By GINNY VAN ALYEA

DARKROOM is the Museum of Contemporary Photograph's annual renowned benefit auction featuring premier artworks and one-of-a-kind arts experiences by emerging and established contemporary artists from around the world. It's also a really good party. Taking place on Thursday, February 27, 2025 at Columbia College in Chicago's South Loop, this year's event will once again by a festive night in support of MoCP's important programming. When an event takes place year after year, we want to know what will make this year's event different from the rest. I asked MoCP Director Natasha Egan and this year's DARKROOM co-chairs, Gary Metzner and Scott Johnson what we can expect and look forward to - from great art, an important photography award, and some old-school bidding.

CGN: Tell us what we can expect from this year’s DARKROOM benefit.

Expect to step into an immersive atmosphere where light and color blend, shift, and interact, creating a vibrant, ever-changing experience. Dynamic projections and fluid hues will set the stage for an unforgettable evening of art, community, and celebration—all in support of MoCP. A lively auction will feature stunning photographic works from artists across the globe, alongside fantastic food from The Gage, drinks from Orin Swift and Sovereign Brands, and sweet treats from Pretty Cool and Sugar Bliss—all generously sponsored by our partners. SmartBar’s DJ Alejandro Zerah will keep the night flowing with the perfect mix of beats and atmosphere. Whether you're bidding, mingling, or simply soaking it all in, DARKROOM 2025 promises to be a night you won’t want to miss.

CGN: Why is the museum’s fundraiser more important than ever this year?

The arts are facing some complicated headwinds—funding challenges, shifting priorities, and an ever-evolving cultural landscape. But one thing remains clear: spaces like MoCP are more vital than ever. DARKROOM directly supports the museum’s ability to showcase groundbreaking photography, offer free exhibitions and programs, and champion artists at every stage of their careers. Your support ensures that MoCP continues to be a thriving hub for creativity, conversation, and visual literacy in Chicago and beyond.

CGN: I hear clipboards and indecipherable handwriting are back in style. Will I be able to put my phone away at this party?

Absolutely! We’re embracing the old-school thrill of paper bid sheets—so get ready for some dramatic last-minute scribbling and friendly elbowing at the auction. But if you spot something you must have and don’t want to risk a bidding war, you can still snag it instantly with our “Buy It Now” option…on your phone. Otherwise, let’s keep the digital distractions to a minimum—after all, nothing beats the excitement of watching your friends panic as they try to outbid you with a pen!

CGN: What if someone has to miss the big night, but they really want to bid on a work in the auction?

No problem! You can still be part of the action. If you can’t attend in person but have your eye on something special, contact Jaclyn Silverman at jsilverman@colum.edu, and she’ll work with you to place an absentee bid. Or, if you’re the decisive type, you can use the Buy It Now option online—and 25% of the purchase price will be tax-deductible! Don’t miss your chance to take home a stunning work of photography while supporting MoCP.

CGN: Please share a little about this year’s Silver Camera award recipient, Vera Lutter.

Vera Lutter is a visionary artist who quite literally sees the world through a different lens—transforming entire rooms and shipping containers into massive pinhole cameras. Using the camera obscura technique (which, fittingly, translates to darkroom), she creates large-scale, inverted images that challenge our perception of time, space, and memory. She’s a trailblazer in the field of photography, and we are thrilled to honor her with this year’s Silver Camera Award.

CGN: Anything else you’re dying to tell us about DARKROOM 2025?

Yes! If you haven’t yet, get your tickets now—because you won’t want to miss this one. And come ready to celebrate, bid, and maybe even leave with a new piece of photographic history.

For all the details on tickets, the auction, and how to participate, visit mocp.org/events/darkroom-2025/ now!

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