S Nicole Lane

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Transforming the mundane—objects like index cards, plastic straws, rubber bands and even Slinkys—is Tara Donovan’s expertise. In “Fieldwork,” her solo exhibition at the Smart Museum, she combines wall-based works with sculptures for the first time. The gallery space is filled with objects we see every day, objects we use every day. Donovan breathes new life into them.
The most stunning and surprising piece is “Haze,” incorporated into the wall where shapes bubble and burgeon with ...

On her way to work one morning, Frances found herself lost in an area she had regularly driven for ten years. This was the result of a hip replacement she had undergone several years prior.
Frances, 47, was 39 when the cobalt alloy hips were implanted. Within weeks, her skin broke out in boils that would crack open and bleed. A multitude of harrowing symptoms soon followed.
“I developed memory loss, severe tinnitus, visual disturbances, confusion and PTSD-like rage/anxiety attacks,” she share...

From Bronzeville to Boystown and beyond, here are some of the events closing out this anniversary Pride Month.
HIGHFEMME: Pride Edition is a celebration of queer and trans femmes of color hosted by Lucy Stoole, Jessica Laskaris, and Barry Brandon and featuring performance art by Melissa Coffee, Michael Robinson, Iv Fischer, and Alex & Effee. DJs Tess and Cqqchifruit will spin alongside photo booths and video installations. Thu 6/27, 9 PM-2 AM, Cerise Rooftop, 203 N. Wabash, free before 10 PM,...

In 2019, LGBTQ television has never been better. According to GLAAD, one in 11 or 8.8 percent of characters on scripted prime-time shows identify as LGBTQ, which amounts to more than 100 more than there were last year. This means more representation, inclusivity, and accuracy and television content that will continue to break down barriers and highlight a variety of identities across all spectrums. Here are ten of the most influential shows airing right now.
The L Word pioneered portrayals of...

Allosexual Used within the asexual community to mean someone who is not asexual
AMAB or AFAB "Assigned male at birth" and "assigned female at birth." Some people prefer DMAB/DFAB, i.e., "designated (male/female) at birth," or CMAB/CFAB, where the C stands for "coercively."
Aromantic Feeling little or no romantic attraction to anyone
Asexual Someone who has low sexual desire for sex or for a partner
Bear A person within male gay culture who projects an image of rugged masculinity
Binder Cloth ...

Rotting flesh and chemicals aren't exactly what you might consider "cute," but that was the reaction of Defibrillator Gallery director Joseph Ravens when he initially heard the term "Bubbly Creek." This nickname describes the part of the Chicago River on the western border of Bridgeport where gases still occasionally bubble at the riverbed from animal waste dumped more than a century ago. Once Ravens learned where the nickname derived from, he said he was "both disgusted and delighted."
This ...

Approximately 133 million people in the United States suffer from a chronic illness according to a report by the National Health Council. By 2020, that number is estimated to hit 157 million.
The council’s report also noted that almost a third of the U.S. population is now living with multiple chronic conditions. Whether it’s diabetes, heart disease, or depression, it isn’t atypical for one chronic illness to be accompanied by another.
Unfortunately for many sufferers, chronic illnesses are c...

Takeaway: National Sex Day is a good excuse to take a look at the sex you're having - and whether it's worth celebrating.
You may or may not be familiar with National Sex Day. But June 9th (or 6/9 ... get it?) is an unofficial holiday where platforms and organizations share facts about sex. So here's one: Many people with a vagina (if they're straight) simply aren’t enjoying sex as much as they could. It’s also fitting that National Sex Day falls under Pride month where we can celebrate love ...

After aggressively pushing opioids towards manufacturers and paying for their family name on museum exhibits, parks, and even a star, the Sackler family now faces pushback from institutions.
Profiting in the millions from pharmaceutical demand as a result of the opioid crisis and their personal connections to Purdue Pharma, it was no challenge for the family to obtain their place in some of the world’s most well-known establishments.
In the past, several esteemed museums like the Met, Tate Mo...

Takeaway: Controlling a sexy toy with an app is the future. It’s smooth and sexy. And the Jive does a great job of making you feel that way as well.
The Verdict: (out of five)
When it comes to partnered sex toys, I'm no novice; having a partner-controlled vibrator isn’t a new idea to me. As an ex cam girl, I have worked extensively with toys that can be controlled by a customer using an app. The We-Vibe Jive, which I recently received to review, works in a similar way.
I am also someone who a...

“Intimate Justice” looks at the intersection of art and sex and how these actions intertwine to serve as a form of resistance, activism, and dialogue in the Chicago community. For this installment, I looked at Andrew Bearnot’s exhibition at the Leather Archives + Museum, “FRUITING BODIES” and had a Q+A interview in his Hyde Park apartment.
There is no denying how special the Leather Archives + Museum is to the Chicago queer community. With vests, sex toys, photographs, and original artwork on...

"The answer to bad porn isn't no porn," the feminist sexologist, editor, and porn actress Annie Sprinkle once said. "It's to try and make porn better." Pornography is now a $97 billion global industry—the Pornhub website averages 92 million visitors daily. Much of what appears on popular porn sites is stolen content or films that were produced in unhygienic, unethical, and unsafe circumstances. But there's also better porn out there.
Feminist and ethical adult-film production houses want to p...

When you first examine Cathy Hsiao’s work, you aren’t entirely sure of what you’re gazing upon. The material seems familiar, but the fragility, gentleness and sentimental appearance of the pieces surprise you.

Since 1964, researchers have been examining the connection between breast implants and autoimmune diseases. However, women continue to suffer from breast implant illness, also known as breast implant disease (BII), with no warnings to protect them from the disease and no treatments for the debilitating ailments.
In the Journal of American Society of Plastic Surgeons, researchers discuss how BII is a “challenging issue.” Ongoing studies and scientific evaluation are still necessary to better u...

There is much mystery to colorectal cancer, the third most common cancer diagnosed in the United States. Misconceptions, myths, and misinformation surround colorectal cancer, preventing people from accessing preventative care and treatment.
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. For the 130,000 Americans diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year, we hope to clear up questions and concerns about the condition.
Let’s break down the facts.
Facts About Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is...