Friday 11/7 – Thursday 11/13
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Curator Olga Stefan says the artists included in the new exhibit Palpable Disequilibrium: Contemporary Art in Romania are barely recognized in their own country. “They’re really marginal. No one understands it, and there’s no real market for art–especially contemporary art.” Stefan, who immigrated to Chicago from Bucharest in 1983, has chosen political work for this show of interactive, site-specific installations. “It’s all dealing with how a country and artists and the general public in Romania is dealing with the political, economic, and social instability the country is going through right now.” Those attending tonight’s opening are encouraged to bring an object featuring a globe for Lia Perjovschi’s installation, Endless Collection. She and her husband, Dan, will be joined by fellow artist Matei Bejenaru and Indiana University political scientist Aurelian Craiutu for a free roundtable discussion on art and politics tonight from 6 to 8. It’ll be followed by a reception that runs until 10, all at LIPA gallery, 160 E. Illinois. The exhibit’s up through December 7. Call 312-329-0812 for more.
8 SATURDAY According to the Justice Department, some 630,000 people will be released from prison this year–including 30,000 in Illinois. Where the ex-cons will land, their level of rehabilitation, and whether society is prepared for their return are some of the topics to be covered at the Community Renewal Society’s fifth annual State of Race and Poverty Conference, Repentance and Reconciliation: The Reintegration of Ex-Offenders Into Our Communities. The conference, with a keynote speech by Seventh District congressman Danny Davis, takes place today from 8 AM to 1 PM at Covenant United Church of Christ, 1130 E. 154th in South Holland. General admission, including breakfast, is $25, $15 for students and seniors ($10 if you don’t want to eat). Call 312-427-4830.
11 TUESDAY Shortly after the Silent Film Society of Chicago started up five years ago, contemporary silent filmmakers from around the country began petitioning the group to screen their works. “We said it’s not what we do,” explains program director Dennis Wolkowicz. But after getting a slew of inquiries he decided to stage a festival of new work in the spirit of the original silent era–complete with accompaniment by SFSC regular Dennis Scott on the organ. A dozen or so new films, along with a couple of 1920s shorts (“to give it a little balance and see what the audience thinks”), will be shown tonight at Try It Quiet: New Silent Films for the 21st Century. It starts at 7:45 at the Biograph Theatre, 2433 N. Lincoln, and will be introduced by actress and SFSC member Karin Hansen. Tickets are $8 in advance ($7 for students and seniors), $10 at the door. Call 773-205-7372 or see www.silentfilmchicago.com for more information.
