Kids are rebelling at a younger and younger age these days, judging by all the ink these little babies are sporting in the photos at Carrie Secrist Gallery on West Washington. But artist Dietrich Wegner makes the larger point that has more to do with society than just innocent babies, and seeing these photos and sculptures in person can pull at the viewer in strange ways - the babies are adorable, and their big eyes pleadingly stare out at you...
But they're covered with all these tattoos and logos. Is that an Apple logo from the '80s? I think that says FedEx, but it's a little hard to read around a baby-fat pudgy thigh. A Target bullseye? PBS! Lego! Tom's of Maine! These children seem to be branded at birth.
So while we naturally feel sorry for these innocent babies, we also realize maybe we should take a look at ourselves. And then you might think, but "I walk around as human billboard every
day too."
White, Apple headphones come out of our ears. From head to
toe, our jackets, shoes, purses and backpacks, we sport little features
or logos that convey signals to others. We want people to know that we
shop at Whole Foods, or use organic toothpaste and reusable bags. We
listen to NPR.
You might not have Diet Coke imprinted across your chest, but that silver can you carry around your office all day might as well be a part of you...
Dietrich Wegner and Liza Berkoff
Thru March 13
New works by Dietrich Wegner on exhibit in the main gallery and new
works by Liza Berkoff featured in the second gallery.
Filed under: art
Tags: @artsfront, babies, carrie secrist gallery, Dietrich Wegner, flash art, tattoos, West Loop
