This week. Dana’s back?

She and Duncan sit down with artist Wafaa Bilal and curator Bana Kattan to discuss Bilal’s powerful and deeply personal mid-career retrospective at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. Known for his provocative, often participatory works that grapple with war, trauma, displacement, and surveillance, Bilal has long made the body both a site of resistance and a vessel of memory.

We talk through key moments in Bilal’s practice—from early performance pieces like Domestic Tension to newer, installation-based works—and reflect on how his work has shifted, expanded, and endured over the past two decades. Kattan, who curated the exhibition, shares insights into the retrospective’s structure and the challenges of contextualizing work that refuses easy categorization.

While reminiscing, Duncan and Wafaa also talk through what it means to make art as a form of witnessing, how museums hold space for pain and politics, and why Bilal still believes in the power of beauty…

(Spoiler: Duncan isn’t sure, but Bana and Dana side with Wafaa.)

Links & References:

• Wafaa Bilal's website: http://wafaabilal.com
• MCA Chicago Exhibition Info: https://mcachicago.org/Exhibitions/2024/Wafaa-Bilal
• Bana Kattan bio & curatorial work: https://mcachicago.org/About/Who-We-Are/Staff/Bana-Kattan
• Domestic Tension (aka “Shoot an Iraqi” project): https://wafaabilal.com/domestic-tension
• Book: Shoot an Iraqi: Art, Life, and Resistance Under the Gun (co-authored with Kari Lydersen) – https://www.amazon.com/Shoot-Iraqi-Life-Resistance-Under/dp/087286491X
• @wafaabilal on Instagram
• @mcachicago on Instagram

 In this episode, we talk Architectural Doucmentaries, Graphic Design, the cross over of the art and design audiences, and whether or not social practice could be a job:

• Kyle Bergman, is the mastermind behind the Architecture & Design Film Festival (ADFF), takes us through the wild ride of showcasing global architectural stories and films. He shares the festival’s international charm and its role in making architecture the star of the show. 
• Ashley Lukasik, filmmaker and Principal of Murmur Ring, joins us to talk about The New Bauhaus documentary (Maholy’s got swag) and the work she’s producing at Murmur Ring. They’re out to change the minds of makers and using social practice and design thinking strategies on the practioneers and the designers.

Links and Resources:

• Architecture & Design Film Festival (ADFF): ADFF’s global tour of must-see design docs. (adfilmfest.com)
• Chicago Architecture Center (CAC): The CAC is where the architectural magic happens. (architecture.org)
• Murmur Ring: Ashley Lukasik’s team is all about immersive experiences that challenge what it means to be human in a digital age. (murmur-ring.com)
• 'The New Bauhaus' Documentary: Get the lowdown on the Bauhaus movement and why it’s still cooler than you might think. (https://www.thenewbauhaus.com/)

In the final episode recorded live from Stitch and Staple: The Artist Book Fair, we’re thrilled to sit down with two incredible comic creators, Beth Hetland and Kyle O'Connell. This conversation dives deep into the world of comics and graphic narratives, with Hetland and O'Connell offering insights into their creative collaborations and shared comic interests.

Beth Hetland, known for her heartfelt and intricate autobiographical comics, discusses the power of graphic novels to explore memory, identity, and storytelling. She and Kyle O’Connell also shed light on how their collaboration allows them to push the boundaries of traditional comic narratives, creating work that resonates on both emotional and humorous levels.

In a fun aside, Duncan revisits the origin story of how Ryan joined Bad at Sports. Initially approaching artist Jennifer Mills to be a co-host, Duncan found himself "thrown under the bus" when Mills suggested Ryan instead—and the rest is podcast history! The dynamic duo share their complicated vacation-sharing arrangement and how Jennifer, hilariously, isn’t speaking to either of them anymore. 

In this episode, everyone embraces the playful, witty energy that makes comics such an accessible and engaging medium. We reflect on what comics can uniquely access within the world of art, and how the medium functions as a powerful tool for both personal expression and social commentary. Plus, in true Bad at Sports style, there’s plenty of humor, banter, and storytelling along the way.

We’re airing this episode just as Duncan and Ryan gear up for their next adventure—heading to Houston for the Comics Sans Frontières: An International Graphic Narrative Conference at Rice University. Be sure to catch the conversation before they hit the road!

Links and Mentions:

• Beth Hetland's website
• Kyle O’Connell's website
• Stitch and Staple: The Artist Book Fair https://www.stapleandstitchfair.com/
• Comics Sans Frontières at Rice University https://cats.rice.edu/page/2/
• Bad at Sports live from Houston Upcoming!
• Jennifer Mills' website

In this episode, Bad at Sports welcomes artist, writer, and thinker Emma Bergman to discuss a range of fascinating topics that blend the personal, the theoretical, and the speculative.

