Columbia exhibit turns over a new leaf on paper

Form follows function, as they say. Or is it that function followsform? Either way, you'll be surprised at just how functional paperreally is when you take a stroll through the Center for the Book andPaper Arts' latest exhibit, "Paper Adornment."

"Paper has come to be so disposable, so very expendable," sayscurator William Drendel. "Paper can be beautiful, though. And in thisexhibit, we've made paper non-expendable."

Drendel spent two months putting the exhibit together, whichfeatures more than 180 items from all over the world, crafted out ofpaper -- most of them are functional, wearable pieces of art.

Papermaking has been around for centuries, and since the beginningartisans have been using the material to make wearable objects.

The exhibit features paper masks, purses made entirely out ofcigarette wrappers and many pieces of jewelry. There's even a politicstatement, courtesy of Stacey Stern's "Public Law 107-243," which isa straitjacket made out of U.S. currency as a protest to the lawenacted that allowed the United States to invade Iraq.

There's even a spiritual side to the exhibit, Drendel says. TheBuddhist tradition of burning paper money for deceased ancestors touse in the afterlife has expanded to include articles of clothingmade out of paper, and the exhibit features some prime examples.

"Even the dead need clothes in the next life," he added.

*"Paper Adornment -- An International Exhibition of Wearables"continues through April 23 at Columbia College Chicago's Center forthe Book and Paper Arts, 1104 S. Wabash, second floor. Admission isfree. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Call (312)344-6630; www.bookandpaper.org.

a night at the mca: Chicago artist Susan Giles debuts her tourist-themed video installation piece "Panzoomtilt," 6-10 tonight as partof First Fridays at the Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago.DJs Ben Biz and John Herndon will be spinning music for thoseinclined to dance, and complimentary Wolfgang Puck hors d'oeuvres areincluded in the ticket price. The event is for those age 21 and over.Admission is $14. A cash bar also will be available until 9:30 p.m.Call (312) 397-4010; www.ticketweb.com. For more information aboutFirst Fridays or upcoming events, visit www.mcachicago.org.

talking italian art: Carlo Di Nello leads an Italian art historydiscussion at 7:30 tonight at the Italian Cultural Center, 1621 N.39th, Stone Park. Admission is free. Call (708) 345-3842.

On the auction block: The late Chicago artist Ed Paschke's lastprint is featured in "Slated," a print portfolio that will beauctioned off on Thursday as part of the Block Museum's benefit,Auction Block. Also included in the portfolio dedicated to his memoryare new prints from Karl Wirsum, Marilyn Propp and Richard Hull, justto name a few. The event will be held 6-9 p.m., with the auctionbeginning at 7:15. The $125 ticket price includes buffet supper,cocktails and a limited-edition box set of note cards that featuresart from the museum's permanent collection. Call (847) 491-7540;www.block-museum.northwestern.edu.

It does a body good: The Museum of Science and Industry (57th andLake Shore Drive) is now open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. throughSept. 5 for its exhibit Body Worlds: The Anatomical Exhibition ofReal Human Bodies. The last entry time for the exhibit is 8 p.m.Children under age 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Admission is$21 for adults, $11 for children ages 3-11, $17 for seniors andstudents with valid school I.D. Admissions on evenings is $16 foradults, $9 for children and $15 for seniors and students with validschool I.D. Advance tickets strongly recommended. Call (773) 684-1414; www.msichicago.org.

no April Fool's joke: Admission to the Morton Arboretum, I-88 andRoute 53 in Lisle, is only $1 today. Weather permitting, tram ridesare also just a buck today. Kids also can check out storytellingsessions at 1:15 and 2:30 p.m. Prizes will be awarded after eachsession to the kids who come to the Arboretum in the silliest, mostfoolish outfits. Call (630)-968-0074; www.morton-arb.org.

there in black and white: This is your last chance to see twoblack-and-white photography exhibits, Remnants of Our Forests Past byMiles Lowry and Jill Metcoff's Earth/Fire/Air Water: A Meditation onPrairie Burns, at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook,Glencoe. Their photographs are on display and for sale from 9 a.m.to5 p.m. through Sunday. Admission is free; parking is $10. Call (847)835-5440 or visit www.chicagobotanic.org.