Illuminating the Underground—From Caravaggio’s Cellar Light to Contemporary Photography: Lecture
@ The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603
Opening Thursday, December 28th, from 6PM - 7PM
Join Marielle Epstein, assistant director of Interpretation, to explore how Caravaggio’s intense treatment of light resonates in the work of contemporary nightclub photographers.
Caravaggio’s light, dramatic and revealing, gripped and repelled audiences throughout Rome. His light illuminated the divine in the same strokes as it did the city’s grit. Caravaggio navigated the Eternal City’s sometimes violent underworld not only as an observer but as a person who belonged to it, and his intimate understanding informed his artistic expression.
Today, contemporary nightclub photography by artists like Nan Goldin and Wolfgang Tillmans continue the tradition, playing with light and shadow to capture pain, pleasure, violence, love, divination, sin, and redemption, offering a window into worlds that continue to captivate us.
About the Speaker
Marielle Epstein is the assistant director of interpretation at the Art Institute of Chicago. In this role, she develops exhibition texts, learning tools, and gallery narratives to enhance the visitor experience. Marielle believes that every artwork can be a springboard for inspiring, challenging, and dynamic conversations that create connection and change.
Before joining the museum, she held curatorial research and educational positions at SAIC and at other local and international institutions. She holds an MA in the history of dress and a BA in the history of art and French studies.
Please note that this is an in-person event that takes place at the museum. In accordance with state and City of Chicago guidelines, visitors to the museum are no longer required to wear masks or provide proof of vaccination, though anyone who would like to wear a mask is encouraged to do so. If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19 in the week before your visit, we ask that you stay home. We appreciate your help in keeping the museum a healthy and safe place for our staff and visitors. Learn more about our visiting policies.
If you have any questions about programming, please reach out to museum-programs@artic.edu.
Closed captioning will be available for this program. For questions related to accessibility accommodations, please email access@artic.edu.
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Tags: Caravaggio, Chicago, Illuminating the Underground—From Caravaggio’s Cellar Light to Contemporary Photography: Lecture, Loop, Marielle Epstein, Nan Goldin, The Art Institute of Chicago, Wolfgang Tillmans
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