News coverage and analysis of the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Tucked west of the Democratic National Convention is the temporary “Into Action” exhibit, a curated gallery and festival aimed at elevating art, ideas and the power of voice.
“This is the voice of the people, set against the backdrop of the Democratic National Convention,” said Yosi Sergant, co-producer and co-curator behind the pop-up near the United Center, where the convention is being held this week.
The pop-up gallery, which runs through Thursday, will highlight over 240 artists and host dozens of performers and speakers, including singer-songwriter Jamila Woods and actress Rosario Dawson. At least half of the works on display are from Chicago artists, and the rest are from around the country.
Yosi Sergant is the co-producer and co-curator behind the “Into Action” pop-up near the United Center, where the convention is being held this week.
Andrea Flores/For the Sun-Times
Sergant, who commissioned former President Barack Obama’s “Hope” poster in 2008, said politicians can only do so much. It is art, culture and artists that help society understand the world.
“Our democracy absolutely needs art and artists within it to help us understand the world around us, to help us dream past the obstacles that are before us, to help us understand life,” he said.
Whether it’s Native American portraits displayed on worn luggage or womb-shaped clothes hangers, each piece tells the story of the struggle.
“It doesn’t matter where you are, we’re all dealing with credit card debt, with hunger, with poverty, with the health care industry and health care challenges, taking care of our elderly, taking care of our children,” Sergant said.
“These are the things we all face challenges with and they all need to be represented,” he said.
Glass maker Joe Ivacic is one of the featured artists at the “Into Action” pop-up exhibit.
Andrea Flores/For the Sun-Times
One of the featured artists is Joe Ivacic, who makes objects out of glass. A few of his featured works include a painting of a protest broadly draped over a police shield (made of glass), the other of a bullet-proof book bag (also made of glass) placed in a disorganized classroom.
With the microphone already off, he admits that many people hate doing this work, but it is necessary.
“Whether you’re looking at political cartoons or whether you’re looking at large-scale paintings, art has multiple purposes. It can beautify, it can inform, it can force you to think like good literature or a piece of music. It gives duality of sides,” said Ivacic.
“As an artist, my job is to hopefully make people question their perspective and say, ‘You know what? Maybe my world doesn’t line up with everyone else’s world.’
Tony WHLGN, a visiting Detroit artist, has been a community leader and artist over the past decade.
“And what I’m learning is helping me formulate a better opinion about where I want to take things in my life,” WHLGN said.
He calls the exhibition “thought-provoking”.
“I think if you don’t know what the political climate is in this country, you can get a sense of how it feels by looking at a lot of these pieces and reading some of the statements that these artists have put forth,” WHLGN said.
Although Sergant could not officially reveal any key political figures to attend their events, he insists the public will not miss out on the next few days.
“My hope is that people will come and see the truth that is on the wall about who we are and have been and what it takes to get there,” Sergant said.
The “Into Action” gallery is at 2226 W. Walnut St., just a short walk away from the new Damen stop on the Near West Side. The event is free, but RSVP is required.