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
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.
