Like last year, the fall season in art brings Chicago some new spaces for exhibition. The largest, the Sullivan Galleries, in the building that long housed Carson Pirie Scott and Co., came upon us downtown with little advance notice; they already are open (see adjoining story). The more unusual, the Institute for Puerto Rican Arts and Culture in Humboldt Park, was announced some time ago and still has no firm opening date in October. These spaces begin an art calendar that will crest May 16 with the opening of the Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Several important exhibitions are scheduled, then, after the turn of the year. Yet many remain in autumn; we’ve included just one from each of the area’s primary art institutions. The range of artists, time periods, cultures and media is, as has been the case in recent years, pleasingly wide.
Museums, of course, observe fewer divisions in the year than we do, so our “winter-spring” season is really a continuation of the one that begins for them this fall. But whatever you call it, we’ll be back early in 2009 to give details and make selections.
‘ON THE ROAD’
Four related exhibitions — for Farm Security Administration photographers, Dorothea Lange, Robert Frank and Dave Anderson — in honor of the 50th anniversary of the publication of Jack Kerouac’s Beat novel. Through Nov. 1. Museum of Contemporary Photography, 600 S. Michigan Ave.; 312-663-5554.
‘1968: ART AND POLITICS IN CHICAGO’
About 40 works from the exhibitions held in Chicago 40 years ago protesting the Vietnam War and events surrounding the Democratic National Convention. Sept. 18-Nov. 23. DePaul Art Museum, 2350 N. Kenmore Ave.; 773-325-7506.
‘HENRI CARTIER-BRESSON AND THE ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY OF PARIS’
The centenary of the birth of one of the greatest lensmen of the 20th Century is celebrated by showing his photojournalism with the works of painters and photographers in his milieu. Sept. 20-Jan. 4 at the Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave.; 312-443-3600.
‘MARCEL BROODTHAERS’
An installation and a slide projection are at the center of an exhibition for the late Belgian artist (1924-1976), a pioneer of installations, Conceptual Art and the “institutional critique.” Sept. 25-Dec. 19. Arts Club of Chicago, 201 E. Ontario St.; 312-787-3997.
‘MAGDALENA ABAKANOWICZ: REALITY OF DREAMS’
Selections from 30 years of drawings by the Polish sculptor best known in Chicago for the monumental figure grouping at the south end of Grant Park. Sept. 26-Dec. 14. Northwestern University’s Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art, 40 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston. 847-491-4000.
‘FRANCIS ALYS’
The Belgian artist who lives in Mexico will show an animation with all the drawings that made it and a video that pointedly crosses a political speech with a striptease. Sept. 28-Dec. 14. Renaissance Society at the University of Chicago, 5811 S. Ellis Ave.; 773-702-8670.
‘DISPLACEMENT: THE THREE GORGES DAM AND CONTEMPORARY CHINESE ART’
Responses of four Chinese artists to the movement, demolition and construction caused by the building of the world’s largest generator of hydroelectric power. Oct. 2-Jan. 25. Smart Museum of Art, 5550 S. Greenwood Ave.; 773-702-0200.
‘MADE IN CHICAGO: PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE BANK OF AMERICA LASALLE COLLECTION’
Nearly 150 images — more than ever shown before in the city — from 77 years of pictures taken here and amassed in one of our pioneering public collections. Oct. 18-Jan. 4. Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.; 312-346-3278.
‘JENNY HOLZER: PROTECT PROTECT’
The largest exhibition in the United States for the American artist in 15 years presents recent works in several media including LED technology, sculpture, light projections and paintings. Oct. 25-Feb. 1. Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave.; 312-280-2660.
‘THE AZTEC WORLD’
Nearly 300 artifacts and art objects, many exhibited for the first time outside Mexico. Oct. 31-April 19. Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive; 312-922-9410.
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aartner@tribune.com
