BOOMSHAKALAKA! NBA JAM's 25th Anniversary
Organized by All Star Press and VGA Gallery
August 18 - September 8, 2018
Opening reception and tournament: Saturday August 18, 6-9pm
Public viewing hours: Wednesday - Thursday 9am - 7pm, Friday - Sunday 11am - 7pm
Located at All Star Press at 2775 N Milwaukee Ave Chicago, IL 60647
Developed by Chicago’s Midway in 1993, NBA Jam debuted at a point when fervor for professional basketball was at an all-time high. The world had watched the men’s 1992 U.S. Olympic Dream Team play undefeated and win by an average of over 40 points per game. In Chicago, the Bulls won their third consecutive championship and Michael Jordan was the first player in history to win three straight Finals Most Valuable Player awards and became a household name internationally. The exaggerated jumps and dunks of NBA Jam and the Marv Albert-style game calling embodied the spirit and exhilaration of this auspicious time and the use of licensed player likenesses gave a generation consumed by hoop dreams the chance to play in their hero’s shoes. On the 25th anniversary, All Star Press and VGA Gallery are delighted to look back on this iconic game, celebrate its memory, and debut a new suite of artwork by artists inspired by NBA Jam. Interviews with game creators Mark Turmell and Sal DiVita and voice actor Tim Kitzrow, and footage from the forthcoming documentary by Josh Tsui Insert Coin: Inside Midway's '90s Revolution, will be screened in the exhibition. Featured artists include: Austin Breed, Jemaine Brown, Goosenek, Jake.psd, Kwasi, Adam Lundquist, Jason Rowland, Wilfred Santiago, and Sam Thorn. Complimentary drinks will be served.
Midway project leader Mark Turmell oversaw the development for NBA Jam. It was designed by John Carlton, Sal DiVita, Tony Goskie, Jon Hey, Shawn Liptak, Jamie Rivett; produced by Ken Fedesna, Neil Nicastro, Wally Smolucha; and programmed by Matt Booty, Pat Cox, Al Lasko, John Lowes, Ray Macika, Cary Mednick, and Sheridan Oursler. It features voice acting by Kerri Hoskins, Stephen Howard, Tim Kitzrow, Todd McClearn, Willie Morris, Jr., Lorraine Olivia, and Tony Scott.
BOOMSHAKALAKA: NBA Jam’s 25th Anniversary was organized by VGA Gallery’s Jonathan Kinkley and All Star Press’ Zissou Tasseff-Elenkoff. Special thanks to Mark Turmell, Sal DaVita, Josh Tsui, Tim Kitzrow, Isabelle and Michael Nigro, George Spanos, Izzy's Arcade Bar, and Revolution Brewing.
VGA Gallery is generously supported by The MacArthur Funds for Arts and Culture at The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events, the Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelly Foundation, the Illinois Arts Council Agency, individuals, and private and corporate foundations.
