Woman Made Gallery (WMG) is proud to present Connectivity, a group exhibition with work by 39 artists. Juried by Anke Loh, this exhibition explores connecting to oneself, to others and to one’s surroundings. The exhibition includes visual material, tactile and sound explorations, poetry, moving image, and more, through the prism of how we establish and maintain our connections on multiple levels. The opening reception will be held on Saturday, July 13, from 4 to 7 p.m. at 1332 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60607.

Jurors’ Statement: “Societies and cultures have been transformed over the last decade or so, through the global access to and use of new and emerging technologies and smart textiles. Our methods for communicating and connecting with one another is accelerating, with so many more ways to connect across the planet in real time.

At the same time, particularly during the height of the pandemic when everything came to a jolting halt, we discovered how to “be in touch” and “maintain contact” in new ways. Isolation-induced longing engendered remarkably innovative ways to communicate. In a world with so much urgency, how do people in crisis get in touch, taking action or form protest? Who is in contact with whom and what are their ways for contact and communication?

What are the unknown forces that move us, and what or with whom do we maintain contact? Do immediacy and speeding up everything help or hurt us? Do we need to slow down to find a deep connection with sensation? What about the importance of touch to foster deeper connection? What will be the next interface for human connectivity?

Artists are pivotal social catalysts who filter, express and help reveal new pathways for verbal and non-verbal communication. This exhibition aims to showcase artistic explorations into connectivity via the realms of fashion, design, craft, artificial intelligence and social consciousness. Work in this exhibition reflects both social justice and imagination.”

Exhibiting Artists: Grace Adamczyk, Salma Arastu, Asya Aseeva, Xiaowen Bao, Julia Betts, Sophia Brueckner, Pamela Chipman, Mag Cramer, Cindy Dick, Raya Dukhan, Marie-Helene Fabra, Gabriella Gentile, Farida Hughes, Peicen Jiang, Judith Joseph, Heather Klinkhamer, Carley Knight, Catherine Lyu, Seema Mathew, Asia Mathis, Maya, Filio Zoi Milioti, Katherine Nemanich, Maya Nguen, Cheryl Pagurek, Sabine Pearlman, Rosalina Perez, Laura Phelps Rogers, Natalie Preston, Beth Racette, Shirene Rafie, Kenzi Rayelle, Catherine Spencer, Savneet Talwar, Winnie van der Rijn, Mary Barbara Walsh, Sarah Weiner, Adrienne Weiss, Qianwen Yu

About the Juror: Anke Loh is a designer, artist, and educator who works at the intersection of fashion, art, and technology. With a focus on textile development and wearable tech, her collaborative practice explores the potential ways of building community through craft and making. In the process of creating installations and site-specific interventions, Loh will invite scientists, designers, artists, and community members to collaborate on innovative projects such as touch sensitive embroidered textiles that trigger pre-recorded soundscapes. Her practice also explores the inherent meaning and symbolism imbedded into everyday materials such as wire, which has been used to build fences as well as serve a conduit for communication across borders.

Loh’s multi-disciplinary approach to art and design has attracted international media attention and recognition in addition to awards, such as the Laureate at the Festival International des Arts et de la Mode in Hyères, France. Her work has been featured at New York’s Fashion Week, Paris’ Centre Pompidou, Japan’s Osaka Collection Show, and Mode Expo Antwerp, Belgium. For more information visit: https://re-fream.eu/pioneers/embroidered-touch/

ARTISTS WALKTHROUGH: Saturday, August 17, 2–4 PM CST

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Tags: Adrienne Weiss, Asia Mathis, Asya Aseeva, Beth Racette, Carley Knight, Catherine Lyu, Catherine Spencer, Cheryl Pagurek, Chicago, Cindy Dick, Connectivity, Farida Hughes, Filio Zoi Milioti, Gabriella Gentile, Grace Adamczyk, Heather Klinkhamer, Judith Joseph, Julia Betts, Katherine Nemanich, Kenzi Rayelle, Laura Phelps Rogers, Mag Cramer, Marie-Helene Fabra, Mary Barbara Walsh, Maya, Maya Nguen, Natalie Preston, near west side, Pamela Chipman, Peicen Jiang, Qianwen Yu, Raya Dukhan, Rosalina Perez, Sabine Pearlman, Salma Arastu, Sarah Weiner, Savneet Talwar, Seema Mathew, Shirene Rafie, Sophia Brueckner, Winnie van der Rijn, Woman Made Gallery, Xiaowen Bao