I love art.

Okay, now that the last couple weeks have suddenly come to a grinding halt after a whirlwind of artshows and festivals, I can relax and reflect. The artists' community in Chicago is vast and diverse, and with fairs like art chicago, international in scope. Sometimes, I wish I could have a little more impact or connectivity with my work, but finding an audience can be a little tricky with so many artists vying for support and trying to be heard. I simply continue to move forward. I don't have much time for kiss- ass wanna-be's or penny-anty politics, but I do have a lot of interest in quality, meaningful art from the gut, which, lately, I've seen quite a bit of, amazingly. I've written before about my pessimisstic view of the local scene, and I must say, there is a healthy element of growth and courage being presented by some of my peers.
Often, in our materialistic, market-driven society, it's easy to see art as a commodity or success equals sales. But that is not true in the poetic nature of art. There is an aura which cannot be suppressed to great art, even if it doesn't sell. Sometimes, not selling can even be good for some artists, keeping them hungry, testing their fortitude and integrity. True artists do not succumb to the illusion of market-value, and forfeit their honest position, for a buck. There are those who do, and I think it's pretty transparent, to see through their shallow skin and lack of spine. Easily forgettable crap from a lowlife scumball-congrats- you shit artist, you've successfully demeaned yourself, and endangered the entire sanctity of art for your preciously deformed ego, which aches from your own self-abuse.
I love art.
Congtulations to the artists who wage war with their art, and are not undermining their own creativity, passion, and integrity.

Geez...

It was quite an exciting weekend, I am totally exhausted. SO much has been going on. It all can be just too much. Besides, I Am ARTChicago.

Art star galaxy

The noise roars through the airwaves like glasses crashing on the cold kitchen floor. A quick look-see, take a breath. Oh, it's only me. Why bother with these words, we live in the world we see. It matters little, if not at all, if anyone even likes it. Ah contemporary art. You put the "contempt" in contemporary art. There must be another way, a different manner of egocentric destruction for one to waste time than this. Maybe better to run with the mimes, mimicking each other in an absurd dance of monkey-see-monkey-do of style and fashion and corporate suggestions of what's cool and promoting it as THE NEXT BIG THING. Well. it ain't you baby. Does everyone's opinion count? Of course not but we keep telling each other it does. Does anyone genuinely like or believe in these hypocrisies? Well what is genuine, right ?
There has got to be a better way. Take my hand, I will show you the mysteries of the universe.

Another Beautiful Day

It rained. My new painting is brilliant if you don't mind me saying so, myself. Lightning like brushstrokes punctuate the canvas and softly dissipate into a haze. The colors of rust and earth diffuse into soft shapes. The dreamlike fantastical realm of almost unearthly silence.

Please enjoy...

Yo Blog!

Spring is in the air finally. Change is near and I'm ready! Guess I forgot to blog for awhile. Painting has never been better. My new website is starting to take shape, at www.joesikora.com. Trying to link all these sites together. Well back to business for now.

art zombies

There seems to be a lack of interest or criticism online for Chicago art and artists. How boring, to have so much art all around, with no one brave enough to comment upon it, or willing to exchange in dialogue. I've been looking for this for some time but can't seem to find much of interest. Perhaps, no one really cares anymore, or wants to sound ignorant discussing trends and innovations in the artworld. Through my activities with exhibiting artwork I've noticed plenty of good art and artisans but not usually in museums or galleries, these cronies seem to be in concensus with who they want to celebrate each year, and to hell with the rest. It's a damn shame really, with so much interesting work being overlooked and so much crap being trumpeted as some kind of new masterpiece. Maybe this is all indicative of society in general which is consumed with celebrity news and blind to a self-defeating war which is destroying our nation on nearly every level. Maybe art really is dead, just some zombie of the past they just can't kill, like they did with writing and theater. It's all some sham, somehow. I'd just like to find some enlightened souls to discuss these art ideas with maybe change the world. At least have some kinda dialogue about art that's not trite.