Upcoming Events and Projects
Feminine Embrace
MARCH 2024
DATE APPROXIMATE - TBD + PENDING APPROVAL
Feminine Embrace is an art collaboration with Chicago-based artist and Eastern Illinois University Alumni, Lexi Alvarado, and Eastern Illinois University.
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This is a series on unpacking, and moving towards healing collective and individual femininity through art, expression, connection, reflection and community design.
Feminine Embrace begins with interviewing and highlighting individuals and their relationships with their own feminism.
In this collaboration, we aim to use interviews, sculpture, photography, alcohol ink, form figure drawing and mixed media to center, unpack and create space for the embrace of our own personal and collective relationships with femininity.
This work will be premiered at Eastern Illinois University in March of 2025 in a two part series: the first will be an evening with the gallery exhibit opening and a discussion on the collaboration, internalized femmephobia and relational and individual healing within our own contexts of femininity. The second will be a modular, community art piece paired with workshops on alcohol ink, and floral/textile sculpture.
This collaborative art sculpture will be installed in a public space of Eastern Illinois University and evolve over time as the campus writes on the alcohol ink pieces about their relationships with femininity. This art installation and series may be replicated in different locations after the residence at Eastern Illinois University has ended.
A Journey Through the Elements: Metra/BNSF Interactive Light Train Cars
What an immense privilege to work on the artist team with Alec Rudek (@artbyalec), Adam Molski (@mysticlightworks) and Liviu Pasare (@liviupasare) for the first local artist collaboration with the @metrarail/@bnsf for an immersive light train car activation.
Growing up, the Metra was always a portal to other places, and could create avenues to new worlds with people, art, music and curiosities I would have never known and truly has been a window of opportunity and a resource in my life!
I know there are probably many people who would agree that access to train transportation acts as a formative piece for people to connect, have livelihoods and transport in more green ways. Whatta gift!
This celebration of light includes four sections of two train cars. Each section was created to emulate portals into the four elements: Earth, Fire, Air and Water.
The Elemental Metra Cars are made in partnership with the @cityofaurorail/@aurorapublicart’s interactive light festival, Lumenaura, and runs until the end of October, 2024. The theme this year as portals could not be better suited for this activation!
Train cars on weekday Metra/BNSF schedule:
• 1271
• 1291
Train cars on weekend Metra/BNSF schedule:
• 2000
• 2001
• 2006
• 2015
• 2024
• 2025
• 2032
• 2035
Here are some highlights of 112 feet of custom elemental clouds and garlands and a tip of the (conductor) hat to all the people who made this possible. He he
Partners:
@metrarail @bnsfrailway @cityofaurorail @aurorapublicart @downtownaurora @insidetown
Special thanks to:
@sangeetapande @jennbyrneart @thiscityslept @paulmart14 @semi_cycle @kind.megs @codisiah @trevorholloway @mracegiller @b_wolfeman @jena_ren_ @edub04 @isp_chicago
#Clouds #trains #portals #light #lumenaura #metra #bnsf #earth #wind #water #fire
Lumenaura
https://yourvoice.aurora.il.us/lumenaura
https://yourvoice.aurora.il.us/lumenaura-artist-spotlight-brittany-harthan
Lumenaura Gallery Activation Opening Night
To learn more, visit Brittany Harthan: Artist Spotlight or Aurora History.
