Art Hounds: Ice Rod, Field of Reads, and depictions of a Duluth childhood

"Unsupervised" by Chris Monroe (Image courtesy of the Duluth Art Institute)

Picture a freestyle rapper making up rhymes about people on Chatroulette. Imagine sitting in a field reading books with complete strangers. Think of what emotionally moving oil pastel drawings of a Duluth childhood might be like. Now you've identified what the hounds will be talking about this week.

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Nickolas Monson is co-founder of Prove Gallery in Duluth. Nickolas wants to spread the word about an emcee coming to Teatre Zuccone in Duluth who'll be rapping about an online audience, in front of a live audience. Ice Rod, aka Michael Gaughan, makes up rhymes on the spot about people he sees on the online chat service, Chatroulette. Ice Rod also decorates the stage to look like a dorm room. You can see him in Duluth on Saturday, July 14, at 8pm.

As a literary agent and owner of Red Sofa Literary in St. Paul, Dawn Frederick is always close to her closest companions...books. On Saturday, July 14, Dawn will be among a throng of like-minded book enthusiasts at Field of Reads," an event sponsored by the Walker Art Center's Open Field. Field of Reads runs from 11am - 5pm, and includes a book swap, information about "Little Free Libraries," storytelling for kids, and a mass read-in from noon to 1pm.

Duluth sculptor and writer Ann Klefstad is a longtime admirer of the work of artist Chris Monroe. Ann believes Chris's latest exhibition at the Duluth Art Institute represents her best work to date. It's a poignant collection of oil pastel drawings envisioning a childhood summer in Duluth. Through Sept. 30. For more Art Hounds' recommendations, check us out on Facebook and Twitter. Art Hounds is also available as a podcast on iTunes. Art Hounds is powered by the Public Insight Network.

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