Book Review: Alternative Spaces - A History in Chicago

Back in 1984, Lynne Warren curated ”Alternative Spaces: A History in Chicago" at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago (MCA).The exhibition took a look at how artist-founded, non-commercial galleries in Chicago's art scene impacted not only the art world in Chicago at that time, but all the way to the present.

These spaces, over the years, were a response to the established institutions of the time, who were not always including local emerging and experimental artists. Typically, these spaces were started by artists, with a focus on artistic vision rather than sales success.

One surprise to me is how early these alternative spaces started in Chicago’s art history, way back in the late 1800’s. Most if not all were an attempt to create community, either for a small group of artists or for the public at large.

This exhibition catalog is a nice primer on the early alternative art spaces in Chicago and worth searching out.