Chicago will have numerous art exhibitions and events in this summer, imbibing the city with an artistic vibe to honor national, international and local artists. Want in? Here are this summer’s most anticipated exhibits:
Takashi Murakami: The Octopus Eats Its Own Leg
@ Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
Jun. 6–Sep. 24, 2017
The Japanese artist Takashi Murakami is well-known for his collaborations with the pop star Kanye West and the fashion house Louis Vuitton. Takashi Murakami: The Octopus Eats Its Own Leg is a major review of Murakami’s career as a contemporary artist. The exhibition will purely present his talent of blurring the line between high with low culture, ancient and modern, and East and West. 220 E. Chicago Ave., 312-280-2660, MCAChicago.org
50th Anniversary with ArtEdge: 50
@ Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
June 3, 2020
The grand celebration of MCA 50th anniversary possesses plenty of features. It will offer an exclusive preview of Takashi Murakami: The Octopus Eats Its Own Leg, a Murakami-inspired dinner, a delightful cocktail reception, musical performances by talented musicians like Pharrell Williams and Janelle Monáe, etc. 220 E. Chicago Ave., 312-280-2660, MCAChicago.org
I Am You
@ Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
Aug. 19, 2017–Apr. 1, 2018
Francis Bacon, Study for Portrait, 1949.
Jonathas de Andrade, The Fish, 2016.
To celebrate the approaching 50th anniversary of MCA, the museum will launch “We Are Here,” a three-part exhibition based on the MCA’s collection. “I Am You” is the first part of the series, with the theme about our relations with environments. It features recognized artists such as Francis Bacon, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Marisol, Shirin Neshat, etc. and younger artists like Jonathas de Andrade. 220 E. Chicago Ave., 312-280-2660, MCAChicago.org
Along the Lines: Selected Drawings by Saul Steinberg
@ Art Institute of Chicago, Galleries 125–127
May 27, 2020–October 29, 2020
Saul Steinberg was a cartoonist and independent artist, having an outstanding career in American art. He had also contributed to The New Yorker’s covers and drawings for nearly six decades. This exhibition will display Steinberg’s extraordinarily playful, diverse, inventive and insightful art pieces. 111 South Michigan Ave., 312-443-3600, ArtIC.edu
Gauguin: Artist as Alchemist
@ Art Institute of Chicago, Regenstein Hall
June 25, 2020–September 10, 2020
The name of Paul Gauguin and his work became popular after his death. The French post-impressionist artist used distinctive color and synthetist style, which made his work different from Impressionism and underappreciated in his lifetime. But after that, Gauguin’s art was influential to the French avant-garde and many modern artists. The wide acceptation for certain art forms might arrive late, but will eventually come. 111 South Michigan Ave., 312-443-3600, ArtIC.edu
Expo Chicago
@ Navy Pier, Festival Hall
September 13–17, 2017
Expo Chicago, as an international exposition that gathers contemporary and modern art, has established Chicago’s fame for art fair. For its exhibitions and events, Expo Chicago corporates with international partners, and meanwhile builds strong connections with local museums and organizations. 600 E. Grand, Entrance 2, 312-867-9220, ExpoChicago.com
