Chicago Calling: Move/Remove/ /Place/Displace

Saturday, October 10 (4-9 p.m.)

High Concept Labs
Mana Contemporary Chicago
2233 S. Throop St.
Chicago, IL  60608

$5 suggested donation, all ages

You’re invited to come to Chicago Calling: Move/Remove//Place/Displace, which explores themes such as migration, immigration, and gentrification—in Pilsen, across Chicago, and with resonances around the world. Pilsen, like other Chicago neighborhoods, is a neighborhood that’s constantly in transition. Some of those changes can be seen and felt quickly, whereas other changes manifest themselves slowly over years and generations. How can we witness the changes happening around us and actively participate in processes that relate to movement and placement—in meaningful ways? How can artists and activists create dynamic work that explores these themes? CC: MRPD explores these themes.

The program includes:

• artist talk by Shir Ende
• "Backhoes and Palmyra," a presentation by Janina Ciezadlo
  
• artwork by Chicago Public School students -- created in response to a mural by Marcos Raya, facilitated by Arturo Barrera
• screening of Broadway Corners by Orin Buck
• music and poetry performance with Joe Vajarsky (tenor saxophone), Kenyatta Rogers (poetry), Roger Carroll (tenor saxophone, piano), Matthew Feingold (upright bass, piano) and Dan Godston (cornet, percussion)
• Immigration, Gentrification, Arts and Activism -- panel discussion with Tony Diaz, Amanda Gutierrez and Lupe Mendez
• Out of the map: a collective itinerary of displacements --  Amanda Gutierrez in collaboration with Film Front

at 7 PM:
Out of the map: a collective itinerary of displacements is a critical itinerary in collaboration with Film Front, which utilizes a group walk as a reflective tool—revising the role of community centers that have been closed, displaced, or played historically important roles in the development of the Pilsen neighborhood. The walk is meant to be a collective process of memory, inviting three collaborators with their own historical narrative, who have studied or participated in the featured organizations and cultural centers.

The walk features Casa Aztlan, Thalia Hall (highlighting its role with the Bohemian community), and Yollocalli Arts Reach. The walk will finish at Film Front -- including a short screening of a documentary about gentrification and post-screening discussion.

Thanks to today's presenters and performers; Rachel Ellison and Steven Wang from High Concept Labs for helping with this event; Peter Weathers from HCL for helping with the marketing; Film Front and HCL for partnering with Borderbend on this event; and Deon Morrissette and Erik Summerville for assisting with the event.

CC: MRPD happens during the Tenth Annual Chicago Calling Arts Festival. Chicago Calling is a multi-arts collaboration festival; during the Tenth Annual Chicago Calling Arts Festival people in Chicago work with people outside of Chicago — both here in the U.S. and abroad. These collaborations include a range of art forms, such as music, dance, film, literature, and intermedia — and they are prepared or improvised. Some Chicago Calling events involve live feeds between Chicago and other locations.

The 2015 Chicago Calling Arts Festival is part of the 20th Annual Chicago Artists Month, which highlights the work of hundreds of artists throughout Chicago with performances, exhibitions, open studios, tours and neighborhood art walks. The 20th annual Chicago Artists Month (CAM) celebrates the City as Studio: from October 1 – November 15, 2015. Join this community-contributed showcase of Chicago's artists and creatives and experience art in the parks, dance in the neighborhoods, installations in the alley, and concerts on the front porch. CAM is presented by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events in collaboration with the Chicago Park District and numerous community partners. CAM is presented by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events in collaboration with the Chicago Park District and numerous community partners.

Chicago Calling is presented by the Borderbend Arts Collective. Borderbend presents boundary-pushing arts programming by connecting artists with communities to create year-round musical, literary and multi-arts programs involving new and unique arts practices. Our programs include site-specific events; arts education programs; collaborations among local, regional, and international artists and organizations; and work presented on web-based platforms -- all with the goal of building community. 

Annual Borderbend programs include the Chicago Calling Arts Festival and Mingus Awareness Project. Borderbend partners with other organizations to enrich and extend the reach of its programs which have involved artists, organizations, and communities from the U.S. and beyond.

Links:

• Amanda Gutierrez
• “Casa Aztlan, a beacon of hope” by Peter Alter (Chicago History Museum)
• Chicago Artists Month 
• Chicago Calling Arts Festival
• High Concept Labs
• Janina Ciezadlo
• MRPD call for artists (5/7/2015)
• “The Outlaw Artist of 18th Street” by Jeff Huebner (Chicago Reader)
• Shir Ende / MRPD multidisciplinary installation