Curator of the Chicago Loop Alliance?
Two years.
2) How many Pop-Up Art exhibits have you coordinated in that time?
In two years I have programmed and/or curated 316 unique pop-up exhibitions in the Loop. That’s nearly one every other day.
3) How would you describe the “After Supper Visions” artwork in comparison to other exhibits you have served as Curator for?
We get a huge variety artworks submitted to our program from every type of artist you can imagine. In the past we’ve exhibited works by Banksy and first Year School of The Art Institute of Chicago undergrads. Though the work varies it is always within a certain context of contemporary art making. What really excited me about After Supper Visions was that the work had a completely unique perspective. This work wasn’t made in the same way other artworks are. These photos weren’t necessarily made for exhibition or sales (though they do well at both) or even to be seen – they were produced purely as creative practice. It was exciting to find something that fresh. It was like thumbing through an artist’s sketchbook, seeing all the works that weren’t meant to be shown, sometimes that’s where an artist’s best body of work is.
4) Are there any artists that you have met, or any photos, in particular that have made an impression on you? If so, may we ask what intrigues you about them?
I had a great conversation with Ray at the opening. His work is the product of meticulous attention to the relationship of bisecting bodies in a field of view. He loves the area where shapes overlap or connect. His attempt to capture the perfect angle where all the relationships map themselves out in a visual way gives his work the feel of a stock image but without the lifelessness.
5) You have a great deal of experience in knowing what types of artwork and exhibits are most successful. Do you have any suggestions for “After Supper Visions”?
The most successful exhibitions are the ones people can relate to. I think ASV has nailed this part of the process. Next steps – go bigger; throw an event on a larger scale around the opening. I see this being successful as 2,000-3,000 black tie thing.
Our sincere thanks To Tristan, for this interview and for this fantastic opportunity to let all of Chicago see the fabulous works of art created by the ASV artists. We invite all readers to visit our HOMEPAGE to purchase the ASV Photos, on display throughout the month of October at 23 E. Madison Street In Chicago.