Spirited Visions: Portraits of Chicago Artists

Photographer Carroll writes: ``I want everyone to know what an amazing, richly talented group of artists live and work'' in Chicago. This volume (and accompanying exhibit) is comprised of Carroll's portraits of Chicago artists, each ``referring directly to or re-creating some aspect of the imagery'' in the sitter's work. Alongside each portrait is an example of that work, and although the parallels between photo and painting (or sculpture) are unmistakable, the portraits for the most part are painfully contrived. In a painting by Dan Gustin, a naked man peers curiously into a Pandora-like box; in Carroll's portrait, Gustin lies shirtless on his back on the floor, looking uncomfortable and embarrassed. Cluttered with objects that overshadow the artists themselves, the portraits appropriate imagery without imbuing it withstet new meaning. The portraits that work best concentrate on a single motif; most noteworthy among these is Carroll's photo of David Klamen. Subtly erotic, the photo effectively portrays the painter as a primordial half-beast, half-man. Other artists featured include Don Baum, Linda Kramer, Jim Nutt, Barbara Rossi and Claire Zeisler. Yood teaches at Northwestern University. (Dec.)