March 18, 2021
Zoom, University of Chicago
A virtual artist lecture by Mierle Laderman Ukeles in which she will highlight a number of her past and ongoing works including for -----> forever, which is both a response to the pandemic and a continuation of Ukeles’ long-standing dedication to honoring the unending labor of New York City’s public service workers through her artistic practice.
This talk coincides with the Smart Museum of Art's group exhibition Take Care, which includes a video she co-created with Julian Flavin in 2019 called Chicago DSS: Division 7, Division, 4, Division 2, Division 6. Ukeles said: “In this film, our goal was to focus on the work, to see the work, to hear the work of city maintenance....I don't think people see maintenance work. Yet, if we care to stay here, this work of keeping the City will go on forever. It keeps the City alive.”
This event is also in anticipation of the museum's upcoming March 20 event "Take Care, Be Well.” Marking the end of the exhibition, and situated one year after Chicago’s stay-at-home order, this program, including Ukeles/Flavin’s video, will feature a day-long series of live-streamed experiences and recorded content created by artists, students, community partners, and educators.
Presented by the Open Practice Committee and the Smart Museum of Art