Schedule of Events + Openings

Explore each day of the 2019 edition of EXPO ART WEEK below. Monday through Sunday, openings and special events extend the annual exposition into a citywide celebration of art and culture. 

Monday, September 16

Opening Reception | Tatiana Biblao Edstudio: Unraveling Modern Living
6:00-8:00pm
Graham Foundation
Please join the Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts in celebrating the opening of the current exhibition, Tatiana Bilbao Estudio: Unraveling Modern Living, a solo show by the Mexican architect. 

Tuesday, September 17

South Side Openings + Events

Extended Hours | LaToya Ruby Frazier: The Last Cruze
5:00-8:00pm
The Renaissance Society, The University of Chicago
The Renaissance Society presents a new body of work by artist LaToya Ruby Frazier, centered on the workers at the General Motors plant in Lordstown, Ohio. Featuring photographs and other audio-visual elements, The Last Cruze introduces a significant new chapter in Frazier’s investigations of labor, family, community, and working-class lives across a wide variety of geographic settings in the US and Europe.

Opening Reception | Martha Rosler: Passionate Signals
5:00-9:00pm
Neubauer Collegium, The University of Chicago
Passionate Signals is the first exhibition by the acclaimed photo and video artist Martha Rosler to focus solely on her interest in flowers, gardens, and other “green” motifs. Pairing a selection of twenty-five-years' worth of flower and garden photographs with a pioneering early video piece and domestically scaled earthwork, Passionate Signals highlights the social, political, and economic costs of producing beauty at its most innocuous.

Opening Reception + Artists Tour | Assemble: Tufting Gun Tapestries
6:00-8:00pm
Logan Center Exhibitions, The University of Chicago
Join a celebration of the opening of Tufting Gun Tapestries with members Maria Lisogorskaya and Louis Schulz of the architecture firm Assemble. An artist-led tour of the exhibition will commence at 6:30pm. 

The Oriental Institute Centennial Celebration | Michael Rakowitz and Ann Hamilton
6:00-8:00pm
Michael Rakowitz & Mohamad Hafez, Oriental Institute
Ann Hamilton, The Joe and Rika Mansueto Library
In support of its Centennial celebration this Fall, the OI—a leading research center and world-renowned museum devoted to the study of the ancient Middle East—has collaborated with internationally recognized contemporary artists Ann Hamilton, Michael Rakowitz, and Mohamad Hafez for a series of visual art installations. For after-hours tours of the site specific installations, join OI Director Christopher Woods and OI Chief Curator and Deputy Director Jean M. Evans at the Oriental Institute Museum and artist Ann Hamilton and UChicago’s Curator of Public Art Laura Steward in the Grand Reading Room of UChicago’s Joe and Rika Mansueto Library. 

After Hours at the DuSable Museum of African American History | Clearing a Path For Democracy
6:00-8:00pm
DuSable Museum of African American History
Join the DuSable Museum of African American History for an after hours viewing of their concurrent exhibitions including Clearing a Path For Democracy: Citizen Soldiers of the Fighting 8th in World War One exploring Chicago's forgotten all black regiment who fought with the eighth in France during World War I; Blood in the Water: Chicago's 1919 Race Riot chronicling the historical moment that led to the murder of a young man named Eugene Williams and the resulting eight day riot; and History@Large: Large Scale Art and Objects From DuSable's Collection.

Opening Reception | Samson Young: Silver Moon or Golden Star, Which Will You Buy Of Me?
7:00-9:00pm
Smart Museum of Art, The University of Chicago
End your evening at the Smart Museum of Art to celebrate the opening of Samson Young: Silver Moon or Golden Star, Which Will You Buy Of Me? In his first solo museum exhibition in the United States, Young premieres a trilogy of animated music videos that explore varying concepts of social progress and utopia. Loosely taking the idealism displayed at the 1933 World’s Fair in Chicago as a point of departure, this multimedia exhibition addresses how people adapt to societal changes that they have little control over. 

