What to see this weekend? Everything you missed and everything that was too crowded last weekend to really appreciate. There are so many new shows up in the city that this weekend’s line of openings almost seem cruel by adding more to the backlog. Whats worse is that this weekend’s shows are plenty strong too.

Eric Ellis @ The Coop

Come argue check out new work from artist and designer Eric Ellis. Don’t be afraid to make fun of him over the whole Geoff Mcfetridge sketchbook issue (see comments). The show opens the same date as this post (so if you’re reading this, get down there), Thursday, September 17th from 6 – 10 PM @ The Coop, 845 W Fulton Market.

Seacurrent @ Experimental Sound Studio

Chicago group Luftwerk (made up of artists Petra Bachmaier and Sean Gallero) will be showing off their newest piece, a sound and video installation which sounds like it looks as good as it sounds. Looks good. Opening reception this Friday, September 18th, from 6 – 9 PM, with a live piano performance by Hans-Peter Pfammatter at 7 PM @ Experimental Sound Studio, 5925 N. Ravenswood.

GroupSolo @ Swimming Pool Project Space

Here’s a new twist on the one night show: Carol Jackson, Tom Long, Jeffrey Grauel, and Diego Leclery will each take turns holding 45 minute solo exhibitions at Swimming Pool Project Space, with the building and installing of each show visible to the audience. While the four top shelf artists are enough of a draw, I’m also pretty excited to see how (and whether) this really comes off. The show opens (and runs in totality) this Saturday, September 19th, from 7 – 10 PM @ Swimming Pool Project Space, 2858 W. Montrose Ave.

Group Show for Daniel Pink @ Vega Estates

The last show at the Vega Estates project in Pilsen is all for Daniel Pink, former speech writer for Al Gore and big supporter of the copy. Curated by Lane Relyea, the show has Curt Bozif and Matthew Metzger (with Amy Adler, Conrad Bakker, Vince Leo and Sharon Lockhart) exploring and praising the photocopy and other dupe forms as talismans of progress. Check out the opening this Saturday, September 19th, from 6 – 10 PM @ Vega Estates, 723 W. 16th Street.

Polonia and Other Fables @ Renaissance Society

New photos from Allan Sekula in a show titled Polonia and Other Fables look at the social impact of global economics, all with a well researched Chicago focus. Opens this Sunday, September 20th @ The Renaissance Society, 5811 S. Ellis.

SUBSTANCE (for Julian) @ The Suburban

Michelle Grabner et al of the famous Oak Park backyard art space will be celebrating their 11th year of operation with and around the opening of SUBSTANCE (jor Julian) by the artists Carl Suddath and Tilman. Wit and abstraction and hot coals this Sunday, September 20th, from 2-4 PM @ The Suburban, 125 N. Harvey Ave., Oak Park.

Like I said, plenty to see! Keep an eye out for anything I missed.