StopSmiling

• NEXT Art Fair
• Preview Night
• 04.24.2008

Merchandise Mart, Chicago

In April 2008, STOP SMILING partnered with the NEXT Art Fair, one of the largest invitational art fairs in the country, hosted in Chicago at the Merchandise Mart. The fair exhibited a staggeringly large collection of work from emerging artists around the world. Spread out over 100,000 square feet of the historic building, there were approximately 200 galleries, artist collectives and project spaces displaying work.

The organizers of NEXT tapped STOP SMILING not only to have a presence at the fair, but also to curate afterparties for the exhibitors, guests and VIPs. For these exclusive events, we chose to present bands and DJs rooted in Chicago. Presented over three nights at various venues across the city, these parties gave out-of-towners a taste of Chicago nightlife and provided a window into the city’s rich musical heritage.

The photographs at right are from the invitation only, opening night of the fair. Photographs from the three other events can be viewed here:

Sonotheque: Sheer Magic DJs

Logan Square Auditorium: Pit Er Pat + Telefon Tel Aviv

Violet Hour: Jazz Trio (Josh Abrams, John Herndon and Jeff Parker)

photography by: Anna Knott + Ben Fasman