Art on theMART Announces 2022 Summer Programming

 Art on theMART Announces 2022 Summer Programming

CHICAGO – As the “Year of Chicago Dance” designated by the City
of Chicago reaches its halfway point, Art on theMART continues to spotlight local dancers, choreographers and visual artists on the most prominent public art canvas in the city while also featuring international
artists. This summer’s lineup includes “Billiken,” an all-new projection directed by fourth generation youth dance troupe leader Shkunna Stewart and Time Out Best in the City Award-winner Wills Glasspiegel. Bridging local and international arts communities, summer 2022 will also
see explore, a work by international artist Jonas Denzel, recognized for his stunning and creative projection mapping presentations in his native Germany. The two new pieces will debut on Thursday, June 30 and
will play twice nightly at 9 p.m. through September 7, 2022 alongside Nick Cave’s Ba Boom Boom Pa Pop Pop in the 9:30 p.m. slot.

Wills Glasspiegel, the filmmaker behind Art on theMART’s 2021 Footnotes
projection that won Time Out Chicago’s Best in The City Award for the category of public artwork, has partnered with dance group leader Shkunna Stewart to direct Billiken: a large-scale work composed of
video footage and animated imagery that celebrates the talented youth dance groups and marching bands that participate and compete in Chicago’s annual Bud Billiken Parade, the largest and longest-running
African American parade in the U.S. Spearheaded by the Chicago Defender newspaper in 1929, generations of south-side Chicagoans have participated in the event throughout the decades. Shkunna Stewart,
co-director of “Billiken,” is the fourth generation of her family to lead dancers at the parade, having won broad acclaim after taking first place in the parade’s dance competition on several occasions with her dance group Bringing Out Talent, featured in the projection alongside over 100 local dancers. “Billiken” is co-produced by the Chicago Defender Charities.

“Most people don’t understand the work that we do as dance presidents, CEOs and organizers. We save lives through dance,” said Shkunna Stewart. “We give youth a place to be themselves, to build confidence and joy. ‘Billiken’ shows that. It gives our kids something different and positive to focus on. Many of these dancers featured in Billiken have never been to the Riverwalk. They don’t know how beautiful our city is. This project is building bridges and broadening perspectives on all sides.”

“Our new work for Art on theMART, titled ‘Billiken,’ channels the long history of Chicago’s Bud Billiken Parade,” said Wills Glasspiegel. “Our work celebrates and extends the parade’s history from the south side to theMART downtown, inviting youth dancers and dance companies to
shine at a scale that befits their brilliance.”

Additional collaborators for “Billiken” include DJ RP Boo, a legendary trailblazer in Chicago’s house music and footwork dance scenes. RP Boo was among the first DJs to spin live at Bud Billiken in the ‘90s, helping craft a musical tradition that continues at the parade today. RP Boo has
assembled a house music soundtrack to accompany “Billiken,” punctuated with samples from Rich Township Marching Machine, a youth marching band from Rich Township High School in the south suburbs. Also involved in the project is Brandon K. Calhoun, reprising his role as animator after his and Glasspiegel’s Art on theMART smash hit Footnotes.

“Art on theMART is excited to welcome back Chicagoans and visitors to the downtown area for this jubilant, energetic summer program,” said Cynthia Noble, executive director of Art on theMART. “We look forward to amplifying the local talent behind the historic Bud Billiken Parade for the world, while also bringing the work of international artists to Chicago.”

For more information on Art on theMART and summer programming,
please visit: www.artonthemart.com.

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