Wetzel's Nestle

Blane Fonda, originally uploaded by Christopher Hiltz.

Blane Fonda, originally uploaded by Christopher Hiltz.

On Friday the Chicago band known as Blane Fonda played at Darkroom in Ukranian Village. These shots of are of the singer, Mark Wetzel. What I like about them is their seeming lack of time and context--it looks like they could be from 1974 as easily as 2009. Kids these days, with their dance rock music and shredded denims...

More where that came from.

Lens is Proximity

Last weekend Travis Wiggins recruited me to shoot some promotional photos for his band, Essex Chanel, in preparation for the media blitz he is preparing to unleash on the world in conjunction with the release of the new album Love is Proximity. After the official photo session wrapped, a party erupted in The Wigg's Edgewater studio space. Travis and Allison took the opportunity to play a few songs from the new album, and I took the opportunity to take some more photos in a more spontaneous, intoxicated fashion.

SXCHNL 1, originally uploaded by Christopher Hiltz.

SXCHNL 5, originally uploaded by Christopher Hiltz.

SXCHNL 3, originally uploaded by Christopher Hiltz.

The posed (sober) shots from the evening will be out there very soon, and knowing The Wiggs, and his penchant for promotion, you'll be seeing them all over the place.

Something to Believe Inn

This Saturday is the first show of the summer season at the illustrious Believe Inn, and it's going to be a doozy. If you're not familiar with the work of Pourous Walker this would be a grand opportunity to correct that error. This year the Inn will have a gift shop, and since I was fortunate enough to show some work there last summer, H Mathis (Chicago's premier curator) asked if I'd contribute some stuff to have for sale. The below image, an out-take from the MCA installation, amongst a few others will be available for purchase.

Lorn, originally uploaded by Christopher Hiltz.

Portractions?

Here's a couple more shots taken in the Art Institute of Chicago's Modern Wing. The only real reason I'm posting is to view them full-size and on the black background. I'm not sure where to go with these abstracted portraits (portractions?), but I think they have potential. For what? Beats the Hell out of me...

Modern Mess 2, originally uploaded by Christopher Hiltz.

Modern Mess, originally uploaded by Christopher Hiltz.

It was funny, when I was walking around the museum taking photos it felt very natural and comfortable, like something I should be doing. Then it dawned on me that I'd spent most of the damn winter doing just that.

Modern Post

This weekend the Art Institute of Chicago celebrated the opening of the new, 200-Brazillion-Dollar Modern Wing by throwing a free-opening-day party, complete with gospel singers (totally bad ass), tours of the galleries and bags of potato chips. Oh, and there was a bunch of art to look at as well. The new structure is really impressive, and the way it is incorporated with Millennium Park via the sky walk is worth the trip down there by itself.
Target is paying everybody's admission up until May 21, so get on down there before the prices get steep.

Modern Wing, originally uploaded by Christopher Hiltz.

Testify 3, originally uploaded by Christopher Hiltz.

Lean Into It, originally uploaded by Christopher Hiltz.

There's an entire gallery for Richter. Aces.

Richter Reflection 1, originally uploaded by Christopher Hiltz.

See more shots by clicking this Modern Hyperlink!

Spending 30 Hours Driving Along the Same Street

Last week I drove with Tim out to San Francisco. If you look at a map you'll notice that you get on Interstate 80 in Chicago and stay on the same road, sans turns, for 2000-plus miles, straight into the Bay Area. It's difficult to get lost. Here's some shots taken along the way.

Nebraska, originally uploaded by Christopher Hiltz.

Did you know that the second you enter Iowa from Illinois you can see Nebraska off in the distance? The state is that flat. No joke.

Wyoming 2, originally uploaded by Christopher Hiltz.

Once you lose your Soul in Reno you can find redemption in a gas station parking lot.

Nevada, originally uploaded by Christopher Hiltz.