Wednesday, September 18

Closing Reception | Marta Rodriguez Maleck
4:30-5:30pm
Baby Blue Gallery
Attend the closing reception of Wrangler by Marta Rodriguez Maleck at Baby Blue Gallery.

Artist Talk + Opening Reception | Endurance: Paintings by Jack Flynn
5:00-7:00pm
Prak-sis
Prak-sis is pleased to announce Endurance, an exhibition showcasing recent paintings by Chicago artist Jack Flynn. Flynn conjures weightless scenes in oil with a deep attention paid to both the mute stillness of his compositions and the bold positioning of elements within. The artist talk will begin at 6 pm. 

Performance | Samson Young: World Fair Music
5:30-7:00pm
Chicago Symphony Center
In conjunction with his first U.S. museum exhibition, artist Samson Young premieres an evening of experimental music and conversation at Chicago's Symphony Center. Featuring a program of works drawn from the 1933 Chicago World's Fair as well as a few surprises, this performance explores varying concepts of social progress and utopia. Presented in partnership with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Overture Council, EXPO CHICAGO, and the Smart Museum of Art at the University of Chicago. Samson Young's solo exhibition Silver Moon or Golden Star, Which Will You Buy Of Me? will be on view at the Smart Museum September 18-December 29, 2019. This event is free and open to the public. Space is limited, reserve your ticket here.

Poetry Reading | Haryette Mullen
7:00-9:00pm
Poetry Foundation
Join this reading with poet, short story writer, and scholar Harryette Mullen. She has published eight poetry books, including Urban Tumbleweed: Notes from a Tanka Diary; Recyclopedia, winner of a PEN Beyond Margins Award; and Sleeping with the Dictionary, a finalist for a National Book Award, National Book Critics Circle Award, and Los Angeles Times Book Prize. Free admission, register in advance here.

Thursday, September 19

VERNISSAGE 

6:00–9:00pm 
The Women’s Board of the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago hosts Vernissage, the opening night benefit of EXPO CHICAGO at Navy Pier Festival Hall. Proceeds from Vernissage raise significant funds to support the mission of the MCA's education department, whose programs offer compelling opportunities to explore, challenge, discuss, and reflect on the MCA’s holdings and the larger world of contemporary art and culture. Tickets available at mcachicago.com.

Friday, September 20

Morning Events

CAC 45th Anniversary Breakfast
9:00-11:00am
Chicago Artists Coalition
Started in 1974, Chicago Artists Coalition celebrates 45 years as one of the city’s leading non-profits dedicated to supporting contemporary Chicago artists and curators through residency programs, exhibitions, and professional development opportunities.

Curator-Led Tour | Go Down Moses
11:00am-12:00pm
Museum of Contemporary Photography
Join Museum of Contemporary Photography Curator of Academic Programs and Collections Kristin Taylor for a tour of Go Down Moses, a reinterpretation of the MoCP’s permanent collection that can be understood as a visual tone poem of contemporary America, exploring elemental themes of movement, chaos, freedom, and hope.

Artist Performance | Laura Davis and Derrick Woods-Morrow
12:00-8:00pm 
Aspect/Ratio
Join this performance, hosted intermittently throughout the day with artists Laura Davis and Derrick Woods-Morrow.

Art After Hours

6:00–9:00pm | Citywide Locations 

A citywide open gallery night inviting EXPO CHICAGO visitors and the Chicago community to experience the city's vibrant art scene during extended hours. 

