WHAT THE HELL IS PARTS AND LABOR COLLECTIVE?

www.partsandlaborcollective.com
www.myspace.com/partsandlaborcollective
www.laborparts.blogspot.com


HOW THE HELL DO I GET THERE? - Hmmm, you just have to ask :).

HOW DO I GET INVOLVED?

- We have a core group of artists and we all vote on who we include as guest artists and/or permanent members. If you'd like to have your work considered, please email a website link or some jpeg examples to: mortimerjones3000@yahoo.com

HOW DO I CONTACT THE GROUP?

-mortimerjones3000@yahoo.com
-Or call Daniel @ 773.407.7279
OR: Write us @ Parts and Labor Collective P.O. BOX 803573 Chicago, IL 60680

HOW DO I PURCHASE ARTWORK?

-Part of the reason we exist is to eliminate the middleman between artist and buyer.
You can feel proud that when you buy work from the Collective, 100% of the money
goes directly to the artist. You may either contact the artist you are interested in directly or you can contact Daniel @ the above listings and he will put you in contact with the individuals.

-HOW DO I FIND OUT ABOUT SHOWS?

-Send Daniel your email address and he will make sure you are added to the mailing list for show announcements.

-HOW ABOUT SHOWS?

-We operate on a potluck basis. We please ask that anyone coming to one of our events, please bring some form of food/drink contribution for themselves and the greater good.
-Be civilized and enjoy yourself! It will be one of the funnest art shows
you'll experience.

-HOW DO I HELP?
Tell a friend, invite some people, let us know about a great artist you may know,
help us distribute flyers and posters, buy a piece of artwork, and if you'd like to
make a monetary contribution to help support promotion and operation costs,
contact Daniel, Parts and Labor Collective's Founder, at the above listings.

2008 EVENT SCHEDULE

SATURDAY MARCH 8TH - 7-12PM RELICS AND REUSE
(a show dedicated to art that finds new meaning to old materials, found objects, and other discarded currency from the past)

SATURDAY APRIL 26TH - 7-12PM URBANITE:TAGS & INK
(a show dedicated to the influence of urban art, graffitti, and tattoos)

SATURDAY JUNE 14TH 7-12PM SUMMER MEAT 2: BODYWORK
(Second Annual Summer Art-BBQ. Work dealing with the physical body as a theme)

JUNE 21ST 12-8PM
HUMBOLDT PARK ART FAIR PARTICIPANT
(Small works, prints and products at a communal tent for the group)
TO BE ANNOUNCED

SATURDAY AUGUST 30TH 7-12PM SUBTEXT
(Show exploring symbols, diaries and the written word in
contemporary art)

SATURDAY OCTOBER 25TH 7-12PM COLLECTIVES GROUP SHOW
(Group show with Deadline Projects and Infidel Group participating)

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 22ND - SMALL PRINT SALE/2 YEAR ANN.
(Pre Holiday Sale of small works for smaller prices)

Here's an updated list of artists involved so far:

Leah Schreiber - Painter
Dorian Allworthy - Painter/Printmaker
Charlie de Leonardis - Painter
Meghan Stran - Mixed Media/Photography
Josh Shelton - Painter
Amelia Kieras - Mixed Media/Photography
Lily Mayfield - Photographer
Daniel Gerdes (Founder) Photography
Cassandra Stadnicki - Photography/Installation
Stephen Eichorn - Sculpture/Mixed Media
Bruce New- photomontage
Alenna Marie Sandy-Painter
Jose Arceo- graffitti/painter
Michael McGovern- mixed media/photographer
Josh Winegar - Painter
Michael Pajon - Mixed Media
Sarah Perez - Photographer
Roxanne McGovern - Printmaker
Joel T. Dugan - Painter/Printmaker
Madeleine LeMieux - Painter
Kim Frieders - Painter
Holly Sabin - Mixed Media / Sculpture
Wayne Bertola - Assemblage
Andrew Ek - Painter
Moni Lewandowski - Painting/Drawing
Jennifer Hines - Sculpture/Installation
Damara Kaminecki - Printmaker
Myles Smutney-Hyde - screenprinting
Maya V Nash - screenprinting
Meghan Dwyer - Photography
Kristen Flemington-Photography/Mixed Media
Nathan Mathews-Photographer
Deva Suckerman - Painter
Gwynne Johnson - Photographer
Danny King-Painter
Christopher Kelly - Painter
Sierra Berquist - Painter
Danny Powell - Painter
Kiet Pham - Painter
Erin Cramer - Paper Artist
Sarah Gillmore - Photographer
Jason Judd - Fiber/Paper Artist
Adrien Perez - Sculpture/Installation
Mary Ellen Croteau - Sculpture/Painting
Emily Cunningham - Paining

