| THE WALKTHROUGH 05.01.08 2:27 PM |
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| River West Space Hosts Events and Exhibitions (or Events Within Exhibitions) |
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Last November, local fashion designer Robin Kyle rented out an 800-square-foot storefront space in West Town. Instead of transforming the warehouse-esque room into a typical boutique, she opted to leave it raw and devise a series of monthlong events in which visiting artists install exhibitions and Kyle displays fashions that highlight that art. With its constantly evolving stock of wearable and, um, unwearable art (past exhibition pairings have included graffiti with furs and vintage photographs shown beside necklaces made of flowers), the venue goes through new phases every month—hence its oddly spelled name, Phaiz.
For events, the space can be rented as a blank canvas (when it's empty once a month, between exhibitions) or can host a party within a current exhibition. |
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PHOTO GALLERY |
 | The walls of Phaiz are freshly painted each month to accommodate changing exhibitions and events.
Photo: BizBash |
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 | A dressing room doubles as a coatroom during events.
Photo: BizBash |
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 | Fashion designers (including owner Robin Kyle) and artists show their work side by side within the gallery-like space.
Photo: Courtesy of Phaiz |
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 | An alcove in the back of Phaiz comes stocked with homey touches like books, vases, and a couch (though everything can be removed for events).
Photo: BizBash |
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Phaiz has 13-foot ceilings topped by a metal grid that can be used for hanging signage or artsy objects. Kyle brings in steel tables that function as buffet or cocktail tables, and DJs can use the gallery's front desk as spinning headquarters. The back of the room is outfitted with a five-disc CD player and two high-def video screens.
An on-site dressing room becomes a coatroom during events, and a kitchen in back gives caterers a place to prepare drinks and hors d'oeuvres. (Any caterer is welcome in the space.) For furniture, Kyle brings in contemporary pieces from local store Sava; she has also partnered with a local carpenter who can throw together specific props; for past events, he's created everything from mirrors to a black trapeze that was improbably used to display T-shirts.
—Jenny Berg
RELATED TOPICS
Phaiz, River West
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