2010 BDPA Awards Banquet

Click here or the image above to watch the photo slideshow

In lieu of the ever-expanding scope of UMG and what it will become in the near future, I wanted to continue the trend of collaboration that really took off in 2009. That being said, I (along with Bhargav from Channel Awesome and Mark Reyes) linked up with Justin from Mix Media to cover the 2010 Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA) 21st Annual Awards Banquet here in Chicago.

The event was flawlessly pieced together - from the food, music and general ambience to the eloquent speeches and professionalism that this organization and its sponsors exude. Huge thanks to Millie Liggins (the event coordinator) for having us out for the event and congratulations to all the award winners and newly elected president - Pamela Sexton!

In typical UMG fashion, I put together a photo and video slideshow and included some snaps below. Enjoy!











BDPA is a global member focused organization that serves the professional well-being of its stakeholders. BDPA remains committed to excellence and providing a wide spectrum of resources to members, corporate sponsors, businesses, educational institutions and the community. The organization is a catalyst for professional growth and technical development for those in the IT industry. [Via BDPA Chicago]

Also, be sure to check out the video edit that Bhargav did using our collective footage here - good stuff!

Cut & Paste Show at Coalition Gallery

So Ryne from BakitWhy and I hit up the Coalition Gallery for their newest showcase opening called "Cut and Paste". I hadn't been to an art gallery for over a year, so it was really amazing to head over to this show. Not only was the art fantastic, but everyone at the show was a blast to talk to.

Anyway, the art was created on all sorts of medium, but all with the "Cut and Paste" theme in mind. I was inspired to work on the video coverage prior to the photos, so here's a little teaser until that is all finished up:



The gallery featured three different artists - Richard Shipps, Jun Jun Sta. Ana and Vanessa Vargas. Here's some info about them from FilAmNation:

"Richard Shipps left the world of corporate presentation arts in 2000 to re-focus on his personal art. He has shown at various venues in the Chicago area since moving here in 2007 from Michigan where he spent his childhood, attended college, and founded a company that created cutting-edge computerized multi-projector presentations, for which he received over 40 awards. Art writer Jeff Stevenson recently quoted Shipps as saying that his work “examines the dynamic tensions between light and shadow, and the interplay of negative and positive form” and “the push and pull – juxtaposition and synergy of image.”

Jun Jun Sta.Ana, was born and raised in the Philippines. He came to Chicago in 2006, and has been showing steadily since. Sta.Ana has shown frequently in the Philippines, as well as in Japan, Russia, and across the US. His collaging is done entirely in the computer. He is known particularly for his Unconventional Portraits in which he repeats images of the subject as a design element to create a larger image portraying, defining, or referencing the person.

Vanessa Vargas, who lives and works in Chicago, has shown in Illinois and Minnesota. Her work, which will be shown in this exhibition, is meticulously crafted from plexiglass and paper. The varying depths of the minute boxes that each hold part of the whole extend from the wall, create the feeling of a multitude of tiny paintings assembled into a larger image. "

For BakitWhy specifically, Ryne and I interviewed Jun Jun Sta.Ana, who had several amazing pieces including some very memorable self-portraits and an incredible piece printed on silk (that you can see on the teaser video).

Anyway, hope you guys enjoy the video! Stay tuned for the Sta.Ana interview and venue photos!

A (Belated) July 4th in Downtown Chicago

I was able to watch the fireworks downtown for the first time (I know, I know) this year. GJ and I were planning on hitting up the museum area to get a spot, but since it was a last minute decision, we were told that there would be "millions" of people there already.

Anyway, after checking out the annual Taste of Chicago (no pics, too much om nom nom), we walked around and decided to grab some coffee at Panera before trekking out to find a good spot. On the way, we saw a ton of cop cars lining the streets and I overheard a cop saying something about chasing down a guy after searching a dumpster. They even had the K9 unit out. We went in for a closer look and snapped a couple iPhone pics (sorry they are on my home computer), but figured they were just around because of the whole July 4th "thing". Later, we came to find out they really were trying to track someone down. Crazy...a REAL crime scene first-hand, haha.



We settled on a spot right next to the Taste. Equipped with our coffee and mosquito repellant bracelets (thanks Mom, haha), it was an enjoyable show. It seemed short, but it was better than no show at all. Afterwards, the streets were crazed with people. It was really cool to see the streets completely closed down and people just walking everywhere they pleased. Though that isn't TOO far off from what happens every day, haha.

Shooting a Piece of Forgotten Chicago

So I make a habit out of reading about architectural gossip and news on Forgotten Chicago and to my surprise, the iconic Michael Reese Hospital is slated to be torn down to make way for the Olympic games housing. As hum drum as hospitals usually appear (and are), this one is just...different. Here's a brief history lesson (as I push up the glasses on my face):

"After the Hebrew Relief Association’s hospital was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1871, a void was created for a Jewish hospital in the city. Fortuitously, Michael Reese, a wealthy real estate developer who died in 1877, left funds in his will to build a new hospital, which was completed in 1880. It was open to everyone regardless of nationality or race, the request of Reese’s heirs. Many medical innovations took place at Michael Reese during it’s operation, such as the first incubator station for premature babies. It has been known as one of Chicago’s prominent hospitals, with people coming from all over the city and beyond to receive treatment.

"The main Michael Reese hospital building was designed by Schmidt, Garden and Martin. It is a bona fide Chicago School masterpiece which has been left remarkably intact over the years."

"A humble monument (on current hospital grounds) marks the spot where the game of softball was invented in 1887. This occured in the gymnasium at the Farragut Boat Club, which stood at 3018 S. Lake Park, on the current hospital grounds. Charles Cushman photographed the Farragut Club in 1949, shortly before it was demolished."

- from Forgotten Chicago

Not only is it a legit piece of history and important architecture, new buildings on its campus were constructed all the way through to the 1970s - giving the complex a really cool progression of style. Here are some pics:




"This Gothic Revival bridge over 29th Street connects Main Reese to the Meyer House, a wing built in the 1920s to house wealthy patients in luxury accommodations." - From Forgotten Chicago

The Meyer House - where the baller patients would stay...lake view and all.

The building where softball was invented (now demolished)

A small monument recognizing where the game was invented still stands here today.

Isn't that crazy?? Anyway, before all this is officially torn down and shuffled into the history books, I really want to do a shoot of some sort here. You can check out the full article and history from Forgotten Chicago here. If not anything official, then at least a fun walk-around with friends, cameras, sketchbooks...anything! We never know when demolition will start/halt/held so.......who's interested??