Museum of Contemporary Art

Virgil Abloh

“Figures Of Speech”

10 Jun - 22 Sep 2019

Off-WhiteTM c/o Virgil Abloh, Spring/Summer 2018, Look 11; courtesy of Off-WhiteTM c/o Virgil Abloh. Photo: Fabien Montique.
VIRGIL ABLOH
“Figures Of Speech”
10 June – 22 September 2019

The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago presents Virgil Abloh: "Figures of Speech," the first museum exhibition devoted to the work of the genre-bending artist and designer Virgil Abloh (American, b. 1980). Abloh pioneers a practice that cuts across media and connects visual artists, musicians, graphic designers, fashion designers, and architects.

Abloh cultivated an interest in design and music at an early age, finding inspiration in the urban culture of Chicago. While pursuing a master’s degree in architecture from the Illinois Institute of Technology, he connected with Kanye West and joined West’s creative team to work on album covers, concert designs, and merchandising. In 2013, Abloh founded his stand-alone fashion brand Off-WhiteTM in Milan, Italy, and in 2018 assumed the position of Men’s Artistic Director of Louis Vuitton.

Set in an immersive space designed by Samir Bantal, the Director of AMO, the research studio of Rem Koolhaas's renowned architectural firm OMA, the MCA exhibition will offer an in-depth look at defining highlights of Abloh's career including a program of cross-disciplinary offerings that will mirror the artist’s range of interests across music, fashion, architecture, and design.

The exhibition is organized by Michael Darling, James W. Alsdorf Chief Curator, with curatorial assistance from Chanon Kenji Praepipatmongkol, Marjorie Susman Curatorial Fellow. It is presented in the Griffin Galleries of Art on the museum’s fourth floor.

Circle and DVC membership levels have unlimited access to the exhibition and do not need to reserve timed tickets. These levels will also be eligible for additional yet-to-be-announced benefits. Please contact the office of Individual Giving at 312-397-4044 for further information and exhibition sponsorship opportunities.