A Prologue for Chicago November 16, 2024 – January 4, 2025 de boer (Los Angeles) is delighted to present "A Prologue for Chicago," which serves as an introduction to the diverse and dynamic artists living and working in Chicago, Illinois. This exhibition features the works of eight Chicago-based artists—Rachael Bos, Salvador Dominguez, Tali Halpern, Noelia Towers, Cameron Spratley, Marina Ross, Liza Jo Eilers, Maeve Coughlin, and Jeffly Gabriela Molina—setting a critical tone and establishing an intellectual context that invites viewers to engage with the complex narratives that characterize the contemporary art scene in the city. Salvador Dominguez, Noelia Towers, and Jeffly Gabriela Molina have embraced Chicago as their adopted creative sanctuary. Towers, who hails from Barcelona, Dominguez, originally from Zacatecas, Mexico, and Molina, from Venezuela, draw profound inspiration from their lived experiences, weaving intricate connections between their personal histories while evoking memories, daydreams, and reflections on the past. Tali Halpern, with her generational ties to Chicago, further enriches this exhibition by providing valuable insights into the city's evolving identity. Cameron Spratley’s dense paintings critically engage the violence of American life through combined languages sourced from media and graffiti. Similarly, Liza Jo Eiliers' “Wet T-Shirt” paintings use a lens of nostalgia - American culture from the 80s and 90s - ultimately contemplating and re-positioning the surrounding cultural impact of celebrity, sex, and media. Rachael Bos’ oil paintings tap into the fascination of organized sports, reflecting her interest in how systems and culture shape our identities and understanding of the world. Maeve Coughlin and Marina Ross both dissect the idea of identity. Coughlin’s sublimation prints on chiffon are built into hand-made monoliths. The materials of wood, nails, and stains are reminiscent of folk art, while the contrasting imagery illustrates ephemeral queries constituting self. Ross’ oil paintings co-opt imagery from the American fairytale The Wizard of Oz (1939) as a foil to earnestly explore the connection between loss, home, and belonging. "A Prologue for Chicago" invites visitors to immerse themselves in the narratives presented by these artists, fostering reflection on their diverse backgrounds and artistic trajectories. This exhibition transcends the mere display of individual works; it serves as an invitation to engage with the broader narrative of contemporary art in Chicago. __________________________________________________________ Screening at de boer, Los Angeles Marc Horowitz: Extremely Limited November 16 - January 4, 2025 de boer (Los Angeles) is excited to present a screening of Extremely Limited. The video documents a site-specific public performance by Los Angeles-based artist Marc Horowitz. Screened in de boer gallery’s west gallery the video will be on view along with a single oil painting from November 16, 2024 through January 4, 2025. “Extremely Limited” interrogates the pressures of time and productivity in contemporary society, exploring themes of chaos, control, loss, and recuperation. Inspired by Byung-Chul Han’s critique of burnout culture, the performance examines the struggle to maintain positivity and maximize achievement amid hustle culture. Through humor and improvisation, Horowitz challenges conventional notions of art and audience engagement, creating an immersive experience that reflects the relentless demands of modern life and encourages reflection on time, productivity, and human experience. Marc Horowitz’s site-specific public performance, “Extremely Limited,” was part of LUMINEX 3.0 in downtown Los Angeles. The performance occurred in a confined 10’x 10’ room in a parking lot, featuring a large fan on one side and a serving window on the other. Horowitz’s task was to complete a small sculpture within three minutes, package it, and serve it through the window to a ‘customer.’ Failure to do so triggers the fan, causing chaos until the artwork is delivered. This process repeats throughout the performance. *Image: Tali Halpern, blood runs throu, 2024, handwoven fabrics on a TC2, wool, beads and rhinestones, 30 x 27 in. / 76.20 x 68.58 cm.