Apr 7–Jun 10, 2017
In partnership with the University of Chicago
Lola Arias, Jelili Atiku, Tania Bruguera, Zanele Muholi, Carlos Javier Ortiz, Laurie Jo Reynolds
In Acts was a group exhibition inspired by the summit that brought international artists to the University of Chicago’s campus to ask: What is an artistic practice of human rights? In Acts provides a setting for artworks by these summit artists who advance human rights discourse and policy through their art. The artists are performative, searching, and ambitious, yet incisive in emotional acuity. Their practices are at once endeavors in political engagement and sensitive creative explorations. In Acts makes apparent the intricate systems that undergird the discrimination and inequality in global culture. The exhibition strives to amplify a sense of political efficacy amongst its visitors, willing them to take action in matters of human rights–from immigrant and refugee justice to LGBTQ rights to the eradication of poverty and youth violence.
Curator’s Note
The question “What is an artistic practice of human rights?” inspired the exhibition. Each artist included within In Acts certainly does practice an art — in one form or another — that negotiates a human right. Imperative to them all is a sense of timing that I’ve introduced and will reiterate once more — a time before and a time after. There are decisive moments occurring within the world-at-large. Crisscrossed with atrocities, conflicts, and paradoxes, the global is under scrutiny. Its predisposition toward and eventual dependency on growth has had remarkable consequences.
— Nabiha Khan-Giordano
Public Programs
Exhibition Dates
Apr 7–Jun 10, 2017
Opening Reception
Apr 7, 2017, 5–8PM
Panel
Apr 18, 2017, 6–8PM
A discussion about human rights on Chicago's south side that considers dimensions of public health and safety, criminal justice, and creative expression. Panelists include Darrell Cannon, Chicago Torture Justice Center; Lili Jimenez, National Lawyers Guild and Director of Policy for Commissioner Jesús “Chuy” Garcia; Hoda Katebi, Council on American Islamic Relations; Dr. Evan Lyon, Pozen Family Center Board and Chief Integrative Health Officer for the Heartland Alliance for Human Needs and Human Rights. Moderated by Susan Gzesh, Executive Director of the Pozen Family Center for Human Rights. Presented in collaboration with the Pozen Family Center for Human Rights at the University of Chicago.
Open Engagement
Apr 21, 2017, 1–3PM
Open Engagement and gallery representatives lead a walkthrough of the exhibition.
Symposium
Apr 21, 1–6PM
We Shouldn't Have Policies We Are Afraid to Talk About: A Symposium on Public Crime Registries. The symposium is co-organized by artist Laurie Jo Reynolds and advocate Lynne Johnson.
Held off-site:
School of Social Service Administration, Lobby
University of Chicago
969 E 60th Street, Chicago, IL 60637
Summit
Apr 29–May 1, 2017, 9:30AM–9PM
What is an artistic practice of human rights? A multi-day summit taking place on the campus of the University of Chicago in Spring 2017, which asks What is an artistic practice of human rights — conceptually, aesthetically, and pragmatically? Join a group of distinguished artists from around the world as they propose, interrogate and/or challenge how an object, image or performative intervention might open up a novel vision of human rights.
Held off-site:
Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts
University of Chicago
915 E 60th Street, Chicago, IL 60637
Artist Presentations
Apr 29, 2017, 9:30AM–5PM
What is an artistic practice of human rights? Summit artists will give 45-minute artistic presentations and performances about their artistic practice and how that practice illuminates human rights issues and advocates for political activism and legislative reform.
Held off-site:
Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts
University of Chicago
915 E 60th Street, Chicago, IL 60637
Public Forum
May 1, 2017, 6–9PM
What is an artistic practice of human rights? The public is invited to participate in an open forum with the summit artists, including a Q&A and the opportunity for attendees to engage in dialogue with one another.
Held off-site:
Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts
University of Chicago
915 E 60th Street, Chicago, IL 60637
Press
Bad at Sports
The Chicago Maroon
The Columbia Chronicle
Newcity
UChicago News
WBEZ
WTTW
Partners
The Richard and Mary L. Gray Center for Arts and Inquiry is a forum at the University of Chicago for experimental collaborations between artists and scholars. The Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts advances arts practice, inquiry, and presentation at the University of Chicago, and fosters meaningful collaboration and cultural engagement at the university, on the south side, and in the city of Chicago. The Pozen Family Center for Human Rights at the University of Chicago supports innovative interdisciplinary teaching and research initiatives that critically explore the theory and practice of global human rights.
