Cayne and Cass It was great to spend a week in Chicago with Cayne and Cass. In a bizzare way I have never felt more like I live here than with them. Pilsen really glowed for them too. Although we saw and consumed a lot - for two people on the end of a supercharged six month adventure through Asia and the States the best moments where shared simply cooking a meal, throwing the baseball and having some of the long discussions that we always have. I really miss Cayne and Cass already. Thanks to Ryan (pictured) for joining us and making it a great time. For his efforts he is now blessed with the dry sarcasm of a real Australian.
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Cayne and Cass It was great to spend a week in Chicago with Cayne and Cass. In a bizzare way I have never felt more like I live here than with them. Pilsen really glowed for them too. Although we saw and consumed a lot - for two people on the end of a supercharged six month adventure through Asia and the States the best moments where shared simply cooking a meal, throwing the baseball and having some of the long discussions that we always have. I really miss Cayne and Cass already. Thanks to Ryan (pictured) for joining us and making it a great time. For his efforts he is now blessed with the dry sarcasm of a real Australian.
Zoom Info

Cayne and Cass

It was great to spend a week in Chicago with Cayne and Cass. In a bizzare way I have never felt more like I live here than with them. Pilsen really glowed for them too. Although we saw and consumed a lot - for two people on the end of a supercharged six month adventure through Asia and the States the best moments where shared simply cooking a meal, throwing the baseball and having some of the long discussions that we always have. I really miss Cayne and Cass already.

Thanks to Ryan (pictured) for joining us and making it a great time. For his efforts he is now blessed with the dry sarcasm of a real Australian.

PUSH / PULL

The first two weeks of grad school have been huge. however im lost for words about what I have actually been doing. A lot of drawing and a lot of notes, mostly greasing the wheels for the next two or three weeks.

Ive been playing a game called Push/Pull that I designed with Paul Krix in 2010. One of my advisors saw the document from an earlier game and suggested I do it as a way to get things moving. Their is so much about this game that takes my interest: Its great exercise in improvising spaces, and the drawings that results are confusing little nuggets. They are a document of time, they are a labyrinth and a growth.

Above an animation of a night of solo play.

For info about the rules of the game and a few more images from the first two weeks I have made a little summery here on ricb.net

Go Cubs The beer tasted great in this weather and Wriggly field is beautify soaked in tradition. The slightly-not-so-great-this-season Cubs turned it on for myself and my guests and won the game in stunning form and home runs in the top of the 9th. The Chicago style dog was also a highlight. First time I ate at a game and thought it was worth the money! (I plan to see a sox game VERY soon to try and earn back all of the friends I lost by simply walking into the stadium)
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Go Cubs The beer tasted great in this weather and Wriggly field is beautify soaked in tradition. The slightly-not-so-great-this-season Cubs turned it on for myself and my guests and won the game in stunning form and home runs in the top of the 9th. The Chicago style dog was also a highlight. First time I ate at a game and thought it was worth the money! (I plan to see a sox game VERY soon to try and earn back all of the friends I lost by simply walking into the stadium)
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Go Cubs

The beer tasted great in this weather and Wriggly field is beautify soaked in tradition. The slightly-not-so-great-this-season Cubs turned it on for myself and my guests and won the game in stunning form and home runs in the top of the 9th.

The Chicago style dog was also a highlight. First time I ate at a game and thought it was worth the money!

(I plan to see a sox game VERY soon to try and earn back all of the friends I lost by simply walking into the stadium)

Liechtenstein One huge advantage of being a student at SAIC is unlimited free access to the Art Institute of Chicago, both its permanent hang and its block-buster shows. People stand outside scalping tickets to this gallery so I’m blessed. The Liechtenstein was an impressive array of the known and lesser known, it is the first major retrospective of his work since his death.  I particularly enjoyed the gallery devoted to work that ‘parody in admiration’. Something I am interested in for my own work.
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Liechtenstein One huge advantage of being a student at SAIC is unlimited free access to the Art Institute of Chicago, both its permanent hang and its block-buster shows. People stand outside scalping tickets to this gallery so I’m blessed. The Liechtenstein was an impressive array of the known and lesser known, it is the first major retrospective of his work since his death.  I particularly enjoyed the gallery devoted to work that ‘parody in admiration’. Something I am interested in for my own work.
Zoom Info
Liechtenstein One huge advantage of being a student at SAIC is unlimited free access to the Art Institute of Chicago, both its permanent hang and its block-buster shows. People stand outside scalping tickets to this gallery so I’m blessed. The Liechtenstein was an impressive array of the known and lesser known, it is the first major retrospective of his work since his death.  I particularly enjoyed the gallery devoted to work that ‘parody in admiration’. Something I am interested in for my own work.
Zoom Info
Liechtenstein One huge advantage of being a student at SAIC is unlimited free access to the Art Institute of Chicago, both its permanent hang and its block-buster shows. People stand outside scalping tickets to this gallery so I’m blessed. The Liechtenstein was an impressive array of the known and lesser known, it is the first major retrospective of his work since his death.  I particularly enjoyed the gallery devoted to work that ‘parody in admiration’. Something I am interested in for my own work.
Zoom Info

Liechtenstein

One huge advantage of being a student at SAIC is unlimited free access to the Art Institute of Chicago, both its permanent hang and its block-buster shows. People stand outside scalping tickets to this gallery so I’m blessed.

The Liechtenstein was an impressive array of the known and lesser known, it is the first major retrospective of his work since his death. 

I particularly enjoyed the gallery devoted to work that ‘parody in admiration’. Something I am interested in for my own work.

Museum of Contemporary Art First visit back to Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art was amazingly good. Im always so impressed by this gallery. It actually totally killed the Modern Wing of the Art Institute (hurts me to say it!).  All big institutions echo the similar rhythms and trajectories at times and in most cases it can be frustrating seeing similar works by the same set of well known Artists. The Chicago MCA seems to avoid this and when it does happen it is with the off beat and fantastic examples that you have never seen.  Some new old favorites from Martin Creed, Some great German Abstract painting and a Video work by French Artist Cyprien Gaillard where my Highlights. 
Zoom Info
Museum of Contemporary Art First visit back to Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art was amazingly good. Im always so impressed by this gallery. It actually totally killed the Modern Wing of the Art Institute (hurts me to say it!).  All big institutions echo the similar rhythms and trajectories at times and in most cases it can be frustrating seeing similar works by the same set of well known Artists. The Chicago MCA seems to avoid this and when it does happen it is with the off beat and fantastic examples that you have never seen.  Some new old favorites from Martin Creed, Some great German Abstract painting and a Video work by French Artist Cyprien Gaillard where my Highlights. 
Zoom Info
Museum of Contemporary Art First visit back to Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art was amazingly good. Im always so impressed by this gallery. It actually totally killed the Modern Wing of the Art Institute (hurts me to say it!).  All big institutions echo the similar rhythms and trajectories at times and in most cases it can be frustrating seeing similar works by the same set of well known Artists. The Chicago MCA seems to avoid this and when it does happen it is with the off beat and fantastic examples that you have never seen.  Some new old favorites from Martin Creed, Some great German Abstract painting and a Video work by French Artist Cyprien Gaillard where my Highlights. 
Zoom Info

Museum of Contemporary Art

First visit back to Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art was amazingly good. Im always so impressed by this gallery. It actually totally killed the Modern Wing of the Art Institute (hurts me to say it!). 

All big institutions echo the similar rhythms and trajectories at times and in most cases it can be frustrating seeing similar works by the same set of well known Artists. The Chicago MCA seems to avoid this and when it does happen it is with the off beat and fantastic examples that you have never seen. 

Some new old favorites from Martin Creed, Some great German Abstract painting and a Video work by French Artist Cyprien Gaillard where my Highlights. 

Bed Bugs

Alas my lofty warehouse conversion did have a catch. It was infested with bedbugs! I have since moved (both myself and Steve my roommate where compelled to move) and I am very happy in a new space. The upshot is the rent is less and I have a second room for guests and studio.

