Exhibit opens on the art of architecture

Eight architects-in-the-making from eight corners of the globe will unite in an exhibit that presents their unique perspectives on the city of Chicago. The exhibition, at 1915 S, Halsted St., runs from March 9-31, 2007.

The media employed by the group include traditional techniques, such as painting and photography, as well as multimedia and spatial installations. The exhibition offers a fresh, provocative look at the city of Chicago, its people and its built environment. Gallery hours are Fridays 4-8 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays 12-5 p.m.

The exhibitors are Illinois Institute of Technology College of Architecture graduates and graduate students from Germany, Taiwan, Greece, Japan as well as the four corners of the United States. They have individually exhibited their work professionally, both locally and internationally, and won numerous architectural design competitions.

In choosing their theme for the exhibition the group decided to focus on one point that they all shared in common: the city of Chicago. Each artist focused his or her own individual perspectives and talents on interpreting certain aspects of the city, defining their own areas of interest and mediums of expression.

Art and architecture have always been closely intertwined. Historically, many architectural movements traced their roots to artistic movements, such as the De Stijl movement of the 1930s whose inception can be traced to the paintings of Piet Mondrian and others. In contemporary architecture this is still the case with architects, such as Zaha Hadid who begins her formal explorations with traditional art forms such as painting and sculpture.

In this exhibition the group take a less common and more circuitous route approaching art from the reference point of the built environment. This art in turn aims to influence future architectural thought and blur the lines between art and architecture.

The exhibitors are:

1. Jan Rehders, Hamburg, Germany, collage, painting and drawing

2. Kazuya Katagiri, Tokyo, Japan, mix media collage

3. Jeremy Ehly, Seattle, Wash., multi-media photo, video and sound installation

4. Jaq Lin, Pingtung, Taiwan, mix media sculpture

5. Kate Dougherty, Pittsburgh, Pa., wooden sculptural installation

6. B.B. Dodd, Coral Springs, Fla., mixed media collage, painting, drawing

7. Jason Mackin, Merced, Calif., painting

8. Zenovia Toloudi, Alexandroupolis, Greece, spatial installation.

The space for the exhibition has been donated by Podmajersky Inc. and the Chicago Arts District, sponsor of the exhibit.

For more about the artists and the exhibition, go to www.jeremyehly.com/arch.city.art.html.