Site Unseen 2009: (dis)abling conditions

Presented by The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs

Monday, November 09
6:00 PM — 9:00 PM
Chicago Cultural Center
FREE

For one night only, the Chicago Cultural Center will host Site Unseen, a site-specific performance event featuring theater, dance, music, and visual art by individual artists and ensembles of local and international acclaim. The performances, installations, and video works will all consider issues around disability and will be created specifically for the rooms and architecture of the Chicago Cultural Center.

Now in its sixth annual edition, Site Unseen 2009 will feature works by local artist that bring visibility to issues presented by disabilities of all kinds. This theme emerged because Julie Laffin [MFA 1990], the project’s ongoing curator, has become increasingly disabled by environmental illness and complications from chronic Lyme Disease. This year’s presentation reflects her own struggles with new disabilities and the effects on her artistic collaboration with Chicago DCA Theater Director Claire Geall Sutton. Along with this year’s assistant curator, Clover Morell [MFA], Laffin and Sutton are collaborating on a piece that chronicles this experience.

Participating artists creating audio, performance, spoken word, movement-based, and media installation art include:
Mike Ervin and Rahnee Patrick, Judith Harding in collaboration with Still Point Theatre Collective, James Kubie [MFA 2009] and Katrina Chamberlin [MFA 2009] in collaboration with Joseph Belknap [MFA 2009], Marissa Perel [MFA 2010] and Madeleine Bailey [MFA 2009], Debra Tolchinsky, Unreal-estates (Annette Barbier and Drew Browning) and Project Onward.

Performances will take place concurrently throughout the galleries, halls, and rooms of the Chicago Cultural Center and need not be viewed in any particular order.

Randolph Cafe: Judith Harding with Still Point Theatre Collective
Randolph West Elevator: Drew Browning and Annette Barbier
Dance Studio: Mike Ervin and Rahnee Patrick (sign language translation provided)
First Floor Garland: Project Onward
G.A.R. Memorial Hall and Rotunda: James Kubie and Katrina Chamberlin with Joseph Belknap
Claudia Cassidy Theater: Clover Morell and Julie Laffin (sign language translation provided)
2nd/3rd Floor Ramp: Debra Tolchinsky
Preston Bradley Hall: Marissa Perel and Madeleine Bailey