Design Museum of Chicago Debuts Bike Exhibit “Keep Moving” in New Space
On September 12, 1895, a suntanned woman riding a Chicago-made men’s bicycle and men’s riding suit rode into the city and claimed a $10,000 prize. Annie Londonderry had just completed a 15-month journey and won a high-stakes bet to become the first woman to ride a bicycle around the world.
Londonderry’s triumph is just one of the stories being told in “Keep Moving: Designing Chicago’s Bicycle Culture,” the Design Museum of Chicago’s latest exhibition opening at the Expo 72 (72 E. Randolph St.) on October 27 and closing on March 3.
The exhibition focuses on the history of bicycle manufacturing in Chicago and the city’s role in shaping the bicycle as an American symbol, as well as Chicago’s contemporary cycling culture. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore model bicycles, stereoscope images, archived magazines, catalogs and advertisements, and will hear from current Chicago cyclists and community members in a series of curated events.
“‘Keep Moving’ is organized around two narrative principles: innovation and cultural symbolism,” explained Lauren Boegen, Design Museum of Chicago executive director of operations and collections and curator of the exhibition. “We’ll talk about how form, function, manufacturing and sales design from Chicago shaped the American bicycle industry. We’ll also talk about how bikes permeated American culture through the lenses of gender, class, community and freedom.”
The multidimensional show will examine the influence of Chicago-based companies like Arnold, Schwinn and Co.; Sears, Roebuck and Co.; and Western Wheel Works. It will also highlight community-led organizations like Blackstone Bicycle Works, and feature local clubs and groups like Active Transportation Alliance and West Town Bikes in events and programming.
“Scrappy, quietly persistent, and proud,” said Boegen when asked to describe the Chicago cycling community. “Not coincidentally, these are also words I'd use to describe Chicago and Chicagoans.”
“Keep Moving: Designing Chicago’s Bicycle Culture” is part of Art Design Chicago, an initiative of the Terra Foundation for American Art exploring Chicago’s art and design legacy, with presenting partner, The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation. Support for the exhibition is provided by the Terra Foundation for American Art. Additional exhibition sponsors include The Chicago Community Trust and SRAM with support from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.
Expo 72 is located at 72 E. Randolph St., directly across from the Chicago Cultural Center. The exhibition will be open to the public Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. Programming will include the following events, among others:
Chicago Cycles: 150 Years of Bicycle Design and Innovation
Presented by Christopher Sweet, bicycle historian and associate professor at Illinois Wesleyan University
3:30 p.m. November 3, 2018
Presented by Christopher Sweet, bicycle historian and associate professor at Illinois Wesleyan University
3:30 p.m. November 3, 2018
Beauty and the Bike: The Impact of Recreational Changes on Park Designs
Presented by Julia Bachrach, author and urban planner
6:00 p.m. December 6, 2018
Presented by Julia Bachrach, author and urban planner
6:00 p.m. December 6, 2018
From Bloomers to Pedal Pushers to Rompers: Riding Bikes in Style
Presented by Petra Slinkard, curator of fashion and textiles at the Peabody Essex Museum, and Lauren Boegen, Design Museum executive director of operations and collections
1:30 p.m. December 15, 2018
Presented by Petra Slinkard, curator of fashion and textiles at the Peabody Essex Museum, and Lauren Boegen, Design Museum executive director of operations and collections
1:30 p.m. December 15, 2018
About the Design Museum of Chicago
Formerly known as the Chicago Design Museum (ChiDM), the Design Museum of Chicago was founded in 2012 with a mission to strengthen design culture and build community. Through education, experiences, exhibitions and outreach, the design museum works to foster critical conversations and position Chicago’s rich design history and dynamic creative networks within an ongoing global context, celebrating both the city’s individualism and its role in an interdependent, international discipline. The museum is located in the Expo 72 building at 72 E. Randolph St. in downtown Chicago, directly across from the Chicago Cultural Center. For more information please visit DesignChicago.org.
Founding sponsors of the Design Museum of Chicago include Cards Against Humanity, Block Thirty Seven, Leo Burnett, 50,000feet and Simple Truth.
About Art Design Chicago
Art Design Chicago is a spirited celebration of the unique and vital role Chicago plays as America’s crossroads of creativity and commerce. Initiated by the Terra Foundation for American Art, this citywide partnership of cultural organizations explores Chicago’s art and design legacy with more than 30 exhibitions and hundreds of events in 2018. Support for Art Design Chicago is provided by the Terra Foundation for American Art and Presenting Partner, The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation. Additional funding for the initiative is provided by Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and the Joyce Foundation. The Chicago Community Trust, Leo Burnett, Polk Bros. Foundation and EXPO CHICAGO are providing in-kind support.www.ArtDesignChicago.org
About Terra Foundation for American Art
Since it was established in 1978, the Terra Foundation for American Art has been one of the leading foundations focused on the historical art of the United States. Headquartered in Chicago, it is committed to fostering exploration, understanding, and enjoyment of American art among national and international audiences. To further cross-cultural dialogue on American art, the foundation supports and collaborates on innovative exhibitions, research, and educational programs. The foundation also provides opportunities for interaction and study through the presentation and ongoing development of its own art collection in Chicago, recognizing the importance of experiencing original works of art. Implicit in such activities is the belief that art has the potential both to distinguish cultures and to unite them. www.TerraAmericanArt.org
