Shinjo Ito's Great Nirvana Aureole
Photo: Courtesy of Shinnyo-en
Today, the Illuminating Company begins its three-week stint as a free, open-to-the-public Buddhist art gallery. From now until May 1, the South Loop space will house more than 100 works (including photographs, engravings, and sculptures) from Japanese artist Shinjo Ito, founder of the Shinnyo-en Buddhist order.
To inspire public interest in the exhibition, Casey De La Rosa Public Communications Inc. hired WPI Event Partners to create a series of events inspired by the spirit of Shinjo Ito's work (all events will be held in the Illuminating Company). WPI co-founder Marcy Manley said that the goal of the events is to lure as diverse an audience as possible to the exhibition. "We want to attract everyone from Chicagoans to suburbanites to children," she said.During the exhibition, the Illuminating Company will feature a museum-style on-site shop (housed in the venue's upstairs loft) and windows imprinted with white circles, which represent the circle of life (a central figure in the Buddhist master's teachings). But the main focus of the space is Shinjo Ito's work, displayed on white pedestals of varying height. "The venue made our job so much easier," said Manley. "It has tremendous ceiling height, and it doesn't overwhelm the art."
Manley designed the events to support the artwork in the same way as the venue. "We wanted our events to harmonize with and highlight the exhibition—not overpower it," she explained. To that end, each event, held on Thursday nights throughout the rest of April, will feature subtle activities or entertainment intended to educate guests about some aspect of the exhibition.
The events held will each have a different theme and target a different crowd. For example, fitness buffs will likely make up most of the crowd at the "Yoga and Chocolate" party on April 24, which will involve a yoga session lead by David Romanelli of Yeah Dave Yoga.
To inspire public interest in the exhibition, Casey De La Rosa Public Communications Inc. hired WPI Event Partners to create a series of events inspired by the spirit of Shinjo Ito's work (all events will be held in the Illuminating Company). WPI co-founder Marcy Manley said that the goal of the events is to lure as diverse an audience as possible to the exhibition. "We want to attract everyone from Chicagoans to suburbanites to children," she said.During the exhibition, the Illuminating Company will feature a museum-style on-site shop (housed in the venue's upstairs loft) and windows imprinted with white circles, which represent the circle of life (a central figure in the Buddhist master's teachings). But the main focus of the space is Shinjo Ito's work, displayed on white pedestals of varying height. "The venue made our job so much easier," said Manley. "It has tremendous ceiling height, and it doesn't overwhelm the art."
Manley designed the events to support the artwork in the same way as the venue. "We wanted our events to harmonize with and highlight the exhibition—not overpower it," she explained. To that end, each event, held on Thursday nights throughout the rest of April, will feature subtle activities or entertainment intended to educate guests about some aspect of the exhibition.
The events held will each have a different theme and target a different crowd. For example, fitness buffs will likely make up most of the crowd at the "Yoga and Chocolate" party on April 24, which will involve a yoga session lead by David Romanelli of Yeah Dave Yoga.
