Chicago, it’s colder than a polar plunge out there. Now is the Netflix’d winter of our discontent. But instead of nesting on your mid-century moderns, get thee some culture by snuggling up at these galleries. Sally forth.
Crime Then and Now: Through the Lens of the Chicago Tribune
A fascinating look at never-before-seen Chicago crime photography from the archives of the Tribune. Photos span from the Capone era to present day; from the underworld to streetside murders. See also: Gangsters and Grifters. At Gage Gallery. 18 S. Michigan Ave.
Erró is a big deal in Iceland, and his comic-inspired work is an explosion of color and multi-layered commentary using cartoon figures, public figures and more. The man knows how to make pieces pop. Fans of Roy Lichtenstein will particularly dig. At Mana Contemporary. 2233 S. Throop St.
A fantastic thought-starter for this year’s Chicago Architecture Biennial, bringing together 14 design firms to challenge audiences’ perceptions of space and public place. Not sure what that means? Start with this groundbreaking architectural graphic novel from the show’s organizer. At The Graham Foundation. 4 W. Burton Place
Outreach: Jaime Davidovich 1974-1984
Amusingly confounding might be the way to describe Davidovich’s work. This is his first solo exhibition in Chicago, and it features video and television snippets that rotate throughout the show. Dude was one of the first artists to experiment with television, and it’s all wonderfully weird stuff. At Threewalls. 119 N. Peoria St.
Richard Hunt: Sixty Years of Sculpture
You’ve probably passed one of Richard Hunt’s public sculptures before. At 80, he’s still hard at work, welding hard metals to create vaguely figurative, free-standing abstractions. Think industrial. Collages made from welded steel. It’s like Joan Miró in three dimensions. Here, you get 60 years worth of his work to ogle. At the Chicago Cultural Center. 78 E. Washington St.
Bonus: CSO: 2001 A Space Odyssey
On the heels of the release of a Kubrick Blu-ray set and Taschen’s four-volume tribute to 2001, watch the sci-fi masterpiece scored live by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Get your tickets now.
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