For this city’s culture lovers, October is a busy time. It’s the annual Chicago Artists Month, and this year sees the launch of the Chicago Architecture Biennial. Don’t let FOMO get the best of you. Here are 11 highlights from this month's art scene.
Permanent Record: Chicago Hip Hop Kulture The Artistic Bombing Crew, one of the revolutionary graffiti crews that introduced hip-hop culture to Chicago in the early '80s, presents this interactive exhibit displaying graffiti, breakdancing, emceeing and DJing, celebrating hip-hop’s past and present. (Hairpin Arts Center, 2810 N Milwaukee Ave, October 2, 7-11pm. $10 suggested donation)
Hood Surreal: A Magical Vision of Neighborhood Life Part of Villarte 2015, this group exhibition is a continuation of Las Artelitas’s quest to provide a safe and nurturing space for dialogue and storytelling in Little Village. (Las Artelitas, 2320 S Kedzie Ave, October 3, 5-11pm. Free)
Stony Island Arts Bank Grand Opening Rebuild Foundation, founded by artist and urban planner Theaster Gates, announces the public opening of the newly restored Stony Island Arts Bank. With an installation by Portuguese artist Carlos Bunga, the new space will open to the public as a primary venue of the Chicago Architecture Biennial. (Stony Island Arts Bank, 6760 S Stony Island Ave, October 3, 5-8pm. Free)
Let’s Play “Let’s Play” is the debut U.S. solo show of French street artist OAKOAK, who transforms mundane objects using cleverly placed and humorous drawings, creating innovative scenes with his interventions and eye for detail. (Vertical Gallery, 1016 N Western Ave, October 3, 6-10pm. Free)
Studioscapes Gallerique hosts an exhibit of the work of Diana P. Gabriel and Ben Holiday. Using bright colors, intricate designs and linear marks, the local artists mimic the still, vertical luminosity of Chicago architecture. (Fine Arts Building, Second Floor Mezzanine, 410 S Michigan Ave, October 9, 5pm. Free)
45th Annual Pilsen East Artists’ Open House On this self-guided walking tour, not only can visitors experience the 30-plus galleries that comprise the Chicago Arts District, but they are also invited into otherwise private artist residences, studios and workspaces. (Info Center at 1821 S Halsted St, October 9, 6-10pm and October 10, 11am-7pm. Free)
Sustainable Skyline: Down to Earth Join Art Depth for an afternoon of art-making and viewing. Featured artists will create live on-site, and materials will be provided for an all-ages painting workshop. (Walsh Park, 1722 N Ashland Ave, October 10, 12-4pm. Free)
Meet Your Maker: Connecting Chicago Creatives Artists, arts professionals and creative types at any stage in their careers are encouraged to join this interdisciplinary networking event produced in the spirit of relationship- and community-building in the arts. (Links Hall, 3111 N Western Ave, October 17, 2-5pm. $5 in advance, $10 at the door)
Grace of Intention This exhibition explores the many links between architecture and photography through the monument, in both its ideological and tangible expressions. International artists investigate themes of permanence and impermanence, memorial and commemoration and the human propensity to mark power and characterize history with built structures. (Museum of Contemporary Photography, 600 S Michigan Ave, October 23, 5-7pm. Free)
Creaturology This solo exhibit features a collection of artist Jason Brammer’s paintings, drawings and mixed-media works exploring mythical dragons, cephalopods, alien deities and other beasts. (Galerie F, 2381 N Milwaukee Ave, October 23, 6-10pm. Free)