US travels 1/2: Chicago

I was in Chicago & Detroit for two weeks. Didn’t draw much anything while I was there… Instead I walked around, walked and walked, as ever when I travel. Anyway, I was happy to be there, never been to the US before.

The Ladydrawers comics collective invited us, Femicomix Finland (or whatever we are called! – Feministinen sarjakuvatoiminta, a feminist comics collective/network) to Chicago. And we exhibited at the CAKE festival (Chicago Alternative Comics Expo, got to love what the did with the ”K” in the acronym).

Hanna-Pirita and Taina at a draw-off at Women & Children First, one of the few surviving feminist bookshops in the nation. Witness the might of their talent in this picture of a cake!

Roju, Anna and Taina. ”How’s our hair?”

 

CAKE positively encourages women and minorities to exhibit. A jury selects the exhibitors and artists and makes sure there is a good representation of different people and points of view. I wish other festivals would do the same. Also, great festival, thanks CAKE!

What’s this, now?

Some research of the Ladydrawers’ doing.

Anne Elizabeth Moore is the powerhouse behind a lot of politicised comics and thoughtful writing around here. Thanks for having us around, Anne!

Touristy tourist

Chicago has some super interesting leftist, disruptive and subversive history (Jane Addams, Haymarket bombings, strikes, race riots…). Though now it’s mostly capitalism that rules and history is the stuff of museums.

I was right on time to witness the opening weekend of The 606 / Bloomingdale Trail, a former abondoned elevated railway line turned bike/pedestrian path / park. Beautiful! (You may also know me as an anti car culture crusader…) I went for a jog and the blue bits were made out of rubbery material. The path crosses different neighbourhoods, rich and poor, and is well lit at night. I so hope it will stay well maintained and utilised.

On conditioning… and doughnuts

Snacks.

 

NO I DO NUT 

(I don’t really want a donut, they’re too big here anyway)

(The last picture is from Chicago but by fabulousfabs on Flickr (Creative Commons) as my photo failed.)

Next stop: Detroit!