DePaul Art Museum’s latest exhibit, rezoning along Broadway and German election results
plus, a surprising jazz album
Welcome back to ‘In the Loop’! It’s your newsletter team Lauren, Morgan, Ellie, Mason, Danielle, Gia, Varun, Noel and Audrey. We’ve got a good one for you today.
Before we get started, please take a moment to fill out this survey if you have any questions or comments about the “Dear Colleague” letter, eliminating race-based scholarships, cultural centers and graduation ceremonies, and the DePaul administration’s response last week. We will not use any part of your response without contacting you first for permission. For more information on the letter, check out last week’s newsletter.
To start, we have a feature on "The Spaces We Call Home" at the DePaul Art Museum as well as a new episode of ‘The B-Side.’ We also have information on Blue Demon Challenge results, a lawsuit against CPS and the newly appointed FBI deputy director. Finally, we have information on a mineral deal between Ukraine and the U.S. and Bob Dylan’s “Triplicate” album.
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With that, let’s get into it!
A Stroll Through the “Spaces We Call Home”
By Morgan Kirsch
Hammers. Bricks. Ripped scrap pieces of paper. Under the guise of common tools and building materials, each artists’ series spoke to the more subtle elements that make a house a home. This is DePaul Art Museum’s newest exhibition “The Spaces We Call Home,” curated by Marin R. Sullivan.
The exhibit promotes the work of artists exploring “the memory of forgotten places” and creating “objects that convey what it means to live and belong in the spaces we call home.”
One such pair of artists is Sharon Oiga and Guy Villa Jr, a Chicago-native creative duo and couple.
The pair’s series exhibited in the “Spaces We Call Home” included framed photos of various collages of scrap paper, called "Low Clouds," "Make For This City," "Picture of This Place," "Honest Pleasure," and "Avalanche."
In collages like "Picture of This Place," a picturesque scene of a mountain range is bracketed by cutouts of indiscernible scripts, each piece sporting jagged edges.
A pair of star-crossed lovers, artists Oiga and Villa were born and raised on the North and South sides of Chicago respectively. Oiga was essentially “forbidden” from going over to the South side in their youth.
Villa called their 90’s romance a “Romeo and Juliet” story. To Villa, “North-siders” were considered “weird” or “pretentious,” while Oiga grew up with stereotypes about the South side’s reputation for danger and violence. Both studied graphic design and photography during their time at the University of Illinois Chicago and were brought together by their shared passion for art and design.
Oiga and Villa were inspired to share bits and pieces of Chicago in its most raw, authentic form. While going on long walks around the city every day, the pair would find pieces of gold, their “trash treasures,” that would go unnoticed to most. Sometimes they were fliers tacked on walls or garages and other times striking designs hidden inside of envelopes.
Their “treasures” could be anything that catches their eyes: torn bits and pieces of Chicago representing “the decrepit, the dilapidated, the dismissed,” according to Oiga and Villa’s exhibit label displayed in the museum.
“For the most part, we make these without a certain topic or theme in mind and we really let the bits and pieces help dictate what it’s going to be about in the end,” Oiga said.
Ania Jaworska and Zack Ostrowski, another artistic couple, collaborated together to create their “Bricks” series. Jaworska concentrated on the architectural design of the light, credenza, and bench on display. Ostrowski, on the other hand, crafted the striking graphic design featuring images of gray bricks with oozing white mortar layered over the furniture.
Jaworska came from Poland to Chicago fifteen years ago with her husband, Ostrowski, an associate professor and area head of graphic art at DePaul University.
She was struck by how the building material of bricks were “omnipresent” in Chicago and decided to artistically explore the mundane material. Part of her inspiration was how deeply bricks are entrenched into the history of Chicago. Afterall, it was the cheapest and most readily available resource to build homes after the Great Chicago Fire of 1971.
Jaworska found it fascinating how bricks, as a material, evoke unconscious responses and personal memories in viewers. From dilapidated alleyways to the bright and brilliant yellow brick road to Oz, “There’s a story that’s being told through every brick,” she said.
Continuing the trend of literal artistic approaches to homes, artist Kazuki Guzmán proudly stood by his series titled “Hammer Study.”
