Conversations turn RED as Kurt Perschke's Project visits Wicker Park & Union Station. All in 2 Day's Work.

SUBTITLE: RedBall Resurfaces after a Crusty Weekend.

Chicago, IL USA: Two important RedBall Project Shows happened this Week that were as different as they could possibly be. That Rationalization must to be attributed to Human Nature and 'what matters' in the Life of an average Citizen.

The First Show (we are about to embark upon) was the rescheduled Wicker Park/Bucktown North Avenue - Damen - Milwaukee Stint that could not have happened on a finer day, Tuesday, September 16TH. Kurt & Krew set up a few doors north of the Blue Line's Damen L-Train Stop in the Hub of one of the busiest Art Corners in Chicago. An eclectic Mix of People filed past The Ball; some being walked by their dogs; some with infants in their strollers.

Of utmost importance is that Kurt, Tony, Rebeccah & Monica all get the Opportunity to meet other Artists as they expose the Disposition of Perschke's RedBall Project. The Weekend before the smARTshow was featured at the FlatIron Building, directly across the double converging streets. Today, they were p-ART-icularly lucky as one of Chicago's top 3 most Fabulous Photographers who made an international name for himself:

Philin Phlash

had a temporary Studio set up next to where The RedBall was sandwiched (between). Phil dates back to the 1980s (possibly before) as one of the Top Rock Photographers to actually 'shoot' what was happening on our raucous and rock music scene. His Black & White Poster Size Photographs are un-matchable. Because that was also 'My Era,' since I worked with and represented 40 of the top Local Bands in Chicago (with Paul Michaels & Ted Aliotta topping that list) I would see Phil "ON THE SCENE" and defining it -- capturing Moments that never will appear again.

I was thrilled to see his Photos that he had scattered around this room; that was in dire need of renovation. But that was OK. He was here for a Purpose - to reignite the Fact that his Title of King Photographer of that Era belonged to him and him alone. Phil had just rented it for a few Days while the larger smArtshow was taking place. A bright idea - as it was similar to the Outlaw Parties New York Hipsters would hold during the 1980s when Tommy Silverman's New Music Seminar took place. I attended them all since I was the First Woman PR Maven to take her Band's tapes to a larger marketplace for exposure.

After all those years, Wicker Park & Bucktown still contains that raw cutting edge feel. Some would label it as being 'unsafe.' Parts are regentrified. It's part of the Chicago Landscape. It was only compounded by the immense number of Works that Phil had 'taken' when 'The Music was Music.' But that again is yet another Blog's worth.

What will become of Phil's Photos? How will he ever archive the thousands upon thousands of Photos - those Punk - New Age/Rock Era Treasures that so many of us Boomers did live through? That, too, again is yet another Blog's worth.

A GOLDEN LIST: Remaining on the Historical Photo Scene is Philin Phlash and Marc Hauser whose accredited with capturing the major Celebrities of the 70s through now. Paul Natkin also was a top Photographer as well as Linda Matlow.

"A Picture states a 1000 Words and Photography of the Big RedBall is something Photographers of any Magnitude & Style can capture and have..."

Quote of: ASK
Thursday, September 19, 2008 - 9:48 AM CST

QUICKENING THE PACE:
SWINGING BY UNION STATION
Location: By the Corner Bakery Cafe, near Chase's, across the River from Walgreens & Panera Bread, along the Side of the 5TH Third Bank and Caribou Coffee, Chicagoans converged on KURT PERSCHKE's RedBall Sculpture on their way to work or play.

RedBall Visit of Wednesday, September 18, 2008 (between 3:30 - 4:55 PM)

"Besides O'Hare Airport, Union Station is the most traveled Stop in Mid-America."

Quote of: ASK
Wednesday, September 18, 2008 - 4:10 PM CST


It was yet another long-awaited sunny Day in Chicago although Forbes Magazine claimed Chicago is #1 for the most stress-filled City in America. Forbes Personnel polled 40 USA Cities; Chicago again ranked FIRST. That's debatable and as I had previously stated:

again is yet another Blog's worth.

