October 26, 2011 | Details | Comments (1)
Christian Patterson, House at Night; Courtesy of the artist.
Angela Strassheim, Evidence No. 4; Courtesy of the artist.
When a violent crime happens, it sends a shock that can be felt long afterward in the people and places affected. Our newest exhibition, Crime Unseen, explores the lingering affects of violent crime. Join us on Thursday, for a preview of the exhibition with a gallery talk and reception from 4 to 7 p.m.
Beginning at 4 p.m., exhibiting artists Angela Strassheim and Christian Patterson will lead guests through the museum, discussing the pieces they have on display, all of which examine real-life crime scenes long after the crimes have been committed.
From 5 to 7 p.m., guests can mingle with the visiting artists and get a sneak-peek of the exhibition, which opens on Friday. Admission is free and open to the public.
Crime Unseen, which runs through January 15, 2012, features work by Richard Barnes, Corinne May Botz, Christopher Dawson, Deborah Luster, Christian Patterson, Taryn Simon, Angela Strassheim and Krista Wortendyke. To learn more about the exhibition, read curator Karen Irvine�??s curatorial essay.
More about the lecture artists:
In her work, Strassheim seeks out homes where violent acts and murders have occurred. Using a chemical spray called Blue Star, she reveals remnants of blood remaining on surfaces long after they have been cleaned and repainted, exposing the disconnect between the banality of seemingly normal surfaces and the violent history sometimes concealed within.
Similarly, Patterson exposes the long life of violent crime by following the trail of teenage lovers Charles Starkweather and Caril Ann Fugate, who, in the winter of 1957-58, committed a string of murders in Nebraska and Wyoming. By taking photographs and documents stemming directly from their crimes, Patterson focuses on the inherent emotional responses people have toward these objects even before they know the objects' dark origins.
October 24, 2011 | Details | Comments (0)
Been missing your weekends at the MoCP? Starting this Sunday, the MoCP will re-open from noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays, allowing photography enthusiasts and the general public access to our collection of renowned local, national and international photographers.
Our newest exhibition, Crime Unseen, opens on Friday and will be on display through January 15, 2012.
October 13, 2011 | Details | Comments (0)
Last week, we invited you to come out and see stars with us in Grant Park. This week, Chicago Astronomer Joe Guzman posted his photos of the event, which was held in conjunction with the MoCP's current exhibition, Our Origins. If you haven't seen it yet, Our Origins runs through Saturday.
If you'd like to see more photos of the event, visit Guzman's blog. In the meantime, thank you all for coming out and enjoy the photos!
All photos courtesy of Joe Guzman
October 3, 2011 | Details | Comments (2)
Aspen Mays, Punched Out Stars, Silver Gelatin Print, 2011
Throughout history, humans have devised countless ways to make sense of the universe surrounding them. Tomorrow evening, artist Aspen Mays, Ph.D Kathryn Schaffer and astronomer Joe Guzman will examine two of the most prominent instruments for studying the universe today: the telescope and the camera.
In conjunction with Our Origins, which is on display at the MoCP through October 16, Mays and Schaffer will discuss the similar ways scientists and artists search for insight into the broad expanses of the universe: by examining with a keen eye and intelligent insight.
Beginning at 6 p.m., Our Origins curator Allison Grant will moderate the conversation between Mays, whose past work is steeped scientific exploration and anthropological awareness, and Schaffer, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Chicago whose experience includes stargazing with the South Pole Telescope.
At 8 p.m., guests will be escorted across the street to Grant Park, where Guzman will host a stargazing session.
At the event, we will be selling archival inkjet prints of Map of the World (after Buckminster Fuller), Aspen Mays' 2011 selection from the MoCP's Fine Print Program.
Admission is free and open to the public. While it is not mandatory to RSVP, it can be done via our Facebook page.