Extended Hours 

ACRE Projects
American Writers Museum
Gallery Victor Armendariz
Aspect/Ratio
Baby Blue Gallery
Andrew Bae Gallery
Barely Fair
Boers-Li Gallery
Shane Campbell Gallery
Corbett vs. Dempsey*
Chicago Manual Style
Stephen Daiter Gallery
DOCUMENT
Catherine Edelman Gallery*
Elephant Room Gallery
Filter Photo Festival
Hofheimer Gallery
Richard Gray Gallery*, Gray Warehouse
Kavi Gupta*, Washington Blvd. Location
Heritage Auctions
Rhona Hoffman Gallery*
Mariane Ibrahim*
Gallery Studio Oh!
LVL3
John David Mooney Foundation
Monique Meloche Gallery*
Museum of Contemporary Photography
One After 909
Paris London Hong Kong
PATRON
Pavillion Antiques
Prairie (7:30-9:00pm)
Matthew Rachman Gallery
Carrie Secrist Gallery*
Spudnik Press
School of the Art Institute of Chicago Sullivan Galleries
South Loop Loft
VGA Gallery
Volume
Western Exhibitions*
Zg Gallery

*Galleries participating in EXPO CHICAGO

Event

Exhibition Opening | Ayana V. Jackson: Take Me to the Water
6:00-9:00pm
Mariane Ibrahim Gallery
Join the inaugural exhibition of the new Chicago headquarters of Mariane Ibrahim Gallery, presenting new works by Ayana V. Jackson. In Take Me to the Water, the artist seeks to crystallize the experience of contemporary Africa and African diasporic societies, creating hauntingly candid portraits depicting varying constructions of African and African-American identity. 

Opening Reception | Sarah Ortmeyer: INFERNO CHICAGO
6:00-9:00pm
Chicago Manual Style
Artist Sarah Ortmeyer’s work has been exhibited at the Kunstverein München (Münich), Palais de Tokyo (Paris), KW Institute for Contemporary Art (Berlin), the Stedelijk Museum (Amsterdam), and MoMA PS1 (New York), among others. Curated by Stephanie Cristello, the exhibition, entitled INFERNO CHICAGO, incorporates the formal elements of chess alongside a series of new paintings and sculptures.

Exhibition Reception | Boers-Li Gallery
6:00-9:00pm
Boers-Li Gallery Chicago Pop-Up
Boers-Li Gallery is delighted to announce our temporary expansion to Chicago’s West Town with a pop-up exhibition curated by Efrain Lopez. The exhibition will coincide with Chicago’s dynamic art fair week and will feature works by Esteban Cabeza de Baca, Xing Danwen, Zhang Peili, and Zhang Wei.

Artist Reception | Abraham
6:00-9:00pm
Elephant Room Gallery
As part of the current exhibition entitled 1117, artist Abraham will be present to talk with visitors on a more intimate level about their work. This exhibition features some of Abraham's newest work, including collaborations with Ligaya, as well as hand-made furniture and painted objects. Light refreshments will be served.

Filter Photo Festival Exhibition Receptions | Various Artists
6:00-9:00pm 
Filter Photo Festival
As a part of the 2019 Filter Photo Festival, join Filter Photo for the opening reception of three exhibitions: The Universal, Seeing the familiar for the first time, and III.  The work of over sixty artists will be on display in these exhibitions juried by Gregory Harris, Industry of the Ordinary, and Aline Smithson respectively. Many of the artists will be in attendance and refreshments will be served. 

Opening Reception: Studio Oleomingus
6:00-9:00pm
VGA Gallery
Based out of Chala, India, Studio Oleomingus is a two-person game studio known for their visually stunning and narrative-driven games and about the history of India, post-colonialism, and a generative approach toward blending fact and fiction. This exhibition will bring together the various parts of Somewhere, an ongoing video game epic in several episodes. 

Prints United: 2019 Member Exhibition
6:00-9:00
Spudnik Press Cooperative
Prints United: 2019 Member Exhibition features a wide variety of print-centered art making that happens at Spudnik Press Cooperative. Printmakers and fans alike are invited celebrate the work of Spudnik Press Cooperative's beloved print geeks, relief devotees, intaglio fans, serial serigraphers, and letterpress lovers.

