The Peninsula Chicago Announces A Contemporary Art Exhibition 'But I'm on The Guest List!' Curated By FLAG Art Foundation, Coinciding With EXPO CHICAGO

CHICAGO, Sept. 12, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Peninsula Chicago presents an exciting art exhibition, But I'm on The Guest List! curated by The FLAG Art Foundation which brings together a variety of contemporary artists featuring Jennifer Dalton, Elmgreen & Dragset, Ewan Gibbs, Awol Erizku, Josephine Meckseper, Tom Sachs, Cindy Sherman, Yuken Teruya and Chicago's own Carlos Rolón.

This is the fourth consecutive year The Peninsula Chicago has hosted a contemporary art exhibition that coincides with the annual EXPO CHICAGO, the International Exposition of Contemporary & Modern Art, taking place at Navy Pier, September 27 to 30, 2018. The installation is open to the public and will be displayed throughout the hotel on the ground level lobby and the 5^th floor main lobby from September 22, 2018 through October 30, 2018, as part of a public art project.

About the Exhibition:
But I'm on The Guest List! is titled after artist duo Elmgreen & Dragset's oversized VIP door, which sets the tone for a selection of artworks that will be displayed in The Peninsula Chicago's opulent public spaces. The selection of artworks playfully intervenes in the hotel's beautiful public spaces, mingling form and function, high and low culture, and humorously nodding to the trappings of VIP status.

A special highlight is Chicago-based artist Carlos Rolón's two site-specific installations, which extend his 24K gold leaf and oil painting, Gild the Lily (Decadence upon Decadence IV) 2017, into The Peninsula Chicago's gilded public spaces. At the entrance, Rolón brings nature inside through an exuberant garden, created in collaboration with the hotel's florist. Gilding the typically hidden building material of cinder blocks, serving as the structure for the vertical garden, reflects the artist's self-described aesthetic of "blue collar baroque." In the hotel's main upper lobby, Rolón, a first-generation immigrant of Puerto Rican descent, presents an intimate Caribbean seating area—titled Bochinche after a Spanish slang term for gossip, responding to the aesthetic beauty and functionality of the public/private space of a hotel.

Maria Razumich-Zec, Regional Vice President and General Manager of The Peninsula Chicago says, "We are delighted to partner with FLAG Art Foundation on their 10^th anniversary to showcase a collection of unique artwork in a special exhibit that coincides with EXPO CHICAGO. We are especially pleased to feature Chicago native, Carlos Rolón in this exhibit. Carlos' art is vibrant and uplifting. His art greets guests at the ground level entrance with an unexpected display of gold-gilded cinderblocks topped with plants and then on the main lobby level, his work transforms an alcove seating area into a momentary respite and retreat.

An 'Artist in Residence' program has also been implemented in the area adjacent to Z Bar, the hotel's new rooftop venue. Chicago photographer and artist, Lincoln Schatz's images of forests and nature grace this area and set the tone for the transition to the new rooftop setting."

"We are incredibly grateful for our extensive partnership with The Peninsula Chicago as both our Official Hotel Sponsor and for their ongoing commitment to presenting international contemporary artwork to align with our exposition," said EXPO CHICAGO President | Director Tony Karman. "This year's collaboration with the FLAG Art Foundation beautifully celebrates their mission to encourage greater appreciation of contemporary art among a diverse audience," he added. 

SOURCE The Peninsula Chicago

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