Im being the usual optimist and pegging the bites, the infestation and the extrication as a unique cultural experience.

The posts have dried up because of it but I have many drafts and will get back into it now. Its been a week in the new place and I can be assured of no bites and no bugs. I spent a lot of time at the laundry let me tell you.

Andi and Laura I miss them already. We had a great week together and they have renewed their large stake in my heart. I can’t tell you how sad it was to see them go. That said I am elated they obviously felt the same way. Price alert on flights to Berlin Love Rich.
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Andi and Laura I miss them already. We had a great week together and they have renewed their large stake in my heart. I can’t tell you how sad it was to see them go. That said I am elated they obviously felt the same way. Price alert on flights to Berlin Love Rich.
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Andi and Laura I miss them already. We had a great week together and they have renewed their large stake in my heart. I can’t tell you how sad it was to see them go. That said I am elated they obviously felt the same way. Price alert on flights to Berlin Love Rich.
Zoom Info
Andi and Laura I miss them already. We had a great week together and they have renewed their large stake in my heart. I can’t tell you how sad it was to see them go. That said I am elated they obviously felt the same way. Price alert on flights to Berlin Love Rich.
Zoom Info

Andi and Laura

I miss them already. We had a great week together and they have renewed their large stake in my heart. I can’t tell you how sad it was to see them go. That said I am elated they obviously felt the same way.

Price alert on flights to Berlin

Love Rich.

Parkview Diner My new apartment is one stop further down the L and just a little further from the action than 18th. Their are two distinct benefits to this location though, both I discovered today.  Firstly Damen station is a nice station, much nicer than 18th. Small with a central platform, a nice contemporary design, interesting scenery and plenty of heaters for the winter. It is in fact an L stop that I always imagined but could previously never pinpoint. It is in my top 3 L stations of all of chicago.  Secondly, My corner has a Diner called Parkview Diner. I Tried it today and I am very happy I did. I cant say the food is fine art but the price is right and the old ladies are lovely - they make everything in front of you as the only place to sit is up at the counter. They have been open for breakfast (at 5am) every day for 25 years. My lunch today was a coffee and a cheese burger for all of $4. The daily soup special should also help keep my vegetable intake up. A great way to take in the newspaper, one candy per customer as you pay.
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Parkview Diner

My new apartment is one stop further down the L and just a little further from the action than 18th. Their are two distinct benefits to this location though, both I discovered today. 

Firstly Damen station is a nice station, much nicer than 18th. Small with a central platform, a nice contemporary design, interesting scenery and plenty of heaters for the winter. It is in fact an L stop that I always imagined but could previously never pinpoint. It is in my top 3 L stations of all of chicago. 

Secondly, My corner has a Diner called Parkview Diner. I Tried it today and I am very happy I did. I cant say the food is fine art but the price is right and the old ladies are lovely - they make everything in front of you as the only place to sit is up at the counter. They have been open for breakfast (at 5am) every day for 25 years. My lunch today was a coffee and a cheese burger for all of $4. The daily soup special should also help keep my vegetable intake up. A great way to take in the newspaper, one candy per customer as you pay.

