Designer, DJ and frequent collaborator Virgil Abloh will make his museum exhibit debut at Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, an event that opens on June 10, 2019. Titled “Figures of Speech,” the exhibition will offer an in-depth look at defining highlights of Abloh’s creative efforts over the past 15 years that reflect his range of interests across music, fashion, architecture, and design.
Fashion items include Off-White and Louis Vuitton designs as well as sneaker prototypes made as part of his partnership with Nike. The exhibit will also include items from his Ikea collaboration.
Given his roots, a first-time museum exhibit at MCA Chicago couldn’t be more appropriate. Raised in Rockford, Illinois, Abloh received a master of architecture at the Illinois Institute of Technology in 2006. For his undergraduate degree he attended the University of Wisconsin and while there he made his game-changing, first connection with the then Chicago-based rapper Kanye West.
Reflecting his love of music, Abloh recently previewed a transparent
Pioneer DJ mixer, which will be included in the exhibit. Designed by Abloh, the colorful mixer made its debut during his Coachella 2019 DJ set.
As part of the exhibit, the museum will set up a pop-up store called “Church & State.” Located on the fourth floor of the museum, the store will include a retrospective of best-selling Off-White product and new, exclusive collections inspired by the exhibition. The store is accessible with a “Figures of Speech” ticket. According to MOCA, product will only be sold in-store, on-site.
Abloh in 2018 designed a Nike x Off-White Air Force 1 sneaker for the Museum of Modern Art in New York and in advance of his MCA Chicago exhibit, he’s been teasing previously unseen Louis Vuitton and Nike sneakers that one has to assume will be sold at the shop. Abloh has confirmed the store will include a book titled “Artwork” along with an orange cardboard box, which will be packaged as a flat.
“Figures of Speech” will open on June 10 and run through September 22, 2019. There will be an opening party on June 8th that will include a surprise -guest performance. Tickets for the event are priced at $2,200 and can be purchased here.
Check out a preview of items in the exhibit below.
