Bubbly Creek Performance Art Assembly | re.GENERATION

Defibrillator Gallery + Zhou B Art Center presents

BUBBLY CREEK PERFORMANCE ART ASSEMBLY
Three days of Live Art in Bridgeport

The cheerful sounding “Bubbly Creek” is the south branch of the south fork of the Chicago river and forms the western border of Bridgeport. It derives this nickname from gases bubbling out of the riverbed from decomposing animal waste dumped into the river a century ago by the Union Stockyards. It still bubbles to this day. Brought to notoriety by Upton Sinclair in his exposé on the American meat packing industry entitled The Jungle, the contaminated river is a revolting reminder of the harshness of industrial capitalism, exploitation of [often immigrant] labor, and disproportionate concentrations of wealth in America. From the Haymarket Affair in 1886 fighting for workers’ rights, to the Pullman railroad strike in 1894 over corporate greed and poverty, labor issues were at the forefront of late 20th century social concerns and are [obviously] still relevant today. This project celebrates the Bridgeport neighborhood and is an homage to Chicago’s rich labor history and how it relates to and influences the local art community.

Curatorial Statement by Joseph Ravens:

“Defibrillator recently relocated from West Town to Bridgeport. Like most others, when I first heard the nickname, Bubbly Creek, I thought it was cute. Then I learned of the origin of this moniker and was disgusted and delighted by the euphemism. Rooted in and inspired by locality, Bubbly Creek Performance Art Assembly draws a parallel between the river’s oxymoronic epithet and the perception and experience of performance art: contradictory, strange, and [ultimately] fascinating. Carl Sandburg’s poem, “Chicago” refers to Chicago as the “City of the Broad Shoulders,” referencing physical strength and the idea that Chicagoans could seemingly take on any difficult or demanding task. I believe these qualities define the art community in Chicago. Our relationship and appreciation for labor is exemplified by practitioners of performance art who, working in an ephemeral and non-commodifiable medium, tend to value, by choice or circumstance, process [labor] over product [wage], thereby challenging value driven art production and capitalist systems. These are the associations and inspirations behind our three day micro-festival.”

DAY 01 | Cross-Contamination | FRI 08 JUNE | 6PM | door donation requested <
a collaboration between
Bubbly Creek Performance Art Assembly and
PLANTS & ANIMALS: On Monsters, Cyborgs and Other Hybrid Creatures
—–> curated by Rebecca Ladida | In/habit roving art series
featuring performance art by: Benji Morino | Carole McCurdy | Caroline Joy Dahlberg | Erin Delaney | Julia Mellen | Michelle Lacombe | Ryan Greenlee | Whit Forrester + performance traces from Falak Vasa & Marina Cavadini + mobile installation by Rebecca Ladida
—–> performances oscillate between
6PM | beginning at LEARNING MACHINE [3145 S Morgan Street] at > donation requested!
8PM | audience migration to RAW SPACE [alley just EAST of Morgan on W 33rd PLACE]

DFBRL8R [also known as Defibrillator Gallery] was formed in 2010 as a platform for Performance Art. Contextualizing performance within the realm of visual art, DFBRL8R embraces artists who look to the body in concert and conversation with time, space, object, nature, architecture, or society. Bold and courageous programming aims to provoke thought and stimulate discourse surrounding underrepresented voices and time-based practices. Working with both established and emerging artists, DFBRL8R is dedicated to fostering local makers while invigorating Chicago with artists of exceptional calibre from around the world. DFBRL8R raises awareness, appreciation, and respect for the medium of Performance Art.

Zhou B Art Center is a private non-government funded complex that facilitates the exchange of contemporary art between Chicago and the international art community. Founded in 2004 by the Zhou Brothers in Chicago’s historic Bridgeport neighborhood, The Zhou B Art Center has a mission to engage in cultural dialogue through contemporary art exhibitions and international programming.

Bubbly Creek Performance Art Assembly is made possible with support from The Reva and David Logan Foundation, Zhou B Art Center, Lagunitas, SAIC department of Performance, Core 3 Creative, The Learning Machine, In/habit roving art series, and DFBRL8R.

Defibrillator is made possible with support from The Reva and David Logan Foundation; Apis Mellifera Fidelity Charitable Grant; Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust; Martha Strutters Farley and Donald C. Farley, Jr. Family Foundation; Zhou B Art Center; DFBRL8R Board of Directors; and generous contributions from our loving community.