MSP has a fascinating slideshow of the art of former Replacements drummer Chris Mars, which has recently been compiled into a book (Mars will be signing copies of the book at Majors and Quinn later today). His unreal and genuinely spooky images were, in part, inspired by his Minnesota childhood: Mars’s older brother, Joe, was institutionalized at St. Cloud Mental Hospital when Chris was only five years old, and the paintings in Tolerance are in many ways a direct response to his brother’s lifelong battle with schizophrenia.
The haunted art of Chris Mars
Dec 16 2008 — 3:21pm
8 Reader Comments
3:25 pm
Also discussed in Today’s Secrets.
5:59 pm
Also the current vita.mn cover story by Gregory J. Scott.
9:23 pm
and here: http://www.secretsofthecity.com/magazine/chris-mars-degrees-of-imagination
10:07 pm
I’m fairly obsessed with Mars’s art. But the way things are going for him, I may have to hit the powerball to ever be able to afford anything. I wish I would have picked up the tiny $300 painting I saw a few years ago.
Thank god for this book.
I also heard a few years ago that he has another record in the can. He doesn’t talk about his music that much, if at all, but has anyone heard anything about that?
10:08 pm
I had Chris’ song Popular Creeps in my head a week ago. I watched the video on youtube, but didn’t realize until now that it features his paintings. Animated, no less.
Love that song. It’s harder for me to enjoy visual art.
2:07 am
Minnesota Reads interviews Chris Mars.
8:26 am
I meant to say his visual art.
1:52 pm
The book is breathtaking, and sooooo moving. Who knew he was such a terrific writer too…so heartfelt and expressive! He paints with such skill – so much seduction and detail. Anyone know where I can see his work in person? I heard he has a piece or pieces at MIA, but they are never out when I’ve visited.