Amelia Kieras
Leah Schreiber
Dorian Allworthy
Lily Mayfield
Stephen Eichhorn
Charlie De Leonardis
Josh Shelton
Cassandra Stadnicki
Bruce New
Alenna Marie Sandy
Meghan Stran
Michael Pajon
Mike McGovern
Daniel Gerdes
Sarah Perez
Moni Lewandowski
Jennifer Hines
Damara Kaminecki
Kristen Flemington
Nathan Mathews

Mr. Obsolete: Mortimer you've been called a bastard.
Mortimer: Yes
Mr. Obsolete: A communist
Mortimer: Yes
Mr. Obsolete: Heartless
Mortimer: Yes
Mr Obsolete: Selfish
Mortimer: Yes
Mr. Obsolete: A workaholic
Mortimer: Yes
Mr Obsolete: So which is it?
Mortimer: None. I'm a Misinformed Accountant of God's Bastard Payroll.
Mr. Obsolete: Meaning what!
Mortimer: Nobody told me about the taxes.
Mr. Obsolete: Taxes? What taxes?
Mortimer: Exactly.

PARTS AND LABOR COLLECTIVE: Alternative space collective based in Humbolt Park, Chicago.

COLLECTIVE: Not gallery, not non-for-profit, not a rave,
a collective of self representing artists who
work together to curate, promote, set up shows,
and sell their work.

PARTS AND LABOR: We're working class artists

NO COMMISSIONS? : In the existing system of galleries and profiteers,
an artist must take on the cost of making their art,
framing it, matting it, paying people to consider showing
it, and if they are accepted, they must pay to mail it,
or deliver it. If they are so lucky as to sell a piece the
gallery owner takes 50% off the top, and may take months,
even years to pay the artist, and then the artist has to
pay taxes on the remaining amount. It makes no sense.
It helps noone but the gallery owners. It's a lame system.
YOU ARE NOT SUPPORTING ART WHEN YOU BUY FROM A
GALLERY. YOU ARE SUPPORTING THE GALLERY OWNER!

WHAT ?!%$!? : You sell a piece, it's your money. We don't charge you
to consider your work, or to hang it. Save your money for
art supplies and promotion.

NO CONTRACTS ?: Artists come and go as they please. You can show where
you want and when you want. We don't require you to
adopt the sometimes controversial views of Mortimer Jones

WHO THE FUCK IS MORTIMER JONES ? : Wouldn't you like to know.

THE GOAL?: To rewrite the art world structure. A new collective system where
collectors buy art directly from the artists themselves, without the
pretension, commissions, snobbery, elitism, and other artificial
nonsense of the gallery system.

Both are equally hard to find.
Both have evidence of recent alien visits.

Both are developing powerful sci fi lasers.
Both are sinister new world government braincenters

Both are run by a mysterious order of mad scientists.
Both employ a team of highly trained robot assassins.

Both are protected by an invisible mind shield.
Both are good places to spend a Saturday Night.

Mr. Obsolete: I was supposed to get off at the last stop.

Mortimer Jones: Well, get off at the next one.

Mr. Obsolete: I could do that, but then I'd have to walk back.

Mortimer: So what's the problem? Just walk back.

Mr. Obsolete: Yes, but I hate to retrace my steps.

Mortimer: If you're walking back to where you meant to go
then that will be the first time you walk that direction.

Mr. Obsolete: Yes, but I missed my stop yesterday too. And that was the direction I walked.

Mortimer: So walk a different direction to where you meant to go, then the direction you walked yesterday.

Mr. O: I think it's better to walk a direct route then change direction to avoid
the same direction to the place I meant to go.

Mortimer: So walk directly in a different direction than the direction you walked to the place you meant to go.

Mr. Obsolete: I can't indirectly choose a direction, directionless as it may seem, in a different direction to the place I meant to go. I'd have to change direction, meaning direct myself beyond my own directioning.

Mortimer: I see, so why not change your plans altogether then? Go somewhere else.

Mr. Obsolete: I could change my plans, but I don't know what would happen.

Mortimer: You won't know what would happen regardless of your plans.

Mr. Obsolete: I suppose I should just stay on the bus then.

Here are some of the highlights:
"Mortimer Jones is a bit naive......I have my pride, perhaps you don't.....ooooo Mr. Raw Loft! Aren't you special, big fucking deal.....as an established artist I have no respect for you or your stupid movement.......he is a collection of every stereotype of young male artists......delusions of grandeur, ego driven....poor pathetic little bitch.....bad....amateurish...incompetent....crude and ugly....of course Morty is fictiitious.......anything is better than a dumbass name like Parts and Labor.....I think if you fix your name, you'll have less people calling you a Communist......go to hell.......pathetic loser.....failure.....Maybe I'll just incorporate under your name, since I'm sure you haven't made it legal.....are you suggesting free art?.......are you suggesting a barter system?......I suggest you get a real space rather than that rat-hole......as for the pinko that runs The Parts and Labor Collective, take all that shit on your wall, douse it in kerosene, and set it aflame......The less art the better."

Ahh yes, all the brilliant minds of Chicago converge in my inbox.

Signed Mortimer Jones
The Divine Order of the Grease Monkey
Parts and Labor Collective

This just in from the folding card table of Mortimer Jones:

- The Gallery System has been declared dead. Long Live the Art Collective!

- Hmmm.....People buy their work directly from artists? Unheard of!
- Hmmm.....Artists keep the money from the sale of their work? Scoundrels!
- Hmmm....Artists use extra profits to make more art, teach others, spread wisdom,
and improve their worlds......Why that's outrageous! How dare he!

(Gallery Owners flee back to their closeted mansions
to whimper in their embroidered napkins)

GALLERY SYSTEM = DODO BIRD

-Signed Mortimer Jones
Weak Muscled Acrobat of the Void
The Parts and Labor Collective

BEING AN ASS IS JUST A MATTER OF CHOOSING THE RIGHT WORDS!

AMBIGUITY -When you really have no idea what you're talking about

REPRESENTATION - Cus you gots to represent. Word.

CHIAROSCURO- Going Italian on yo ass!

STRATUM - Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it's getting deep!

CONTEMPORARY - Kind of like IKEA furniture, but nice!

INTERACTION - The only action that counts!

FIGURATIVE - Just so everyone knows you're still drawing naked people

TECHNOLOGICAL - Sound authoritative and still not understand your VCR!

CULTURAL STEREOTYPES - Yes even phrases can be stereotypical

ABSTRACT - just so everyone knows you're still drawing naked people ( but in secret)

DYSTOPIAN - It's more than a bad mood!

NARRATIVE - So you can tell people that you're telling people when you tell them.

ICONOGRAPHY - Cause things can get so iconoclastic sometimes!

SUBTEXT - When the real text just isn't enough.

GEO-POLITICAL, SOCIO-ECONOMIC, SOCIO-CULTURAL - Sociopath

-Signed Mortimer Jones
An Interactive Socio-Political Narrative on the Distopian Tendencies of the Contemporary Aesthetic
The Parts and Labor Collective
www.myspace.com/partsandlaborcollective
www.laborparts.blogspot.com

1. Use your Name! Yes that's right! It's not just your name, it's an art gallery!
Show off your vanity and narcissism with style! Go with the obvious!
Let everyone know you have absolutely no imagination!
People won't know if you are a perfume brand or a gallery!

(Blake Palmer, Russell Bowman, Roy Boyd, Lisa Boyle, Shane Campbell, Aldo Castillo,
Melanee Cooper, Wendy Cooper, Douglas Dawson, Caro d'Offay, Carl Hammer,
Rhona Hoffman, Gwenda Jay............wow, just too many to list.....but wait....
Stephen Daiter, Kasia Kay, Rowley Kennerk, Gosia Koscielak, David Leonardis, Liz
Long, Thomas Masters, Thomas McCormick, Monique Meloche, Peter Miller, Ann Nathan,
Navta Schulz, Thomas Robertello, Byron Roche, Judy Saslow, Carrie Secrist, Linda
Warren, Zolla/Lieberman, Catherine Edelman)

Brilliant!