The hammers were 3D printed stainless steel and painted a deep black, striking silver, soft blue-teal and a bright green resembling oxidized copper. A collaborative process with different japanese artisans, Guzmzán wanted to highlight “mingei,” or Japanese folk art, while adding a modern spin through his “Hammer Study.”
Guzmán considers himself a “cultural ambassador” for the craft. “The best way to preserve tradition is to make it relevant to today,” he said.
Drawn to the idea of functional art, Guzmán wanted to promote both the beauty of Japanese craft and draw attention to an often-overlooked element of design: the very tools we use to build.
“Tools are beautiful,” Guzmán said. “Oftentimes they’re not given the same sort of attention.”
Many more phenomenal artists’ works were showcased in “The Spaces We Call Home,” including different series by Edgar Miller, Azadeh Gholizadeh, Roland Knowlden and Claudia Weber.
The various series remind audiences that art and architectural design go beyond mere structures — they are about memories, the beauty in the ordinary, and the history and lived experiences that shape the spaces we create together.
The B-Side: It’s Not Just Us
It’s not just the United States. Special Projects Editor Lauren Sheperd discusses the global rightward shift in politics and rhetoric. Listen on Substack or Spotify.
Written by Lauren Sheperd
Narrated by Danielle Snedeker
Produced by Audrey Leib
Music by Andrew Vucsko-Cameron
DePaul News
By Ellie Shelton
DePaul Art Museum Announces Spring Exhibition — The DePaul Art Museum has officially announced their spring exhibition, “Christina Fernandez: Multiple Exposures.” The show reflects Fernandez’s work surveying an exploration of migration, labor, gender and her Mexican American identity through photography. The exhibit opens to the community starting March 20 and will run through August 3. DePaul Newsline has more.
DePaul College of Law Gifted $2.5 Million — DePaul alumnus Jack Martin has awarded DePaul’s College of Law with a $2.5 million gift. The gift will create the Jack Martin Endowed chair in the college, supporting the research of a faculty member active in constitutional law, human rights law, immigration law and related public policy issues. DePaul Newsline has more.
Students and Alumni Raise Over $5 Million for Blue Demon Challenge — The DePaul community rallied together on January 30 to raise $5,198,861 from 5,278 donors for the annual Blue Demon Challenge. The funds will be used for scholarships, academic programs, support services, athletics and more. 14 East raised $878 and won a $750 prize! Thank you to everyone who donated. DePaul Newsline has more.
Chicago Headlines
By Mason McKee
Zoning plan approved for Broadway, raising concerns among neighbors —The city has approved a new zoning plan aimed to guide future development on Broadway, but neighbors are raising concerns about the increase in density. Officials passed the framework of the plan at the Chicago Plan Commission meeting last week but haven't approved it yet. The plan seeks to rezone Broadway from Devon Avenue in Edgewater to Montrose Avenue in Uptown. This is to allow more density within the area as most of Broadway rezoned into either community shopping districts or neighborhood commercial districts. Residents are torn on the new development however, with some welcoming the increase in potential housing and the benefits to affordability. Others are worried there will be too much density within the area, leading to a loss of community input. Norm Cratty, acting president of the North Edgewater Beach Association, feels as if Ald. Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (48th) isn’t listening to her constituents. “This is going against the way we have ever discussed land use and zoning projects in the 48th Ward,” Cratty said to Block Club. If you would like to read more you can find Madison Savedra’s article on Block Club Chicago.
CPS faces legal challenges over new equity plan — A federal anti-discrimination lawsuit has been filed against Chicago Public Schools’ Black Student Success Plan only a day after it was released. The complaint, filed by an out-of-state advocacy group named Parents Defending Education, cites the Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause, a U.S. Supreme Court ruling which banned using race as a factor in college admissions, and the “Dear Colleague” letter which was sent out by the Education Department’s Office of Civil Rights warning that any school would risk losing federal funding if they continued any race-based initiatives. District leaders in Chicago have stated they would review the complaint and respond. The plan is designed to increase the number of Black teachers, reduce Black students suspensions, ensure that Black history is taught in more classrooms and provide more professional development for all educators. If you would like to read more you can find Mila Koumpilova’s article on Block Club Chicago.
