Picture This:
Winter 2025 Study Abroad
by Megan Kirby
A picture is worth a thousand words—and judging by the photographs sent to us by winter 2025 study abroad travelers, the snapshots from these trips could fill a novel.
Each semester, School of the Art Institute of Chicago Study Abroad trips engage with art and culture all over the globe. This January, three trips took place in Peru, India, and New York City. We asked students and faculty to share their trip highlights.
Art Practices in Peru
In this unforgettable trip to Peru, the class dove into the rich world of South American textile traditions and explored art as a bridge between cultures. From hands-on backstrap weaving workshops to immersive experiences with Quechuan communities, they connected with local traditions in meaningful ways—plus, they got to explore Machu Picchu.
Tommy Ballard, student
This photo depicts the view from the entrance of Machu Picchu, showing the mountain-defined horizon line. What was meant to be a rainy day was a warm blue sky with stretched thin stratus clouds—and the reverence and significance of this global heritage site was only made more magical by the lush and robust mountainous surroundings.
Professor Anke Loh (Photo by Eleanor Duce)
On day seven of our trip, we went from our lodge in Ollantaytambo on a 90-minute drive up into the mountains for a despacho ceremony and Alpaca-shearing demonstration. We were part of the Andean ceremony and invited to practice making offerings to the mountains (Apus), Mother Earth (Pachamama), and other spirits of nature in reciprocity, reverence, and thanksgiving. Rooted in a culture of gratitude, the Andean community made us feel at home in their country and reminded us of the interdependence of all life.
Assistant Professor, Adj. Pamela Vanderlinde
This image resonates with me because of the cultural significance of the bulls that top the roofs of most homes in the Sacred Valley, which are supposed to bring prosperity and good fortune. I have had a fascination with them since my first visit to Peru 11 years ago, and brought a pair home with me. Unfortunately, Chicago's winters won't allow me to put them on my roof, but the sentiment is there. I was taking an early morning hike when I spotted this duo. The yellow flowers are to celebrate the New Year, and I love that the home owners added their own elements to the traditional bulls.
Contemporary Art and Criticism: NYC
New York City is the heartbeat of the contemporary art world, buzzing with creativity, exhibitions, and critical conversations. In this busy two-week trip, students explored the city's dynamic art scene, from artist studios and residencies to cutting-edge galleries and major museums—including visits with Rashid Johnson (SAIC 2003-04, HON 2018) and Jeff Koons (SAIC 1975–76, HON 2008).
Assistant Professor and Low-Res MFA Director Aliza Shvarts
Students took a private exhibition walkthrough of Shifting Landscapes with Jennie Goldstein, the Jennifer Rubio Associate Curator at the Whitney Museum of American Art, who co-organized the show. This expansive exhibition frames how evolving political, ecological, and social issues motivate artists as they attempt to represent the world around them. Here, Goldstein discusses Theo Triantafyllidis's live simulation BugSim (Pheromone Spa) (2023), which proposes an alternative geography where humans, animals, and nature inhabit one another.
Student Katherine Demetriou Sidelsky
This was the Brooklyn Artists Exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum, featuring the work of Low-Res alum Jaz Catasus (MFA 2023). I remember first seeing this piece in 2023, as part of Jaz's thesis show in the SAIC galleries. It was a thrill to see it now at the Brooklyn Museum!
Student Katherine Demetriou Sidelsky
This is an installation view of Steve McQueen's Bass at Dia Beacon. To experience the spectrum of light, reverberating sounds, and massive scale of this work with friends was a highlight for me.
The Portable Studio: Contemporary Art Ecologies in India
From the world-class galleries of Mumbai to the 8th-12th century cave temples of Elephanta, this dynamic class explored India's dynamic art scene. In Varanasi—the spiritual heart of India—students became artists-in-residence at the renowned Kriti Residency, creating art with local materials that culminated in a group exhibition. Along the way, the class engaged in hands-on workshops, studio visits, and many meaningful conversations with artists working outside traditional gallery spaces.
Alsdorf Professor in South Asian Art History Nora Taylor
One of the students, Uttara Ganesh, noticed a paper manufacturing factory from the window of the bus that was taking us from the hotel to the Ellora Caves and googled it. We decided to go visit as a group and it turned out to be a highlight of the day. The local paper manufacturers have been making paper by hand for generations. It was wonderful to see the process.
Student Alex Blom
This is the Banganga in the Malabar Hill area in Mumbai. Hindus believe that this body of water is as sacred as the Ganges River, and the reservoir is used widely for purification rituals and the immersion of ashes of those deceased. Coming here was such a beautiful reset in the chaos of Mumbai that surrounds it. A space for gathering and reflection met us with such an intense presence. I felt like I could actually breathe after constantly being on the move. I could sit and just take it all in.
Student Alex Blom
This is a small shrine created at the base of a banyan tree near stairs that descend down to the water at the Banganga. I felt like I was seeing shrines anywhere and everywhere. Shrines to gods and goddesses. Shrines to deceased loved ones. Objects and offerings piling up in any way and any configuration in any place imaginable. This collection was one of my favorites that I saw across the trip. ■
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