navy pier welcomes world-renowned contemporary artist nick cave and international architect and macarthur fellow jeanne gang for here hear chicago, a new site-specific project that incorporates art, design and performance.

the collaboration will be featured at navy pier this fall as part of the free public programming for the chicago architecture biennial and expo chicago, the international exposition of modern & contemporary art.

the locally-based duo, cave and gang, are set to present a series of live productions in which cave’s performers will intersect and respond to a field of dynamic, custom-fabricated objects designed by gang and her practice, studio gang. the performance series includes cave’s newest performance work, up right, and internationally acclaimed heard. both feature his iconic soundsuits, accompanied by chicago’s most talented musicians, including jazz artist kahil el zabar, the chicago children’s choir and others.

studio gang’s “stage buoys” will define a flexible space for performance, responding to the spontaneous interactions of performers and the public. “our design features mobile objects, or ‘stage buoys,’ that will collectively define a space for performance,” said gang.

“reflecting the kinetic experience of nick’s performances, the mobile objects find equilibrium amid the movement of the
performers and bustle of the audience at navy pier.” the “stage buoys” are self-balancing, upright objects with a mirrored finish that react to, and reflect the movements of the
performers, and can be re-arranged for each performance. more than 200 “stage buoys” will demarcate the stage.

studio gang’s “stage buoys” will remain on display throughout the pier once the performance series wraps, serving as temporary art installations and offering guests the unique opportunity to view and engage with the pieces up close through
the course of the 2017 chicago architecture biennial.