There’s no shortage of city experiences, including art and architectural exhibits. But whether touring the “House of Tomorrow” or visiting “The Office,” steps to ensure the earth’s survival must also be taken.
“Human/Nature is an art exhibition combining visual imagery and scientific interviews to explore our paths forward,” explains the show’s guest curator Cyndi Conn. “What will the world look like if we do not reverse our current path?”
Answers to that question can be found in the video interviews from climate scientists and experts which are featured in Human/Nature (through April 16) at Weinberg/Newton Gallery.
“Humanity is at a critical crossroads – it is widely acknowledged that we must take immediate action or our planet will face irreversible climate catastrophe,” continues Conn, who is a board member of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists which is co-presenting the show with the gallery.
“By working together with leading contemporary artists, designers, and creative communicators, the Bulletin seeks to broaden the conversation, generating innovative ways of framing crucial issues around peace and security,” adds Rachel Bronson, president and CEO of the Atomic Scientists.
Among the participating artists is Chicago’s Karen Reimer, whose abstract quilts and embroidered textile pieces reference scientific graphs plotting heat waves, droughts and other environmental disasters. The display also includes artwork by Laura Ball, Stas Bartnikas, Donovan Quintero, Matthew Ritchie, Regan Rosburg, and the French collective Obvious.
Click here to learn more about Human/Nature and Weinberg/Newton Gallery hours.
Houses of Tomorrow (through May 29) can be seen today at Elmhurst Art Museum. Chronicling the history and harnessing of solar energy, the exhibition begins with the country’s first glass house, designed by George Fred Keck for Chicago’s Century of Progress World’s Fair in 1933. Called the “House of Tomorrow,” the structure opened the door to residential solar power. As such, the show houses a dedicated gallery depicting said house and other mid-century solar homes.
Also on site is “Reflectance,” an immersive installation that welcomes visitors into Mies van der Rohe’s historic 1952 McCormick House located on Elmhurst Art Museum’s property. In honor of van der Rohe’s birthday and the McCormick House’s 70th anniversary, there will be a docent-led tour at 1:30 p.m. on March 27. For more information, visit Elmhurst Art Museum.
Thanks to Superfly X and Universal Live Entertainment, sitcom fans can step into Scranton Business Park via The Office Experience (through March 27). Located at The Shops at North Bridge, the interactive two-story exhibit includes 17 rooms filled with original props and set re-creations from the popular NBC series (2005-2013), which can be partially streamed on Peacock.
“We are delighted that The Office Experience has been so well received by so many enthusiasts of The Office, and we are thrilled that Superfly X has decided to extend the experience’s inaugural run in Chicago,” says Michael Silver, president of global business development for Universal Parks & Resorts. “This will give many more of The Office’s millions of devoted fans an opportunity to relive some of its most memorable episodes and themselves participate in many of their favorite series moments.”
“The response to The Office Experience’s debut in Chicago has been overwhelmingly positive,” adds Stacy Moscatelli, co-president and chief strategy officer of Superfly X. Even without a ticket, consumers may visit The Office Experience’s adjacent warehouse-themed retail store on the Magnificent Mile.