Critic vs. playwright: The debate over Steppenwolf’s ‘This Is Modern Art’
By WBEZ
Critic vs. playwright: The debate over Steppenwolf’s ‘This Is Modern Art’
By WBEZ
Steppenwolf’s play “This is Modern Art” uses a real-life example of tagging to explore Chicago’s underground graffiti scene. But some theater critics, most notably those at the Sun-Times and the Tribune, felt the play was irresponsible because they say it failed to ask the question: Is graffiti a legitimate art form, or vandalism? Those reviews raised the ire of many in the theatre community. Artists said plays should be controversial and challenging. They felt that critics were silencing those voices.
One of the show’s creators, Kevin Coval and Steppenwolf’s artistic and education director, Hallie Gordon join us in studio. And Chicago Tribune Theater Critic, Chris Jones, joins us on the line from New York.
Guests:
- Kevin Coval is playwright of This is Modern Art (Based on True Events) and founder of Louder Than a Bomb.
- Hallie Gordon is the Artistic and Educational Director of Steppenwolf for Young Adults at Steppenwolf Theatre Company.
- Chris Jones is a theatre critic for the Chicago Tribune and director of the National Critics Institute.
Chicago Loop Alliance wants to give Wabah Avenue a makeover
Wabash Avenue is prime real estate in Chicago, or at least it should be. The Avenue bisects the Loop, but it doesn’t have the cache of Michigan Avenue or State Street. With the El tracks overhead, it’s a little darker, a little dingier, and a lot louder. In short, it needs some sprucing up if it’s going to be a tourist draw and a place where Chicagoans go for a stroll. This week, the Chicago Loop Alliance outlined its plans to revamp Wabash with more seating, new planters, murals and more. The group’s president and CEO Mike Edwards joins us in studio to talk about some of those ideas.
Guest: Mike Edwards is the president and CEO of the Chicago Loop Alliance.
Fifty degree weather is on the horizon
Today’s the coldest March 5 in 114 years in Chicago. But by next week, it’s expected to get up to 55 degrees. Here to talk us through this wild weather swing is Gilbert Sebentse, meteorologist at Northern Illinois University.
Guest: Gilbert Sebentse is a meteorologist at Northern Illinois University.
Tech Shift: DIY wearable electronics mix fashion with function
The popularity of Google glass seems to be fading away, and Apple’s soon-to-be smart watch is the wearable electronic device that might just take its place. But it isn’t just about wearable electronics from those big name companies. DIY wearable electronics are becoming more popular as the demand for wearable technology increases. Companies are catching on to the fact that people not only want to wear electronics, but they also want to make their own. One of those companies is Adafruit, a company that helps consumers make their own wearable technology. Joining us with more on wearable technology are Tricia Bobeda, WBEZ’s digital producer, and Becky Stern, Adafruit’s director of electronics.
Guests:
- Tricia Bobeda is WBEZ’s digital producer.
- Becky Stern is director of electronics at Adafruit Industries.
The Cubs preseason starts and the Bears consider a big trade
The Cubs start preseason play today, and the new league year for the NFL starts next week, and the Bears are reportedly thinking about trading star wide receiver Brandon Marshall in the next few days. WBEZ Sports Contributor Cheryl Raye-Stout joins us with details.
Guest: Cheryl Raye-Stout is WBEZ’s Sports Contributor.
Building skyscrapers on Chicago’s swampy soil
Engineers once compared Chicago’s soggy soil to jelly cake. So how did they build a forest of skyscrapers on it? Chris Bentley investigates how the city was able to turn swampland into fertile ground for skyscrapers. This was piece was produced in collaboration with the Chicago Architecture Foundation, which provided research, expertise and other assistance during its development.
Guests:
- Chris Bentley reports for WBEZ’s Curious City and is the Midwest Editor of The Architect’s Newspaper.
- Jen Masengarb is Director of Interpretation and Research at the Chicago Architecture Foundation.