The Driehaus Museum is set to present a thought-provoking contemporary exhibition, A Tale of Today: Materialities, which invites visitors to explore the rich history and architecture of the museum through the lens of Midwest-based artists. The exhibition, opening on February 7, 2025, and running through April 25, 2025, features a diverse range of site-specific works that draw connections between the museum’s materials, global traditions, and cultural ideologies.
The exhibition was conceived by guest curator Dr. Giovanni Aloi and organized by the Driehaus Museum. It began with an open call to artists in the fall of 2023, challenging them to select a material from the museum’s collection, research its historical context, and create artworks that link the building’s architecture to broader cultural narratives. These commissioned pieces serve as bridges between the past and present, offering fresh perspectives on the Nickerson Mansion and fostering connections across different cultures and time periods.
The three-floor exhibition will showcase works from a range of talented artists, including Rebecca Beachy, Jonas Becker, Olivia Block, Barbara Cooper, Richard Hunt, IOTO, Beth Lipman, Luftwerk, Dakota Mace, Bobbie Meier, Laleh Motlagh, Ebony G. Patterson, Jefferson Pinder, and Edra Soto. The artists’ diverse practices span multiple disciplines, providing unique insights into the relationship between materials, history, and contemporary life.
A Tale of Today: Materialities will be on view at the Driehaus Museum, located at 50 E. Erie Street, offering a rare opportunity to experience the museum in a new light while engaging with the global narratives embedded within its walls.
