Chicago Ideas Week Artist-in-Residence Juan Angel Chavez Unveils Interactive Art Installation at Pioneer Court

CHICAGO, Oct. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicago Ideas Week (CIW) Artist-in-Residence Juan Angel Chavez unveils his original interactive art installation today at Pioneer Court in Chicago. The Chicago-based artist built his larger-than-life exhibit to serve as a visual centerpiece for the weeklong ideas platform, taking place October 13-19. Chavez will also share the artistic process behind his work on the CIW stage at Places & Spaces, a Talk at the Cadillac Palace Theatre on Saturday, October 18.

Now in its third year, the Artist-in-Residence program is one of CIW's core community-facing initiatives that—along with initiatives like the CIW YOU(th) program and the newly launched Books On The L campaign—is designed to foster a community of curiosity. Chavez joins a vibrant artistic program that has previously spotlighted and supported the art of 2013 Artist-in-Residence Hebru Brantley and 2012 Artist-in-Residence Petra Bachmaier. This year's Artist-in-Residence program is being generously underwritten by GCM Grosvenor.

"I'm thrilled to be a part of a community that supports arts and creativity. My philosophy—like that of Chicago Ideas Week—is that interactive experiences and opportunities for connections and collaboration instigate action and change," said Chavez. "With that in mind, I have designed my installation to inspire the creative process in all of us." 

Chavez's canopy-like installation includes interactive components that ask visitors to consider how ideas and creativity are conceived, fostered and turned into actionable results. It will be featured at Pioneer Court until November 3, 2014.

A Mexican-born artist and adopted Chicagoan, Chavez is known for interactive, larger-than-life installations and sculptures made of found materials. His work has been exhibited throughout the United States, Mexico, Europe, Thailand and New Zealand. He is also the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the Richard H. Driehaus Individual Artist Award, the Louis Comfort Tiffany Award and the Artadia Individual Artist Award.

About Chicago Ideas Week
Chicago Ideas Week (CIW) is a 501(c)(3) organization. CIW is a premier year-round gathering of thought leaders created to drive ideas into actionable results. It is a platform for ideas, created for innovators, thinkers, doers and interested citizens from across Chicago, the greater Midwest and the world. Its goal is to stimulate new initiatives and ventures, create new connections and collaborations, and establish A Community of Curiosity. For more information, please visit www.chicagoideas.com and follow Chicago Ideas on Facebook and Twitter via @chicagoideas.

Media Contacts:
Jessica Malkin
Executive Director, Chicago Ideas Week
312.662.7708
[email protected]

Brianna Huy
Director of Media Relations, Chicago Ideas Week
312.297.7432
[email protected]

SOURCE Chicago Ideas Week