Due to it’s stronger regional «character», compared to previous years, when «Whitecube» or «Haunch of Venison» would give Art Chicago back some of its old time international glory, a lot of regional galleries and artists were showcasing their work in this years edition.

Among my favorites must have been current Chicago resident Jason Salavon. Salavon, who also teaches at the Art Institute, is mostly known for his work where he uses custom computer software to manipulate existing media, combines the result with an averaging process and creates visual amalgamations*.

In Chicago the Portrait series, of what he calls «likely to be the final installment of a broader series begun in 1997», was on display. The pictures applied to his unique averaging proccess, consist of the the bulk of the portrait oeuvres of Franz Hals, Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, Anthony van Dyck, and Diego Velazquez, respectively and yield, on order to once again quote the artists «atmospheric meta-portraits».

*Amalgamation or amalgam, when used to refer to a fictional character or place, refers to one that was created by combining, or is perceived to be a combination, of several other previously existing characters or locations. To emphasize the origin of their creations, authors or artists may use amalgamated names. But then again, you already knew that didn’t you.