Chicago Imagists at Fondazione Prada: 1965-1975

Fondazione Prada in Milan presents 'Famous Artists from Chicago. 1965-1975', a comprehensive survey of the city's vibrant art scene curated by Germano Celant. The exhibition focuses on the Chicago Imagists, a group that emerged after the Monster Roster, whose work was influenced by masters like El Greco, Goya, and Munch, and was politically charged with expressionist roots. The Imagists, including Ed Paschke, Jim Nutt, Gladys Nilsson, and others, pushed further with disenchanted, surreal, and often provocative imagery inspired by sources like the film 'Freaks', distinct from Pop Art. The show references Don Baum's 1969 exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art, titled 'Don Baum Says Chicago Needs Famous Artists', which fostered a spirit of freedom. The exhibition also features works by precursors Leon Golub and H.C. Westermann. The atmosphere of total liberty and dialogue with rock music is evident, with a dominant ironic and satirical key, prefiguring postmodernism.