We delve into Emma's ideas about utopian conviction and how they intersect with the looming specter of the coming apocalypse, and the games we can play with what is becoming our practical nightmare. From philosophical musings to creative solutions, we explore how different utopian ideologies might intersect and prepare (or fail to prepare) us for the crisis of our future.

Personality testing also enters the conversation, as we examine how modern and historical approaches to assessing character and behavior might offer insights—or generate traps—for individuals navigating this new world order and Berman runs the boys of B@S though her system and we learn if they are ready.

We also explore the concept of bureaucratic realism, digging into how institutional structures shape our experience and sense of agency in the world, and how to creatively play within these constraints and out side them can establish new paths forward.

Throughout this conversation, we playfully touch on ways to solve the future—how art, culture, and speculative thinking offer new ways of envisioning what lies ahead, and how individuals can act within systems and system collapse.

Join us for a thought-provoking episode filled with visionary ideas, humor, and practical philosophical discussions.

Live for the 21C Chicago!

In this episode, Bad at Sports dives into the world of independent publishing, printmaking, and the intersections of art, academia, and production with two innovative presses pushing the boundaries of their respective fields.

Hoof Print Press, based in Pilsen, Chicago, is not just a print shop, but a thriving print publisher that explores multiple media, including ceramics. Known for their dynamic exhibition series, they bring a unique perspective on the art of printmaking, combining tradition with modern experimentation. We talk about how they balance the fine art of print with the hands-on craft of ceramics and what it means to operate as both creators and curators in the community-driven Pilsen neighborhood. - Gabe Hoare on mic.

Next, we’re joined by Immaterial Books, a quasi-academic press that’s redefining the possibilities of academic publishing. Immaterial tests the limits of what it means to produce knowledge and content outside the conventional capitalist distribution and production models. They explore nontraditional forms of publishing that challenge the boundaries between art and academia. In this conversation, we dive into how their radical approach to publishing engages with academia, art practices, and the broader cultural conversation around knowledge production. Phillip Kalantzis-Cope on mic.

Together, we discuss how both presses navigate the evolving worlds of independent publishing and art production, and how their work is changing the ways we think about community, art, and knowledge distribution.

Tune in for an insightful episode that explores the intersection of artistic practices, publishing, and the role of independent presses in today’s creative and academic landscapes.

Live from 21C Chicago!

In this episode, we sit down with Cecilia Beaven, a dynamic Mexican-born artist, muralist, and illustrator whose work bridges the worlds of fine art and public spaces. Beaven's pieces have graced both urban environments and galleries, transforming her surroundings with a unique blend of surrealism, humor, and critical commentary. Her work explores themes of myth, identity, and the fantastical, reflecting on the human experience through vibrant, intricate visual narratives.

Recently, Beaven has been making waves with exhibitions at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago and the Hyde Park Art Center. These shows highlight her ability to combine intricate storytelling with visual spectacle, drawing viewers into her vibrant, often surreal world. Beyond gallery spaces, Beaven's public art projects have continued to expand, with large-scale murals that engage communities and address themes of identity, history, and the urban environment.

We discuss her process, influences, and the challenges of creating art that resonates across cultural contexts. Tune in to hear about her experiences painting murals, collaborating with communities, and navigating the international art scene. Beaven also delves into her ongoing projects and the role of storytelling in her artistic practice.

https://www.ceciliabeaven.com/

Strap in, print nerds, because this week we’re coming to you live from the wild and inky trenches of the Staple and Stitch Artist Book Fair at 21C Chicago!

First up, we’ve got Angee Lennard and Jessica Cochran from Process Process Print Publishers—the dynamic duo that’s doing god's work by helping artists get their process-based, experimental prints out into the world (or at least onto some beautiful paper). These two are the real deal: no pretentious art-speak, just raw, creative energy making print magic happen.

Then, just when you thought the paper party couldn’t get any better, Madeleine Aguilar from Bench Press Publications joins us to lay down some serious knowledge about the Chicago art book scene. Bench Press is the indie press you want to be in the know about—they’re cranking limited-run artist books that’ll make you want to throw all your digital content in the trash.

We recorded this maudlin crew, so enjoy the ambient sounds of over-caffeinated art students and print enthusiasts buzzing around, plus a few awkward microphone mishaps. It’s all part of the charm!

Episode Highlights:

• Angie and Jessica talk about the blood, sweat, and squeegees behind Process Process Print Publishers—and why the process is as important as the product.
• Bench Press Publications: indie publishing that’s both scrappy and impossibly cool. Madeleine breaks down the beauty of small-batch, collectible art books and why limited edition is more than just a buzzword.
• The absolute chaos and joy of recording this episode at Staple and Stitch in the heart of the art scene at 21C Chicago. (Spoiler: You’ll want to be there next year.)

