Magazine - Spring 2017

The spring 2017 issue of School of the Art Institute of Chicago magazine explores the stories of faculty and alumni whose work as artists, designers, and educators transforms our students, our city, and our world by causing us to see things just a little differently.

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February 9, 2017

The Messenger

Artist, educator and newly endowed professor Nick Cave reflects on his career and current exhibition exploring race and racism in America.

February 14, 2017

Turning Sky

Turning Sky, a public light installation by Luftwerk was unveiled January 7.

February 9, 2017

Through the Looking Glass

Students use augmented reality to build virtual installations, prompting conversations with art of the past.

February 9, 2017

Behind the Scenes

Each year the graduate students work together with artists to create a meaningful final thesis exhibition.

February 9, 2017

From the President

In reflecting on my first semester as President of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), I am reminded of a quote published in the Chicago Tribune by our Inaugural President’s Distinguished Lecturer Claudia Rankine, who visited campus this fall. She says, “The unexpected beauty of art is you don’t know what it will do.” 

February 9, 2017

My Chicago

Christina Gómez is Professor of Liberal Arts and Director of Academic Affairs for Diversity and Inclusion. She is a sociologist, activist, and native Chicagoan whose book was recently selected for the One Campus, One Book program at the University of Alaska Southeast. Gómez told us about some of her favorite places around Chicago that inspire her.

February 9, 2017

Believing in Art

Artist Ted CoConis reflects on his youth scholarship to SAIC.

February 9, 2017

Activating Dada Today

The summer study trip Zeitgeist: Dada in Germany celebrates the past and informs the present for SAIC students.

February 9, 2017

On View: Kjell Theøry

Kjell Theøry (2017) is an augmented reality performance by the provisional collective Anatomical Theatres of Mixed Reality (ATOM-r) juxtaposing Alan Turing’s mathematical descriptions of nature with algorithmic mutations of Guillaume Apollinaire’s 1917 play The Breasts of Tiresias, a genderfluid spectacle for which the author invented the word “surrealism.”

February 9, 2017

Street Style

Fine art and fashion were on full display as graduating students presented their final work at the 2016 Fall BFA Show. Here are our editors’ picks of some of the best street style at the preview reception on November 18, at the Sullivan Galleries.

February 9, 2017

Career Conversations

Here is an excerpt from our conversation with Jasmin Shokrian (BFA 1998), founder and creative director of her Los Angeles-based eponymous clothing brand, and her advice to current SAIC students and recent graduates.

February 15, 2017

Art Scene

View photos of our events from fall 2016.

February 9, 2017

About a Work

For many students at SAIC, written descriptions and photos are all they have experienced of Tropicália—at least, this has been the case until this February.

February 9, 2017

Emerging Designer

Norman Teague (MFA 2016) was the 2016 recipient of the Claire Rosen and Samuel Edes Foundation Prize for Emerging Artists, a one-year, $30,000 award to a recent alum of SAIC. Since 2010, this highly competitive award has recognized the creative potential of artists who began their career at SAIC and is meant to provide the means to substantially advance their practice. 

February 9, 2017

My Obsessions

Since graduating from SAIC, artist, activist, and fashion designer Sky Cubacub (BFA 2015) has funded a Kickstarter campaign for Rebirth Garments. Cubacub’s bold designs create a space for gender nonconforming garments for people on the full spectrum of gender, size, and ability. We caught up with them to find out what they are reading, listening to, watching, thinking about, and doing in the midst of their creative whirlwind.

February 9, 2017

From the Archives

A look at Georgia O’Keeffe’s love affair with the American Southwest.

February 9, 2017

Meet the Graduating Class

The students graduating SAIC in spring 2017 are inquisitive in the classroom and studio, diverse in their backgrounds, and a little outrageous in how they express themselves. Meet four of our newest alumni.

February 15, 2017

Beautiful/Work: The Campaign for SAIC

Throughout its more than 150-year history, SAIC’s entire community has established a strong tradition of support and giving. This spring, SAIC launched its first major fundraising campaign, Beautiful/Work: The Campaign for SAIC. With a goal of raising $50 million, the campaign will support student scholarships and endowed professorships and faculty awards.

February 8, 2017

Q&A with Sonya Clark (BFA 1993)

Q&A with distinguished lecturer, visiting artist, and alum Sonya Clark, who is an acclaimed textile artist and Chair of the Craft and Material Studies Department at Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts.