The Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Chicago marks the 10th anniversary of Chicago artists Dutes Miller's and Stan Shellabarger's ongoing project Untitled (Pink Tube) with an exhibition of their work in the public spaces of the museum. The artists perform together and interact with visitors every Tuesday (4 - 8 pm),Thursday (2 - 5 pm), and Saturday (noon - 3 pm) from October 15 to November 19, 2013. Miller & Shellabarger is organized by MCA Curator Julie Rodrigues Widholm.
Originally started in 2003, Untitled (Pink Tube)brings Miller and Shellabarger together to crochet an ever-growing pink tubular form out of acrylic yarn, a project exploring gender roles, body politics, artistic labor, and the growing significance of craft-based production in contemporary art practices. As the tube grows longer, the artists are pushed farther apart, yet they remain connected through their shared work. For the artists, who are married, the form of the tube is an open-ended reference to the body and an expression of their personal and artistic bond. It becomes a timepiece, where each stitch records a moment in their shared relationship, pointing to a more intimate understanding of the artwork.
By moving the relatively ordinary domestic task of crocheting into the museum and making their collaborative process public, Miller and Shellabarger create a space for visitors to find the beauty in the seemingly mundane tasks of everyday life. When the artists are not actively crocheting the artwork, the tube is on display in the museum.
Performance Schedule - October 15 - November 19, 2013
Tuesdays, 4 - 8 pm
Thursdays, 2 - 5 pm
Saturdays, noon - 3 pm
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