After the death of their “First Friday” events in 2014, the MCA adopted a new style of event called Prime Time which would occur a few times a year and be more expansive and high profile than their monthly events.
In November, the MCA partnered with Pitchfork to put on Prime Time: Ascend, which featured local Chicago artists Jamila Woods (pronounced Juh-MEE-Luh as she’s wont to tell you, it’s also the first thing you see when you open her website) and Noname. Both have made a name for themselves in the Chicago hip-hop scene on the coattails of Chance the Rapper, but do not let that make you believe they do not deserve the same prominence. Both are not only enormously talented, but both are closely linked through the Chicago slam poetry competition Louder Than a Bomb.
Woods, a poet herself, is the Associate Artistic Director of the Young Chicago Authors, a non-profit that produces LTAB which often draws contestants from the YOUmedia project, which sparked the career of a young Chance the Rapper. Noname got her start in the Chicago poetry scene with YOUmedia and by competing in Louder than a Bomb in which she took home 3rd place out of more than 70 teams.
The night itself was a celebration both of the duo of Chicago women as well as “growth, renewal, ritual, and harmony.” The night showcased the best of Chicago talent to a diverse crowd who, during the intermissions, had the opportunity to explore the exhibits and sample essential oils from local herbalist shop Asrai Gardens.
The whole evening mixed spectacle, performance, and performance art in a way that few other venues would be able. Besides the pop-up exhibits, attendees were also able to take a peek at the current exhibitions like Camille Henrot’s Grosse Fatigue (my favorite exhibit currently at the MCA), and Diana Thater’s The Sympathetic Imagination, all while smelling like tea tree oil and lemongrass. It was truly a joyful event and you could see it on the faces of the audience, which grew even more joyous as Jamila Woods floated on stage.
Woods asked if anyone had heard her new LP which is currently streaming on SoundCloud and a thunderous crowd verified. She then began her set, which consisted of a melancholy painting of the present and a hopeful view of the future. This is most present in her song “VRY BLK” which is structured like the nursury rhyme Ms. Mary Mack and contrasts joyful black culture with the violence of police brutality. She then transitioned to a song entitled LSD (Lake Shore Drive), an ode to Chicago which featured wonderful harmonies with her backup singers, crooning the hook, “You better love me like I love the lake.” It also has my favorite Chance the Rapper verse of 2016 and I was a little disappointed that he was not present to perform, but this was Jamila’s night after all.
Jamila delivered an almost perfect set, it was too short. Granted she was an opener, but the last time I saw her perform she delivered 9 or so songs and this time it was only 6. Not exactly harsh criticism, but she is the best of the almost wholly phenomenal emerging generation of Chicago soul and hip-hop.
When Woods finished her set, the audience was free once more to peruse the museum or refresh with their excellent, if overpriced, food and drink offerings. We strolled through The Sympathetic Imagination before returning to the 1st floor lobby for Noname’s set.
Noname’s first mixtape, which came out this summer, was a more somber affair. While tackling many of the same subjects as Woods, Noname did so with her characteristic monotone. The beauty of the record comes from the pairing of her melancholy vocals with jazzy production featuring soulful backup vocals, spritey percussion, and warm piano and guitar contrasting the dark subject matter.
In Casket Pretty, Noname discusses the fear of dying at the hands of the police to a piano and guitar lullaby. The whole crowd was quiet after the line, “I am afraid of the dark, blue and the white//Badges and pistols rejoice in the night//And we watch the news and we see him die tonight…” her lyrics cut deep in a crowd whose city has been one of the absolute worst affected by excessive police force.
Noname also knew when to add energy to a set that could seem overladen with melancholy. She performed her verse from Lost, the song off Chance the Rapper’s breakout mixtape Acid Rap that was in turn Noname’s break into the mainstream. She also covered fellow conscious Chicago rapper Mick Jenkins’ track Comfortable, rapping both her and Mick’s verses to uproarious applause.
The MCA put on a show that could brought together one of the more diverse crowds I’ve seen at a hip hop show in Chicago and one of the most bizarre and vibrant performance spaces imaginable. It felt like an indoor festival that just happened to be surrounded by incredible pieces of contemporary art. There are too few of these a year.
