Opening the fall art season each September, EXPO CHICAGO hosts leading international art galleries presented alongside one of the highest quality platforms for global contemporary art and culture.
CHICAGO — The inaugural EXPO CHICAGO, The International Exposition of Contemporary/Modern Art and Design, will host an exclusive list of the world's premier galleries in Chicago Sept. 19–22, 2019 in Festival Hall at Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Avenue). Produced by Art Expositions, LLC under the leadership of President and Director Tony Karman, the new fair will open the international fall arts season and establish Chicago as a preeminent art fair and cultural destination. For more information, please visit www.expochicago.com.
EXPO CHICAGO draws upon the city's rich history as a vibrant destination for arts and culture.EXPO CHICAGO will bridge a critical gap for Chicago's contemporary arts community, helping to define the cultural future of Chicago, and inspire the city’s collector base.
“The groundswell of support that we have received since our initial announcement of EXPO CHICAGO has been tremendous,” said Karman. “To have world renowned galleries, cultural institutions and museums joining us at this stage is truly extraordinary. I believe strongly that the art world will be marking their calendars to be in Chicago this September.”
EXPO CHICAGO will limit number of participating exhibitors to no more than 100 top tier dealers. They include: Alexander and Bonin (New York); David Zwirner (New York, NY); Matthew Marks Gallery (New York, Los Angeles); Richard Gray Gallery (Chicago, IL); Galerie Karsten Greve (Cologne, Germany, Paris, France and St. Moritz, Switzerland); Galerie Hans Mayer (Düsseldorf, Germany); Annely Juda Fine Art (London, England); Kavi Gupta (Chicago, Berlin); CRG Gallery (New York, NY); Barbara Mathes Gallery (New York, NY); The Mayor Gallery (London, England); Luhring Augustine (New York); Sean Kelly Gallery (New York); Yvon Lambert (Paris); Leo Koenig, Inc.(New York);Galerie Buchholz (Berlin); Galerie Lelong (New York, Paris, Zurich) and D’Amelio Terras (New York, NY); Anthony Meier Fine Arts (San Francisco, CA); The Pace Gallery(New York); and Rhona Hoffman Gallery (Chicago, IL).
“Chicago has a vibrant and rich history in the arts, and I am committed to building on this history,” said Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “This contemporary international exposition will bring artists, dealers, collectors, and curators from around the world to experience Chicago’s culture, and will further establish Chicago as an international leader in the arts.”
EXPO CHICAGO’s design-forward interior environment is by the world-renowned Studio Gang Architects, led by MacArthur Fellow Jeanne Gang. Gang will take full advantage of Festival Hall’s expansive space and ceiling height, creating a show floor that offers generous-sized exhibitor booths and spaces for special exhibitions, as well as ample room for large-scale installations and patron amenities. Navy Pier’s unparalleled views of Lake Michigan and downtown Chicago will provide the perfect backdrop for her design. “I’m very excited to be part of the EXPO CHICAGOteam,” Gang said. “We are looking forward to producing engaging, unconventional spaces to enrich the visitors’ and exhibitors’ experience of the show.”
EXPO CHICAGO’s design-forward interior environment is by the world-renowned Studio Gang Architects, led by MacArthur Fellow Jeanne Gang. Gang will take full advantage of Festival Hall’s expansive space and ceiling height, creating a show floor that offers generous-sized exhibitor booths and spaces for special exhibitions, as well as ample room for large-scale installations and patron amenities. Navy Pier’s unparalleled views of Lake Michigan and downtown Chicago will provide the perfect backdrop for her design. “I’m very excited to be part of the EXPO CHICAGOteam,” Gang said. “We are looking forward to producing engaging, unconventional spaces to enrich the visitors’ and exhibitors’ experience of the show.”
Special Programs and Events Enrich EXPO CHICAGO Attendees’ Experiences
EXPOSURE Designed to be an important component of the fair, EXPOSURE affords up to twenty younger galleries that have been in business five years or less the opportunity to participate in a major international art fair. A special presentation of one or two artists by each of the participating galleries provides critical exposure for their programs, offering an important opportunity for curators, collectors and art enthusiasts to survey the best in innovative and emerging work. The booths are 200 square feet and have a reduced rate.
IN/SITU Another key component of the exposition's innovative artistic programming is IN/SITU, which provides the opportunity for exhibitors to showcase large-scale installations, site-specific and performative works by select international artists. Situated throughout EXPO CHICAGO's expansive floor, IN/SITU will provide a dynamic itinerary that connects various points of interest throughout EXPO CHICAGO. IN/SITU will be curated by writer and independent curator Michael Ned Holte.
/DIALOGUES Presented in partnership with The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), /DIALOGUES is a year-round program of symposia, panel discussions, and provocative artistic discourse. The series will culminate with informative and thought-provoking daily events during the fair, highlighting the field's leading artists, architects, curators, designers and arts professionals and the current issues that engage them.
VIP PROGRAM EXPO CHICAGO will offer an exclusive VIP Program that will include access to invitation-only events and tours organized by top curators as well as direct access to special guests. Many important Chicago area art organizations and business leaders have joined with EXPO CHICAGO to offer related programming that will augment the fair both on the exhibition floor, in other areas of Navy Pier and throughout the city. VIP Patron Program details will be announced at a future date.
VERNISSAGE EXPO CHICAGO will team with the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago to launch the fair with the return of Vernissage, an exclusive opening night preview celebration. For many years Vernissage was a highlight of the city’s social and cultural calendar and is set for Wednesday, Sept. 19,22, 2012, co-chaired by Marilyn Fields and Jennifer Aubrey. The event will offer first viewing of the fair, as well as the opportunity to meet members of the international art and design communities. Proceeds from Vernissage benefit the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago.
In addition, EXPO CHICAGO has already established partnerships with over 40 institutions, including the Art Institute of Chicago, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, the Renaissance Society, the Smart Museum of Art, Hyde Park Art Center, threewalls, International Sculpture Center, Chicago Children’s Museum, and ArtTable. For a complete list of partners to date, see the partner document in the press kit or on the newly designed www.expochicago.com.
www.Artspace.com, an official partner with EXPO CHICAGO, provides an online platform for guests to plan their visits, purchase tickets and access educational programming. Those not able to visit the fair can also preview and purchase artwork from participating exhibitors access educational programming on Artspace.com.
Art Expositions, LLC presents the inaugural EXPO CHICAGO, The International Exposition of Contemporary/Modern Art and Design, at Navy Pier’s Festival Hall at 600 E. Grand Avenue, Sept. 19 – 22, 2019. This four-day art event features 100 leading international galleries and offers a curated blend of contemporary/modern art and design.
For more information visit www.expochicago.com
