Pierre Bismuth's 'Love Bless America' at Neubauer Collegium Explores Gospel and Divine Love
From September 26, 2026, to January 8, 2027, the Neubauer Collegium for Culture and Society in Chicago will host 'Love Bless America,' an exhibition showcasing new creations by French artist and filmmaker Pierre Bismuth. This display includes a fresh film project and a collection of digital images inspired by the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States. It intertwines the themes of divine love and the nation's rich heritage of spiritual folk music, particularly gospel. The exhibition is partially influenced by the Neubauer Collegium's Love/Music research initiative, which explores the connection between love and music. Bismuth, who has a deep interest in improvised music, collaborated with Chicago-based contrabassist Joshua Abrams and pianist Sharon Udoh to create a contemporary spiritual.
Key facts
- 'Love Bless America' is an exhibition of new works by French artist and filmmaker Pierre Bismuth.
- The exhibition is presented by the Neubauer Collegium for Culture and Society in Chicago.
- It is on view September 26, 2026–January 8, 2027.
- The show features a new film project and a series of digital images created with the 250th anniversary of the United States in mind.
- The exhibition entwines divine love with America's tradition of spiritual folk music, specifically gospel.
- The project was partly inspired by the Love/Music research initiative at the Neubauer Collegium, focused on the relationship between love and music.
- Bismuth has a longstanding interest in improvised music.
- Bismuth invited Chicago-based contrabassist Joshua Abrams and pianist Sharon Udoh to compose a 21st-century spiritual.
Entities
Artists
- Pierre Bismuth
- Joshua Abrams
- Sharon Udoh
Institutions
- Neubauer Collegium for Culture and Society
Locations
- Chicago
- United States
- France