Gertie is heading to the Art Institute of Chicago after dark for an evening of immersive, curator-led walkthroughs exploring the museum’s Arts of Asia department.

‍

We’ll begin with Korean National Treasures: 2,000 Years of Art, where curator Yeonsoo Chee will guide us through the landmark exhibition featuring more than 140 works spanning centuries of Korean artistic production. The presentation includes modern and historical paintings, ceramics, and objects created for Buddhist worship and scholarly study, with 22 works officially recognized as National Treasures or Treasures by the Korean government.

‍

From 6th-century gilt-bronze Buddhist sculpture to Joseon dynasty painting and luminous white porcelain, alongside contemporary works of the late 20th century, the exhibition offers a sweeping look at the artistic legacy cultivated on the Korean peninsula over thousands of years.

‍

We’ll then make our way to the Tadao Ando Gallery for a private walkthrough with Assistant Curator Alex Jen, who will introduce the works he curated for this iconic, contemplative space. Dimmed and hushed, the gallery invites introspection, asking viewers to move beyond binaries of East and West, tradition and modernity, toward a more layered and globally connected understanding of the avant-garde.

‍

Featuring works from the 20th and early 21st centuries drawn from the museum’s Prints and Drawings and Arts of Asia collections, the installation explores themes of interiority, refuge, uncertainty, and the emotional aftermath of historical conflict. Through the presentation, visitors are invited to consider how artists respond to violence, memory, and the search for meaning in an increasingly complex world.

‍

Alex will also share intimate insights into his curatorial process, including how a roundtrip to Iowa unexpectedly led him to discover Yasuo Kuniyoshi’s 1952 painting Amazing Juggler, which ultimately became a key point of inspiration for the exhibition.

‍

Rich with historical context, curatorial perspective, and thoughtful conversation, this is an evening not to miss.

‍

6-8 PM