2021 Puerto Rican Day parade shooter given maximum sentence — The gunman responsible for the 2021 Puerto Rican Day parade shooting in Humboldt Park has been sentenced to 20 years in prison, the maximum sentence the judge could give him. Anthony Lorenzi, 37, was convicted of second-degree murder in a two-day bench trial and where he faced four to 20 years in prison. Judge Domenica Stephenson handed down the conviction, hoping that giving the maximum sentence would serve as a deterrent for others. “Anything less would minimize the seriousness of this offense,” Stephenson said. Lorenzi shot and killed Gyovanni Arzuaga, 24, on June 19, 2021 after Auzuaga was involved in a minor car crash, prompting the group with Lorenzi to confront him and try to pull him from the car. Arzuaga accidentally struck his girlfriend, Yasmin Perez, 25, in the neck with a gun he was holding. The group scattered after the shot, but Lorenzi came up to Arzuaga and shot him multiple times, killing him. Lorenzi tried to flee to California, but was extradited to Chicago and has been in Cook County Jail since. Members of Azuaga and Perez’s families asked the judge to throw the book at Lorenzi. ““I request the max because you have seen the facts,” Arzuaga’s aunt, Michelle Portillo, read to the room from a statement written in a rhyming poem style. If you would like to read more you can find Matthew Hendrickson’s article on Chicago Sun-Times.
National Headlines
By Danielle Snedeker
Trump appoints conservative Dan Bongino as FBI deputy director — Dan Bongino, a trending right-wing podcaster and former U.S. Secret Service agent was chosen to fill the role as FBI deputy director Sunday evening by President Donald Trump. Bongino will operate as second-in-command under Kash Patel with promises to continue the current administration's investigation on the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. According to The Associated Press, Kash met with Natalie Bara, president of the FBI Agents Association, in January to discuss the ideal candidate for deputy director, stating they “should continue to be an on-board, active Special Agent as has been the case for 117 years for many compelling reasons, including operational expertise and experience, as well as the trust of our Special Agent population.” Neither Patel or Bongino have previous experience working for the FBI. Appointing Bongino has sparked serious concerns among Democrats about the future of the federal agency. To read more, you can find Adriana Gomez Licon and Eric Tucker’s article in The Associated Press.
Starbucks halts wage increases, plans to lay off 1,100 employees — Chief executive of Starbucks, Brian Niccol, is committed to raising revenue within the worldwide famous coffee chain by eliminating 1,100 corporate employees from their workforce. According to The New York Times, 7% of employees that work outside the company-owned stores will be affected by Niccol’s layoffs. As of now, baristas are exempt from the corporate cuts. Workers United, the union for Starbucks employees, met in January to reevaluate contracts and discuss company changes including the topic of increasing wages being halted. Starbucks claims prices will remain the same throughout 2025 regardless of the decline in sales. The CEO plans to streamline the business by lessening wait times, implementing the original coffeehouse atmosphere and removing items from the menu. Following Niccol’s company ‘rethink’ all open applications will be removed. In Niccol's letter to Starbucks’ workers, he reinforces his vision for the company saying “it’s a necessary change to position Starbucks for future success.” To read more, you can find Danielle Kaye’s article in The New York Times.
FDA reinstates staffers — The Trump administration — with the help of Elon Musk — left government employees jobless after slashes were made less than a week ago to the national parks, nuclear weapons, and food and drug services. Now, previously fired employees at The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are experiencing the latest wave in frantic rehiring. Similar to other government agencies, the FDA centered their cuts around probationary period employees. This resulted in newly hired senior management being removed from multiple outlets such as tobacco, food and the medical device center. An email was sent Friday night to employees at the medical device center reinstating their status within the FDA. Multiple staffers requesting anonymity spoke with AP News about their plans to return to the FDA, although they were prohibited to address its internal procedures. The FDA has not confirmed a number of official terminations or reinstated staff. To read more, you can find Matthew Perrone’s article in The Associated Press.