• Process Process Print Publishers: Website
• Bench Press Publications: Website
• Staple and Stitch Artist Book Fair: Website

Live from the wild, eclectic, art-riddled halls of Stitch and Staple at the illustrious 21C hotel, we’re diving into the deep blue—conceptually, at least—with this episode. We chat with the incredibly thoughtful Dawit L. Petros and Art History powerhouse Onur Öztürk about their work in the exhibition Prospetto a Mare at the Museum of Contemporary Photography (MoCP). What’s it about? Well, think: migration, colonial histories, and the ever-shifting geopolitical sea. No big deal, right?

Petros’ breathtaking, multi-layered visual narratives bring the past and present of migration into view, while Öztürk’s sharp, historically-grounded insights connect the dots across time and space. Together, they turn the exhibition into a thought-provoking journey across borders—geographical, historical, and artistic.

Also, we recorded this episode at 21C’s luxurious digs, so enjoy the ambiance of clinking glasses and gallery buzz in the background. Join us as we unpack how art and history collide in one of the most important conversations about displacement and identity today.

Links & Mentions:

• Dawit L. Petros: dawitlpetros.com
• Onur Öztürk: Onur Öztürk's TedX https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aC_Etz5go8U
• Prospetto a Mare Exhibition at MoCP: MoCP Exhibition Page
• Stitch and Staple at 21C Hotel: Stitch & Staple Info
• Museum of Contemporary Photography (MoCP): mocp.org

Live from Stitch and Staple at the illustrious 21C Hotel (because, why record in a normal studio when you can do it in a fancy hotel?), we dive into the deep end with Kris Graves, photographer extraordinaire and head honcho of KGP | Monolith, along with the relentlessly kind crew from Have a Nice Day Press.

We grill Kris on everything from the role of documentary photography in social justice to navigating this wild political landscape we call life, all while discussing how photo books aren't just pretty—they're political weapons (but, you know, in a good way). If you’ve ever wondered how to make a photo book that doesn’t just sit on a shelf, but sparks a revolution, this one’s for you. Kris Graves might just be the guy to show you how.

And then, we meet Have a Nice Day Press, who are all about making art books with the simple goal of being, well... nice. Like, refreshingly nice. They break down why making art books is their way of spreading good vibes and making the world a slightly less terrible place. Turns out, being nice is a radical act in the art world—who knew?

Want more Kris Graves magic?

• KGP | Monolith (Warning: May cause sudden urges to buy all the books)
• Kris Graves Photography (Yes, he's that good)

Curious about Have a Nice Day Press?

• Check them out here (Prepare to be showered with niceness)

Join us for a wild ride filled with book love, kindness overload, and Kris Graves’ no-nonsense take on everything from politics to photography. Grab your headphones and get ready for some serious (and not-so-serious) art talk.

In this episode, we catch up with Meg Duguid, the new Executive Director of Spudnik Press, Chicago’s premier community printmaking studio. Meg shares her vision for the future of the Press, an organization known for fostering an inclusive environment where artists of all levels can access printmaking resources, develop their craft, and engage with a vibrant, supportive artistic community.

Spudnik Press, since its founding in 2007, has stood at the intersection of traditional printmaking and innovative artistic practices. The Press offers an array of services, including an open studio, workshops, residencies, and exhibitions that elevate both established and emerging printmakers. Its mission extends beyond the art of printmaking, positioning itself as a vital hub for creative expression, collaboration, and education within Chicago’s art landscape.

Meg discusses how she plans to continue and expand on Spudnik’s role in the local and national printmaking communities, emphasizing inclusivity, experimentation, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. She brings her years of experience as an artist, curator, and arts administrator to this dynamic role, sharing insights into how Spudnik Press will continue to push boundaries and serve as a crucial space for artistic growth.

Tune in to hear about Meg’s journey, her thoughts on leadership, and what lies ahead for Spudnik Press as it enters an exciting new chapter under her direction.

A strange and lucky number for an episode packed with the profound! This week, we dive deep into design, architecture, and the unique culture of Chicago. We kick things off with an interview featuring Sharon & Guy, the dynamic design collaborative whose thought-provoking artworks are included in The Spaces We Call Home, currently on view at the DePaul Art Museum. They're joined by Marin R. Sullivan, the curator of this important show, to discuss how their work reflects on identity, place, and home.

Next, we talk to Brandon Johnson, publisher of Almighty & Insane Books, about his exploration of Chicago's gangland ephemera, the hidden histories of modern architecture, tagging, visionary art, and why Chicago continues to inspire generations of creators. Brandon's work uncovers the city's gritty and delightfully creative underbelly, presenting it in a way that both honors and challenges conventional narratives.

Join us as we unpack all things Chicago: from its built environment to its street art, this conversation covers it all, with plenty of love for the city that shapes so much of our work.

All from Staple and Stitch #1