Reception and Artist Talks 
6:00-9:00 | Artist Talks at 6:30pm and 7:30pm
John David Mooney Foundation
For the 6:30pm Artist Talk, join artist John David Mooney and a team of engineers as they discuss how Art and Renewable Energy can take an entire town off the electrical grid. For the 7:30pm Artist Talk, join collector Albert Goodman as he discusses artist Bui Xian’s Phai's first solo exhibition of stunning paintings and their French influences, as well as other artists' work in his collection of post-war paintings. 

Opening Reception | Barely Fair
6:00-10:00pm
Barely Fair
Celebrate the Opening Vernissage of Barely Fair, a 1:12 scale contemporary art fair hosted by Julius Caesar. Barely Fair will be on view from September 20–October 20, 2019. 

Saturday, September 21

Curators and Collectors Brunch | Dianna Frid: More Time than Life
9:00-10:30am
Alan Koppel Gallery
Alan Koppel Gallery invites collectors and curators for coffee and light breakfast to view the solo exhibition by Dianna Frid, entitled More Time than Life, on view at the gallery. 

Public Exhibition Opening | Pop América, 1965–1975
10:00am-5:00pm
Block Museum of Art at Northwestern University
Head to the Block Museum of Art on Northwestern University's campus for the free public opening of their newest exhibition, Pop América, 1965–1975, the first exhibition to look at the political power of Latin American pop art. Pop América, 1965–1975 challenges and reframes familiar notions of Pop Art by bringing together artists from North, Central, and South America, as well as the United States and the Caribbean, unifying Latin American expressions of Pop and exploring how its bold and colorful imagery, references to mass culture, and representations of everyday objects, were embraced by artists working across the hemisphere. 

Brunch and Artist Talk | Kennedy Yanko in Conversation with José Lerma 
11:00am-12:00pm 
Kavi Gupta, 219 N. Elizabeth St. 
Enjoy light brunch and mimosas while listening to artists Kennedy Yanko and José Lerma in conversation at Kavi Gupta's N. Elizabeth location. RSVP required, rsvp@kavigupta.com 

Performance | Founders Inflatable
11:00am-12:00pm
Founders Inflatable, Part of IN/SITU Outside at Navy Pier
Gather around Founders Inflatable, installed at Navy Pier, for the third installment of a three-part performance entitled translator with The Founders Syndicate ft. Corey Wilkes. The performance will consist of a 3-part free jazz activation merging sound, ritual and spoken word as a spiritual offering to the “first woman” of Chicago, Kitahawa (Jean Baptiste Point DuSable’s partner instrumental in the founding of the city). Learn more about IN/SITU Outside here.

Artist Talk | Sarah Douglas in Conversation with Theaster Gates and Beth Rudin DeWoody 
12:00-1:00pm 
Stony Island Arts Bank 
Organized by Theaster Gates, in collaboration with Beth Rudin DeWoody and Laura Dvorkin, In The Absence of Light: Gesture, Humor and Resistance in The Black Aesthetic brings together the achievements of artistic practices that reveal not only some sense of interiority, but that, by their very nature, reflect distance through laughter, painting gesture, and isolation. The conversation will explore the creation of private and public exhibition spaces, the challenges and nuances of collecting, and the role of artist as collector versus collected. Sponsored by ARTnews, Art in America, Cadogan Tate® Fine Art, AXA Art Americas Corporation, and The May & Samuel Rudin Family Foundation.

Artist Talk | Mary Porterfield: In:Dependence
2:00-3:00pm
Hofheimer Gallery
Artist Mary Porterfield discusses the works comprising her series In:Dependence, drawings influenced by her work as an occupational therapist, as well as the artist’s interactions with patients and their caregivers. In painting on transparent glassine paper, Porterfield’s images address reoccurring struggles in healthcare that are outwardly hidden or forgotten to convey the loss of identity that can occur through degenerative illnesses. 

