Challenges and benefits of being an Artist in Chicago

Any move has its own challenges specially when you move to a new country and want to grow your art career in the best way possible. What makes it easier is when you have access to the right resources and are guided through the challenges by experts, it all makes it so much more easier to grow as an Artist. Being an artist these days, there is so much work to do in parallel of making art to be able to get where you want with a healthy mind and soul. I find myself extremely lucky to have found the support I needed with The Artists Next Level. Their available courses and guidelines are a great source for artists who want to take their Art Career seriously. They offer professional development courses for artists at all levels in their art career. I was thrilled to be part of one of their podcasts they did to share the challenges and benefits of being an Artist in Chicago. It was truly amazing to be part of it and also to be able to hear from all the other amazing Chicago based Artists. You can listen to the podcast HERE. My part starts on minute 17 of the podcast.

Pilsen's Show PODs interactive installations are inviting you to be part of it

Along Halsted and 18th in Chicago, there is a Persian vibe these days. The first opening night of WhisperingWalls installations was a success. Parts of the installations are interactive inviting its viewers to be part of it. The installation will be on view till November.

Being in a city like Chicago with a lot of diversity makes it even more interesting for a middle eastern artist like myself to try and share a message, show a part of culture usually people are not familiar with. This project has not been easy but I believe every artist is very inviting to a new challenge; in a way that is what really teaches us new ways of doing things as well. It has taken a lot of planning, sleepless nights and exciting days to get this project to where it is now.

Doing all the installations single handedly in a matter of few days is never easy but again its that kind of stress you would sometimes need to be able to push yourself even further. I could already see there were lot of interest, questions and feedbacks...which is always a good thing, at the end of the day, my aim is to get viewers interested in my culture, to want to know more about it and to get involved. Now with the power of social media, I am asking the viewers to take part in this project and share their images.

This year, we are also celebrating the 45th annual Pilsen East Artists open house as well which is falling on October 9th and 10th 2015 - Whispering Walls is honored to be also featured as one of the events for this year's Chicago Artists Month. Details on the timing and dates are as below:

2nd Friday, October 9th 2015: 6pm - 10pm Saturday, October 10th 2015: 11am - 7pm

Checkout images our lovely Chicagoans have shared through @SarvinHaghighi on Instagram, twitter. Whispering Walls will be there for few more weeks, take part and share it #WhisperingWalls #SarvinHaghighi

ARTIST SARVIN HAGHIGHI’S INSTALLATION, “WHISPERING WALLS” EXPLORES REALITY OF LIVING IN CHICAGO AS IRANIAN EXPATRIATE

Whispering Walls

September 11 – November 1, 2015

Grand Opening - October 9, 2015

Storefronts along South Halsted & 18th Streets in Pilsen (1822-1843 South Halsted)

In the spring of 2015, Iranian artist Sarvin Haghighi exhibited an installation of mixed media at the Evanston Arts Center, titled, “Whispering Walls”. The evocative piece explored the duality of being of Iranian descent, living in Chicago. The installation has now been chosen to be expanded upon as part of ShowPODS’ fall program – coming to life via seven select storefronts on Halsted Street. The enhanced installation, presented as part of The Chicago Arts District’s Second Fridays, and included in Chicago Artists Month (CAM), runs September 11 – November 1, 2015.

“My intention with this installation is to share part of Persian / Iranian culture, which I’ve found many Americans have limited knowledge of”, said Haghighi. “With this installation, I hope to close the gap between the two cultures. And I’m thrilled this work will enjoy a greater audience now that it will be on display in the Halsted Street storefronts, and included in CAM programming.”

The enhanced installation speaks to a hybrid reality, born of an Iranian-US experience – anchored in the artist’s new home, Chicago. As such, the work is grounded in traditional Iranian customs, yet bears a distinct overlay of US/Chicago culture.  The exhibit will come to life via seven storefronts along South Halsted and 18th Streets, in Pilsen. It will be comprised of mixed media, including: paintings, installations, sculpture and be very experiential.

About Second Fridays

The Chicago Arts District, formerly known as PilsenEast, encompasses several contiguous blocks of lofts, studios and retail spaces for artists, gallerists, and creative individuals. Every 2nd Friday of the month, the galleries of the Chicago Arts District invite the public to view new and exciting exhibitions. The public is invited to explore the 30+ creative spaces in the Chicago Arts District at South Halsted and 18th Streets as they showcase an exciting display of art and artists from Chicago and beyond. This unique art community opens its doors, free of charge, and lets viewers get up close and personal with the art and artists. 

About Chicago Artist Month (CAM)

CAM is an initiative of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events that showcases the work of Chicago’s independent artists and arts organizations. As a platform for independently-produced events and programs in all disciplines, CAM highlights creative activity in Chicago neighborhoods; encourages tourism and small business development; fosters collaboration and opportunities for creative expression and learning.