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| For Immediate Release: August 22, 2008 |
Contact: David Blanchette (217) 558-0516 |
September 19 progressive reception to feature exhibits commemorating 1908 Springfield Race Riot Artists will exhibit at the Presidential Library, Illinois State Museum, and University of Illinois at Springfield Springfield, IL — On Friday, September 19 the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, Illinois State Museum, and University of Illinois at Springfield will host a progressive reception featuring exhibitions commemorating the Springfield Race Riot of 1908. "Through the Eyes of Artists: Looking Back, Looking Forward" is free and open to the public, and will feature the work of artists capturing the essence of the riot, its meaning, and what it can say to us today. The reception begins at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, Sixth and Jefferson Streets, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.; progresses to the Illinois State Museum, Spring and Edwards Streets, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.; and concludes at the University of Illinois at Springfield's Health and Sciences Building from 7:30 to 9 p.m. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library will feature "In 1908...," an exhibit by Springfield artist Brian Gillis that turns historical sources into artworks that tell the riot's story and coax visitors into becoming witnesses to the event. Sources include maps, arrest records, court proceedings, death records, National Guard documents, and oral histories from people who were around the Springfield area during the 1908 riot. These audio, literal and visual artistic elements help bring a new understanding to this terrible, historic event. "In 1908..." remains on display through October 2008. The Illinois State Museum will present "Across the Divide: Reconsidering the Other," an exhibition featuring the work of leading contemporary artists. Through the eyes of 16 nationally and internationally recognized artists, this exhibition looks back and looks forward through art that deals with race, ethnicity, religion and other geo-political issues. Featured artists are Rashid Johnson, Jin Soo Kim, James Luna, Kerry James Marshall, Carrie Mae Weems, Fred Wilson, Michele Feder-Nadoff, Brian Gillis, Kanaan Kanaan, Glenn Ligon, Mike Miller, Luz Maria Sanchez, Nicholas Sistler, Ian Weaver, Kehinde Wiley and Bernard Williams. Diverse art practices and shifting objects combine in engaging displays of challenging installation work and innovative uses of more traditional media, such as tapestry, painting, photography, and sculpture. "Across the Divide: Reconsidering the Other" will be on exhibit through January 11, 2009. The reception's final stop is the University of Illinois at Springfield's Health and Sciences Building, just south of Brookens Library at the center of campus. "Talking Stones" by internationally renowned installation and performance artist James Luna, with Ingram Ober, is a multimedia installation that takes the idea that organic substances, such as stones, can speak to us. According to the artist, these stones, in the right time and place, can transcend the world of utilitarian tools and become objects that hold a spiritual soul and can speak of knowledge from the "other" world. A special place in the exhibit will accommodate an original brick left from the riot. For more information on "Through the Eyes of Artists: Looking Back, Looking Forward" call (217) 558-8934 or visit www.abelincolnmuseum.org. ###
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