Rebuilding the Present
Jan 18–Apr 13, 2019
In partnership with the David Lynch Foundation
Leslie Baum, Meredith Haggerty, Cameron Harvey, Susan Hiller, David Lynch, Stan Shellabarger, Rhonda Wheatley
Rebuilding the Present brings together artists whose works engage a spectrum of meditative practices. The paintings, objects, audio works, and performance documentation on view suggest that meditation can function as a tool of not only self-care but of social justice writ large, offering practitioners a sense of agency to cope in the ever-growing chaos of our world.
Curator’s Note
The David Lynch Foundation, with whom this exhibition partners, is a perfect ally for actualizing ways to rebuild the present. The foundation has a simple, yet profound saying: “change begins within.” Their mission “to prevent and eradicate the all-pervasive epidemic of trauma and toxic stress among at-risk populations” is bold, and their method is grounded in the teaching of Transcendental Meditation. From school children in underserved neighborhoods, to veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress, to families coping with trauma, illness, and loss, the foundation’s focus is to improve health, cognition, and performance in life. Through their work in Chicago and beyond, they are guiding individuals to connect inward to find relief from the effects of high levels of stress, and use this connection with the self as an agent for change not only in their own lives but also in the world-at-large.
— Holly Cahill
Public Programs
Exhibition Dates
Jan 18–Apr 13, 2019
Opening Reception
Jan 18, 2019, 5–8PM
With livestream Q&A with David Lynch at 7PM.
Panel
Feb 7, 2019, 6–8PM
Peace through Meditation and Restorative Justice. Learn about the ways that the David Lynch Foundation equips members of at-risk populations, including incarcerated people and survivors of violence, to address trauma with Transcendental Meditation. Panelists include: Edith Crigler, Member, Illinois Prisoner Review Board; Jane Gubser, Psy.D., Chief of Programs, Cook County Sheriff's Office, Department of Corrections; Maria Pike, Community Organizer and Survivor of Gun Violence; moderated by Carmen Terrones, Community Advocate.
Workshop
Feb 9, 2019, 1–3PM
Reset: Tools & Practices for Calling Forth the Authentic You and Shedding False Notions of Self. Artist Rhonda Wheatley will lead a workshop focused on helping participants shed both the weight of other people's projections and their own harsh expectations of themselves in order to reset. Participants will center themselves in who they really are at the core through guided meditations, writing exercises, and other practices.
Discussion
Mar 7, 2019, 6–8PM
Quiet Time: Changing Students' Lives. Join us for a conversation with educators about the transformative effects of Transcendental Meditation (TM) for students, in the classroom and beyond. The discussion will highlight the David Lynch Foundation's Quiet Time program, a practical, evidence-based approach to reduce stress and dramatically improve academic performance, student wellness, and the school environment. Panelists include: Dr. Amparo Castillo, Director of Research and Training, Midwest Latino Health, Research, Training and Policy Center, University of Illinois at Chicago; Cameron Harvey, Rebuilding the Present artist and yoga teacher; Nakisha Hobbs, Founder, Village Leadership Academy and Associate Director, Office of Early Childhood Development, Illinois Department of Human Services; Margaret Loranger, Assistant Principal, Bogan High School; moderated by Chris Busch, Regional Director, David Lynch Foundation Chicago.
Walkthrough
Mar 16, 2019, 2–3PM
Exhibition curator Holly Cahill leads a guided tour of the exhibition along with artists Leslie Baum, Cameron Harvey, and Meredith Haggerty.
Presentation
Apr 4, 2019, 6–8PM
Voices of Hope: How Meditation Can Help End Gang Violence in Chicago. The David Lynch Foundation will present their collaboration with Pride ROC Chicago and the Passages Gang Refinement Program, through which anti-violence activists empower former gang members with transformative group work that addresses trauma via Transcendental Meditation, leadership training, and more. Introduction at 6:30PM by Chris Busch, Regional Director of the David Lynch Foundation Chicago, and Ra Frye, Founder of Pride ROC Chicago. Performance at 7:15PM by Urban Prisoners of War.
Press
Bad at Sports
Chicago Gallery News
The Columbia Chronicle
Newcity
Newcity Top 5 of 2016
Partner
The David Lynch Foundation is a nonprofit organization, founded in 2005 by filmmaker, artist and philanthropist David Lynch, to address the epidemic of trauma and toxic stress among at-risk populations through the implementation of the evidence-based Transcendental Meditation technique. DLF has helped more than one million children and adults worldwide, with a focus on underserved middle school and high school students, veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress and their families, and women and children survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. DLF also works with those in recovery, the homeless, prison populations, people living with HIV/AIDS, and others.
