Author: Isaac Jacobs

ArtAutumn 2022

Collaborative Art: Andy Warhol Exhibition Comprised of Three Preeminent Warhol Collections

Isaac Jacobs , 

It takes a village is an old African proverb that is often heard in the context of raising a child. Of course, harnessing the collaborative powers a village can often come in quite handy in a few other worthwhile pursuits as well. Take, the arts, for instance. Collaboration is often the life’s blood of cultural presentation. Whether it’s multi-disciplinary collaboration mixing idioms like dance and opera or two similar artistic entities coming together to share a unique work, the village approach to cultural presentation can be used quite effectively to bring about unique cultural programming local audiences might not otherwise enjoy.

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Chicago-Monument
Art

Chicago Monuments Project Advisory Committee Release Final Report to the City

Isaac Jacobs

The Chicago Monuments Project (CMP) Advisory Committee recently released its final report, synthesized from a comprehensive, community-focused engagement process over the past year or more — the first of its kind in a major U.S. city. Thousands of Chicagoans from diverse communities contributed to this conversation on the city’s public monuments through several modes including surveys, live discussions and free-response public feedback submitted via ChicagoMonuments.org. The recommendations overwhelming conveyed the public’s desire for the creation of new monuments that memorialized Chicago’s true and complete history. As a result, DCASE has announced its support of the creation of eight new works each with a $50,000 planning grant, in addition to ongoing programs and investments to help diversity the collection.

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Pilsen-based-artist-Sentrock
Art

Pilsen-Based Street Artist Sentrock to Receive First Solo Exhibition at Elmhurst Art Museum

Isaac Jacobs , 

Throughout the Elmhurst Art Museum’s 25th year of inspiring its community, the museum will host a year-long celebration with a focus on the three major hallmarks of its mission: architecture (spring), education (summer), and art (fall). The milestone year will culminate in the fall season with the first solo museum show of Pilsen-based street artist Sentrock, who seeks to uplift and empower youth through his murals and educational projects. The multi-media exhibition will feature new work by the rising artist that reveals for the first time the origin story of his distinctive Bird City Saint character, which appears in over 20 prominent murals Chicago and other cities. Sentrock: The Boy Who Wanted to Fly is open September 9, 2022, to January 15, 2023.

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Jurassic-Oceans
MuseumsSpring 2022

Exploring Prehistoric Waters

Isaac Jacobs

When people hear the word “Jurassic,” perhaps one of the first things that come to mind is the T-Rex, that imposing giant that ruled the lush lands of pre-historic Earth. Perhaps your mind envisions the sprawling pterodactyl scaling the skies and swooping down to snatch up its prey. Thanks to Steven Spielberg and a not-so-small contingent of Hollywood production studios that have brought the dinosaur age to life on the big screen, anybody that hasn’t lived under a rock for the past 20 years has an incredibly vivid picture to conjure when it comes to imagining Jurassic life. And yet that image is truly only part of…

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Rendering-of-Keck-Keck-House-of-Tomorrow
ArchitectureArtMuseumsWinter 2022

“Houses of Tomorrow” to Lead Elmhurst Art Museum’s 25th Anniversary Programming

Isaac Jacobs , 

Throughout the Elmhurst Art Museum’s 25th year anniversary effort to inspire its community, the museum will host a year-long celebration with a focus on the three major hallmarks of its mission: architecture (Spring), education (Summer), and art (Fall). Central to the Spring season is the new multimedia exhibition, Houses of Tomorrow: Solar Homes from Keck to Today. The exhibition is open February 5 through May 29, 2022 within the museum’s galleries, with an accompanying light-based installation by Chicago-based artist Jan Tichy within the museum’s historic McCormick House. 

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Frida-Immersive-Dream
ArtMuseums

Chicago Set to Experience FRIDA: IMMERSIVE DREAM

Isaac Jacobs , 

Lighthouse Immersive, North America’s leading producer of ground-breaking experiential art exhibits, and Maestro Immersive Art announce their newest immersive art installation, FRIDA: IMMERSIVE DREAM. On the heels of their critically acclaimed show, Immersive Van Gogh (now on-view in 15 cities), Lighthouse Immersive and Maestro Immersive Art have set their sights on the art and life of Frida Kahlo (1907-1954), the beloved 20th century Mexican artist best known for compelling self-portraits and radiant pieces inspired by her life in her native country of Mexico. The exhibition features some of the artist’s best-known works “brought to life” by the world-renowned master of digital art, Italy’s Massimiliano Siccardi, again accompanied by composer Luca Longobardi’s resonant score. Vittorio Guidotti is the show’s Art Director. A brilliant, bold and uncompromising painter, Kahlo’s work is globally recognized for its raw emotional vitality, vibrant color work and unflinching intimacy.

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The-Chicago-Theatre
ArtsTheaterVenues

The Chicago Theatre Celebrates 100 Years

Isaac Jacobs

In honor of the Chicago Theatre’s 100th anniversary, Chicago Mayor, Lori E. Lightfoot recently issued a proclamation recognizing Tuesday, October 26, 2021 as Chicago Theatre Day stating, “Theater is foundational to the life and culture of Chicago, as our productions draw crowds from all over the world and spark inspiration and engaging conversations. For the past 100 years, The Chicago Theatre has contributed to this reputation by illuminating State Street with fantastic shows and films. I am thrilled to wish the Theatre a happy 100th anniversary and celebrate Chicago Theatre Day as we embark on yet another century of entertainment in our city.”

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Dancer-Ruth-Page
Museums

Newberry Library Exhibit Pushes Boundary Breaking Women to the Forefront

Isaac Jacobs ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

A new exhibition from the Newberry Library puts the spotlight on Chicago as a site of historic, boundary-pushing experimentation in art, literature, and dance. At the center of the exhibition are five women whose lives and careers embodied a uniquely Chicago style of avant-garde creativity in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s: Artist Gertrude Abercrombie, poet Gwendolyn Brooks, dancers Katherine Dunham and Ruth Page, and curator Katharine Kuh.

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