International Headlines
By Gia Clarke
Conservatives CDU/CSU win Bundestag majority, AFD makes record gains — The Christian Democratic Union of Germany/Christian Social-Union (CDU/CSU) win the Bundestag majority, with the Alternative for Germany (AfD) at a close second. The Bundestag is the German parliament, the only constitutional body elected by the German people. The CDU/CSU currently have 208 of the seats (around 28%) and the AfD have 152 seats (about 20%). The AfD and the Left now both have enough seats to veto constitutional changes. The CDU/CSU lean center-right, whereas the AfD leans far right. Reuters has more information here.
Xi Jinping affirms ‘no limits’ partnership with Putin — On the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion on Ukraine, China’s president Xi Jinping affirmed his “no limits” partnership with Russian President Vladimir Putin: “The development strategies and foreign policies of China and Russia are long-term,” said Xi. He referred to China and Russia as “good neighbors” who “cannot be moved apart.” Despite this, China has denied it supports Russia’s military-industrial base. China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, said China would not stop buying Russia’s gas because stopping the purchases would make China unsafe. Reuters has more information here.
Ukraine negotiates minerals deal with the US — According to Olga Stefanishyna, Ukrainian deputy prime minister, Kyiv and Washington are close to signing a deal over U.S. access to Ukraine’s military deposits. Kyiv estimates that Ukraine has about 5% of the world’s critical raw materials. They have 19 million tons of graphite, which is used to make lithium batteries, as well as a third of all European lithium deposits. The U.S. wants Ukraine’s minerals because they want to be less dependent on China, who controls 75% of rare earth deposits in the world. The U.S. also wants to strengthen allyship with Ukraine. The BBC has more information here.
Kenyan women are saying no to motherhood — Defying Kenyan social norms for women, many Kenyan women are getting sterilized, saying no to motherhood. Between 2020-2023, roughly 16,000 women in Kenya have gotten a tubal ligation, which is a surgical process where the fallopian tubes are permanently blocked, clipped or removed. Dr. Nelly Bosire, a gynecologist in Nairobi, noticed that more women who sought out the procedure were women who had no kids, and never had any interest in having kids at all. Before, most of the women seeking the procedure already had multiple children. The BBC has more information here.
Hey, Check This Out!
With Featured Columnist Varun Khushalani
It’s hard to describe how much jazz means to me. Other music just doesn’t make as much sense. I think true musical creativity lies in the perfect balance between drifting from the mean and paying respect to those who came before. Jazz rides this balance perfectly, the greats scratching their own reality from words and melodies written years before by forgotten men. The artistry comes from being a vessel for the emotion, the guide between the lyrics and our hearts. A true jazz musician isn’t the coolest or even the most emotional – they are the ones who are as honest as they can be to the emotions within using the simple instruments provided.
Spotify has made it too easy to listen to albums from scores of different musicians, each with their own obscure combinations of sounds, questioning the audience in any way possible. We all experience the world differently, but somehow, a commonality lies in the gorgeous, mundane realities of human life. The canon of jazz is built upon the variety of these inputs, standards stacked and layered and all awkwardly jutting into one another, everyone trying to say their thing in their own way. And it’s all beautiful. But there’s some stuff that really sticks with you.
Bob Dylan’s 2017 album “Triplicate” has been the only music I have listened to in the last two weeks. For the first time in too long, a musician has truly shocked me to my core. While jazz is wonderful in so many ways, in other ways it builds its walls too high, creating complex barriers to entry to a musical genre that can fix any problem on earth. The simple reality of jazz is that anyone can sing these old, dusty melodies and find something new within themselves. Even the great American musical artist Bob Dylan, years after his heyday, gave respect to the genre, choosing not to pick and choose the flashy titles and catchy tunes. Instead, he approached the task of creating a great jazz album with the dedication and respect of a disciple training under the sacred teachings of a greater identity. Over three years, Dylan recorded three studio albums, with the first two, “Shadows in the Night” and “Fallen Angels,” missing the mark just barely, not quite excelling the way fans of the musician would have hoped. But with “Triplicate,” Dylan taps into something different, moving me in a way only a true jazz musician could.
Resources
Need resources regarding cooling centers, rental assistance, abortion access, COVID-19 testing and vaccines or mental health? Check out our complete list here.
That’s it for today! See you next Monday.
The 14 East Newsletter Team