Rebuilding the Present, installation views at Weinberg/Newton Gallery, 2019; photography by Paal Williams
Rebuilding the Present
Jan 18–Apr 13, 2019
In partnership with the David Lynch Foundation
Leslie Baum, Meredith Haggerty, Cameron Harvey, Susan Hiller, David Lynch, Stan Shellabarger, Rhonda Wheatley
Rebuilding the Present brings together artists whose works engage a spectrum of meditative practices. The paintings, objects, audio works, and performance documentation on view suggest that meditation can function as a tool of not only self-care but of social justice writ large, offering practitioners a sense of agency to cope in the ever-growing chaos of our world.
Curator’s Note
The David Lynch Foundation, with whom this exhibition partners, is a perfect ally for actualizing ways to rebuild the present. The foundation has a simple, yet profound saying: “change begins within.” Their mission “to prevent and eradicate the all-pervasive epidemic of trauma and toxic stress among at-risk populations” is bold, and their method is grounded in the teaching of Transcendental Meditation. From school children in underserved neighborhoods, to veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress, to families coping with trauma, illness, and loss, the foundation’s focus is to improve health, cognition, and performance in life. Through their work in Chicago and beyond, they are guiding individuals to connect inward to find relief from the effects of high levels of stress, and use this connection with the self as an agent for change not only in their own lives but also in the world-at-large.
— Holly Cahill
Public Programs
Exhibition Dates
Jan 18–Apr 13, 2019
Opening Reception
Jan 18, 2019, 5–8PM
With livestream Q&A with David Lynch at 7PM.
Panel
Feb 7, 2019, 6–8PM
Peace through Meditation and Restorative Justice. Learn about the ways that the David Lynch Foundation equips members of at-risk populations, including incarcerated people and survivors of violence, to address trauma with Transcendental Meditation. Panelists include: Edith Crigler, Member, Illinois Prisoner Review Board; Jane Gubser, Psy.D., Chief of Programs, Cook County Sheriff's Office, Department of Corrections; Maria Pike, Community Organizer and Survivor of Gun Violence; moderated by Carmen Terrones, Community Advocate.
Workshop
Feb 9, 2019, 1–3PM
Reset: Tools & Practices for Calling Forth the Authentic You and Shedding False Notions of Self. Artist Rhonda Wheatley will lead a workshop focused on helping participants shed both the weight of other people's projections and their own harsh expectations of themselves in order to reset. Participants will center themselves in who they really are at the core through guided meditations, writing exercises, and other practices.
Discussion
Mar 7, 2019, 6–8PM
Quiet Time: Changing Students' Lives. Join us for a conversation with educators about the transformative effects of Transcendental Meditation (TM) for students, in the classroom and beyond. The discussion will highlight the David Lynch Foundation's Quiet Time program, a practical, evidence-based approach to reduce stress and dramatically improve academic performance, student wellness, and the school environment. Panelists include: Dr. Amparo Castillo, Director of Research and Training, Midwest Latino Health, Research, Training and Policy Center, University of Illinois at Chicago; Cameron Harvey, Rebuilding the Present artist and yoga teacher; Nakisha Hobbs, Founder, Village Leadership Academy and Associate Director, Office of Early Childhood Development, Illinois Department of Human Services; Margaret Loranger, Assistant Principal, Bogan High School; moderated by Chris Busch, Regional Director, David Lynch Foundation Chicago.
Walkthrough
Mar 16, 2019, 2–3PM
Exhibition curator Holly Cahill leads a guided tour of the exhibition along with artists Leslie Baum, Cameron Harvey, and Meredith Haggerty.
Presentation
Apr 4, 2019, 6–8PM
Voices of Hope: How Meditation Can Help End Gang Violence in Chicago. The David Lynch Foundation will present their collaboration with Pride ROC Chicago and the Passages Gang Refinement Program, through which anti-violence activists empower former gang members with transformative group work that addresses trauma via Transcendental Meditation, leadership training, and more. Introduction at 6:30PM by Chris Busch, Regional Director of the David Lynch Foundation Chicago, and Ra Frye, Founder of Pride ROC Chicago. Performance at 7:15PM by Urban Prisoners of War.
Press
Bad at Sports
Chicago Gallery News
The Columbia Chronicle
Newcity
Newcity Top 5 of 2016
Partner
The David Lynch Foundation is a nonprofit organization, founded in 2005 by filmmaker, artist and philanthropist David Lynch, to address the epidemic of trauma and toxic stress among at-risk populations through the implementation of the evidence-based Transcendental Meditation technique. DLF has helped more than one million children and adults worldwide, with a focus on underserved middle school and high school students, veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress and their families, and women and children survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. DLF also works with those in recovery, the homeless, prison populations, people living with HIV/AIDS, and others.
Rebuilding the Present, installation views at Weinberg/Newton Gallery, 2019; photography by Paal Williams