However, they may be on to something here. The People jamming out of Union Station to WORK and then INTO Union Station on their way HOME -- could be read like a dime-store novel. Kurt's RedBall Project was set up so that the Big Red Rubber Ball was holding the Northern Corner up...it was splendid because you could walk around the entire Sphere (this Time for this Performance) and even measure it according to your outstretched arms, if anyone got that physical.

My Visit at their Union Station Exhibit lasted around 75-85 minutes and I left shortly before 5 PM when Rush Hour was in full swing. According to my strategic positioning (which I seem to fall right into), People could have 'cared less' if The Ball was there OR not. I'm guessing they were the same way in The Morning when they were adamantly heading towards their Job. It was as if they were not multi-tasking, but just on a Mission:

a Mission to get to the Job.

When the Bell rang at 4:30 PM and work was finished for The Day, their Mission was to get to the Train, board and head on back to Suburbia. They looked like Robots, clad in skin and business suits.

BREATHLESS IN CHICAGO: I overheard a few Conversations as I sat there admiring The City from the near West Side.

"It's an Exercise Ball for a Giant!" a 60-something Woman smiled. Having caught my attention, she continued: "I work over there (pointing to a Skyscraper on the east side of the River. I saw it 'go up' this Morning and it looks like it's holding up Union Station." "Yes, it does" I nodded. "It's Mayor's Daley latest Infrastructure Technique for the City that works!" "That's cool," she said. "Did you get one of Kurt's Souvenir Books?" I asked her. "No." she responded. "That Guy is handing them out" I pointed out. She walked over and retrieved one. "Thanks so much" she happily said to me "I like to keep up on 'The Latest'" and then walked into Union Station, pleased.

Three 20-year olds approached The Ball and began speaking in a foreign tongue. This made me wonder what they were saying. Judging from their Expression, they were not derogatory; their voices didn't go up; they didn't pummel the Big RedBall with their fists as so many others have the Tendency to do. A translation was needed though...time to call in Babelfish!

Young Parents with their 19-month old Son were perched at the West End of The Ball (if a circular Ball can have 'an end'). The Father stated to his Son who was just overflowing with Energy: "Whatever you want, Buddy!" "You mean you may buy him a Big RedBall like this? I asked. "If he wants it" the Father replied.

'What is that?" one woman asked her friend as they approached The Train Station.

One young Couple (that seemed particularly in love who had their Photo taken there) seemed especially happy. Maybe they'll get married in front of The Ball, I thought to myself. Now, that would definitely be a FIRST. Little did they know they were in the City of High Stress.

A snarly, plumb and totally wacky Woman shouted: "It's in my way! Get it out of here." Could We call her 'disgruntled?' Was she having an after 50 Life Crisis? Chances are she was experiencing 'something else' and was taking it out ON THE BALL...or anything else that got in her way.

Which may be the Reason why People 'strike, punch and hit' the Ball. I've seen 100s of People of all ages do that. Letting out their Anger on The Ball is typical. Perhaps they should take up Boxing when the Ball leaves town after its last Presentation on Friday, September 25TH.

Is there a different Mentality for those who live a more laid-back life outside the City? Can they not be stopped by a 250 lb. - 15 foot Red Rubber Ball that is set up for their Amusement alone? Do they not appreciate fine Sculpture? This was certainly an interesting Study of Human Nature as Kurt Perschke's RedBall Project again takes Time out to 'amuse' Chicago, City of Great Stress Factors no matter how others are trying to pull us though...from the Quaintness of Wicker Park & Bucktown to the Clamor of Union Station, the Crossroads of America.

Next on the RedBall Whistle Stop:

Hyde Park Art Center on Friday, September 20, 2008 - from 11 AM - 6 PM

Reported By:
ASK: Adrienne Sioux Koopersmith
Koopersmith's Global Communications
&
GORF Werks Central
Chicago - chicaGORF - IL USA

Posted: Thursday, September 19, 2008 - 10:39 AM CST