The spot 21c Museum Hotel Chicago, 55 E. Ontario St.—which blurs the line between a contemporary art museum and a boutique hotel—announced plans for its fall/winter 2022 season and 2023 edition of the "Art of"— a monthly series of events, activations, classes and conversations created to showcase and celebrate the art apparent in everything.
The "Art of" series first launched in June 2022 with the "Art of Fashion," which brought together eight Chicago-based fashion designers, followed by the "Battle of the Bartenders" event on Aug. 31. (At the end, The Berkshire Room bartender Jesse Sexton won the right to put his "I Say Tomato" cocktail on the menu at 21c Chicago's Lure Fishbar.)
"We created the 'Art of' series as a way to show people that there truly is art in everything," said 21c Museum Hotel Chicago creative consultant and brand ambassador Nigel Barker (best known for being a judge on America's Next Top Model) in a statement. "From fashion, to mixology, to photography, dance, cinema and beyond, the arts are on full display at 21c and we're quite serious about the importance we place on having fun celebrating beautiful artists and creators that surround us through our 'Art of' series events, activations and experiences. And we welcome 21c guests, locals, visitors and the community to take part in these vibrant experiences."
The fall/winter season brings a host of events, including a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get "Behind the Lens" with Nigel Barker himself, through the "Art of Photography" in September. October also brings the not-to-be-missed "Art of Movement," a performance, dance party and book-signing with visual artist Brendan Fernandes.
Events slated for September-November include:
—"The Art of Photography: Behind the Lens with Nigel Barker," 5-9 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 29: Barker will take attendees behind the lens to discuss his career from judging America's Next Top Model to photographing celebrity magazine covers and advertising campaigns. Also, Barker and his team will guide participants on a photo walk from 21c Museum Hotel sharing advice and tips on how to capture the narrative of Chicago from the big picture to the details and help unlock the hidden beauty in the everyday.
—"The Art of Movement: Dance Party with Brendan Fernandes and Re/Form Book Signing," 6-10 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21: The night will start with a conversation between Fernandes and Barker. Immediately following will be a special performance of "Reverence" by the Joffrey Academy Dancers, alongside a book-signing of Fernandes' forthcoming monograph, Brendan Fernandes: Re/Form. The dance party will kick off at 8 p.m. with DJ Harry Cross, alongside a champagne and wine bar with beverages from Peroni, Casa Dragones and Jarritos.
—"The Art of Cinema," 7-9 p.m. on Nov. 4, 11 and 18 (Fridays): The films slated to be shown include Nowhere Boy, a 2009 British biographical drama film directed by Sam Taylor-Wood in her directorial debut (video work on view in Gallery 6); Kehinde Wiley: An Economy of Grace, which follows the artist (known for painting President Barack Obama) as he steps out of his comfort zone to create a series of paintings of women for the first time (painting on view in lobby from this series); and Portrait of a Lady on Fire (Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Screenplay), a 2019 French historical romantic drama film that tells the story of a lesbian affair between an aristocrat and a painter commissioned to paint her portrait.
The local community and visiting guests of 21c Chicago can also expect to see a holiday-centric market this December.
For more information, visit 21cchicago.com .
