Chicago Interdisciplinary Artist Finds Peace Climbing Architecture

April 14, 2011 - PRLog -- CHICAGO—When the night sky darkens the bustling metropolis and only a soft hum is heard from the once booming streets, an artist ascends the mountainous architecture that fames the city of Chicago.  With only a small foam crash pad over the concrete to offer him safety, he clutches the structures’ architraves and climbs to a place where most of us seek but can’t find: “The Urban Quiet.”

Interdisciplinary artist and Columbia College graduate student Chip Duggan will debut to the public his collection of video, photographs and concrete casts documenting his architectural climbs at a free gallery opening, 1104 S. Wabash, 2nd floor, on April 29 from 4 to 6 p.m. The exhibit will be on display until May 17.

“The Urban Quiet” is a performance and documentation collection, which captures the beauty of metropolitan Chicago with a twist.  Duggan will intimately share his challenges with the audience as the documentation of these climbs will include images captured with cameras strapped to his head and hands.  

“In an ingenious use of Chicago architecture, Mr. Duggan celebrates the city’s contributions and brings them to a large audience in an entirely new context,” said Melissa Potter, Columbia College professor who has witnessed the evolution of the project.  “A particularly elegant and interesting aspect of this work is the clay casts he does of key architectural detail on these buildings, which he then casts in concrete to use as ‘urban holds’ on climbing walls, and to make souvenir of sorts for his events.”

An unlikely realism exists in the photo and video images of a young artist overcoming structural challenges and literally climbing his way to the top.  The contrast of the larger than life man-made structures canvassed by the artists’ body carries a haunting symbolism that many can relate to. Duggan is one of many Chicagoans who are scrambling for peace of mind in the Mecca we call home.

Duggan will intimately share his challenges with the audience as the documentation of these climbs will include a multi-media use of performance, photography and video installation.  The event will be multi-dimensional as Duggan will be sharing sculptural handholds from his climbing experiences, as well as a guidebook to the routes he scaled in his adventures.

Duggan says the guidebook will offer an easy way to find the locations documented in his exhibit.  His hope is that the audience can discover an “Urban Quiet” all their own.

“I have been using architecture and my body to gain a quiet moment; everything is about where my hands and feet are located, which enables my body to come fully into the present,” said Duggan.  

In pursuit of peace in an over stimulating urban environment, adventurist Chip Duggan began climbing Chicago architecture eight months ago.  Photographer Jordan Nicolette took on the role of documentarian of Duggan’s paradoxical hunt for serenity as he pushed his body and mind to the limit.  As their adventures have occurred around the city, up and across historical building structures, a contemporary art exhibit came to fruition.  

“Climbing is a great challenge that is a remedy for my urban experience,” said Duggan.  “Coming from a small town, the city has been a stressful and overwhelming place for me, where I struggle to be in the present moment.  Challenging my body physically offers immediate relief.”

While Chicago is one of the world’s top ten Global Financial Centers, headquartering some of the largest corporations in existence, the sub-culture is an expressive one.  “The Urban Quiet” speaks to these clashing cultures, and expresses the contrast of the inhabiting citizens having to overcome the capitalistic culture which dominates our social structure today.  

To learn more about “The Urban Quiet”, contact Chelsea Horrigan at chelsea.horrigan@gmail.com.

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