Rodney McMillian’s work grapples with the complexities of class, race, and place in America across a wide range of media. His video narratives explore events and figures who tend to be omitted from conventional historical accounts. Employing elements of performance, public speaking, and oral history, McMillian exposes the social and psychological consequences of economic inequality, the racism endemic to America’s political and institutional landscape, and the failed promise of freedom and prosperity for all of its citizens. Importantly, he has also spoken of—and in certain works explicitly demonstrated—a personal interest in the genre of science fiction: while his work engages the often stark realities of history and contemporary culture, it is motivated by the potential for alternative realities and future transformation.
A set of posters for Cartón de Venezuela. Intended as a calendar for clients, each poster represents a different month of the year.
Retro-futurism meets experimental materials for a peek at the roots of Modern art and design.
Modern Art Design DrawingSee forty-four offbeat works from Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and Jeff Koons, representing the largest donation in the museum’s 136-year history.
Modern Art American ArtDon’t miss the out the dollhouse grade Thorne Miniature Rooms depicting American and European living from the 13th century all the way up to the 1930’s.
Decorative Arts DesignArt of the Religious Orders in the Spanish Andes
A set of posters for Cartón de Venezuela. Intended as a calendar for clients, each poster represents a different month of the year.
Art of the Religious Orders in the Spanish Andes.
PaintingOne of the most original uses of photographs anywhere in the world in recent decades.
Conceptual Art PhotographyHighlights from the museum’s collection as three provocative episodes or vignettes: the modern chair, the emergence of postmodern design, and contemporary identity systems in graphic design.
Architecture DesignThe installation will be continually refreshed with rotating displays of painting, calligraphy, textiles, and carpets, plus an emphasis on architecture and architectural fragments.
Ancient Culture Artifacts Islamic ArtFor his first installation in Chicago, sculptor Richard Nonas uses materials usually reserved for demarcating space in a large-scale composition that alters and expands our sense of place.
Contemporary Art SculptureThe New York–based group Who Builds Your Architecture?, presents research related to migrant workers and the global construction industry.
Industry ArchitectureThe Mary and Michael Jaharis Galleries of Greek, Roman, and Byzantine Art
Ancient Culture Byzantine Art SculptureExperience the Underground Electric Railways London from 1919.
The first Art Institute exhibition devoted exclusively to Édouard Manet in over 50 years focuses on the transformation of the artist’s style in his later years.