The Art of Politics: How Lois Can Go

Is Lois Weisberg, our commissioner of Cultural Affairs, beginning to show her true colors? People are wondering in the wake of her “creative” solution to the problem of “The Chicago Show,” an exhibit scheduled to open May 5 at the Cultural Center. All involved in what was to have been a juried exhibit agree it was set up to include and reflect the best work being done by artists from the city and vicinity. But when the ethnically mixed jury recently finished judging (in a blind selection process) some 1,400 pieces submitted for consideration, lo and behold; it was discovered that only 6 of the 90 or so pieces chosen were by minority artists. A hue and cry immediately arose from minority artists and arts administrators, who claimed this small representation would never do. Weisberg may not know much about art (a point she reiterates with alarming frequency in interviews), but she knows a political mine field when she sees one. To solve the looming crisis, she decided to invite an additional 20 minority artists to appear in the show–to round out the numbers, as it were. Never mind that such an action clearly undermines the integrity–to say nothing of the dignity–of the judges and the judging process. Never mind that it’s a blatant change of rules in the middle of the game. Politics must be served.

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More Ballet Notes

Meanwhile, Ballet Chicago appears to have found a new friend in Randy Green, executive director of the Civic Center for Performing Arts. Green is taking the fledgling company–with its managerial and financial problems–under his comforting impresarial wing, agreeing to help underwrite Ballet Chicago’s three-night appearance (April 25, 27, and 28) in the Civic Center’s Spring Festival of Dance. “It’s really a co-presentation,” explains Green. “We’re working on a long-term situation with Ballet Chicago.” Green believes he can help the troupe find a larger audience with his marketing and promotional clout. Plus he apparently prefers over the long haul to invest in a local company rather than an out-of-town group such as the Joffrey Ballet. Green, unwilling to meet the Joffrey’s financial demands, dumped the New York-based company from the dance festival lineup this season.

Art accompanying story in printed newspaper (not available in this archive): photo/Jennifer Girard.