Time Is Now!: Art Worlds of Chicago's South Side, 1960-1980

During the 1960s and 1970s, Chicago's South Side was a hotbed of artistic activity, with a vibrant community of African American artists and activists. "The Time is Now! Art Worlds of Chicago's South Side, 1960-1980" explores this cultural moment, focusing on key events and figures, including the Black Arts Movement, Civil Rights Movement, and AfriCOBRA. The exhibit re-examines these watershed moments through new scholarship and contextual material, resonating with current national dialogues around race, gender, protest, and belonging.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 215 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2018
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

During the vibrant 1960s and 70s, Chicago's South Side emerged as a hub of artistic expression, shaped by a rich tapestry of ideas and creations. This era was defined by the city's social, political, and geographic divides, as well as the vibrant energy of its multiple overlapping art scenes. The Time is Now! Art Worlds of Chicago's South Side, 1960-1980, a captivating book published in conjunction with an exhibition at the Smart Museum of Art, delves into this pivotal cultural moment, brimming with change and conflict.

The exhibition, curated by Dr. Michael R. Taylor, focuses primarily on African American artists who were active in and outside of the Black Arts Movement. It re-examines significant cultural moments, including the Wall of Respect, Black Creativity, the Civil Rights Movement, AfriCOBRA, vibrant protest posters, visionary Afrofuturist art, and the influential Hairy Who. Through the use of new scholarship that reassesses and recalibrates traditional narratives of postwar Chicago art, the exhibition resonates with current national dialogues around race, gender, protest, and belonging.

The book itself is a treasure trove of information, featuring a series of long and short essays, interviews, and contextual material. It also includes full-color images of all the works included in the exhibition, as well as extensive reproductions of ephemera and historical photographs. This comprehensive approach allows readers to fully immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of artistic expression that defined Chicago's South Side during this transformative period.

The Time is Now! Art Worlds of Chicago's South Side, 1960-1980, serves as a testament to the power of art to shape society and inspire change. It reminds us of the importance of preserving and celebrating our cultural heritage, while also acknowledging the ongoing challenges and conflicts that continue to shape our world. This exhibition and book offer a valuable perspective on a period of immense creativity and cultural significance, and they are sure to captivate audiences for years to come.

Weight: 1352g
Dimension: 280 x 277 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780935573589