In Acts, installation views at Weinberg/Newton Gallery, 2017
Apr 7–Jun 10, 2017
In partnership with the University of Chicago
Lola Arias, Jelili Atiku, Tania Bruguera, Zanele Muholi, Carlos Javier Ortiz, Laurie Jo Reynolds
In Acts was a group exhibition inspired by the summit that brought international artists to the University of Chicago’s campus to ask: What is an artistic practice of human rights? In Acts provides a setting for artworks by these summit artists who advance human rights discourse and policy through their art. The artists are performative, searching, and ambitious, yet incisive in emotional acuity. Their practices are at once endeavors in political engagement and sensitive creative explorations. In Acts makes apparent the intricate systems that undergird the discrimination and inequality in global culture. The exhibition strives to amplify a sense of political efficacy amongst its visitors, willing them to take action in matters of human rights–from immigrant and refugee justice to LGBTQ rights to the eradication of poverty and youth violence.
Curator’s Note
The question “What is an artistic practice of human rights?” inspired the exhibition. Each artist included within In Acts certainly does practice an art — in one form or another — that negotiates a human right. Imperative to them all is a sense of timing that I’ve introduced and will reiterate once more — a time before and a time after. There are decisive moments occurring within the world-at-large. Crisscrossed with atrocities, conflicts, and paradoxes, the global is under scrutiny. Its predisposition toward and eventual dependency on growth has had remarkable consequences.
— Nabiha Khan-Giordano
Public Programs
Exhibition Dates
Apr 7–Jun 10, 2017
Opening Reception
Apr 7, 2017, 5–8PM
Panel
Apr 18, 2017, 6–8PM
A discussion about human rights on Chicago's south side that considers dimensions of public health and safety, criminal justice, and creative expression. Panelists include Darrell Cannon, Chicago Torture Justice Center; Lili Jimenez, National Lawyers Guild and Director of Policy for Commissioner Jesús “Chuy” Garcia; Hoda Katebi, Council on American Islamic Relations; Dr. Evan Lyon, Pozen Family Center Board and Chief Integrative Health Officer for the Heartland Alliance for Human Needs and Human Rights. Moderated by Susan Gzesh, Executive Director of the Pozen Family Center for Human Rights. Presented in collaboration with the Pozen Family Center for Human Rights at the University of Chicago.
Open Engagement
Apr 21, 2017, 1–3PM
Open Engagement and gallery representatives lead a walkthrough of the exhibition.
Symposium
Apr 21, 1–6PM
We Shouldn't Have Policies We Are Afraid to Talk About: A Symposium on Public Crime Registries. The symposium is co-organized by artist Laurie Jo Reynolds and advocate Lynne Johnson.
Held off-site:
School of Social Service Administration, Lobby
University of Chicago
969 E 60th Street, Chicago, IL 60637
Summit
Apr 29–May 1, 2017, 9:30AM–9PM
What is an artistic practice of human rights? A multi-day summit taking place on the campus of the University of Chicago in Spring 2017, which asks What is an artistic practice of human rights — conceptually, aesthetically, and pragmatically? Join a group of distinguished artists from around the world as they propose, interrogate and/or challenge how an object, image or performative intervention might open up a novel vision of human rights.
Held off-site:
Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts
University of Chicago
915 E 60th Street, Chicago, IL 60637
Artist Presentations
Apr 29, 2017, 9:30AM–5PM
What is an artistic practice of human rights? Summit artists will give 45-minute artistic presentations and performances about their artistic practice and how that practice illuminates human rights issues and advocates for political activism and legislative reform.
Held off-site:
Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts
University of Chicago
915 E 60th Street, Chicago, IL 60637
Public Forum
May 1, 2017, 6–9PM
What is an artistic practice of human rights? The public is invited to participate in an open forum with the summit artists, including a Q&A and the opportunity for attendees to engage in dialogue with one another.
Held off-site:
Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts
University of Chicago
915 E 60th Street, Chicago, IL 60637
Press
Bad at Sports
The Chicago Maroon
The Columbia Chronicle
Newcity
UChicago News
WBEZ
WTTW
Partners
The Richard and Mary L. Gray Center for Arts and Inquiry is a forum at the University of Chicago for experimental collaborations between artists and scholars. The Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts advances arts practice, inquiry, and presentation at the University of Chicago, and fosters meaningful collaboration and cultural engagement at the university, on the south side, and in the city of Chicago. The Pozen Family Center for Human Rights at the University of Chicago supports innovative interdisciplinary teaching and research initiatives that critically explore the theory and practice of global human rights.
In Acts, installation views at Weinberg/Newton Gallery, 2017