Opening Reception: Artist in Residence Capstone ‘Searching For an Exit’

Join us for the opening reception of Searching For an Exit, the capstone exhibition by IMSS Artist in Residence Anastasia Sitnikova. Light refreshments included and wine will be served to guests with proof of age. Alcohol served to guests 21+, ID required

Free

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The International Museum of Surgical Science (IMSS) is pleased to introduce their Fall 2021 Artist in Residence, Anastasia Sitnikova. The IMSS resumes its active roll in supporting Chicago and Illinois arts and artists through its Artist in Residency and "Anatomy in the Gallery" rotating contemporary art galleries. Anastasia Sitnikova's capstone exhibition opens on February 25th, 2022.

Anastasia Sitnikova (b. 1979, Russia) is a Chicago artist and art educator. Born at the very end of the Cold War era, Sitnikova experienced a period of turbulence between the USSR and new Russia, which shaped her interest in utopian and dystopian ideas. Her art is much driven by the curiosity about human nature and social relations as a representation of inner self and outer world, subconscious and conscious, correspondingly. Sitnikova creates large-scale installations to illustrate, activate and explore these ideas. Like many of us, she tries to understand other people through her own experience and find common ground that can make our coexistence more meaningful and enjoyable. Sitnikova holds an MFA in Studio Arts from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a master’s degree in Management from the State University of Management, Moscow, Russia. Her work has been exhibited at educational institutions, non-profit and commercial galleries in Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio.

Anastasia’s practice explores the relationship between body, mind, and technology in order to heal the imperfection of human nature and its tendency for violence. Growing up with World War II survivors, she spent her childhood at a Soviet airbase, lived through the end of the Cold War, survived the collapse of the USSR, and the years of terror that followed, and seven years ago immigrated to the United States. Focusing on psychoanalysis, Sitnikova's research centers around the question of the extent to which human social behavior is conscious and to what extent it is based on uncontrolled physiological responses. Searching for an Exit explores the connection between the body, mind, and instincts. Utilizing mixed materials, Sitnikova develops impossible tools to heal the mind.

About the Artist in Residence Program: As artistic practice occupies an increasingly pluralistic field, The International Museum of Surgical Science believes that artists are uniquely equipped to extrapolate on Museum collections in innovative ways and introduce novel perspectives to the institutional depiction of medical history. The IMSS Artist Residency Program provides working artists with: access to the Museum’s extensive collections and archive; visibility on the Museum’s website and social media channels; and a month-long capstone Solo Exhibition (or equivalent presentation) at the Museum.

About the Museum: The International Museum of Surgical Science, a Division of the International College of Surgeons, was founded in 1954 by Dr. Max Thorek. The Museum is committed to enriching lives by enhancing an appreciation and understanding of the history, development and advances in surgery and related subjects in health and medicine. The Museum is located in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood, and is housed in a historic lake-shore mansion designed in the early 20th century by Howard Van Doren Shaw. 

General Information: The International Museum of Surgical Science: 1524. N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL - 60610; tel. 312.642.6502; on the web at www.imss.org and info@imss.org.

Hours and Admission: The IMSS is open Monday-Friday from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., except for most major holidays. Admission rates are $17 for adults and $13 for students, educators, military members and seniors, with ID.