Exhibition ‘Can You See Me?’ in Chicago with Kirsten Leenaars

Fri, Oct 14 - Mon, Oct 17  2022

SkyART, Weinberg/Newton Gallery and Arts + Public Life present Can You See Me?, a collaborative three-part exhibition exploring the impact incarceration has on young people. Across three galleries, artwork by young incarcerees, contemporary artists, and arts-justice organizations explores themes of ascendance, innocence and freedom. It includes Letter to the City: “Jail is not my home,” a collaborative project by Dutch video artist Kirsten Leenaars and Circles & Ciphers.

The multimedia exhibition Can You See Me? is on display on three locations, with individual opening dates:

● The primary exhibition opens at Weinberg/Newton Gallery (688 N. Milwaukee Ave.) on Oct. 14, with a reception from 5–7pm and remains on view until Dec. 21, 2022.

● The installation Freedom Space opens at Arts + Public Life (301 E Garfield Boulevard)  on Oct. 21, with an reception from 5–7pm and remains on view until Dec. 16, 2022.

● SkyART’s (3026 S. 91st St.) installment of Can you see me? Envisioning the Future opens on Oct. 28, with an reception from 4–7pm and remains on view until Dec. 17, 2022.

Find more information here.

Video Project by Kirsten Leenaarts and Circles and Ciphers
Watch a preview of Kirsten Leenaarts’ video project A Letter to the City: “jail is not my home” below. The artist collaborated with 15 letter writers who are currently incarcerated and Circles & Ciphers – a hip hop based restorative justice organization in Rogers Park, Chicago. The film reflect on the ways the prison-industrial complex affects individuals, families, communities, and a city.