*Simbiose Africana nº 3* by Abdias do Nascimento

Winter Series

When: Wednesdays, 1:00–2:30 pm, Jan. 15 and 22, Feb. 12 and 26, 2025
Where: Sessions 1 and 2 online; Session 3 MCA Chicago, Session 4 Art Institute of Chicago
Price: See below for individual session prices

*Online programs will be recorded and shared with those who have registered but who are not able to attend live on Zoom.

Flexible pricing is available for anyone who inquires. Please email sarah@artencounter.org for our “pay what you can” registration form.

Part I: Worlds of Color, online

To brighten this dark time of year, we will be meeting online to delve into the ideas and imaginations of three artists for whom color was a central element in their work. The early 20th century was an incredibly ripe period of artistic invention and growth. We'll see how these artists were influenced by Cubism while spawning roots in Surrealism, and talk about how their fascinating life stories affected their work. This program also includes recommended videos to get a sense of what the artists were like in person.

January 15, 2025, 1:00–2:30 pm CST
Session 1: Marc Chagall Color Stories
Price: $35 Art Encounter members; $40 non-members

We'll explore Russian and French artist Marc Chagall's work over his lifetime to see how he used color to express emotions, sometimes conflicting within the same work. We'll also discuss his vibrant range of work in different mediums, from theater sets and murals in post-revolution Russia to stained glass works and mosaics.

January 22, 2025, 1:00–2:30 pm CST
Session 2: Sonia & Robert Delaunay, Creators of Orphism
Price: $35 Art Encounter members; $40 non-members

Branching from Cubism in pre-WWI Paris, this married couple developed a vibrant visual language combining color and geometry. At times their work is extremely alike, while at other points they have distinct differences. Robert created ballet sets; Sonia created ballet costumes. When economic times were tough, Sonia brought her artistic vision to advertising, marketing, and her wearable art.

Part II: Museum Exhibitions, in-person

In February, join Joanna Pinsky in person and explore two stimulating museum exhibitions that expand our knowledge of contemporary art. At the MCA, learn how artists have used and responded to technology in the creation of art. Then, don’t miss the special opportunity to experience the Art Institute’s groundbreaking exhibition of work by artists of the African diaspora with a private tour while the museum is closed to the public.

*Afterimage, Rainbow Disturbance (Painting in its Archive)* by Sarah Sze

February 12, 2025, 1:00–2:30 pm CST
Session 3: The Living End: Painting and Other Technologies, 1970–2020
Location: Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
Price: $35 Art Encounter members; $40 non-members

For decades, critics have periodically claimed that “painting is dead,” suspecting that new technologies would end hands-on creativity. Painting endures in spite of this refrain, often combining new mediums and approaches in addition to raising questions about what constitutes an artwork. This fascinating major exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago explores the history and influence of technology on the art form, including traditional paintings, early photo silkscreen printing, paintings designed with computers, new paint mediums, videos, and documented performance art.

February 26, 2025, 1:00–2:30 pm CST
Session 4: Project a Black Planet: The Art and Culture of Panafrica
Location: Art Institute of Chicago
Price: $55 Art Encounter members; $70 non-members

Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to experience the Art Institute’s latest major exhibition on a special private tour! We will be visiting the museum while it is closed to visitors to view and discuss a show that has been five years in the making. Project a Black Planet is the first major exhibition to survey the art and culture of Pan-Africanism through more than 350 objects, including painting, sculpture, installation art, film, and sound. We’ll first meet with a Director from the Art Institute who will share the behind-the scenes evolution of this exhibition as well as the ideas and concepts of Pan-Africanism, then we'll discuss works made by artists of the African diaspora across four continents, spanning from the 1920s to the present. Registration for Session 4 on Feb. 26 has now reached capacity. To be added to the waitlist for this session, please email sarah@artencounter.org.