têtê-à-têtê

têtê-à-têtê:
noun
1.) a private conversation between two people 
2.)small sofa that seats two people

adjective
1.) involving two persons; intimately private;

Last Thursday I was fortunate enough to be able to attend a series of lectures and events related to the grand opening of têtê-à-têtê a group show curated by painter and photographer, Mickalene Thomas, at Rhona Hoffman Gallery. The show includes a fantastic array of photographic works by both African and African-American artists, artists: Derrick Adams, Jayson Keeling, Deana Lawson, Zanele Muholi, Clifford Owens, Mahlot Sansosa, Malick Sidibe, Xaviera Simmons, Hank Willis Thomas, and Mickalene Thomas herself. Beautifully chosen, I was pleased to see the selection of images joined together throughout the gallery. Walking through, one can clearly see the conversation within individual works and the dialogue that was happening between separate works.
This show asks for us to consider the conceptual idea of the black body and what that means in today’s society, as the curator is interested in the performative way in which male artists use their physical presence and body in relation to the viewer, and the way many female artists view themselves through the gaze of another.

The opening itself was amazing. I can't even describe to you the honor and appreciation I felt for having all of the participating artists (with the exception of Hank Willis Thomas) in the same room, here in Chicago. Many reputable figures showed up, including Dawoud Bey, Theaster Gates, Barbara DeGenevieve, and art critics and theorists such as Naomi Beckwith, Kim Pynder, and Romi Crawford. It's interesting to me how the entire show came togethre full circle, highlighting this idea of intimacy and dialogue between genders, from the luncheon with Mickalene Thomas, to the art work, to the opening night.

If you haven't gone out to see the show yet, I would certainly encourage you to do so as soon as possible. The exhibition is up through May 5th.

For more information on the exhibition visit:
http://www.rhoffmangallery.com/

Rhona Hoffman Gallery
118 North Peoria Street
Chicago, Illinois 60607