2. Go futuristic! People have not evolved enough yet to pronouce your gallery's name!

(Ai, Cyt.O, Teti, Zg)

3. Abbreviate! When you can't think of anything....abbreviate!

(ARC, BSD, DVA, ESS, EXP, NAB)

4. Be Clever! That's right everybody let's get cute, let's get wild, let's get clever!

(4Art, Habatat)

5. Use a Stripper's Name! They're not just for lapdances anymore!

(Finestra, Lydon, Madron, Vespine, Prism)

Artist goes to overpriced school.
Artist spends all their money.
Artist graduates from college.
Artist has huge student loan.
Artist can't find job as artist.
Artist starts waiting tables.
Artist wants to sell their work.
Artist goes to gallery to show their work.
Gallery charges artist to look at their work.
Gallery takes artist's work and puts it in a flatfile
Artist sells three pieces a year.
Gallery takes half of artist's sales.
Artist lives in ghetto and paints on plywood.
Gallery Owner lives in mansion and drives a Porsche.
People come to gallery and nibble cheese.
Gallery owner is fabulous. Artist eats Raman noodles.

Mr. Obsolete: So Mortimer, what are your complaints about art exactly?

Mortimer: I have no complaints about art. Art is pure. It's the structures surrounding it I take issue with. When the hell did the art world become nothing but this network of self conscious "galleries" run by the privileged offspring of businessmen. When the hell did art become social hour for all the unartful? When the hell did artists sell their souls for representation and a 50% commission on sales? I have a hard time believing that the most creative individuals in our society can't imagine a more interesting art world.

Mr. O: Wow...okay, take it easy. Galleries do a lot of good for artists.

Mortimer: Sure, sure....Taking 50% of sales from struggling artists who have to paint on plywood because they can't afford canvas. It's noble. It's a great service.
You realize that's a higher commission than any other profession?

Mr. O: So what's the solution?

Mortimer: I'm not sure what the end result will be, but we have to start re-imagining what being an artist means. We have to look for new venues, new ways to promote. We have to create the scene we want, because if I have to schmooze with one more Lincoln Park investment banker while sipping white wine from a plastic cup in a plastic gallery, run by plastic people to feel that I'm a valid artist, then I'm gonna find a bridge.

Mr. O: A bridge to the future?

Mortimer: Nevermind.

Mr. O: Oh by the way, I know this great lady, an heiress, she'd just LOVE your work.
We'll have to do lunch this week so you can meet her....Do you have the new ARTFORUM?
Her collection is being shown at Stephen Daiter...

Mortimer: So you're an alias.
Mortimer: I resent that.
Mortimer: What would you prefer?
Mortimer: Well, nice of you to ask. I'd prefer "alter ego".
Mortimer: So you're an alter ego.
Mortimer: I resent that.
Mortimer: Maybe we should stop this interview.
Mortimer: What seems to be the problem?
Mortimer: Well you're being difficult, all I want are a few questions answered.
Mortimer: Okay, I apologize, what are your questions?
Mortimer: Alright, then, what's the reasoning behind your existence?
Mortimer: I feel like one should change their personality completely, as often as possible, without warning.
Mortimer: That's an unsettling thought.
Mortimer: Maybe personalities are prisons. Next question ....
Mortimer: Prisons.....so your goal is to free yourself of prisons?
Mortimer: Maybe people should question their ideas, especially the ones they have of themselves. Brains can't be trusted. Instincts though....
Mortimer: Instincts are better?
Mortimer: Instincts are your mind ignoring your brain.
Mortimer: What the hell does that mean?
Mortimer: You bore me.
Mortimer: They told me you were a real asshole.
Mortimer: Well "they" must be right.

No profit.
No bling.
No luxury car.
No close-up
No whitened teeth.
No magazine cover.
No walk of fame.
No interview.
No private jet.
No oscar party.
No SUV.
No fine cigar.
No designer label.
No gold chain.
No diamond ring.
No breast implant.
No movie premier.
No trophy wife.
No private school.
No celebrity wedding.
No hamptons
No manhattan
No personal trainer
No music video
No tanning bed
No dance with the stars.