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The MCA’s Prime Time: Ascend event sounds like it was a beautifully curated evening that truly celebrated both the talent and the spirit of Chicago. It’s inspiring to see spaces that blend cultural performances with engaging environments, fostering both entertainment and deeper appreciation for the arts. The focus on local artists like Jamila Woods and Noname, alongside thoughtful engagements like exploring museum exhibits, enhances the sense of community and belonging.
In similar spirit of enhancing environments for better experiences, I recently came across an interesting article by Pro-Aqua Vivenso. They explore how improving the air quality in public spaces and homes can significantly boost the overall experience, similar to how the MCA designs their events to engage all senses, including the ambient scent of essential oils. Cleaner air can elevate the quality of any public gathering or performance space, making it healthier and more enjoyable for everyone involved. You can read more about their innovative solutions here: Pro-Aqua Vivenso Website. How important do you think the environment is in enhancing the experience of an art event?
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The MCA’s Prime Time: Ascend event really captured the essence of Chicago’s dynamic cultural scene, showcasing the talents of local artists like Jamila Woods and Noname. Their performances not only highlighted the rich, creative spirit of the city but also addressed pressing social issues, making the evening a powerful blend of art and advocacy. The collaboration with Pitchfork to host such a transformative event underscores the potential of music and art to foster community dialogue and growth.
As the event celebrated themes of growth, renewal, ritual, and harmony, it’s a reminder of the importance of nurturing diverse artistic expressions in our communities. For those who are interested in exploring how such principles can be applied in organizational settings to create inclusive and thriving environments, Praxis Kompass provides valuable resources and guidance. Their approach to integrating thoughtful practices into daily operations can help organizations enhance their community impact. Discover more about their work and insights at Praxis-Kompass website.
It’s inspiring to see venues like the MCA not just showcase art but actively engage with the community to reflect and address its diverse needs and aspirations. How can other institutions take a leaf out of MCA’s book to promote both cultural and social enrichment in their activities?
The Prime Time: Ascend event at the MCA truly encapsulated the spirit of Chicago’s vibrant arts scene, showcasing local talents like Jamila Woods and Noname, who have risen through the ranks, not just as musicians but as community storytellers. Their performances, enriched by their roots in the local slam poetry scene, demonstrate the powerful intersection of music and spoken word, underscoring the unique narrative each artist brings to the stage. It’s fascinating to see how these events not only entertain but also create spaces for dialogue and community engagement around cultural and social identities.
In a similar vein, companies that are involved in Direktvertrieb Firmen, like those you can explore on NetAndWork, can learn a lot from such community-focused events. These businesses could enhance their community engagement by sponsoring or participating in similar cultural showcases. This not only boosts their visibility but also aligns them with community values and arts, which is a powerful combination for building brand loyalty and consumer relationships in culturally rich environments like Chicago.
The involvement in such cultural productions can also be seen as an extension of the brand’s narrative, much like how artists use their platform to express and connect. What ways do you think businesses, especially those in direct sales, can further integrate into and support the arts community?
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It’s truly refreshing to see venues like the MCA championing local talent and embracing the rich cultural tapestry that artists like Jamila Woods and Noname represent. The integration of their performances with exhibitions at the MCA not only highlights their individual talents but also underscores the importance of inclusive spaces in the arts that reflect and celebrate diverse backgrounds and experiences.
This idea of blending different cultural expressions into a cohesive event is something many institutions could learn from. It’s about creating a platform where various artistic disciplines and cultural narratives coexist and enrich one another, offering a broader, more inclusive experience to the community. This approach can be seen as an Alternative finden to the conventional art exhibition or music performance, fostering a dynamic environment where art and community intersect more meaningfully.
Finding an alternative way to engage and represent diverse voices is crucial in today’s cultural institutions. It not only broadens the audience’s perspective but also deepens their appreciation of the arts as a space for dialogue and discovery. For those interested in exploring how diverse cultural elements can be integrated into artistic and community projects, Alternative finden provides resources and inspiration for creative professionals and organizers.
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