Get In the Know With No Coast
Chicago Art Magazine writer Alyssa Martinez interviews Young Joon Kwak, the Exhibitions and Editions coordinator of the new gallery at No Coast Collective for a closer look at an up and coming Chicago art space that’s been getting everyone’s attention.
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Chicago Art Magazine: Who and what is No Coast Collective?
Young Joon Kwak: No Coast Collective was founded in 2008 by a group of artists, two of whom–Alex Valentine and Aay Preston-Myint–are current members of the collective. All of us at No Coast are artists, and the studio, store, and programming reflect the diversity of interests and processes in our practices.
CAM: So what prompted the start of a the new gallery program?
YJK: No Coast’s space has always served multiple purposes to provide a hub of sorts for diverse artistic communities to come together, and our new Exhibitions & Editions programming is a natural extension of these efforts. The exhibition format allows us to showcase interesting art that’s not as readily sellable as objects for the store but nevertheless deserves an audience.
CAM: Do you have any specific galleries that you were looking at to model your space’s organization after?
YJK: There are a lot of spaces that have served multiple functions similar to No Coast nationally, such as Printed Matter, Desert Island, Spudnik Press, Green Lantern Gallery & Press, and a bunch more I’m forgetting to mention.
CAM: In January you had an event at the Museum of Contemporary Art called “Heaven is Real: No Coast Cabaret Show.” Described by the MCA as “a grab bag of ‘un-lectures’” and by the collective as, “a morbidly fantastic show-n-tell.” So what exactly was it?
YJK: The MCA invited No Coast to curate an event as part of their public programming for their Free Tuesdays. We saw this as a unique opportunity to showcase the work of artists in a different format. The show was organized around the theme of death with a video piece by Andre Callot, a live radio play by a group of artists under the moniker “Acephalous,” a presentation by Carnal Torpor, and performances by Rebecca Gordon, Dark Moms, Brandon Joyce, and Teddy Marino.
CAM: And how do you think it went?
YJK: The turnout was huge; the MCA said it was the largest audience they’ve had for a public event in a while, and though a large portion of the audience was already familiar with No Coast’s activities, there were a lot of people that we wouldn’t have reached otherwise.
CAM: What else do you have up your sleeve for the upcoming months?
YJK: Right now, in addition to the studio, store, and gallery, there are editions, shows, performances, workshops, readings, and a bunch of other events always coming up. We’re always open to other peoples’ ideas, so contact us or stop by!
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Reflecting a larger trend in the world of contemporary art spaces, No Coast Collective offers a place to participate in every stage of art, from its production to its purchase; providing facilities for silkscreeners, workshops for beginners, and a consignment shop for artists both local and international to sell their work. And for work that requires alternate presentation, No Coast has an engaging schedule of programs and events.
As stressed in their interview, their mission statement, and even their name, the priorities of No Coast Collective lie in the communal aspect of art-making, collecting and viewing. The current studio members at No Coast are: Aay Preston-Myint, Alex Valentine, Andrea Fritsch, Dan Dunbar, Reba Rakstad, and Young Joon Kwak.
The inaugural exhibition at No Coast Exhibitions and Editions, titled “Look into the Light” will showcase new works by Danimal and , both printmakers based in Minneapolis, from February 13th- March 7th. Check out the opening this Friday from 6-9pm at No Coast located at 1500 West 17th Street in Pilsen; it’s a show not to be missed. See their sharp website, www.no-coast.org, for more information.
