David Hartt and Sam Prekop: Artists and Cities

What do Athens, Greece, and Detroit, Michigan, have in common? In the current moment both cities symbolize profound failure – the near complete collapse of economic and political systems. In his video installation The Republic, David Hartt looks beyond the contemporary rhetoric of ruin enshrouding each city to earlier moments, when ambitious planners laid out visions of renewal that invited new futures and new forms of citizenship. Hartt’s collaborator, Chicago musician Sam Prekop (of the band The Sea and Cake), joins him for this screening with live musical accompaniment, followed by conversation. Writer and artist Tim Kinsella joins him for a conversation.

The annual Richard Gray Visual Art Series recognizes a significant gift from founding CHF board member and distinguished art dealer Richard Gray.