S R CROWN HALL Took an oppertunity to sneak into the Crown Hall at IIT during semester break cleaning. It was a heart stopping oppertunity to experiance a functioning, maintained work of Mies van der Rohe Completelly open and shining. I sleeked around the building as a few cleaners the floors - using the half height room seperators to keep out of sight. I probably spent an hour or more in the main space. It was moving. One thing I have never appreciated about Modern architecture of this tradition is the detailing. I have not seen such clean welding before. I cant help but be romantic and day dream of the pleasures of learning in a building like this. the entire iit campus deserves to be preserved like a Museum.
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S R CROWN HALL Took an oppertunity to sneak into the Crown Hall at IIT during semester break cleaning. It was a heart stopping oppertunity to experiance a functioning, maintained work of Mies van der Rohe Completelly open and shining. I sleeked around the building as a few cleaners the floors - using the half height room seperators to keep out of sight. I probably spent an hour or more in the main space. It was moving. One thing I have never appreciated about Modern architecture of this tradition is the detailing. I have not seen such clean welding before. I cant help but be romantic and day dream of the pleasures of learning in a building like this. the entire iit campus deserves to be preserved like a Museum.
Zoom Info
S R CROWN HALL Took an oppertunity to sneak into the Crown Hall at IIT during semester break cleaning. It was a heart stopping oppertunity to experiance a functioning, maintained work of Mies van der Rohe Completelly open and shining. I sleeked around the building as a few cleaners the floors - using the half height room seperators to keep out of sight. I probably spent an hour or more in the main space. It was moving. One thing I have never appreciated about Modern architecture of this tradition is the detailing. I have not seen such clean welding before. I cant help but be romantic and day dream of the pleasures of learning in a building like this. the entire iit campus deserves to be preserved like a Museum.
Zoom Info
S R CROWN HALL Took an oppertunity to sneak into the Crown Hall at IIT during semester break cleaning. It was a heart stopping oppertunity to experiance a functioning, maintained work of Mies van der Rohe Completelly open and shining. I sleeked around the building as a few cleaners the floors - using the half height room seperators to keep out of sight. I probably spent an hour or more in the main space. It was moving. One thing I have never appreciated about Modern architecture of this tradition is the detailing. I have not seen such clean welding before. I cant help but be romantic and day dream of the pleasures of learning in a building like this. the entire iit campus deserves to be preserved like a Museum.
Zoom Info
S R CROWN HALL Took an oppertunity to sneak into the Crown Hall at IIT during semester break cleaning. It was a heart stopping oppertunity to experiance a functioning, maintained work of Mies van der Rohe Completelly open and shining. I sleeked around the building as a few cleaners the floors - using the half height room seperators to keep out of sight. I probably spent an hour or more in the main space. It was moving. One thing I have never appreciated about Modern architecture of this tradition is the detailing. I have not seen such clean welding before. I cant help but be romantic and day dream of the pleasures of learning in a building like this. the entire iit campus deserves to be preserved like a Museum.
Zoom Info
S R CROWN HALL Took an oppertunity to sneak into the Crown Hall at IIT during semester break cleaning. It was a heart stopping oppertunity to experiance a functioning, maintained work of Mies van der Rohe Completelly open and shining. I sleeked around the building as a few cleaners the floors - using the half height room seperators to keep out of sight. I probably spent an hour or more in the main space. It was moving. One thing I have never appreciated about Modern architecture of this tradition is the detailing. I have not seen such clean welding before. I cant help but be romantic and day dream of the pleasures of learning in a building like this. the entire iit campus deserves to be preserved like a Museum.
Zoom Info
S R CROWN HALL Took an oppertunity to sneak into the Crown Hall at IIT during semester break cleaning. It was a heart stopping oppertunity to experiance a functioning, maintained work of Mies van der Rohe Completelly open and shining. I sleeked around the building as a few cleaners the floors - using the half height room seperators to keep out of sight. I probably spent an hour or more in the main space. It was moving. One thing I have never appreciated about Modern architecture of this tradition is the detailing. I have not seen such clean welding before. I cant help but be romantic and day dream of the pleasures of learning in a building like this. the entire iit campus deserves to be preserved like a Museum.
Zoom Info

S R CROWN HALL

Took an oppertunity to sneak into the Crown Hall at IIT during semester break cleaning. It was a heart stopping oppertunity to experiance a functioning, maintained work of Mies van der Rohe Completelly open and shining. I sleeked around the building as a few cleaners the floors - using the half height room seperators to keep out of sight. I probably spent an hour or more in the main space. It was moving. One thing I have never appreciated about Modern architecture of this tradition is the detailing. I have not seen such clean welding before. I cant help but be romantic and day dream of the pleasures of learning in a building like this. the entire iit campus deserves to be preserved like a Museum.