mca – DesignApplause

design canada: first documentary chronicling the history of canadian graphic design.

Oct 4, 2018

design canada is the first documentary chronicling the history of canadian graphic design and how it shaped a nation and its people.

what defines a national identity, is it an anthem? a flag? is it a logo or icon? how do these elements shape who we are? in the 60s and 70s, these questions were answered by an innovative group of canadian designers, who used design to unify the nation.

featuring burton kramer, fritz gottschalk, rolf harder, stuart ash, massimo vignelli, douglas coupland, heather cooper, marian bantjes and more.

mca hearts chicago.

Oct 2, 2017

this year marks the 50th anniversary of the museum of contemporary art chicago. to celebrate, the mca will be hosting a free, weekend-long event entitled mca hearts chicago consisting of programs, speakers, workshops, and interactive artist projects that highlight the history and future of the museum of contemporary art as well as chicago. an engaging discussion will be held by activist and singer jamila woods, and there will be a special guest performance by rapper, producer, and entrepreneur lupe fiasco. additional festivities will include the official launch of the museum’s community engagement space, the commons as well as the opening of the newest collection exhibition, we are here.

prince 1958 > 2016. a backstory.

Apr 21, 2016

while visiting the 2014 bowie installation at the chicago museum of contemporary art i bought mugshot coaster sets as gifts. though sometimes curious about each backstory this is an inaugural google of the prince mugshot.

his temporary arrest in jackson, mississippi on 29 march 29 1980. prince and keyboardist dr. fink were detained for stealing a megaphone from an airplane

while on tour in 1980 opening up for rick james, fink had suggested to prince that they should get a police megaphone as a stage prop. the next day, the band boarded a plane and coincidently, fink noticed the plane had an emergency bullhorn in an overhead bin. he pointed it out to prince, who then convinced him to put it in his bag since he didn’t have a carry on. a lady sitting behind prince notified the flight attendant of the theft while the plane was still on the tarmac. fink explained,

“the next thing we know, the pilot comes out and announces, ‘it has come to our attention someone has removed some emergency equipment from the airplane, which is a federal offense ”

sky marshals conducted a search and found it on fink and in a stand up move, prince voluntarily went to jail with him. they were arrested and sent to a local joint, but it turned into a big meet and greet and prince ended up posing for pictures and signing autographs in jail.

a pop/funk/rock artist who showed remarkable stylistic growth and musical diversity.

he could negotiate god and sex ~ angela davis

salute.

new yorker cover added to this post 22 april, 2016, and at this moment all over the internet.

chicago architecture biennial. 20 > 26 december 2015.

Dec 19, 2015

[ 20 > 26 december calendar ] The Chicago Architecture Biennial is free and open to the general public at the Chicago Cultural Center and sites across the city. The event is supported by the City of Chicago and the Graham Foundation, with additional support from the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, and the Chicago Park District. All funding for the event is privately raised, with significant investments from BP and SC Johnson.

‘chicago: how do you see?’ by norman kelley created an exciting feature on the windows of the chicago culture centre. photography: steve hall, copyright hedrich blessing. courtesy chicago architecture biennial

marshmellow sofa | george nelson | herman miller / 1956

[ pop art design ] an exhibition organized by the vitra design museum, one of the preeminent furniture and design museums in the world, pairs iconic design objects with artworks from this celebrated era to show the cross-pollination between these creative worlds. this glimpse of art, chairs, sofas, lamps, and even architecture during the culturally ebullient 1960s and 1970s. artists such as andy warhol, roy lichtenstein, claes oldenburg and mel ramos alongside designers such as charles eames, george nelson, ettore sottsass, achille castiglioni, and robert venturi.

event> pop art design
venue> museum of contemporary | 220 east chicago avenue
dates> 19 december 2015 > 27 march 2016

For a complete list of exhibitions, public programs, supporters, media partners and program partners, visit [ Chicago Architecture Biennial ] which launched 3 October 2015, and will run through 3 January 3 2016. @chicagobiennial @GrahamFound @ChiCulturCenter

21minus. Teen day at the mca.

May 6, 2013

saturday 18 may 2013 | special activities from noon > 3p

The Teen Creative Agency (TCA) is an exciting program at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Chicago that partners with local teens. The rigorous two-year program is for individuals between the ages of 15 and 19 who are interested in becoming active civic leaders and interpreters of contemporary culture. As part of the program’s focus on cultural participation, the TCA members are hosting a Teen Day at the MCA called 21Minus. The event takes place Saturday, May 18, 2013, with special activities from noon – 3 pm and a conversation and social time from 3 – 5 pm. The event is free for teens and their families.

The TCA members invited Chicago-area teens to submit proposals for creative experiences such as performances, conversations, and interactive projects they would like to present at 21Minus. The participating teens represent the vibrant diversity of Chicago and hail from many neighborhoods including Albany Park, Back of the Yards, Bronzeville, East Side, Lincoln Park, the Loop, South Loop, and Pilsen, along with the surrounding suburbs of Cary Grove, Crystal Lake, Naperville, and Sauganash.

21Minus includes activities, actions, and performances that showcase the energy of contemporary art, including dance, music, comedic tours, glee club sets, refreshments, and interactive projects to engage MCA Chicago visitors. The day also features the TCA Living Room, a new ongoing MCA initiative led by teens to create a comfortable environment in the galleries for conversation. A complete itinerary is provided at the event. Visitors may also view three new exhibitions that open on May 18: Theaster Gates: 13th Ballad; Think First, Shoot Later: Photography from the MCA Collection; and MCA DNA: Chicago Conceptual Abstraction, 1986-1995.

As the first group of TCA members finish their two years with the program, MCA Chicago looks forward to welcoming the third annual class in the fall. The goal of TCA is to support teens developing their critical interpretation, public expression, and cultural participation skills. The program positions contemporary art as a catalyst for conversation and agency, exploring themes and topics that are authentic to the teenage life and to MCA Chicago. Launched in September 2011 by the MCA’s Education Department, TCA is led by local artists who guide the conversations and projects at the program’s weekly sessions that analyze the stories behind the art. TCA members also work with MCA staff, lead in-gallery activities, and take monthly trips to cultural organizations, Chicago neighborhoods, and artist studios. [ mca ]