MP3 II: A photo exhibit off the beaten art path
Photographs may not garner quite the attention that paintings and sculptures receive in the Chicago art world, but an upcoming show at the downtown Museum of Contemporary Photography strives to change that.
Beginning July 17, the museum will exhibit MP3 II, a collection of works by three contemporary photographers that will challenge and entertain art lovers and novices alike.
Founded in 1984 by Columbia College Chicago, the Museum of Contemporary Photography collaborates with artists and institutions to present projects on a wide range of contemporary technologies. The leading photography museum in the Midwest, it aims to exhibit works by new and emerging talents.
Many of the artists on display at the museum belong to the Midwest Photographers Project, a rotating collection of works by both prominent and emerging artists. MP3 II is the second exhibition in a series from the Midwest Photographers Project, and will feature the works of artists Curtis Mann, John Opera and Stacia Yeapanis July 17 through Sept. 13.
Mann’s work, previously shown in Belgium, New York and Los Angeles, blurs the lines of painting and photography. Using imagery from sources like websites and estate sales, he varnishes, bleaches and adds details to the image to trick viewers looking for the familiar.
John Opera’s work features lush landscapes and a focus on nature. A Weinstein Fellow from the School of the Art Institute in Chicago, Opera challenges form and content, and viewers’ perceptions through his work.
Fans of pop culture will enjoy Stacia Yeapanis’ collection, which draws heavily from television and computer games. In pieces that explore the game The Sims, as well as television characters experiencing emotional moments, Yeapanis pushes the boundaries between art and media.
The Museum of Contemporary Photography is a terrific space off the beaten path from more crowded attractions like the Art Institute, and is free to the public.
And while the MP3 II exhibition may be out of the ordinary for visitors used to realistic photographs, it’s a terrific opportunity to learn about the medium and emerging local artists on the rise. In short, it’s picture perfect.
- by D.J. Siegel, Chicago Reporter for HelloMetro
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