RIVER NORTH FALL ART OPENING NIGHT

RNDD (River North Design District) ART WALK

PAUL NICKLEN

REVERENCE

OPENING RECEPTION:

Friday, September 6th

716 N. Wells (River North)

5:00 - 8:00 pm

Hilton Contemporary announces a specially curated exhibition of new and archival images drawn from the works of world-renowned photographer Paul Nicklen. The exhibition, titled “Reverence,” calls on viewers to cherish our planet with the respect and sacredness it deserves.

Nicklen’s close, intimate portraits of wildlife bring viewers face-to-face with pumas, wolves, whales and more, revealing their roles as integral parts of an ancient order of life 4 billion years in the making. “Reverence” will be spread across Hilton Contemporary’s two galleries in River North (716 N. Wells St.) and Bridgeport at the Morgan Arts Complex (3622 S. Morgan St.). The opening reception will take place Friday, Sept. 6, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Hilton Contemporary River North. The exhibition will be on-view through November 9th.

Following the exhibition’s opening reception on Sept. 6, Paul Nicklen and Cristina Mittermeier will be participating in the Printers Row LitFest, taking part in conversation with Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Alex Garcia at the Center Stage (on S. Dearborn St. between Polk and Harrison) on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 2 p.m. The talk will be followed by a book signing at Hilton Contemporary - Tent V across from the park at Center Stage.

This will be the second year that Hilton Contemporary will participate in the Printers Row LitFest presenting ARTS POETICA GLOBAL, an arts council for global initiatives and philosophies. Last September the featured artist/poet was the Nobel prize nominated, 94 year old poet, Adonis.

“We’re honored to have the opportunity to display the works of a an artist whose devotion to and love of nature is unmatched,” said Arica Hilton, CEO of Hilton Contemporary galleries. Paul's and Cristina Mittermeier’s tireless efforts to help pass legislation to protect our oceans and the life that resides within and on our earth, is an important part of our mission to exhibit works that pulsate with vitality and leave viewers with a heightened appreciation and understanding of our natural world.”

Recently featured in the National Geographic series “Photographer” alongside his partner Cristina Goettsch Mittermeier, Paul Nicklen’s new works on display feature pumas that Nicklen shot in a recent trip to Patagonia, Chile, in addition to landscape photos of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park in Brazil. On display will also be Nicklen's iconic images he has long been known for such as Ice Waterfall (on the cover of Pearl Jam's GIGATON ALBUM), bears, huskies, sperm whales, penguins and others.

Raised in the remote Arctic, Nicklen developed a deep love for wildlife at a young age, nurtured by the rugged landscapes of his home on Baffin Island and the influence of his predominantly Inuit community. His childhood passion for nature led him to pursue a career as a marine biologist before transitioning to photography, eventually leading to a 20-year career at National Geographic Magazine where he documented both the beauty and the plight of our planet.

Known for enduring extreme expeditions across the world’s most isolated environments, Nicklen’s photography quickly garnered international acclaim as a voice for the voiceless and vulnerable wildlife. His evolution through the intersection of art, conservation and science spans from the shores of Antarctica to the depths of the South Pacific. Through his visceral imagery, Nicklen challenges viewers’ perceptions of nature and encourages a shared sense of kinship among all life. 

Nicklen has garnered more than 30 of the highest accolades given to any photographer in his field, earning a global following of celebrities, conservationists, and fans. He has published more than 20 stories for National Geographic and has been the recipient of the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award and the prestigious World Press Photo award for photojournalism.

In the foreword to Paul Nicklen’s book “Born to Ice,” actor and environmental activist, Leonardo DiCaprio wrote:

“To witness the Arctic and Antarctica through Paul Nicklen's lens is to experience hope in action. Born to Ice showcases the life's work of an artist whose love for the landscape-and each animal in it-is so palpable that emotion echoes throughout every image. As a collection, the images build in scope and power, leaving you profoundly affected and deepening your sense of commitment to protect these stunning parts of our planet.” - Leonardo DiCaprio, June 2018

Accompanying Nicklen’s work will be photographs by his partner, Cristina Goettsch Mittermeier, also an acclaimed nature photographer who has been globally recognized as one of the most influential wildlife writers and conservationists, having been named a National Geographic Woman of Impact in 2018. Mittermeier recently debuted her solo exhibition at Hilton Contemporary in July 2024 to an overwhelming reception by collectors from around the world. The exhibition, “HOPE: A PRELUDE” has been held over until October of this year. Collectors will have one more opportunity to meet Mittermeier during Nicklen’s opening reception and Printers Row LitFest

Hilton Contemporary River North is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Bridgeport location is open Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“Reverence” is free and open to the public to view. To learn more about “Reverence” or Hilton Contemporary, visit hiltoncontemporary.com.

REVERENCE  at Hilton Contemporary, September 6 - November 9, 2024