Don't Fret 'Apartment Show' A Throwback To When Street Art Was Not Branded

WICKER PARK — Prolific street artist Don't Fret — known for insightful commentary on wheatpastes all over his native Wicker Park —  announced Monday that he's hosting an apartment art show Saturday night.

Scheduled for 6-11 p.m., the show, curated by Don't Fret and Kate Brankin from the collective known as Dark Times, will be in a Wicker Park apartment. The exact location won't be revealed until noon Saturday, so those interested should check the artist's Instagram for details.

There will be no cover and prices will vary on artwork for sale by Don't Fret and other participating artists who have ties to Wicker Park, including Wack Factory, Tiptoe, Kevin Heisner, Tom Billings, Ed Mar, Dan Hojnacki, Erik Lundquist, Katie Lewis and Nicole Fischer.

Don't Fret talked about the inspiration for the show on Instagram.

"I keep thinking to myself (and yes I am out of touch), but I wonder where 19 year old me would show work today that isn’t an event sponsored by RedBull? Those countless apartment shows were some of my first opportunities to show work and collaborate with people who now have become good friends and artists who’s work I respect," the artist posted.

Wicker Park has traditionally been a home to artists who took what space was available, whether it be in the street, private residence or vacant storefront, to show their work and support the community, he said.

 

I’ve said it before. I am many things but first and foremost I am a Chicagoan. I was born and raised and live in Wicker Park and it’s gonna take a hell of a lot more luxury apartments to get me to leave. It doesn’t feel so long ago, when I was growing up on Algren’s favorite street in the shadows of the brownstones. When you could still eat at Earwax (although I preferred Underdogg or Andy’s Deli) and dance at Rodan and street art was still done illegally in the night instead of as branding for energy drinks. Wicker Park has traditionally always been a home for artists, who took what space was available whether it be in the street or in our apartments and vacant storefronts to show work and support the community. These sorts of spots used to be everywhere, and some remain. Rainbo still shows local artists and the Flatiron still supports artist studios, but there are countless spots that have been lost. I remember so many weekends at Fuck Mountain or The Beerics or countless other unnamed DIY spots on Milwaukee Ave. I keep thinking to myself(and yes I am out of touch), but I wonder where 19 year old me would show work today that isn’t an event sponsored by RedBull? Those countless apartment shows were some of my first opportunities to show work and collaborate with people who now have become good friends and artists who’s work I respect. So with that in mind @darktimesllc is curating a ONE NIGHT ONLY apartment art show and takeover in Wicker Park on July 29.The show will feature a group of friends and Chicago artists from multiple generations who have ties to arts community in Wicker Park. Please follow @darktimesllc story for more info. I will be announcing the location of the show at noon on July 29. #dontfret #dontfretart #apartmentshow #bigshoulders #chicago @wackfactory @ayeayeayepapi @d_hojnacki @ethan_s2art @joeyjoeygarfield @wendellswood @tiptoenyc @shlumpr @verx_martinez @funbeerd @nikkiraefischer Tony Fitzpatrick Tom Billings and more.

A post shared by Dont Fret (@dontfretart) on Jul 24, 2017 at 1:01pm PDT

 

"Gentrify" by Dont Fret

A message by Dont Fret in Wicker Park. [DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser]

 

#me #streetart #Chicago #pasteup #dontfret

A post shared by Jerry Shirts (@jshirts) on Jul 16, 2017 at 11:21am PDT