Open Air Concert and Children's Celebration | The Ship of Tolerance
2:00-4:00pm
Lake Stage Polk Bros Park, Navy Pier
Gather around The Ship of Tolerance, presented by Ilya and Emilia Kabakov Foundation, for this family-friendly celebration featuring classical performances by local Chicago Public School students as well as ChiArts vocalists and dancers.

Exhibition Walk-Through with David Harvey and the Artist | LaToya Ruby Frazier: The Last Cruze
3:00-4:00pm
Renaissance Society, The University of Chicago
David Harvey is an influential geographer and Marxist thinker who has written extensively about contemporary capitalism, political economy, and the roots of neoliberal thinking. For this walk-through of LaToya Ruby Frazier: The Last Cruze, Harvey joins the artist to talk about the exhibition and her ongoing work in Lordstown, Ohio. Space is limited. Please register in advance here.

Gallery Talk | Jan Tichy: Future/Past: Crossing Lines
4:00-5:00pm
Robert F. Carr Memorial Chapel, IIT
At the intersection of technology and spirituality, Jan Tichy’s exhibition and community exploration of palm prints created in spring 1926 in Dessau by László Moholy-Nagyand other Bauhäusler are on view in the Mies-designed Carr Chapel (aka the God Box) and contextualized by contemporary artists.

Curator Talk and Tour | Maurice Sullins: The Grand Maurice
4:00-6:00pm
White Color
In 1970, 60-year-old Maurice Sullins, an employee of Joliet's Municipal Airport, suddenly began to paint. Entirely self-taught, he painted continuously and obsessively, producing close to 1200 works in 16 years. Like most outsider artists, Sullins painted without the structure or restrictions imposed by academic art programs and did so for his own satisfaction. Upon his death in 1995, his works were placed in storage, where they remained out of sight for twenty-two years. Join White Color for a curator presentation of paintings illustrating the personal symbols and narratives rich in composition, texture and color created by this artistic genius. 

Bauhaus Live
5:00–7:00pm
Kaplan Institute, IIT
Enjoy a custom performance of the Bauhaus-inspired ballet Futura Fractals, performed by Institute of Design (ID) students and Hedwig Dance a week after their performance at Dessau. View An American Bauhaus to learn about ID’s history, followed by a wine and cheese reception. 

Public Art Unveiling | Charles Atlas
7:00pm
Art on theMART at Merchandise Mart
Art on theMART unveils its Fall Program with newly commissioned site-specific works by Petra Cortright and pioneer film and video artist Charles Atlas that will illuminate the 2.5 acre river-façade of theMART (formerly Merchandise Mart). The two hour projection program will begin approximately 30 minutes after sunset and is best viewed on the Chicago Riverwalk or Wacker Dr. between Wells and Lake St.

Artist Talk | Mariano Chavez
7:00-9:00pm
Ed Paschke Art Center
Mariano Chavez's first large-scale survey exhibition tracks the evolution of his imagery and artistic practice over a twenty-year period. As part of this intimate discussion, light refreshments will be served.

Filter Photo Festival Portfolio Walk | Various Artists
7:00-9:00pm
Filter Photo Festival, Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel
Join Filter Photo for an evening of conversation and exchange at the Annual Portfolio Walk. Artists, Festival VIPs, and the general public will all have a chance to socialize, win raffle prizes, and see an amazing amount of photography on display. Additionally, there will be book signings and community tables from local publishers and arts organizations, making this a busy evening with so much to see.

Sunday, September 22

Fall 2019 Open House | Mana Contemporary
1:00-4:00pm
Mana Contemporary Chicago
Mana Contemporary Chicago is reopening, and their campus is activated with open studios, programming, and exhibitions during their Fall 2019 Open House. The event is free and open to visitors of all ages.

Chamber Concert | The Ship of Tolerance
2:00-4:00pm
Preston Bradley Hall, Chicago Cultural Center
This quartet performance celebrates The Ship of Tolerance, presented by the Ilya and Emilia Kabakov Foundation.