From the Publisher ’ s Desk
Photo by Kipling Swehla Photography
From the Publisher ’ s Desk
If you take a close look at Chicago ’ s rich history , you ’ ll quickly see just how ingrained arts and culture has been in the fabric of our city from the very beginning , how important it is today in our everyday lives , and how important it must be to our future as a city .
Of course , past , present and future are often tightly interwoven components of any life . Though they don ’ t have to be , they often are . The past informs on the present , and whether its course changes dramatically or not , it serves as firm foundation for the future ahead . That concept seems to underscore Chicago ’ s cultural calendar this winter season .
Recently , The City of Chicago announced a new , ambitious Plan for Public Art that celebrates Chicago ’ s history of public art with iconic works like the celebrated Daily Plaza Picasso . Reinvesting and reinvigorating the city ’ s interest in public art will promulgate new art works in common spaces and promote the artists that create them to secure a future that celebrates the city ’ s love affair with art . We profile the new plan and what it offers for Chicago ’ s future .
At Harris Theater for Music and Dance this winter , the iconic American Ballet Theatre will celebrate its past with artists today who mark its future in a program of iconic works that have been set on the company throughout its illustrious 76-year history . Fred Cummings explores this special program that delves into the artistic lineage of one of the most revered ballet companies on the planet in this issue .
Finally , our cover story profiles screen actor Michael Shannon , one
Above : American Ballet Theatre in a scene from Jessica Lang ' s Her Notes ( photo by Rosie O ' Connor ). of the founding ensemble members of A Red Orchid Theatre , returning there to direct fellow ensemble member Brett Neveu ’ s latest work , Traitor . In its 25-year history , Shannon has directed just one other production , and now his history with the theater and its ensemble members is coming full circle as he directs fellow founding ensemble members in one of several new works that are helping to shape the company ’ s illustrious future . Leslie Price gets to the bottom of what brings Shannon back to the company year after year , amid a brilliant Hollywood career that gets busier every day .
A moment on stage can be brilliant and inspiring , but understanding the context behind that moment fulfills the intent , the meaning behind the creation of the art we experience . That context is what we bring you in the Winter 2018 Issue of Clef Notes Journal .
Let that be the impetus for you to get out and dive into the wealth of arts and culture the city has to offer this winter .
Sincerely , D . Webb
Clef N tes
Chicagoland Journal for the Arts W i n t e r 2 0 1 8
Publisher D . Webb
Editorial
Editor in Chief Patrick M . Curran II
Associate Editors Fred Cummings Scott Elam Christopher Hopper
Editorial Support Rachel Cullen
Staff Writers and Contributors Raymond Benson David Berner Isaac Jacobs Andrew Kowalczyk Leslie Price Jordan Reinwald Daniel A . Scurek
Art & Design Art Director Carl Benjamin Smith
Contributing Photographers Colin Lyons Lorenzo Gregorio
Graphics & Design Chelsea Davis Angela Chang
Social Media Manager Mary Henley
Advertising Jason Montgomery Jason . Montgomery @ ClefNotesJournal . com
D . Webb Publisher
6 • CNCJAWinter2018
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