Flatstock 9 / Pitchfork Music Festival ~ July 29th & 30th, 2006

Raawwkkk Posters!

Flatstock 9 occured July 29th and 30th, 2006 during the Pitchfork Music Festival. Poster artists from around the world pitched tents in Union Park for the world famous convention sponsored by the American Poster Institute.

Jim Pollock displayed never before seen pieces and sold many older rare prints for unbelievable prices to appease hardcore collectors who'd driven from as far west as California to as far east as Washington D.C. to meet Pollock in Chicago for his first Flatstock appearance and only second public art show ever.

Sales were brisk but the weather was HOT! The heat index reached over 100 degrees in the windy city over the two day event. The humidity hung so dense in the air that as some artists left their booths set-up overnight, when they returned in the morning, many found their posters damp with condensation or their make-shift gallery walls crumpled over limp from the sweltering humidity absorbing into the oversized cardboard backing boards.

Over 60 acts performed on three stages throughout the 2 day independant music festival. Here's a look at the descending line-up:

Saturday, 7/29/06

Aluminum Stage

9:10 - Silver Jews

7:10 - The Walkmen

5:10 - Art Brut

3:30 - Mountain Goats

2:00 - Man Man

1:00 - Hot Machines

Connector Stage

8:10 - The Futureheads

6:10 - Ted Leo & Rx

4:20 - Destroyer

2:35 - Band of Horses

1:30 - Chin Up Chin Up

Biz 3 Stage

8:40 - A-Trak

7:40 - Matthew Dear

6:45 - Matmos

5:25 - Spank Rock

4:30 - Ghislain Poirier

3:45 - Tyondai Braxton

2:50 - Chicago Underground Duo

1:50 - Flosstradamus

1:00 - 8 Bold Souls

Sunday, 7/30/06

Aluminum Stage

7:10 - Yo La Tengo

5:10 - Mission of Burma

3:30 - Liars

2:00 - Jens Lekman

1:00 - Tapes 'n Tapes

Connector Stage

8:10 - Spoon

6:10 - Devendra Banhart

4:20 - Aesop Rock/Mr. Lif

2:35 - The National

1:30 - Danielson

Biz 3 Stage

8:10 - Diplo

7:10 - Dominik Eulberg

6:10 - Glenn Kotche

5:20 - Ada

4:30 - Tarantula A.D.

3:40 - Cage

2:50 - CSS

1:55 - Bonde Do Role

1:00 - Jeff Parker / Nels Cline Quartet

(above: Jim Pollock signs & numbers his stack of Flatstock posters)

(above/below: Jim Pollock's art on display at Flatstock 9)

Thanks to Jay Ryan, the A.P.I. and all who volunteed to help pull this amazing event off!

Jim Pollock's 10,000 Lakes Festival Posters

Jason Kaczorowski © 2006

I had the honor of capturing linoleum block concert poster artist Jim Pollock producing this year’s 10,000 Lakes Festival run of four, limited edition posters. Each piece was produced by Pollock carving 5 separate linoleum blocks that were later run through a Heidelberg press at Bruno Rohner’s Letterpress in Chicago, Illinois.

As in the past, Jim hand signed and numbered each piece. This edition is somewhat unique however in that the artist chose to implement polymer plates - created using film and light - hammered directly into the linoleum blocks, a process he's never worked with prior.

Pollock has been kind enough to donate two rare, signed, uncut artist's proof sheets containing all four posters to Headcount, a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization devoted to voter registration and participation in democracy. These pieces will be raffled off for FREE at 10,000 Lakes, giving everyone a chance to visit their booth (fill out their voter registration, they haven't previously and wish to do so) and enter to win these special posters*.

In 2004 Headcount registered 48,500 voters – more than any all-volunteer group in the country. This year Headcount is staging the "Midterms Matter Tour," bringing voter registration and education to about 30 festivals and amphitheater concerts around the country. The organization believes that music, expression and freedom are all intrinsically intertwined. Many artists and fans have strong convictions and a deep personal belief in democracy which is why Headcount created an organizational structure to channel those beliefs into action.

* - Due to various voting enticement acts, these posters are available to anyone who wishes to stop by the Headcount booth at the 10,000 Lakes Festival and sign-up for the free raffle only. This raffle is not intended to sway your vote in favor of any political party or affiliation. Headcount is strictly a nonpartisan organization merely interested in registering folks to vote. If you're not registered to vote yet and you wish to participate in a democratic society, why not sign up?

Jason Kaczorowski © 2006

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