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Dr. Carol Adams, The President of the DuSable Museum of African American History and Cook County Commissioner / vocal legend, Jerry Butler watching the legendary media & radio icon Herb Kent, "The Cool Gent", used my "Passion Fruit / No Evils" Rhythmistic art exhibition at ETA in Chicago as the setting to present and autograph his new autoboigraphy in the Spring of 2009. The event was packed with his fans and well wishers.

It provided yet another opportunity for Chicagoans to celebrate and learn about creative expressions that were generated in Chicago and went on to have greater influence and potential. In attendance were author-historian Eugene Perkins, a NBC news producer, writer-novelist Angela Jackson, a bunch of Black cowboys and lots of fans of Herb Kent.... The theatre Dept. of Chicago State University, and Yeye Lynvonne Host of Cafe Yeye WCSUradio.

Fine Art. Media. Radio. Literature. "What becomes a legend most? Great art."

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Click on images to enlarge Serious collectors were attracted to the casual yet museum style presentation of the "Passion Fruit / No Evils" Rhythmistic solo fine art exhibition. The iconic watermelon serves as the trasitional object of cultural, social, and personal passion. WHile the "No Evils" collection served notice to a common thread in most belief systems. The need to cope with evil. It made it easy for them to embrace the artworks and to understand that Rhythmism is actually a visual arts movement with growth potential.

The word among some fine art speculators is that the prices and value of the works in this show will double after the exhibition is over.


Marcia made a connection with "Reach". She was drawn to its powerful use of nudilty and grace to show a woman as an iconic goddess without it being erotic. The reach of life from the Sun was a concept she was pleased to see expressed in a painting. She wanted to know about the original drawing that was the basis for it. Onli first drew the image as an ink drawing when he was 19 years old. It did not become a painting until he was 49. Now she wants that drawing!!!

Notice the abstracted environment that symbolizes the Sun's radiant energy. Rhythmism uses counting as a design element in a manner that is similar to how musical compositions use math in their construct.

Erika wanted to discuss with Onli how this "No Evils" painting packed so much visual impact while not using brilliant colors. Instead it is based on a limited palatte of white, black, and a few half tones. Here they are exploring the Rhythmistic design aspects that come together so successfully in this painting. She is a professional web software designer and visual artist. There was a lot of artspeak going on here.

Nisha is a fashion designer who shows that art often foreshadows life. Her look is akin the look of these future-primitif "No Evil" women. She wanted to pose with the image along with the artist. This was the first time they had met. Meanwhile the buzz around the opening was that the painting was actually a portrait of her. She thought the attention was so cool. So did Onli.

A pensive moment as Onli reflects on the honor of so many people coming out to learn about his work and his ideas about the visual art movement known as Rhythmism. He thanked them all for sharing their time and attention which adds so much to his learning experience as an artist. Being an emergent master in the contemporary arts he appreciates the value of connecting people with the Rhythmistic works of art in the form of a gallery showcase. This allows one to experience how various visual statements work off each other.

This important exhibition was at ETA until May 31st 2009. After Artropolis you may want to discover the Rhythmistic art movment in Chicago.

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