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Art Wed Oct 09 2013
Lisa Alvarado Returns to Soccer Club Club With New Exhibit
Photo: Colin Lyons.
It's been a little more than a year since Chicago-based record label Drag City decided to utilize the old soccer-themed bar attached to their office space, but the aesthetic hasn't changed a bit--including the name beside the art on the walls.
Chicago artist and musician Lisa Alvarado showcased her collection entitled "Limpia" for the grand opening of Soccer Club Club, 2923 N. Cicero Ave., in June of 2012, and now she's back with her new exhibit "The Traditional Object." Around 40 people attended the opening reception on October 4. Both Alvarado's artwork and musical talents were on display; she also performed with her husband's musical outfit, Natural Information Society.
Alvarado, who is one of two artists who has showcased art at the unassuming space, was inspired by the idea of traditions and the reason for their existence. She created large fringed banners to display textured, abstract paintings because, to her, the banners that serve as a background to music performances are usually inspired by traditional, indigenous art. For eight months, Alvarado manipulated fabric, embroidery and paint to craft what could be an artistic backdrop for a rock show.
"There is always art around when the music is being made, [and] there is always music going on when the art is being made," says Alvarado, whose work has appeared everywhere from the Sant'Anna Arressi Festival in Sardinia, Italy to the Henry Miller Library in Big Sur, California.
But it's the juxtaposition of this vibrant, geometric work within the wood-paneled space, which was believed to host eastern European soccer players in the 80s, that makes the artwork at Soccer Club Club feel especially like a treasure.
As it stands, the venue is unlicensed, but those behind Drag City hope to throw record release parties and put on more art exhibits in the future; they have no plans to remove or alter the dated yet charming soccer player mosaics or the mirrored, wood-paneled walls.
Alvarado's exhibit runs through Nov. 3; free gallery viewings are on Thursday nights and are available by appointment only. The closing reception takes place on Nov. 3 from 3pm-5pm, and features performances by Bitchin' Bajas and Natural Information Society. For more information, call 312-455-1015.
