BODY/MATTER

Columbia College Chicago

April 5 – May 5, 2024

Opening reception: Friday, April 5 2024 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Free

RSVP
Photography by Gretchen Lee

BODY/MATTER brings together twelve wearable artworks that consider the body as an object and subject of medical inquiry. Drawing upon research conducted in the archives of the International Museum of Surgical Science, the designers explore concepts of bodily normalcy, fashion as prosthetic, and surgical voyeurism, among others. ‘MATTER’ is thus conceived of in two ways: as cloth and as flesh. While cloth is the ‘matter’ of fashion design, flesh is the ‘matter’ of surgical science. Together, cloth and flesh function as the fragile barrier between the self and society; however, these works ask us to contemplate where one ends and the other begins.

Student Designers:

Rae Breazeale

Olivia Byam

Sarah Donnelly

William Duwe

Aurora Liston

Bryannah Minor

Jada Moore

Amelia Nelson

Joelle Olabode

Darrius Parker

Michael Smith

Yasmeen Wilson

Faculty Mentors

Julie Fehler

Lauren Downing Peters

Curator:

Lauren Downing Peters

Co-Organizers:

Columbia College Chicago

International Museum of Surgical Science

Sponsors:

Driehaus Design Initiative

About the Contemporary Arts Program: The International Museum of Surgical Science supports a commitment to contemporary art and artists through exhibitions and programs that use the frame of contemporary artistic practice to examine new perspectives in medical-surgical science and our relationship to the body. The Museum’s Contemporary Arts Initiative includes rotating exhibitions of contemporary art, as well as an ongoing Artist in Residence program.

This project is partially supported by a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events.

This project is supported, in whole or in part, by federal assistance listing number, 21.027 awarded to the International Museum of Surgical Science by the US Treasury through the American Rescue Plan Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds in the amount of $125,000.00, representing 83% of total project funding.

This project is partially supported by a Chicago Arts Recovery Program grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events.

The International Museum of Surgical Science acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.