Bad at Sports
Live from the wild, eclectic, art-riddled halls of Stitch and Staple at the illustrious 21C hotel, we’re diving into the deep blue—conceptually, at least—with this episode. We chat with the incredibly thoughtful Dawit L. Petros and Art History powerhouse Onur Öztürk about their work in the exhibition Prospetto a Mare at the Museum of Contemporary Photography (MoCP). What’s it about? Well, think: migration, colonial histories, and the ever-shifting geopolitical sea. No big deal, right? Petros’ breathtaking, multi-layered visual narratives bring the past and present of...
info_outline Bad at Sports Episode 890: Kris Graves and Have a Nice Day PressBad at Sports
Live from at the illustrious (because, why record in a normal studio when you can do it in a fancy hotel?), we dive into the deep end with , photographer extraordinaire and head honcho of , along with the relentlessly kind crew from . We grill Kris on everything from the role of documentary photography in social justice to navigating this wild political landscape we call life, all while discussing how photo books aren't just pretty—they're political weapons (but, you know, in a good way). If you’ve ever wondered how to make a photo book that doesn’t just sit on a shelf, but sparks a...
info_outline Bad at Sports Episode 889: Meg Duguid and Spudnik PressBad at Sports
In this episode, we catch up with , the new Executive Director of , Chicago’s premier community printmaking studio. Meg shares her vision for the future of the Press, an organization known for fostering an inclusive environment where artists of all levels can access printmaking resources, develop their craft, and engage with a vibrant, supportive artistic community. , since its founding in 2007, has stood at the intersection of traditional printmaking and innovative artistic practices. The Press offers an array of services, including an open studio, workshops, residencies, and...
info_outline Bad at Sports Podcast Episode 888: Sharon & Guy + Marin R. Sullivan + Brandon JohnsonBad at Sports
A strange and lucky number for an episode packed with the profound! This week, we dive deep into design, architecture, and the unique culture of Chicago. We kick things off with an interview featuring the dynamic design collaborative whose thought-provoking artworks are included in The Spaces We Call Home, currently on view at the . They're joined by , the curator of this important show, to discuss how their work reflects on identity, place, and home. Next, we talk to Brandon Johnson, publisher of , about his exploration of Chicago's gangland ephemera, the hidden histories of modern...
info_outline Bad at Sports Episode 887: 21C Hotels, Jennifer Murray, and Artist Evan FuscoBad at Sports
In this episode of Bad at Sports, we’re coming to you live from the Stitch and Staple Artist Book Fair at 21C Museum Hotels! Join us as we chat with Jennifer Murray, about the evolving landscape of artist book fairs and the growing role of alternative exhibition spaces. We also dive into the mind of Evan Fusco, a rising artist and art producer whose multidisciplinary practice explores themes of identity, memory, and transformation. Our hosts discuss the significance of the 21C Museum Hotels as a cultural space that bridges hospitality and contemporary art, creating opportunities for artists...
info_outline Bad at Sports Episode 886: Scott Speh on 20 Years of Western Exhibitions & Chicago Art Scene ReflectionsBad at Sports
In this milestone episode of Bad at Sports, we welcome back Scott Speh, the founder and director of Western Exhibitions, to celebrate 20 years of the gallery’s existence and its significant role in shaping the Chicago art scene. It’s been 19 years since Scott’s last appearance on the show, and in this conversation, we dive deep into the journey of Western Exhibitions, its impact on the city’s art landscape, and the evolving nature of the gallery's programming. From the early days of launching the gallery to navigating the challenges and rewards of running an...
info_outline Bad at Sports Episode 885: Betsy OdomBad at Sports
In this episode of Bad at Sports, we sit down with Chicago-based artist and sculptor Betsy Odom, whose work uniquely blends high craftsmanship with intentional moments when the craft fails. Odom’s sculptures often serve as playful critiques of mass cultural phenomena, gendered objects, and sporting culture, creating pieces that are both visually stunning and conceptually layered. With a deep fascination for sports culture and the ways it intersects with identity and gender, Odom’s work delights in crafting objects that are as charmingly imperfect as they are thoughtful. These...
info_outline Bad at Sports Episode 884: Pete and Jake FagundoBad at Sports
In this episode, we explore Ours Is The Hand That Sews Time, a two-person exhibition at M. LeBlanc featuring new work by father and son, Peter and Jake Fagundo. Both artists challenge the notion of painting as a finished product, instead embracing it as a continuous, evolving process. Peter, a longtime professor at SAIC, draws from his deep archive of past drawings and appropriated imagery, creating works that bridge abstraction and figuration. His son Jake, shaped by the digital age and a dynamic array of artistic influences, balances historical references with playful figurative work....
info_outline Bad at Sports Episode 883: Meghann Sottille and MADBad at Sports
In this episode, the Bad at Sports crew heads to the Center for MAD Culture to dive into the powerful intersection of art and mental health. They sit down with the Center’s current featured artist, Meghann Sottile, and Director Matt Bodett to explore what it means to embrace "MAD culture" and the crucial role that madness plays in shaping our broader cultural landscape. Sottile shares insights into her exquisitely crafted sculptures, discussing the influence of her personal experiences and the broader implications of creating work that navigates the boundaries of beauty and mental health....
info_outline Bad at Sports Episode 882: Eric Von HaynesBad at Sports
Eric Von Haynes is a Chicago-based artist, printmaker, and community organizer. He founded Flatlands Press, a print studio that creates art objects and printed ephemera for artists worldwide, with a focus on community engagement. His work blends traditional and contemporary printmaking techniques, creating unique monoprints that invite viewers to reflect on time and memory. Haynes’ work is characterized by his use of slow media, non-repeating patterns, and an emphasis on process-driven art. In addition to his artistic practice, Haynes is deeply involved in community-based initiatives. He...
info_outlineThis week Dorothy Dubrule catches up with Dana Bassett and Duncan, about “Being Work” her new book of essays on the performer’s experience performing art. Essays written by effie bowen, Casey Brown, Dorothy Dubrule, Jessica Emmanuel, Paul Hamilton, Allie Hankins, Kestrel Farin Leah, and Mireya Lucio. Brilliant Illustrations by Eileen Wolf Echikson.
Dorothy Dubrule is a choreographer and performer based in Los Angeles. Her choreography is often made in collaboration with people who do not identify as dancers and has been performed in theaters as well as bars, clubs, galleries, sound stages and sports arenas. She has performed in the work of artists, choreographers and directors such as alexx shilling, Alison D'Amato, Lea Anderson, Melinda Ring, Milka Djordjevich, Narcissister, Tino Sehgal and Zoe Aja Moore. Dorothy received an MFA from UCLA's Department of World Arts and Cultures/Dance and has been the director of Pieter Performance Space since 2017. Prior to moving to LA, she danced with DIY performance collective Club Lyfestile and comedy fly-girl crew Body Dreamz in Philadelphia. A board member of Grex, the West Coast Affiliate of the AK Rice Institute for the Study of Social Systems, Dorothy organizes workshops and writes about issues of social identity and power as they arise in art contexts. Following the publication of her essay, "What I'm Doing When I'm Selling Out," on SF MoMA's Open Space, she is currently working with 53rd State Press to edit a collection of writing by performers who have been contracted by visual arts institutions to work in live exhibitions.
https://cargocollective.com/dorothydubrule
https://insert.press/products/being-work
https://eileenechikson.com/about
Artwork by Eileen Wolf Echikson