Summer of Art: Five Must-See Events in Chicago

A photograph of colorful animal sculptures sitting at a yellow picnic table. A yellow cake sculpture sits in the middle of the picnic table.

Gail Simpson (MFA 1988) and Aristotle Georgiades (MFA 1984), Birthday Party. Photo: Greg Stephen Reigh (BFA 2013)

Gail Simpson (MFA 1988) and Aristotle Georgiades (MFA 1984), Birthday Party. Photo: Greg Stephen Reigh (BFA 2013)

by Peyton Sauer (BFA 2022)

Whether you’re looking to stroll through a garden of outdoor sculptures or experience an immersive exhibition, summer is the best season to get out of the house. Regardless of how you like to spend your time off, our School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) community members are involved in a variety of events that anyone can enjoy during these warm months.

Below is a selection of some exhibitions and celebrations we think you’ll love this summer.

An colorful, organically shaped archway along a dirt path. Trees and plants are along the path.

Cody James Norman (BFA 2016), Plasticus porticus. Photo: Greg Stephen Reigh (BFA 2013)

Cody James Norman (BFA 2016), Plasticus porticus. Photo: Greg Stephen Reigh (BFA 2013)

Flourish: The Garden at 50 at the Chicago Botanic Garden

Through September 25, 2022

To celebrate the Chicago Botanic Garden’s 50th anniversary, the Garden is hosting a four-month event connecting visitors with nature and art. Flourish: The Garden at 50 includes work by Assistant Professor, Adj. Juan Angel Chavez; Lecturer Edra Soto (Post-Bac 1997, MFA 2000); alums Cody James Norman (BFA 2016), Gail Simpson (MFA 1988), and Aristotle Georgiades (MFA 1984); and Artist-in-Residence at SAIC at Homan Square Keli Stewart.

Four eggs with colorfully painted faces.

Adrian Wong: Oogenesis. Image courtesy of The Arts Club of Chicago

Adrian Wong: Oogenesis. Image courtesy of The Arts Club of Chicago

Adrian Wong: Oogenesis at The Arts Club of Chicago

Through October 1, 2022

In his ongoing dialogue with the clown community, Associate Professor Adrian Wong explores complex identities through large-scale egg-shaped sculptures and installations. Presented in The Arts Club of Chicago’s garden, the project aims to engage viewers in examining the craft of clowning as a way of reinvention and healing.

A projection on the side of Merchandise Mart of a person dressed in one of Cave's colorful Soundsuits.

Nick Cave, Ba Boom Pa Pop Pop, 2022. Image courtesy of Art on theMART

Nick Cave, Ba Boom Pa Pop Pop, 2022. Image courtesy of Art on theMART

Ba Boom Boom Pa Pop Pop at Art on theMART

Through September 7, 2022

Intertwining dance, performance, film, and public art, Stephanie and Bill Sick Professor of Fashion, Body and Garment Nick Cave brings his iconic Soundsuits to Art on theMART. Premiering nightly, Cave’s colorful projection will appear on the riverside façade of the Merchandise Mart. Concurrent with Ba Boom Boom Pa Pop Pop, Nick Cave’s first career retrospective, Nick Cave: Forothermore, is on view at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago through October 2.

A photograph of an installation by Gregory Bae. The installation piece is black and shaped like a treadmill with a large tire at the end of it.

Gregory Bae (MFA 2012), 24-7, 365 (#5), 2017. Credit: Brian Hubble. Image courtesy of the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago

Gregory Bae (MFA 2012), 24-7, 365 (#5), 2017. Credit: Brian Hubble. Image courtesy of the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago

Chicago Works: Gregory Bae at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago

Through January 29, 2023

The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago is presenting work by alum and former faculty member Gregory Bae (MFA 2012), who passed away last summer. Chicago Works: Gregory Bae encapsulates the artist’s detailed focus on time, space, desire, and his personal experience as a first-generation Korean American.

An image of Rirkrit Tiravanija's performance (who's afraid of red, yellow, and green). The image features people serving others rice and curry. In the background, people view the artwork on the walls.

Rirkrit Tiravanija (SAIC 1984–86), (who’s afraid of red, yellow, and green). Image courtesy of Wrightwood 659

Rirkrit Tiravanija (SAIC 1984–86), (who’s afraid of red, yellow, and green). Image courtesy of Wrightwood 659

Rirkrit Tiravanija: (who’s afraid of red, yellow, and green) at Wrightwood 659

Through July 30, 2022

Traveling from the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C., alum Rirkrit Tiravanija’s (SAIC 1984–86) installation challenges expectations of performance and what it means to gather. Rirkrit Tiravaniji: (who’s afraid of red, yellow, and green) transforms the Wrightwood 659 space into a communal dining area where visitors come together to enjoy bowls of curry while watching local artists draw images of civil protests on the walls.

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